Covenant Membership

This statement reflects the beliefs and teachings of Alamo Ranch Community Church as it relates to matters of salvation (soteriology). This issue of first importance is addressed in the context of Scripture’s narrative, and then further detailed in applicable Biblical doctrines. The language of each section proceeds from the Scripture referenced.

From eternity, God has existed perfectly as one God in three persons. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit have always lived in perfect love, sufficiency, unity, community, joy, and pleasure. By and through and for God, all things exist to bring Him glory, and that through His immutable purposes, plans, desires, and decrees.

(Revelation 22:13, Matthew 5:48, Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, Matthew 3:16-17, 1 John 4:8, Psalm 24:1, John 10:30, John 5:19, Nehemiah 8:10, Philippians 2:13, Romans 11:36, Colossians 1:16, John 1:3, Isaiah 43:7, Job 42:2, Proverbs 19:21, Acts 2:23, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 40:5-6, James 1:19-21, Ephesians 1:11)

Therefore, through His Word, God formed creation into existence in six days and rested on the seventh. God created man in His own image for the express purpose of filling the earth with His glory. In our original state, God declared us to be very good. However, when we disobeyed God’s command and fell into temptation, the consequences of sin were laid upon us, which included spiritual and physical death to all men.

(John 1:1-3, Genesis 1, Exodus 20:11, Genesis 2:2, Genesis 1:26, Genesis 1:27, Genesis 1:28, 1 Corinthians 11:7, Genesis 1:31, Genesis 3:6, Genesis 3:1-5, Genesis 1:17-19, Colossians 2:13, Ephesians 2:1, Romans 5:12, 1 Corinthians 15:21, Romans 3:9)

Because of the fall, our flesh, heart, mind, will, and self, among other biblical descriptions of sinfulhumanity, are alienated from and in opposition to God. Within ourselves, we have no moral ability to seek God, exercise faith in Christ, or in any way incline ourselves toward salvation.

(John 6:63, Jeremiah 17:9, Ephesians 2:3, Romans 12:2, John 1:13, Psalm 14:1-3, Romans 3:23, Colossians 1:21, Ephesians 2:12, Ephesians 4:18, Ephesians 2:1-3, Romans 5:10, Romans 7:18, Genesis 6:5, Romans 3:9-18, Romans 8:7-8, Romans 3:11-18, Ephesians 2:8, Colossians 2:13, John 3:5, Ephesians 2:1)

God, in an act of immeasurable grace, through divine wisdom and sovereignty, freely and unconditionally chose, before the foundation of the world, those who would be saved.

(Ephesians 1:6, Romans 8:29, Romans 9:15, Romans 2:8, Romans 9:16, Ephesians 1:4, Revelation 21:27, Revelation 13:8, Acts 13:48)

Therefore, in God’s predetermined plan of salvation, He sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to carry out His will. Jesus, who was God in the flesh, being without sin, offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for all who would believe and call upon his name.

(Acts 2:23, Genesis 3:15, 1 John 5:11-12, John 3:16, Galatians 4:4-5, Mark 8:29, 1 John 5:1, John 6:38, Hebrews 10:7, John 1:14, Matthew 1:23, Isaiah 7:14, Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 2:22, 1 John 3:5, John 10:17-18, Hebrews 10:1-18, Romans 10:9-10)

God has ordained the preaching of the gospel to go to the ends of the earth and is the very power of God unto salvation. Simply put, Jesus is the gospel. The gospel is the good news that has been revealed through his birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension in accordance with the Scriptures. Jesus was born of a virgin, was without sin, died on a cross, was raised to life on the third day, and ascended to the right hand of God the Father where he upholds everything by the word of his power. Christ’s shed blood is a substitutionary and propitiatory sacrifice to God for our sins. The cross of Christ displays the glory of God by appeasing God’s holy wrath, satisfying His holy justice, and revealing His great love and mercy.

