Mount Olive International Ministries
7401 Elkhardt Rd (Corner of Turner Rd)
Richmond, VA 23225
804-690-1345
Pastor Arly Pierre-Louis, M.Div. M.Ed.
CHURCH COVENANT
ADOPTED on Sunday, November 23, 2014
God, by His sovereign grace and omnipotent love alone, has led us to repent of our sin and believe on Jesus Christ, trusting Him alone as our Savior and Lord. As we have been baptized as believers in Christ, we desire to unite with Mount Olive International Ministries family. Therefore, we enter into a covenantal relationship with the members of Mount Olive International Ministries. In humble reliance upon the Holy Spirit, we endeavor to pursue the following:
To meet together for any and all services on each Lord’s Day, as the Lord shall give us opportunity, to serve and glorify Him in His worship, to edify one another, and to work together for the good of Mount Olive International Ministries
To diligently guard the truth, upholding the standard of sound words recorded in Scripture and reflected in our Confessions of Faith
To earnestly seek God’s face in prayer both private and corporate for the pleasure of His presence, the needs of the saints, for personal and corporate cleansing from sin and holiness in our journey of sanctification, and for personal and corporate revival as God pleases to give it
To avoid participation in any secret society which violates the Scriptures or our Confessions of Faith
To wholeheartedly support, love, and care for the Mount Olive International Ministries and members, offering: our prayers, our financial gifts of tithes and offerings, our service
To boldly witness for the Lord Jesus Christ, living a transformed life and proclaiming the Gospel as the Lord guides our steps
To actively pursue personal holiness before God in fulfillment of the great commandment – to love God supremely and our neighbor as Christ has loved us
To promote the unity of Mount Olive International Ministries, being peacemakers with all in the body of Christ
To respectfully follow the elders and other leaders of Mount Olive International Ministries, trusting and supporting their leadership as they follow Christ
To humbly submit to the Mount Olive International Ministries discipline, graciously repenting when approached about personal sin, and lovingly restoring others who become entangled in sin if they should come to repentance
To be active in the work of the ministries of Mount Olive International Ministries, unless providentially hindered
We also purpose to maintain family and private worship; if God has given us children, to train our children according to the Bible, to walk carefully in the world, to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and appropriate in our conduct, to avoid gossip, not speaking that which is evil, and to avoid unrighteous anger, to abstain from all forms of activity which dishonor our Lord Jesus Christ, cause stumbling to fellow believers or hinder bringing souls to Christ, to be zealous in our efforts to advance the cause of Christ our Savior, and to give God preeminence in all things.
We also purpose to guard the sanctity of life, as well as the biblical structure of the family—affirming marriage as that being between a man and a woman joined together by God, which man should not put asunder.
We further purpose to encourage our fellow brethren in the blessed hope of our Lord’s return, to watch over one another in brotherly love, to remember each other in prayer, to aid each other in sickness and distress, to cultivate Christian sympathy in feelings and courtesy in speech, to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation.
We moreover purpose that if we remove from this place, we will seek to as soon as possible to unite with some other church of like faith and practice where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and other principles of God’s Word.
This covenant we make in the presence of Almighty God, the Searcher of all hearts, with a true intention to fulfill our obligations, as we shall answer at the Last Day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed. We most humbly beseech the Lord to strengthen our church covenant by His Holy Spirit for this end, and for His glory and honor. Amen.
CONFESSIONS OF FAITH
Adopted on Sunday, November 23, 2014
- Of the Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit, and is the perfect treasure of heavenly instruction (1); that it has God for its author, salvation for its end (2), and truth without any mixture of error for its matter (3); that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us (4); and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union (5), and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried (6).
