Who wrote the Baptist church covenant found in the front of the National Baptist Hymnal?
Answer: As far as I can discern no one person wrote this covenant. It was developed in the late 1800's by the Baptists and was finalized in the early 20th Century. The Southern Baptists made it popular and it was posted and used as an addition to their regular church covenants. Today is not popular and few churches emphasize it. Basically it states that a Baptists will be loyal to Christ serving and being faithful to Him in the local church. Further Baptists should remain faithful to their church and found one it they are in an area where there is no Baptist Church.
It is a good document and simply states what the New Testament teaches Christians should do normally.
In is interesting that there is a movement this year to form a new church covenant that encompasses all "Baptists" regardless of their beliefs or practices. It will be presented in Atlanta, GA and believe it or not...Ex President Jimmy Carter will be the key speaker?!?!
It is an ecumenical document and shows how far many Baptists, including the Southern Baptists, have gone in leaving God's truth. True New Testament churches have no creed by God's word. The traditional church covenant is a sound document and declaration of biblical truth.