(Romans 10:14-15, Acts 1:8, Romans 1:16, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Matthew 1:25, John 21:25, Mark 15:37, Luke 24:6, Acts 1:9, 1 Corinthians 15:3, Matthew 1:18-25, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Luke 23:26-49, Luke 24:1-6, Acts 1:9, Acts 2:33, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 9:22, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 John 4:10, Romans 3:25, Isaiah 53:10, Hebrews 9:26, John 3:16, 1 Peter 1:3)

There is no other name by which we must be saved and that by grace alone through faith alone for the glory of God alone. This saving faith, by which we are justified, is a gracious gift of God that is evidenced by the working of the Holy Spirit in us unto good works, which God prepared beforehand.

(Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8, Romans 11:6, Ephesians 2:8, Romans 1:5, 1 Samuel 12:22, 1 John 2:12, Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:28, John 3:16, Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:8, Romans 8:4-6, James 2:17, Ephesians 2:10)

The LORD (YHWH) is the one true and living God who exists personally as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. God is one in essence and three in persons, each of whom is fully and truly God, equal in divine nature. The Father is God; neither created, nor begotten, nor proceeding from any else. He is co-eternal with the Son and the Spirit, not before either in time, but with both, did create all things in the beginning. He is divinely co-equal with the Son, whom he eternally beget, and with the Spirit, who proceeds from him and the Son. God is Spirit and He is love. He is uncreated, self-existent, and worthy of worship. He is creator of heaven and earth. He is LORD, merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. He is righteous and just, holy and glorious, sovereign and wise. He is eternal, transcendent, and immutable. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-present. From him and through him and to him are all things, and to him be glory forever.

(Deuteronomy 6:4; Jeremiah 10:10; Exodus 3:14; Ephesians 4:6; Titus 2:13; John 4:24; Isaiah 43:10; Matthew 28:19; 3:16-17; Acts 17:24; Exodus 34:6-7; Romans 3:26; 11:33, 36; Isaiah 6:3; Acts 4:24; Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 55:8-9; Psalm 102:25-27; 147:5; 115:3; 139:7-12; John 4:24; 1 John 4:8)

God has revealed Himself by his Word; that is, through the sixty-six books of Scripture and by his Son. The Scriptures were given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit and are infallible and inerrant in the original languages. The Scriptures are sufficient in matters of life and faith. The Word became flesh in the incarnation of Jesus as revealed in Scripture. Although God has revealed himself generally to all through creation, he has revealed himself to us more fully by his Word.

(2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:2; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Matthew 5:17-18; Psalm 19:7; John 1:14; John 14:6; Romans 1:20)

God created everything that has been made, and this by the power of His Word. All things were created through him and for him, and in him all things hold together. Without him was not anything made that was made. In six days the LORD made heaven and earth and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh.

(Genesis 1:1-27; Psalm 33:6; Hebrews 11:3; Colossians 1:16-17; Isaiah 45:12; John 1:3; Exodus 20:11)

On the sixth day of creation, man was created in the image of God, male and female. Man was created upright and declared "very good.” Adam and Eve were historical human beings, the first of their kind. Man did not evolve from other creatures, but was made in God’s image from the dust, and woman from the rib of man. God gave them dominion over all other living things on the earth and told them to be fruitful and multiply, to fill the earth and subdue it. They were made in a state of maturity with an initial condition of sinlessness, but were fallible.

(Genesis 1:27; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Genesis 1:31; Genesis 1:28; Genesis 2:18-23)

Tempted by the serpent, man disobeyed God and brought death to all through Adam. We are guilty in Adam because one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all men. Now, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Man is born in iniquity and we are by nature children of wrath and enemies of God. We have been corrupted in heart, mind, and will, and have been separated from God because we all, like sheep, have gone astray.

(Genesis 3:1-7; Romans 5:12; Romans 3:10; Psalm 51:5; Ephesians 2:3; Romans 5:10; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 12:2; John 1:13; Galatians 5:17; Isaiah 59:2)

In his mercy, God promised to save his people. Beginning with Adam, God covenanted with man and foreshadowed the gospel in the garden. Through types and shadows, God continued to reveal his plan of salvation by covenant (Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic). These earthly copies and shadows were fulfilled in the New and better Covenant, enacted and mediated in Christ.

