In January 2017, BBC voted on and accepted a new covenant for new members. If you have any questions about the covenant or about how to become a new member, please contact us! 

Having read and affirmed The Baptist Faith and Message (2000), I covenant:

* To submit to the authority of the Scriptures as the final arbiter on all issues (Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21)

* To pursue the Lord Jesus Christ through regular Bible reading, prayer, fellowship, and practice of spiritual disciplines (Luke 18:1; Acts 17:11; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Ephesians 5:1-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22)

*To follow the command and example of Jesus by participating in the ordinances prescribed to His Church:

            – By being baptized after my conversion

            – By regularly remembering and celebrating the person and work of 

              Christ through communion.  

*To regularly participate in the life of Bethlehem Baptist Church by attending weekly services, engaging in gospel-centered community, and serving those within and outside of this church (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:23-25; Titus 3:14)

*To steward the resources God has given me, including time, talents, spiritual gifts, and finances.  This includes regular financial giving, service, and participation in the community that is sacrificial, cheerful, and voluntary (Matthew 25:14-30; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8-9)

Below are a few examples of actions addressed in the Scriptures:

           – I will practice complete chastity unless married and, if married,            

             complete fidelity within heterosexual and monogamous marriage

           – Complete chastity and fidelity means, among other things, that

             regardless of my marital status, I will pursue purity and abstain from

             sexually immoral practices such as adultery, premarital sex and

             pornography (Romans 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 6:15-20; 1 Corinthians

             10:8; Ephesians 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Hebrews 13:4).

           – I will seek to preserve the gift of marriage and agree to walk through

             the steps of marriage reconciliation at Bethlehem Baptist Church

             before pursuing divorce from my spouse (Matthew 19:1-12; Mark 10:1

             12; Luke 16:18; 1 Corinthians 7:10-11).

           – For the role of the church in the process of divorce, one should see

             Paul’s concern for the resolution of legal matters within the assembly

             of the church in 1 Corinthians 6.

*To refrain from illegal drug abuse, drunkenness, gossip, and other sinful behavior as the Bible dictates (Romans 1:28-32; Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:18; James 3:3-18).

*To refrain from such activities that the Scriptures would deem foolish (Romans 14:14-23).

*To submit to the discipline of God through His Holy Spirit by: 

            – Following the biblical principles for church discipline where sin is  

              evident in another—the hope of such discipline being repentance and

              restoration

            – Receiving righteous and loving discipline when approached biblically by

              fellow believers (Psalm 141:5; Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13;

              Hebrews 12:5-11).

*To do the following when I sin:

             – Confess my sin to God and to fellow believers

             – Repent and seek help to put my sin to death (Romans 8:13; Colossians

                3:5; James 5:16; 1 John 1:6-10).

*To submit to the appointed leaders of the church and diligently strive for unity and peace within the church (Ephesians 4:1-3; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:5).

*To do the following should I leave the church for righteous reasons:

              – To notify the appropriate staff member at Bethlehem Baptist Church

              – To seek another church with which I can carry our my biblical responsibilities as a believer.

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Date:__________________________________________