SEMESTER 2
325 – The Church Covenant
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: ECCLESIOLOGY II LESSON # 25
THE CHURCH COVENANT
Read Acts 1:14
; 2:1, 46; 4:24; 5:12; 15:25, Phil. 2:2
INTRODUCTION:
1. Each of these verses reveals an ideal spirit in the church.
2. The word homothumadon does not mean that they had the same opinion about every issue of life.
3. It means unanimity of passion or purpose.
4. It is in the interest of this principle that covenants, articles of faith, constitutions, bylaws, etc., are originated.
5. Some churches do not have these, that is their right.
6. On the other hand, is it proper or unscriptural for any church to have them?
I. THE SCRIPTURE AND OTHER DECLARATIONS (THE JUSTIFICATION OF THEM)
1. The statement of those who reject the use of these written documents of church government is as follows:
i. The Bible is a sufficient rule book.
ii. Churches should obey only the Bible.
iii. If Christians cannot be governed by Scripture, what good will human documents do?
2. The argument for these things is this
i. They are not unscriptural, but interpretive.
iv. They are more concise, and thus more immediately understandable.
3. The purpose of these must not be to rival or to circumvent Scripture, they must be in very accord with Scripture.
4. The reasonable question then is: Since we have the Bible and if these things agree with it, what is the purpose of them?
5. They state a declared agreement of interpretation.
i. It is not possible to teach every prospective church member the entire Bible before he unites.
ii. In the learning process there would be a constant mutation of opinion, thus conceivably a mutation of conduct.
iii. Thus, since all would be at different stages, unity would be impossible.
6. Therefore, the Articles of Faith are set forth to declare what a church, as a body, believes the Scriptures teach and demand.
7. The Covenant is an agreement to walk accordingly.
8. Hence the Articles of Faith are a statement, and the Covenant is an agreement.
II. THE CHURCH COVENANT
Articles of Faith vary somewhat but the Church Covenant is more uniform. I will read on this tape our Covenant. (Hear on tape
Ec.-313-9 Side A.) This Covenant outlines as follows, paragraph by paragraph:
1. Confession of faith in Christ, and leadership by the Holy Spirit to be baptized into this body, leads us to covenant with this body. (Rom. 16:15-16, I Cor. 1:10)
2. Paragraph two deals with our conduct and activity within the church. (I Cor. chapter 5, Acts 2:42, II Cor. chapters 8 and 9, Gal. 6:5)
3. Paragraph three deals with our home life, personal conduct, and business life.
4. Paragraph four deals with our Christian conduct toward our fellow church members, as individuals, especially in relationship to their weaknesses, needs, and failures.
5. The fifth and final paragraph pledges continuity, i.e., to remain so attached to this body, or to quickly unite with one of like faith and order.
III. THE SPIRIT OF THIS COVENANT
1. It is not a claim to have attained, or a pledge of perfection.
2. The language is “we engage…by the aid of the Holy Spirit.”
3. The intent of the Covenant is this:
i. A declaration: We confess these as right endeavors.
ii. A promise: We engage to (not a Pharisaic pledge of success).
iii. An understood request: We need mutual prayer and aid.