(Genesis 3:15; Ephesians 2:12; Hosea 6:7; Genesis 2:16-17; 6:11-19; 9:8-17; 12:7; Galatians 3:16; Genesis 15:7-10; 22:15-18; Hebrews 3:14; John 10:28; 2 Corinthians 3:14-16; Exodus 19:3-6; Hebrews 8:1-7; 1 Samuel 8:7-16; Hosea 1:2-11; Isaiah 42:1-9; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 36:22-27)

The eternal Son of God is the Word, who, in the beginning, was with God and was God. All things were created through him and for him. He is the anointed of God who sits at his right hand. His throne is forever and his years will have no end. He is the image of the invisible God and the exact imprint of his nature. The fullness of God dwells in him and all things will be reconciled to him.

In the fullness of time, he was sent by the Father, put on flesh, and dwelt among us in the person of Jesus. God became a man when He put on flesh and came into the world as Jesus Christ. Two distinct and whole natures were inseparably joined so that the person of Christ was and is both fully God and fully man. Jesus was born of a virgin, grew, and lived a life of perfect obedience to God the Father. He came to fulfill the Law and Prophets, to serve and give his life as a ransom, and to seek and save the lost. He is the Savior of the world, the judge, and our prophet, priest, and king.

(John 1:1; Colossians 1:15-20; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 1:3; Matthew 3:17; Isaiah 7:14; John 1:14; Colossians 2:9; Matthew 1:23-25; Luke 2:52; Romans 5:19; Matthew 5:17; Matthew 20:28; Matthew 19:10; 1 John 4:14; John 5:22; Matthew 13:57; Hebrews 4:14; Matthew 27:11)

The gospel was delivered to us as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day. The good news is that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He chose us in him before the foundation of the world and, in love, predestined us for adoption according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace. He made known to us, whom he taught, the mystery of his will.

Jesus willingly gave his life on the cross to atone for our sins by satisfying the wrath of God. His perfect life was counted a substitute, exchanging our sin for his righteousness. Jesus' death on the cross justifies those who believe in him by faith and we have peace with God by the blood of his cross. After Jesus died on the cross and was buried, he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. Because Christ was raised from the dead, death no longer has dominion over us. Just as by one man came death in Adam, by one man has come also the resurrection of the dead in Christ. If we are in him, we will share in a resurrection like his. Just as Christ was raised with an imperishable body, so we will be at the resurrection.

The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. We are saved by grace through faith, which is not our own doing and not a result of works, but rather the gift of God. Salvation is in Jesus Christ and there is no other name by which we must be saved. In Christ, we are chosen, adopted, and justified. In him, we are being sanctified and will be glorified. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, and God will complete the work that He began in those who have truly repented and believed in Christ for salvation. For those who have been born again, salvation can never be taken away.

(1 Corinthians 15:3-5; Romans 5:8; Romans 1:16; Mark 1:15; Mark 16:15; John 3:16; Genesis 3:15; Galatians 3:8; Galatians 1:6-7; John 10:17-18; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:24-26; Romans 5:9; 1 John 2:2; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 4:22-25; Romans 5:1; Colossians 1:20; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Mark 16:6; Romans 6:9; 1 Corinthians 15:21; Ephesians 2:8; Acts 4:12; John 14:6; Ephesians 1:4-5; Romans 8:30; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 10:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; Romans 10:13; Philippians 1:6; John 10:27-29; Ephesians 1:3-10; John 17; John 6:45)

The Spirit is of the Father and of the Son, proceeding from both, truly and fully God. He is a person, called the Helper and the Spirit of truth. He is the author of Scripture, our guide, our guarantee, and our intercessor in prayer. He convicts the world regarding sin and righteousness and judgment. He is a teacher and a witness to us of the things of God. He regenerates and renews us, dwelling in those who are in Christ.

