Covenant of Commitment
The
Pentecostal Holiness Church is committed to Jesus Christ and His kingdom. This
commitment involves a biblical lifestyle. We believe that the Bible is God's
infallible Word and the believer's guide and final authority for both faith and
conduct (________________). We are totally committed to the Bible as God's written Word
to man. We believe that a top priority of Christians in this world is to
multiply believers and multiply churches as a means of extending the kingdom of
God. We must, therefore, follow a lifestyle that gives impetus to this purpose.
As members of the army of God we are involved in spiritual warfare, and thus
under military discipline (________________). Other considerations must take second place to our
primary purpose in life. We are mobilized on a wartime basis. Every facet of
our lives must come under divine authority (________________).
________________
[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: [17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
________________
[3] Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. [4] No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
________________
[31] Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Since our bodies are the temples of the Holy
Spirit and instruments of righteousness (________________), we must keep our bodies clean and consecrated for
the Master's use. From the beginning of our existence as a denomination we have
expected our members to abstain from the use of tobacco, alcoholic beverages,
and addictive drugs. We have also maintained a strong position against
premarital, extramarital, and deviant sex, including homosexual and lesbian
relationships, refusing to accept the loose moral standards of our society. We
commit ourselves to maintaining this disciplined lifestyle with regard to our
bodies (________________).
________________
[19] What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
________________
[13] Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
________________
[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.[2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The mind is also the dwelling place of God.
We believe that our minds should be kept pure and positive in the midst of an
impure and negative world (________________).
It is for this reason that our members are to govern their "mental"
diet. The profanity and pornography that pervade our modern media- both print
and video-make it imperative that Christians discipline their minds by refusing
to feed upon that which is profane, vulgar, or hedonistic. Thus Pentecostal
Holiness members are to avoid material that panders to the profane and
pornographic, while consciously replacing it with wholesome material that
nurtures and strengthens the spiritual man. We hold a deep commitment to the
study of the Bible.
________________
[7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.[8] Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Our commitment includes our spirits. The
spirit of this world is hostile to the spirit of the Christian (________________;________________). The spirit rulers of this present darkness are ever
at work to establish strongholds in the minds of unsuspecting believers, to
impose upon them the mind-set of the world. We must guard against the hatred
and hostility that breed so easily in the human spirit. The greed and
selfishness that motivate much of our modern culture is contrary to our
Christian faith and testimony. We therefore urge all our members to exhibit the
"mind of Christ" in all their attitudes (________________).
________________
[17] For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and
the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so
that ye cannot do the things that ye would
________________
[12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. [13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. [14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
________________
[5] Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: [6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: [7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. [9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: [10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; [11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Our speech reveals much about us (________________). The Christian should be known by his wholesome
conversation. Our members are to refrain from speaking anything that is
unclean, untrue, unkind, or unprofitable. We must make sure that our talk
affirms, rather than hinders, our testimony.
________________
[34] O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. [35] A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. [36] But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. [37] For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Our relationships reveal our preferences and
positions. Thus our people are not to align themselves with organizations or
movements that stand in contradiction to Christian principles (________________). The believer's commitment to Jesus Christ stands
above his commitment to any political party or economic structure or social
institution. Any time there is a conflict between the Christian's commitment to
Christ and his commitment to any other relationship, he must recognize that all
other commitments are governed by this highest commitment (________________). All our members are to be honest and ethical in all
their relationships (________________).
________________
[14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with
unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and
what communion hath light with darkness? [15] And what concord hath
Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? [16]
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of
the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I
will be their God, and they shall be my people.
[17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the
Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, [18] And
will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the
Lord Almighty.
________________
[26] If any man come to me, and hate not his father,
and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own
life also, he cannot be my disciple. [27] And whosoever doth not bear
his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
________________
[17] Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide
things honest in the sight of all men.
The family is the basic unit of society. The
divine origin of the family makes it of vital concern both to the church and to
society. Our commitment to a biblical lifestyle profoundly impacts the family.
We give priority to the sanctity of marriage and to the biblical pattern of
relationships in the home. While the husband is recognized as the head of the
home, he is also commanded to love and cherish his wife as his own body (________________). Wives are to respect and honor their husbands (________________). Parents are to teach and correct their children,
but at the same time refrain from provoking them to anger and resentment (________________). Children are to respect and obey their parents.
Christian families should worship together, play together, and work together.
The relationships in the Christian family should reflect the healing that
Christ brings to all human relationships.
________________
[25] Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also
loved the church, and gave himself for it;
[28] So ought men to love their
wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
________________
[22] Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands,
as unto the Lord.
[23] For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head
of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
________________
[1] Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. [2] Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) [3] That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. [4] And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Our commitment to Jesus Christ includes
stewardship. According to the Bible everything belongs to God (________________). We are stewards of His resources. Our stewardship
of possessions begins with the tithe (________________). All our members are expected to return a tenth of
all their income to the Lord. This tithe is to be paid into the
"storehouse." This storehouse is the treasury of the local church or
conference to which this member belongs. In addition to the tithe, all our
members are expected to give offerings out of the ninety percent of God's
wealth which He allows them to use (________________). Stewardship also includes our time, talent, and
spiritual gifts, as well as our money (________________; ________________; ________________; ________________).
