God established a covenant relationship, first with His people Israel, and then a new covenant with His people, the church (Hebrews 8:7-13; 9:15). Having been led, as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior and, on the profession of our faith, having been baptized by immersion in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and accepting the Bible as our authoritative standard regarding our belief and behavior, we do now in the presence of God and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.
We believe we exist to glorify God by attracting and winning people to faith in Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20), by nurturing them in our Christian family, by bringing them to Christ-like maturity (Ephesians 4:14-16), and by involving them in meaningful ministry (2 Corinthians 5:18).
Therefore, as members of God’s covenant family known as First Baptist Church of Blairsville, we commit ourselves to God and to one another to be Christ-like (1 Peter 2:21) in our lives and relationships through the presence, guidance, and power of God’s Holy Spirit.
We will love one another as Christ loved us (John 13:34), honor one another above ourselves (Romans 12:10), be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32), encourage and build up one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11), comfort one another (2 Corinthians 1:4), and offer hospitality to one another (1 Peter 4:9).
We will have a spirit of unity based on our common bond in Christ (Ephesians 4:3-6), be united in mind and convictions (1 Corinthians 1:10), meet together regularly (Hebrews 10:25), have equal concern for each other, suffer when one suffers and rejoice when another is honored (1 Corinthians 12:25-26), and let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit (Philippians 2:3).
We will use our God-given knowledge to instruct one another (Romans 15:14), use our spiritual gifts to bless one another (1 Corinthians 12:7), use the Word of Christ to teach and admonish one another (Colossians 3:6), and nurture one another toward spiritual maturity measured by the life and ministry of Jesus (Ephesians 4:13).
We will not talk negatively about one another (James 4:11), not pass judgment on one another, not put any stumbling block in one another’s way (Romans 14:13), we will be morally pure in our thoughts, actions and language (Ephesians 5:3-4). We will be generous in our giving (2 Corinthians 9:5) and we will be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
We will confess our sins to one another, pray for each other (James 5:16) warn those who are disruptive, encourage the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with one another (1 Thessalonians 5:14), forgive one another as the Lord forgave us (Colossians 3:13), and gently restore those who sin (Galatians 6:1).
We will let the light of our godly lives shine together to bring glory to God (Matthew 5:16).
If we move from this place, we will, as soon as possible, unite with a sister church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