(John 14:6; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:26-27; John 16:8; 2 Peter 1:21; John 16:13; John 15:26; John 14:26; Hebrews 10:15; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:9-11)

The Church is the body of Christ, and we are individually members of it. Jesus built his Church on the confession of faith that he is the Christ, the son of the living God. Jesus is the head of the church and has promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

(1 Corinthians 12:27; Matthew 16:16-18; Colossians 1:18)

Following Christ is a life of repentance and faith. As disciples, we are called to learn and to follow Jesus in every area of our lives. Because the work of God is to believe, our faith will be evidenced as we walk in the works God prepared beforehand. And as disciples, we are now called to go and make disciples of all nations.

(Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38; John 6:28-29; Ephesians 2:8-10; Matthew 28:18-20)

The kingdom is the rule and reign of God that is presently experienced, yet is still to come in its fullness. Jesus came to preach the good news of the kingdom of God and to call sinners to repentance. Those who do not repent and believe in Jesus in this life will experience the wrath of God for eternity in hell. For those in Christ, there is no condemnation, and they will dwell with God forever.

(Matthew 4:17; Matthew 4:23; Luke 4:43; Luke 5:32; Mark 9:47-48; Revelation 20:15; Romans 8:1; Revelation 21:3)

Baptism & communion are commands given to the Church as symbols and remembrances of the death of Christ. These ordinances are for believers in that they are external pictures of inward realities. In baptism, believers are buried with Christ into death and raised to walk in newness of life. Through the Lord's supper, believers proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

(Romans 6:3; 1 Corinthians 11:24; Romans 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:26)

Because we were dead in our trespasses and sins, God made us alive in Christ. He chose us in him before the foundation of the world and predestined us for adoption. We were saved not by human will or exertion, but by God, who has mercy. All that the Father gives to Jesus will come to him, and whoever comes to him will never be cast out.

(Ephesians 2:1; Ephesians 2:5; Ephesians 1:4-5; Romans 9:16; John 6:37)

Men and women were created by God with equal humanity and distinct roles. For the glory of God, men and women were given complimentary roles in the home and the church, especially as it relates to authority and teaching. In marriage, the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, whereas wives are uniquely given the responsibility of childbearing. In the church, men are uniquely called to teach and exercise authority in the corporate gathering.

(Genesis 1:27; 1 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 2:8-15; Ephesians 5:22-33)

The gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to believers for the building up of the church and the conviction of unbelievers. There are a variety of gifts, and the same Spirit appoints to each one individually as he wills. The gifts today never supersede the authority of the Scriptures, but rather are a confirmation of its authority.

(1 Corinthians 14:12; 1 Corinthians 14:24; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Peter 4:10-11; 1 Corinthians 12:28)

The New Testament church is described in several ecclesiastical categories. Members are those "of the body," of which the church is comprised as a whole, believers who have submitted themselves to the authority of a local assembly. Deacons are servants in the church, qualified and tested men and women, appointed by function. Elders are the overseers and the pastors/shepherds of the church, men qualified and able to teach. Christ is the head of the Church, the chief shepherd. Alamo Ranch Community Church is modeled after the example of the New Testament church and the commands of Scripture.

(1 Corinthians 12:12; Romans 12:4-5; Acts 6:1-6; 1 Timothy 3:8-13; Hebrews 13:17; Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4)

If you would like to get involved in our children's ministry, being a helper in one of our children's classes on Sundays is a great opportunity to do just that. You will interact with and minister to the kids while providing support for the teachers as they give lessons. Helpers usually serve one week a month at one of the services in our rotation.

If you would be willing to lead out in one of our children's classes through the teaching of a weekly lesson on Sundays, being a teacher provides that opportunity. We use the Gospel Project curriculum, a resource that focuses on the overall message of Scripture as it journeys through the narrative. Teachers must be Covenant Members and typically serve for a month at a time each quarter during one of the services.

