Question 48 — What is required of them who desire to join themselves unto the church?

Answer — ^aThat they be free from blame and offence in the world; ^bthat they be instructed in the saving truths and mysteries of the gospel; ^csound in the faith; ^dthat, the Lord having called them unto faith, repentance, and newness of life by Jesus Christ, they give up themselves to be saved by him, and to obey him in all things; and, therefore, ^eare willing and ready, through his grace, to walk in subjection to all his commands, and in the observation of all his laws and institutions, notwithstanding any difficulties, oppositions, or persecutions, which they meet withal.
^aPhil. i. 10, ii. 15; 1 Cor. x. 32; 1 Thess. ii. 11, 12; Titus ii. 10.
^bJohn vi. 45; Acts xxvi. 18; 1 Pet. ii. 9; 2 Cor. iv. 3, 4, 6.
^c1 Tim. i. 19, 20; 2 Tim. iv. 3, 4; Titus i. 13; Jude 3.
^dEph. iv. 20–24.
^e2 Cor. viii. 5.