HARMONY BAPTIST CHURCH

MEMBERSHIP COVENANT

OUR BELIEFS

The biblical principles listed in this document define who we are and what Harmony Baptist Church stands for. To be clear about our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ’s authority at Harmony Baptist it is necessary that each member affirm their commitment to these biblical beliefs.

The Church: A church is a local body of believers who are associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel. This church is an autonomous body under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The Church is the Body of Christ and family of God. It is not a physical building but the universal body of baptized believers living in love and harmony. (Romans 12:4-5; Acts 2:14-47; 1 Peter 2:4-5; Ephesians 2:19-22, 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; Revelation 21:2, 9)

The Great Commission: The mission of the church is to Glorify God and advance the kingdom of God by making disciples of all nations through the preaching and teaching of the gospel of Christ. It is the responsibility of every believer to carry out the Great Commission and be part of God’s great redemptive work. (Matthew 28: 16-20; Acts 1:8)

Our Alignment with Christ’s teachings

In order for Harmony Baptist’s members to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission we must abide in Jesus’ teaching about the importance of unity and harmony in our beliefs and desire to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, as found in Matthew 12:25, 30:

➢ “ 25Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.”

➢ “ 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

God: There is one God, existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present. He is the Creator and Ruler of all. He is love. (Genesis 1:1-2; Isaiah 45:5-6; Psalm 33:13-15, 90:2, 139:7-10, 147:5; Matthew 3:13-17, 28:17-20; 1 John 4:8)

Jesus Christ: Jesus is the Son of God, God the son, head of the Church, and God’s only designated Savior of the world. He is eternal, born to a virgin, fully God and man. He died on the cross, resurrected three days later, ascended to heaven, and will return. God sent his son Jesus to be the atonement for the world’s sins. He is the way, the truth, and the life. (Matthew 1:18-25, 3:13-17; John 1:1, 14:6; Colossians 1:15-18; Luke 23:26-56, 24:1-53; 1 Corinthians 15:12-34; 1 John 4:14; 1 John 2:1-2)

The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is God and lives in all believers. He gives power for holy living, guides us to what is right, and reveals truth. In Him we experience joyful living. (John 15:26; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:22-23)

The Scriptures: The Bible is the inspired infallible Word of God. It is our final authority in determining what we believe, what we practice and how we live. It holds within it the truth of God that speaks to man’s heart and soul. It is complete and is to be accepted in its entirety. (2 Timothy 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 22:19)

Man: Man was created, in God’s image, to glorify God, to work, and to care for creation. Man willfully sinned leading to his separation from God and his physical and spiritual death. All of humanity is by birth and action sinful and without hope apart from Jesus. (Genesis 1:26-30; 2:7; 2:15-17; 3:19; Romans 3:23; 5:12; 6:23; Acts 4:12; Psalm 51:5; Ephesians 2:1-3)

Salvation: In His love, God sent His son to die for us. Jesus’ death and resurrection allow salvation to be possible for all. Only by trusting in and submitting to the lordship of Jesus, can one be reconciled to God and experience eternal life. Those who trust in Jesus repent of sin and confess their faith. (John 3:16-18, 3:3-55, 5:28-29, 10:1-18; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 1 John 5:12; Romans 5:8, 10:9; Acts 2:38, 4:12)

Baptism: Jesus instructed His followers to be baptized in water as their identification with His death, burial and resurrection. Baptism is the immersion of the believer symbolizing the passing away of the old life and the beginning of a new life in Christ. Although we believe identification through Baptism is an important part of a Christian’s spiritual life, Baptism is not necessary for Salvation. (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:9-13, Galatians 3:27; Acts 2:38, 8:36-38, 19:1-7; John 3:16; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 16:31)

The Lord’s Supper: The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience that memorializes the death and sacrifice of Jesus and anticipates His second coming. The bread represents the broken body and the wine represents the blood shed. We regularly receive the Lord’s Supper to remember Jesus' sacrifice for our sins. Although we believe communion is an important act of obedience in a Christian’s spiritual life, it is not necessary for salvation. (Luke 22: 19-20; 1 Corinthians 11: 23-30, John 3:16; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 16:31)

Marriage: Marriage is an institution created by and ordained by God. Biblical marriage joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive, lifelong union. God intends sexual intimacy to only occur between a man and a woman who are married to one another. The biblical marriage model is so revered that it is also used to describe Christ and the Church’s spiritual relationship to one another as Husband and Wife. (Genesis 1:26-28, 2:20-25; Mark 10:6-9; Ephesians 5:22-23; Hebrew 13:4; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 7:3-5, 39; 2 Corinthians 6:14; Romans 1:26-28; Leviticus 18:22; Ephesians 5:21-33)

ELDER RESPONSIBILITIES

Elders are the biblical leaders of the church and are held to the same member expectations. Additionally they strive to:

Prayerfully seek God’s will for the church, led by Scripture and the Holy Spirit. (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-4)

1. Care for the church, seek her spiritual growth, equip the members for ministry, and steward her resources. (Matthew 28:16-20; Ephesians 4:15-16 Colossians 1:28; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4, Ephesians 4:11-16)

2. Provide biblical teaching and counseling, being on guard against false teachings. (Acts 20:27-28; 1 Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Titus 2:1; Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:28-31; 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 1 John 4:1)

3. Lovingly exercise discipline, for the good of the church as a whole (Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5; Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20)

4. Set an example for members by fulfilling the obligations of membership (Philippians 3:17; 1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:7-8; 1 Peter 5:3)

MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES

Members of Harmony Baptist Church will strive to fulfill these biblical responsibilities:

1. Glorify God in all I do. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

2. Live the Greatest Commandment to completely love God and my fellow man. (Matthew 22:37-40)

3. Pursue Jesus in study, prayer, and fellowship. (1 Timothy 2:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22; Hebrews 10:25)

4. Sacrificially and cheerfully use the resources and gifts God has given. (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:7)

5. Live in holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit. (1 Peter 1:13-16; 1 Peter 1:15-16)

6. Seek unity and peace in the church. (Ephesians 4:1-3; Hebrews 13:17; Colossians 3:12-14)

In doing all these things I will be a disciple for Christ by showing and sharing God’s love and message with my family, my church and my community. I hereby state my desire to be a member of Harmony Baptist Church and help it fulfill its mission to build a family of disciples that love God, love people, and follow Jesus.

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