Historic Church Covenants? Which are more better than others?

Mr. Messy-

thanks for the background. This covenant appears in a much longer form in the back of some mid 1900's Baptist hymnals, and many churches still have some adaptation in their official bylaws.

You might want to check out reformedreader.org, they may have some other covenants- a lot of historical documents there.

All in all, I really like using them and know that we need them.

 

This church covenant, that you first quoted the first portion of, is the one that I saw framed on the wall in most of the Southern Baptist churches in the area I grew up.



"THE CHURCH COVENANT" .....

"Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God 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 Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God, 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 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 secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; 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 tattling, backbitting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage 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 be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rule of our Saviour to secure it without delay.

We moreover, engage that when we remove from this place we will as soon as possible unite with some other Church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word."