Serving at one of our Check-In stations on Sundays is a great way to get to know people and serve by helping our visitors and regulars check in their children. We use Planning Center software, a user-friendly software that makes the process fast, easy, and secure.

Serving as a greeter on Sundays is a great way to get to know our people. From welcoming members and visitors as they arrive to pointing them in the right direction, you will be helping our people feel welcome and get connected. Greeters begin 15 minutes before the service starts and greet until 15 minutes after the service begins.

If you would like to serve by praying for the needs of our church body, you will be sent prayer requests on a regular basis of those in need and how you can pray for them. Our prayer team meets every Sunday morning during the 9:00 service to lift it up in prayer. During that time they pray for the services and for any requests that have come in.

To prepare for our Sunday services, our setup team arrives at 5:30 am. They are responsible for ensuring all the necessary equipment is set up before our services begin. Setup includes: Indoor and Outdoor Signs, Children's Class Equipment, & some A/V.

After our services each week, we break down and store our equipment on site. If you attend our last service, this is a great place to serve. Breakdown begins after the last service ends and usually lasts around an hour.

Serving as a sound technician on Sundays brings together all of the elements of the service, from the music and the preaching to everything else. If you have run a sound board or are knowledgeable in audio production, consider serving on our A/V team.

If you have skills or are interested in learning more in video production, serving on Sundays is a great place to start. At our services, you will learn to operate a camera and produce a livestream. Video is not only becoming a more prevalent source for delivering the gospel, it also gives our people who are away a chance to still be part of our services.

Serving in lighting is a way for you to help foster an environment for worship for our people on Sundays. If you have experience with lighting or would like to learn, consider serving on our A/V team.

If you are interested in serving on Sundays in media, slides is a great place to start. You play a role in the added engagement of our people by assisting the music, preaching, and content on Sundays. If you are interested, consider serving on our A/V team.

If you have skills or are interested in producing video, our creative team is a great place to serve. From capturing interviews to shooting b-roll footage to editing, video can be a powerful and inspiring way to tell the stories of our church.

If you are a photographer and are interested in capturing moments that tell the stories of our people, this is a great way to serve. If you have an eye for still images and can shoot and edit photos, consider joining our creative team.

If you are gifted in creative graphics for sermon series, promotions, announcements, or social media, consider joining our creative team. Skills in Photoshop, Illustrator, or other graphics software is encouraged.

If you are gifted in writing and fluent in the gospel, we would love for you to consider joining our stories team. Our people's stories are all unique, yet their redemptive narrative in light of the gospel weaves them together. If you have this passion, join our stories team.

If you are vocally talented and are a Covenant Member, consider going through our tryout process. Opportunities are more limited on the vocal side, but if you are gifted in that area, we would love to have you consider trying out.

If you play an instrument such as electric or acoustic guitar, keys, drums, bass, or other, consider joining our worship team. If you are a musician and are a Covenant Member, consider going through our tryout process. Please indicate which instrument(s) you play:

If you have experience in development or construction, serving our our building team could be beneficial to help ARCC in the future of land and building possibilities. Please indicate your area of expertise (ex: Construction, Engineering, Finance, etc.):

We believe the health of members is connected to their involvement in the body. Therefore, we ask our members to commit to 5 baseline commands in Scripture for all believers. Please check each box to indicate your intention to obey God in these areas by His grace:

Every believer has some testimony of faith in Christ, when they were born again (John 3:7). Please briefly share your testimony.

Every believer has a measure of understanding of the gospel. In your words, please share the message of the gospel.

Baptism is an ordinance commanded to those who have believed in Christ, symbolizing our union with him. If you have not been baptized as a believer, we would encourage you to take that step of obedience to Christ.

If you have already been baptized, please indicate the church and city where you were baptized:

We believe baptism is for believers who believe in and confess Jesus as Lord.

If you were a member of a church previously, what was the name & city?

Did you leave your previous church in good standing?

What was the reason you left your previous church (moved, doctrinal difference, etc.)?

If there is anything else you would like to share with our pastors, please do so below. (This section is optional)