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Hope Fellowship Membership Covenant

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This covenant details the specific ways the members of Hope Fellowship have agreed to live their lives and treat one another within the body. Each potential member needs to carefully read over the following promises and be able to commit themselves to this covenant in order to become a member of Hope Fellowship Church.  

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  • Having been led with assurance, by the Spirit of God through the Holy Scriptures, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior, and upon the profession of my repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, having been baptized by immersion in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, I do now in the presence of God, the elect angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with my fellow members, as one body in Christ.

Acts 2:38; John 11:26; Hebrews 11:6; John 1:12-13; 1 Peter 2:6; Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Timothy 5:21; Romans 8:1

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  • I will, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace and will walk together with my fellow members in Christian love, even to the laying down of my own preferences for the sake of my brothers and sisters in Christ.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 13:34   

 

  • I will strive for the advancement of this local church in knowledge, holiness, and influence. I will strive to promote this church’s well-being and spirituality; to sustain true Biblical worship in it, observing the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's table, discipline, and doctrines as revealed in the Word of God; and to submit to its leaders as they are faithful to Christ.

Hebrews 10:24-25; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-15   

 

  • I will not forsake the assembling for corporate worship on the Lord’s Day, nor neglect other gatherings or meetings the Elders deem important or necessary. 

Hebrews 10:25; Hebrews 5:5; Acts 2:42-47   

 

  • I will contribute cheerfully, generously, and regularly of my income as God has graciously prospered me for the financial support of the full time elders, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor among us, and the spread of the Gospel throughout all nations.

1 Corinthians 9:1-7, 9:8-14; 1 John 3:17; Luke 6:38; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-10, 9:11-15

 

  • I will maintain private and family devotions, educate my children in the Christian faith, and demonstrate the love of Christ in all of my household relationships. 

Ephesians 6:1-4; Psalm 78 ; Deuteronomy 6:1-5, 6-9

 

  • I will seek the salvation of my relatives, acquaintances and strangers who have not repented and expressed saving faith in Christ. I will pray for the spiritual awakening of the lost in my community and beyond and will be a faithful witness of the Gospel wherever I go. 

Matthew 28:19-20 ; Luke 24:44-48 ; Acts 1:3-8

 

  • I will walk wisely in the world, be just in my dealings, faithful in my engagements, and exemplary in my behavior. I will abstain from all sinful behavior the Bible clearly forbids and will do my best to avoid even the very appearance of evil. I will take seriously the responsibility of Christian freedom, especially actions or situations that could present a stumbling block to others, and will refrain from practicing anything which could jeopardize my own or another believer’s faith.

1 Thessalonians 5:22; Psalm 1:1-6; Matthew 12:33-37; Ephesians 4:25-29; 5:3-12; Colossians 3:1-17; Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Romans 14

 

  • I will practice complete chastity unless married and, if married, complete fidelity within heterosexual and monogamous marriage. Complete chastity and fidelity means, among other things, that regardless of my marital status, I will pursue purity and abstain from sexually immoral practices such as adultery, premarital sex, homosexuality and pornography.

Romans 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 6:15-20; 1 Corinthians 10:8; Ephesians 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4 

 

  • I will seek to preserve the gift of marriage and agree to walk through the steps of marriage reconciliation at Hope Fellowship Church before pursuing separation or divorce from my spouse.

Matthew 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12; Luke 16:18; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11

 

  • I will commit to watch over other members in brotherly love; to remember them in prayer, aid them in sickness and distress, and willingly share my possessions to help meet their basic necessities of life.  

Leviticus 19:16; Matthew 19:15-20; Colossians 2:9-10;  Ephesians 5:1-2;  Ephesians 6:18; Acts 4:32-35

 

  • I will cultivate Christian sympathy in how I respond to my fellow members.  I will strive to avoid all scriptural prohibitions, such as gossiping and backbiting; refrain from speaking evil of other believers; be slow to take offense; think the best of my fellow brothers and sisters; count others more significant than myself; and always be ready for biblical reconciliation and mindful of the commands of my Savior to secure it without delay so far as it depends upon me. 

Psalm 19:14; Psalm 34:13-14; Ephesians 4:29; 1 Peter 3:8-12; Philippians 2:3; Matthew 5:21-26; Titus 3:2; James 3:2-12; Proverbs 26:20-26

 

  • I will, if necessary, submit to Biblically defined and regulated church discipline for the purpose of reconciliation with God and man and I accept that refusing to submit or leaving this body without repenting and being reconciled is to usurp the authority of the Church, break this covenant, and disobey God's direct command.  

Matthew 18:15, 20; Hebrews 12:11; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 1 John 2:19; 1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Corinthians 2:1-11; Luke 17:4

 

  • I will, when I move from this local church, as soon as possible and if possible, unite with a local church which upholds the “Essential Beliefs” defined in the church constitution, where I can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s word.

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