Those who desire to commit themselves to the purposes of the Lord are also called to commit themselves to the mutual edification of His people because God has united them together in Jesus. Therefore, Emerald Bible Fellowship recognizes the value of making the following affirmation and commitment to the Lord and to one another as mutual members of the Body of Christ in this time and particular place.
By making a verbalized statement together, we believe that we are making an earnest statement of our intention to obey the Lord and keep our word in solemn fidelity. We know that we may fail to keep our word, and because of the remaining presence of sin will require mercy and grace towards each other when we do. Yet, together as one people, we desire to following the will of Jesus, who prayed that we might be one (John 17:20-21), and verbalize our intention and commitment to one another to this end. We say "yes" to what God has done and is doing, and to our desire and intent to walk in a manner worthy of this calling which we have received in Him (Eph 4:1-3).
The three aspects of this verbalization are:
Mutual - we are one body, together, equal and interdependent participants in His Kingdom family;
Affirmations - we affirm the truth of what God has already accomplished through His Son as revealed in the Holy Scriptures for those who believe in Him, by uniting us to Christ Jesus and to one another as one Body consisting of many parts; and
Commitments - we promise to live consistently with this reality of what God has revealed in Christ Jesus and commanded of us in His Word.
We do this for the singular purpose that God might be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, as has been revealed in the gospel which the apostles proclaimed and which we have believed.
The mutual affirmations and commitments of Emerald Bible Fellowship are as follows:
In the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and having been brought by divine grace to repentant faith in Him (Acts 11:18; 1 Pet 1:3), we affirm that we are one people (Eph 2:14-16; 1 Cor 10:17) bought with His blood (Acts 20:28; Rev 5:9).
We affirm that, as one people, we belong to one another (Rom 12:5), each individual member being necessary to the glory of the Church and being sanctified by the Spirit of God for the glory of Christ (1 Cor 6:11; 1 Pet 1:2; John 16:14).
We affirm that each member is gifted by God's Spirit for the building up of the Church into the knowledge of the Son of God (Eph 4:11-15; 1 Cor 12:12-27).
We affirm that we are redeemed in order to walk in holiness (Titus 2:14; 1 Pet 2:9; 2 Cor 5:15) as beloved children of the holy Father (Eph 5:1; Col 3:12).
Having affirmed these truths, we desire, by the grace of God, to walk consistently with them, as a family fully committed to one another with whole-hearted affection and faithfulness. Therefore, in dependence upon the effective power of the Holy Spirit within us, we commit ourselves to:
By making a verbalized statement together, we believe that we are making an earnest statement of our intention to obey the Lord and keep our word in solemn fidelity. We know that we may fail to keep our word, and because of the remaining presence of sin will require mercy and grace towards each other when we do. Yet, together as one people, we desire to following the will of Jesus, who prayed that we might be one (John 17:20-21), and verbalize our intention and commitment to one another to this end. We say "yes" to what God has done and is doing, and to our desire and intent to walk in a manner worthy of this calling which we have received in Him (Eph 4:1-3).
The three aspects of this verbalization are:
Mutual - we are one body, together, equal and interdependent participants in His Kingdom family;
Affirmations - we affirm the truth of what God has already accomplished through His Son as revealed in the Holy Scriptures for those who believe in Him, by uniting us to Christ Jesus and to one another as one Body consisting of many parts; and
Commitments - we promise to live consistently with this reality of what God has revealed in Christ Jesus and commanded of us in His Word.
We do this for the singular purpose that God might be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ our Lord, as has been revealed in the gospel which the apostles proclaimed and which we have believed.
The mutual affirmations and commitments of Emerald Bible Fellowship are as follows:
In the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and having been brought by divine grace to repentant faith in Him (Acts 11:18; 1 Pet 1:3), we affirm that we are one people (Eph 2:14-16; 1 Cor 10:17) bought with His blood (Acts 20:28; Rev 5:9).
We affirm that, as one people, we belong to one another (Rom 12:5), each individual member being necessary to the glory of the Church and being sanctified by the Spirit of God for the glory of Christ (1 Cor 6:11; 1 Pet 1:2; John 16:14).
We affirm that each member is gifted by God's Spirit for the building up of the Church into the knowledge of the Son of God (Eph 4:11-15; 1 Cor 12:12-27).
We affirm that we are redeemed in order to walk in holiness (Titus 2:14; 1 Pet 2:9; 2 Cor 5:15) as beloved children of the holy Father (Eph 5:1; Col 3:12).
Having affirmed these truths, we desire, by the grace of God, to walk consistently with them, as a family fully committed to one another with whole-hearted affection and faithfulness. Therefore, in dependence upon the effective power of the Holy Spirit within us, we commit ourselves to:
- seek and serve the Lord with my whole heart, for His glory, submitting to the Spirit of God to transform me into the likeness of Jesus, (Ps 62:8 Pr 3:5; Matt 22:37; Jude 1:21; 1 Cor 10:31; Rom 11:36)
- use my Spirit-enabled gifts to build others up to humble and joyful faith in Jesus, in joy and sorrow (Rom 15:1-6; Eph 4:1-16; 1 Pet 4:10-11; Gal 5:13; 1 Cor 12:26)
- participate together in making disciples with my corresponding gift from the Spirit, (Matt 28:18-20; 1 Pet 4:10-11; 2 Tim 4:1-6; Isa 2:2-5; Eph 3:8-10)
- pray collectively with eagerness, (1 Thess 5:17; Luke 18:1-8; Eph 6:10-20; Col 4:2-4; Phil 4:6; 1 Chr 16:11)
- love one another, speaking the truth with warm affection, and forgiving each other as we have been forgiven in Christ (John 13:34-35; 15:12-17; Rom 12:10; 13:8; Eph 4:1-3, 25; 1 Thess 3:11-13; Matt 6:14-15; Col 3:13)
- pursue holiness together according to God's revealed Word and consistent with the grace by which I have been saved (1 Pet 1:14-16; 2:9-12; Eph 1:4; 5:27; Heb 12:10-14; 1 Thess 4:1-8)
- humbly hold each other mutually accountable to the faith which we proclaim and to subject myself to the Lord whom we serve (1 Thess 5:11-13; 1 Cor 15:15-16; Eph 5:18-21; James 5:16; Rom 16:17; 2 Thess 3:6)
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