I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord; which was conceived
by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under
Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; He descended
into hell [that is, the place of the departed righteous]; the
third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven;
and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from
thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe
in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic [universal] church; the
communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection
of the body; and life everlasting. Amen.
Covenant
We, having been called out of the world by the blessed Spirit
of God, and having become acquainted with the Articles of Faith
and polity of the Pentecostal Holiness Church, and
believing it to be of God, and having given our names and
thereby become members of the same, do solemnly, but cheerfully,
and with joy and gladness enter into this covenant; We will
watch over one another with brotherly love and kindness, not
that we may have whereof to accuse our brother, but that we may
with meekness correct each other's faults.
We will abstain from frivolous conversations, such as foolish
talking and jesting, and from backbiting and tattling, or taking
up a reproach against anyone, especially our brother. We will
heed the injunction of the apostle (Ephesians 4:1-3), who
exhorts us to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are
called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering,
forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of
the Spirit in the bond of peace. We will bear one another's
burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. We will also heed the
exhortation recorded in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15:
"We beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among
you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to
esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be
at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you brethren, warn
them that are unruly [disorderly], comfort the feebleminded,
support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none
render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which
is good, both among yourselves, and to all men."
And we will "recompense to no man evil for evil," but will
"provide things honest in the sight of all men," and, "if it be
possible, as much as lieth in [us], [we will] live peaceably
with all men" (Romans 12:17-18). And we will be "kind one to
another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for
Christ's sake hath forgiven [us]" (Ephesians 4:32). As
opportunity affords we will be engaged in works of mercy; such
as visiting the sick and imprisoned and the distressed, and all
who may need and will accept our ministrations. We will have no
fellowship with unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11),
but keep ourselves by the grace of God (1 Peter 1:5) unspotted
from the world (James 1:27). All this will we do, God being our
Helper.
Response
We accept the obligations of this covenant in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.