2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Sam. 23:2; Acts 1:16; 3:21; John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31; Psa. 119:11; Rom. 3:1-2
2 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 1:10-12; Acts 11:14; Rom. 1:16; Mark 16:16; John 5:38-39
Prov. 30:5-6; John 17:17; Rev. 22:18-19; Rom. 3:4
Rom. 2:12; John 12:47-48; 1 Cor. 4:3-4; Luke 10:10-16; 12:47-48
Phil. 3:16; Eph. 4:3-6; Phil. 2:1-2; 1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Pet. 4:11
1 John 4:1; Isa. 8:20; 1 Thess. 5:21; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:6; Jude 3:5; Eph. 6:17; Psa. 119:59-60; Phil. 1:9-11 - Of the True God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth (1); inexpressibly glorious in holiness (2), and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love (3); that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (4); equal in every divine perfection (5), and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption (6).
John 4:24; Psa. 147:5; 83:18; Heb. 3:4; Rom. 1:20; Jer. 10:10
Exod. 15:11; Isa. 6:3; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; Rev. 4:6-8
Mark 12:30; Rev. 4:11; Matt. 10:37; Jer. 2:12-13
Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 1 John 5:7
John 10:30; 5:17; 14:23; 17:5, 10; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor. 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6
Eph. 2:18; 2 Cor. 13:14; Rev. 1:4-5; comp. 2, 7 - Of the Fall of Man
We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker (1); but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state (2); in consequence of which all people are now sinners (3), not by constraint, but choice (4); being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin (5), without defense or excuse (6).
Gen. 1:27, 31; Eccl. 7:29; Acts 16:26; Gen. 2:16
Gen. 3:6-24; Rom. 5:12
Rom. 5:19; John 3:6; Psa. 51:5; Rom. 5:15-19; 8:7
Isa. 53:6; Gen. 6:12; Rom. 3:9-18
Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:18, 32; 2:1-16; Gal. 3:10; Matt. 20:15
Ezek. 18:19-20; Rom. 1:20; 3:19; Gal. 3:22 - Of the Way of Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace (1), through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God (2); who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin (3); honored the divine law by his personal obedience (4), and by his death made a full atonement for our sins (5); that having risen from the death, he is now enthroned in heaven (5); and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior (7).
Eph. 2:5; Matt. 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; Acts 15:11
John 3:16; 1:1-14; Heb. 4:14; 12:24
Phil. 2:6-7; Heb. 2:9, 14; 2 Cor. 5:21
Isa. 42:21; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 4:4-5; Rom. 3:21
Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 20:28; Rom. 4:25; 3:21-26; 1 John 4:10; 2:2; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Heb. 9:13-15
Heb. 1:8, 3; 8:1; Col. 3:1-4
Heb. 7:25; Col. 2:9; Heb. 2:18; 7:26; Psa. 89:19; Psa. 14 - Of Justification
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ (1) secures to such as believe in him is justification (2); that justification includes the pardon of sin (3), and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness (4); that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood (5); by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God (6); that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity (7).
John 1:16; Eph. 3:8
Acts 13:39; Isa. 3:11-12; Rom. 8:1
Rom. 5:9; Zech. 13:1; Matt. 9:6; Acts 10:43
Rom. 5:17; Titus 3:5-6; 1 Pet. 3:7; 1 John 2:25; Rom. 5:21
Rom. 4:4-5; 5:21; 6:28; Phil. 3:7-9
Rom. 5:19; 3:24-26; 4:23-25; 1 John 2:12
Rom. 5:1-3, 11; 1 Cor. 1:30-31; Matt. 6:33; 1 Tim. 4:8 - Of the Freeness of Salvation
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel (1); that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith (2); and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel (3); which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation (4).
Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Luke 14:17
Rom. 16:26; Mark 1:15; Rom. 1:15-17
John 5:40; Matt. 23:37; Rom. 9:32; Prov. 1:24; Acts 13:46
John 3:19; Matt. 11:20; Luke 19:27; 2 Thess. 1:8 - Of Grace in Regeneration
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again (1); that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind (2); that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth (3), so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel (4); and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life (5).
