Appendix 3: Our Biblical Commitment (replacing the Church Covenant) – Biblical Foundations and Doctrinal Integrity
While many traditional church covenants contain admirable summaries of biblical principles, we recognize that no man-made covenant is as sufficient as Scripture. The Bible is not a summary; it is the full, living, active Word of God. It is complete, without error, and fully authoritative. We choose, therefore, not to place ourselves or our members under any additional vow, creed, or church covenant beyond The Bible itself, which fully equips us to be “throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17)
God’s Word cautions against making vows lightly (Ecclesiastes 5:4–5; James 5:12). To require a covenant that runs the risk of being rarely studied, inconsistently applied, and lightly regarded would potentially place an unnecessary spiritual burden on our members and cause them to stumble under obligations they did not fully understand or may not consistently keep.
Instead, we affirm that all who unite with this church do so under the authority of God’s Word and are accountable to live according to its precepts — not under a limited covenant, but in faithful obedience to Christ through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Let our “yes” be yes, and our “no” be no, as we walk together in grace, truth, and mutual accountability to Scripture. May The Holy Spirit always be allowed to lead and guide us into all truth from any and all possible error.
God’s Word cautions against making vows lightly (Ecclesiastes 5:4–5; James 5:12). To require a covenant that runs the risk of being rarely studied, inconsistently applied, and lightly regarded would potentially place an unnecessary spiritual burden on our members and cause them to stumble under obligations they did not fully understand or may not consistently keep.
Instead, we affirm that all who unite with this church do so under the authority of God’s Word and are accountable to live according to its precepts — not under a limited covenant, but in faithful obedience to Christ through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Let our “yes” be yes, and our “no” be no, as we walk together in grace, truth, and mutual accountability to Scripture. May The Holy Spirit always be allowed to lead and guide us into all truth from any and all possible error.