________________
[1] The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof;
the world, and they that dwell therein.
________________
[8] Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye
say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. [9] Ye are
cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. [10]
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine
house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open
you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be
room enough to receive it.
________________
[2] Upon the first day of the week let every one of
you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings
when I come.
________________
[16] Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
________________
[3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to
every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought
to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the
measure of faith. [4] For as we have many members in one body, and all
members have not the same office: [5] So we, being many, are one body in
Christ, and every one members one of another. [6] Having then gifts
differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us
prophesy according to the proportion of faith; [7] Or ministry, let us
wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; [8] Or he
that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity;
he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
________________
[14] For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling
into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his
goods. [15] And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to
another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway
took his journey. [16] Then he that had received the five talents went
and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
[17] And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. [18]
But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's
money. [19] After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and
reckoneth with them. [20] And so he that had received five talents came
and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five
talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. [21] His
lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been
faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou
into the joy of thy lord. [22] He also that had received two talents
came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have
gained two other talents beside them. [23] His lord said unto him, Well
done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I
will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. [24]
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that
thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where
thou hast not strawed: [25] And I was afraid, and went and hid thy
talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. [26] His lord
answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that
I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: [27] Thou
oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my
coming I should have received mine own with usury. [28] Take therefore
the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. [29]
For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but
from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. [30]
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be
weeping and gnashing of teeth.
________________
[11] And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. [12] He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. [13] And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. [14] But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. [15] And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. [16] Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. [17] And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. [18] And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. [19] And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. [20] And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: [21] For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. [22] And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: [23] Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? [24] And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. [25] (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) [26] For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. [27] But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
Loyalty to Christ and His church are basic to
the success of the Pentecostal Holiness Church. The faithful participation of
every member, both lay and clergy, and every local church and quadrennial
conference in the various ministries of the church is necessary if the
Pentecostal Holiness Church is to fulfill its mission. Loyalty involves
commitment to all the ministries of the denomination. Since leaders should be
role models, all those in leadership in the local church, the quadrennial
conference, and the general church should set an example by their faithfulness
in supporting the ministries of the church. Loyalty involves attendance at the
gatherings of the church. This is vital at local church, quadrennial
conference, and denominational gatherings (________________). Loyalty involves financial support. Faithfulness in
tithes and offerings is essential to the prosperity of God's people (________________). This applies to local church members, quadrennial
conferences, and all other individuals and entities of the church. Loyalty
involves affirmation. The morale of the church requires the positive
affirmation of the leadership and ministries of the denomination. While
negative criticism tears the church apart (________________), positive affirmation builds it up (________________).
________________
[25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
________________
[8] Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. [9] Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. [10] Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. [11] And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. [12] And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.
________________
[12] I would they were even cut off which trouble
you. [13] For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not
liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. [14]
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy
neighbour as thyself. [15] But if ye bite and devour one another, take
heed that ye be not consumed one of another. [16] This I say then, Walk
in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. [17] For
the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and
these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that
ye would. [18] But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
[19] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, [20] Idolatry, witchcraft,
hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, [21]
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell
you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such
things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. [22] But the fruit of the
Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23]
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. [24] And they that
are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. [25]
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. [26] Let us
not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
________________
[16] From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
This Covenant of Commitment is intended as a guideline for all our members, not a system for monitoring and judging one another. Neither is this Covenant of Commitment to be considered an exhaustive statement concerning a biblical lifestyle. The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is our complete and final authority. A careful, conscientious, and continual study of God's Word will reveal to the believer a growing understanding of what it means to live worthy of our calling in Christ Jesus. Any member having difficulty in following a biblical lifestyle or this Covenant of Commitment should be given loving nurture and patient instruction in order to lead him to maturity and restoration, if needed (________________). There are times when, in spite of every effort to nurture and restore a member, no alternative but excommunication can be found. When a member refuses to heed the loving admonitions of the church to follow a Christian lifestyle, he or she must be excommunicated from the fellowship of the church. However, excommunication is a last resort, and is administered only in flagrant cases of heresy, divisiveness, or immorality (________________;________________;________________;________________). The primary purpose for this commitment to a disciplined lifestyle is to strengthen the position of our members as Great Commission Christians, and thus to firmly establish our denomination as a Great Commission movement. We feel that the Pentecostal Holiness Church has a vital part to play in world evangelism. Our aim is to make the multiplying of believers and the multiplying of churches a top priority of the denomination.
________________
[1] Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye
which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering
thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
________________
[15] Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against
thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear
thee, thou hast gained thy brother. [16] But if he will not hear thee,
then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three
witnesses every word may be established. [17] And if he shall neglect to
hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let
him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
________________
[10] A man that is an heretick after the first and
second admonition reject;
________________
[17] Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which
cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned;
and avoid them. [18] For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus
Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the
hearts of the simple.
________________
[1] It is reported commonly that there is fornication
among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles,
that one should have his father's wife. [2] And ye are puffed up, and
have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away
from among you. [3] For I verily, as absent in body, but present in
spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath
so done this deed, [4] In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are
gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, [5]
To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the
spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.