John 3:3, 6-7; 1 Cor. 1:14; Rev. 8:7-9; 21:27
2 Cor. 5:17; Ezek. 36:26; Deut. 30:6; Rom. 2:28-29; 5:5; 1 John 4:7
John 3:8; 1:13; James 1:16-18; 1 Cor. 1:30; Phil. 2:13
1 Pet. 1:22-25; 1 John 5:1; Eph. 4:20-24; Col. 3:9-11
Eph. 5:9; Rom. 8:9; Gal. 5:16-23; Eph. 3:14-21; Matt. 3:8-10; 7:20; 1 John 5:4, 18 - Of Repentance and Faith
We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God (1); whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ (2), we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy (3); at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior (4).
Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; 1 John 5:1
John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; 16:30-31
Luke 18:13; 15:18-21; James 4:7-10; 2 Cor. 7:11; Rom.10:12-13; Psa. 51
Rom. 10:9-11; Acts 3:22-23: Heb. 4:14; Psa. 2:6; Heb. 1:8; 8:25; 2 Tim. 1:12 - Of God’s Purpose of Grace
We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners (1); that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end (2); that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable (3); that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy (4); that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree (5); that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel (6); that it is the foundation of Christian assurance (7); and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence (8).
2 Tim. 1:8-9; Eph. 1:3-14; 1 Pet. 1:1-2; Rom. 11:5-6; John 15:15; 1 John 4:19; Hos. 12:9
2 Thess. 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matt. 20:16; Acts 15:14
Exod. 33:18-19; Matt. 20:15; Eph. 1:11; Rom. 9:23-24: Jer. 31:3; Rom. 11:28-29; James 1:17-18; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rom. 11:32-36
1 Cor. 4:7; 1:26-31; Rom. 3:27; 4:16; Col. 3:12; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 15:10; 1 Pet. 5:10; Acts 1:24; 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 2:9; Luke 18:7; John 15:16; Eph. 1:16; 1 Thess. 2:12
2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Cor. 9:22; Rom. 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; 2 Pet. 1:10
1 Thess. 1:4-10
Rom. 8:28-30; Isa. 42:16; Rom. 11:29
2 Pet. 1:10-11; Phil. 3:12; Heb. 6:11 - Of Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness (1); that it is a progressive work (2); that it is begun in regeneration (3); and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means-especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer (4).
1 Thess. 4:3; 5:23; 2 Cor. 7:1; 13:9; Eph. 1:4
Prov. 4:18; 2 Cor. 3:18; Heb. 6:1; 2 Pet. 1:5-8; Phil. 3:12-16
John 2:29; Rom. 8:5; John 3:6; Phil. 1:9-11; Eph. 1:13-14
Phil. 2:12-13; Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18; 2 Cor. 13:5; Luke 11:35; 9:23; Matt. 26:41; Eph. 6:18; 4:30 - Of the Perseverance of Saints
We believe that only those who endure unto the end are true believers (1); that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors (2); that a special providence watches over their welfare (3); and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (4).
John 8:31; 1 John 2:27-28; 3:9; 5:18
1 John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt. 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9
Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30-33; Jer. 32:40; Psa. 121:3; 91:11-12
Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13; Jude 24-25; Heb. 1:14; 2 Kings 6:16; Heb. 13:5; 1 John 4:4 - Of the Harmony of the Law and the Gospel
We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government (1); that it is holy, just, and good (2); and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin (3); to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law, is one great end of the gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the establishment of the visible church (4).
Rom. 3:31; Matt. 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom. 3:20; 4:15
Rom. 7:12, 7, 14, 22; Gal. 3:21; Psa. 119
Rom. 8:7-8; Josh. 24:19; Jer. 13:23; John 6:44; 5:44
Rom. 8:2, 4; 10:4; 1 Tim. 1:5; Heb. 8:10; Jude 20-21; Heb. 12:14; Matt. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 12:28 - Of a Gospel Church
We believe that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers (1), associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel (2); observing the ordinances of Christ (3); governed by his laws (4), and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his Word (5); that its only scriptural officers are pastors and elders, and deacons (6), whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the letters to Timothy and Titus.
