The personal responsibilities arising from public confession of faith include responsibilities toward the following. (Again, several of the items listed -marked with an
* -include baptized members as well, but the responsibility for each is heightened by one's personal confession of faith and professing church membership.)
1.God
-* to honor and glorify Him in one's life according to
his confession of faith vow
-* to walk in the way of God's commandments and
institutions
-* to value all instructions, callings, and warnings
given by the Lord
-* to take refuge in God through Christ with all one's
personal shortcomings and impossibilities
2.Oneself
-to personally take over the baptismal vow of one's parents
-* to diligently use the means of grace God provides;
to seek for God's gracious blessings of converting
and sanctifying grace
-* to continually examine one's state and condition in
the light of Scripture
3. Church -
-* to attend its worship services and instructional opportunities (except when hindered by lawful
reasons)
-* to pray and work for the church's peace, prosperity, and welfare
-* to contribute to the church's needs and causes
-to participate in the church's congregational meetings (male members)
4. Neighbors -
* to provide a positive testimony to others of God
and His church; to avoid all sin and appearance of
evil
-to live according to one's public confession
How do church membership and
responsible church membership differ? Why is this difference
crucial when considering God, oneself, church, and neighbors?
Why is God's church to be an "enlightening light" and a "salting salt" on earth? What do these expressions mean?
