"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). "Since none of us are perfect, all of us are sinners" (see Romans 3:10-18).

The result of sin is spiritual death (see Romans 6:23). Spiritual death means eternal separation from God. By God's perfect standard, we are guilty of sin and therefore subject to the punishment for sin, which is separation from God. Admitting that we are sinners and separated from God is the first step of repentance, which is turning from sin and self and turning toward God.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

Believe in Jesus Christ as God's Son and receive Jesus' gift of forgiveness from sin. God offers us salvation. Although we have done nothing to deserve His love and salvation, God provided salvation for all who would repent of their sins and believe in Jesus.

"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:9-10).

Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord to others.

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the
Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having
been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost, we do now in the present of God, angels, and this assembly, most
solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in
Christ.

We engage therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in
Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge,
holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain
its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully
and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church,
and the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations.

We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to religiously
educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and
acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our
dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment; to
avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale
and use of intoxicating drink as a beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts
to advance the kingdom of our Savior.

We further engage 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 feeling and courtesy in speech; to be
slow to take offence, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the
rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.

We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will
as soon as possible unite with some other church, where we can carry out
the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.