Covenant of the Fall River Baptist Church
Having been led, as we believe, by the Holy Spirit, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, Holy Angels, and this assembly most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as
one body in Christ. We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in the knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to give it a sacred pre-eminence over all institutions of human origin; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations. We also engage to maintain family and private devotions; to train our children in the Christian faith; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all sinful amusements, tattling, gossiping, backbitting, and excessive anger, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Saviour. We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to extend hospitality of our home to visitors and newcomers to our church as circumstances permit; to be slow to take offence, but always ready for reconciliation and, mindful of the admonition of our Saviour, to seek it without delay. If we should leave this church, we will, as soon as possible, unite with another church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the teaching of God's Word.
