Church Covenant

Church Covenant of First Baptist Church Haw River

Having been brought by God's grace to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and to give ourselves to Him, we do now, relying on His Spirit, solemnly and joyfully renew our covenant with each other.

As members of First Baptist Church Haw River, we commit to the following:

1. We will seek to live out the gospel.

We will seek to live out and share the gospel in our daily lives, submitting to the authority of Scripture, striving to walk in holiness and love, and living in light of Christ's return. By God’s grace, we will live wisely in this world, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. We will pursue personal worship and instruct our children in the Word of the Lord (Titus 2:11-13; Ephesians 5:21; 1 Peter 5:2-3; Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

2. We will walk together in love.

We will walk together in brotherly love, caring for one another, seeking the unity of the Spirit, looking out for the interests of others, and praying for each other regularly. We will rejoice in each other's happiness and strive with tenderness and sympathy to bear each other's burdens and sorrows. We will use our spiritual gifts to build up the body of Christ. We will confront sin with humility and grace, aiming for restoration, and extend forgiveness as we have been forgiven in Christ. We will humbly submit to one another and to the leadership of our pastors, recognizing their God-given role to shepherd us with care, and we will support them in prayer as they give an account for our souls (Philippians 2:1-5; Galatians 6:1-2; Ephesians 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 1 Peter 4:10; Ephesians 4:32; Hebrews 13:17).

3. We will gather regularly.

We will prioritize the regular gathering of this congregation, not neglecting to meet together, but encouraging one another, faithfully participating in corporate worship, prayer, the ordinances, and the reading and preaching of God's Word. We will live for Christ, faithfully serving in His local Church. Should we, as individual believers, move from this place, we will unite with another like-minded, gospel-centered church where we can continue to carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word (Hebrews 10:23-25; Acts 2:42).

4. We will give cheerfully.

We will give regularly, cheerfully, and sacrificially for the support of the church, the relief of the needy, and the spread of the gospel both near and far (2 Corinthians 9:7; Acts 4:34-35; Matthew 28:18-20).

To the glory of God alone and by His power, we joyfully unite together- committing ourselves to God and the members of His church. May God continue His work in our lives and through our lives here at First Baptist Church. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.