1 Cor. 1:1-13; Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11; 8:1; 11:31; 1 Cor. 4:17; 14:23; 3 John 9; 1 Tim. 3:5
Acts 2:41-42; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 5:12-13
1 Cor. 11:2; 2 Thess. 3:6; Rom. 16:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:23; Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5:6; 2 Cor. 2:7; 1 Cor. 4:17
Matt. 28:20; John 14:15; 15:12; 1 John 4:21; John 14:21; 1 Thess. 4.2; 2 John 6; Gal. 6:2; all the Epistles
Eph. 4:7; 1 Cor. 14:12; Phil. 1:27; 1 Cor. 12:14
Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; 15:22; 1 Tim. 3; Titus 1 - Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer (1), unto the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit (2); to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life (3); and that baptism is the visible sign of membership in the Body of Christ (4). We believe that in the Lord’s Supper, believers in Jesus, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ (5); preceded always by solemn self-examination (6).
Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:5-6; John 3:22-23; 4:1-2; Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12; 16:32-34; 18:8
Matt. 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Gal. 3:27-28
Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; 1 Pet. 3:20-21; Acts 22:16
Acts 2:41-42; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts and Epistles
1 Cor. 11:26; Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20
1 Cor. 11:28; 5:1, 8; 10:3-32; 11:17-32; John 6:26-71 - Of the Lord’s Day
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day (1) and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes (2) by preparation for that rest that remains for the people of God (3).
Acts 20:7; Gen. 2:3; Col. 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; 1 Cor. 16:1- 2
Exod. 20:8; Rev. 1:10; Psa. 118:24
Isa. 58:13-14; 56:2-8; Psa. 119:15; Heb. 10:24-25; Acts 11:26; 13:44; Lev. 19:30; Exod. 46:3; Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2, 3; Psa. 26:8; 87:3; Heb. 4:3-11 - Of Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society (1); and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed (2); except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ (3) who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth (4).
Rom. 13:1-7; Deut. 16:18; 1 Sam. 23:3; Exod. 18:23; Jer.30:21
Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13; 1 Tim. 2:1-8
Acts 5:29; Matt. 10:28; Dan. 3:15-18; 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20
Matt. 23:10; Rom. 14:4; Rev. 19:16; Psa. 72:11; Psa. 2; Rom. 14:9-13 - Of the Righteous and the Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked (1); that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem (2); while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse (3); and this distinction holds among men both in and after death (4).
Mal. 3:18; Prov. 12:26; Isa. 5:20; Gen. 18:23; Jer. 15:19;Acts 10:34- 35; Rom. 6:16
Rom. 1:17; 7:6; 1 John 2:29; 3:7; Rom. 6:18, 22; 1 Cor. 11:32; Prov. 11:31; 1 Pet. 4:17-18
1 John 5:19; Gal. 3:10; John 3:36; Isa. 57:21; Psa. 10:4; Isa 55:6-7
Prov. 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Prov. 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; 9:23- 26; John 12:25-26; Eccl. 3:17; Matt. 7:13-14 - Of the World to Come
We believe that the end of the world is approaching (1); that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven (2), and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution (3); that a solemn separation will then take place (4); that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy (5); and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness (6).
1 Pet. 4:7; 1 Cor. 7:29-31; Heb. 1:10-12; Matt. 24:35; 1 John 2:17; Matt. 28:20; 13:39-40; 2 Pet. 3:3-13
Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7; Heb. 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:13-18;5:1-11
Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:12-59; Luke 14:14; Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29; 6:40; 11:25-26; 2 Tim. 1:10; Acts 10:42
Matt. 13:49, 37-43; 24:30-31; 25:31-33
Matt. 25:35-41; Rev. 22:11; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Mark 9:43-48; 2 Pet. 2:9; Jude 7; Phil. 3:19; Rom. 6:32; 2 Cor. 5:10-11; John 4:36; 2 Cor. 4:18
Rom. 3:5-6; 2 Thess. 1:6-12; Heb. 6:1-2; 1 Cor. 4:5; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:2-16; Rev. 20:11-12; 1 John 2:28; 4:17