Covenant Relationship Statement

Those who enter into a covenant relationship with Allington

Baptist Church are making the following commitment:

With God’s help I will endeavour:

to put the Lord Jesus Christ first in everything— offering my character, my daily life, home, work and studies to be controlled by the Holy Spirit and His purposes. Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:17
to spend time each day in prayer and thoughtful reading of the Bible. Ephesians 6:17,18
to witness to the Lord JesusChrist — by the way I live and talk; by the opportunities I take to help other people, to speak to others about the Lord and to invite them to Christian meetings and activities; and as my circumstances permit, by offering the hospitality of my home. Colossians 4:5-6; Hebrews 13:2
to be God’s voice in our community— to stand against ungodly practices in our society and promote Christian values. Matthew 5:13-14
to do some definite work for Christ— playing my part in His Body according to the gifts and guidance He gives me. Romans 12:4-8
to attend Sunday worship and receive communion regularly. Hebrews 10:25, Luke 22:19-20
to pray regularly for the work and ministry of Allington Baptist Church and the Church worldwide. Ephesians 6:18; i Colossians 4:2-3
to share in the responsibility for the church’s finances. Malachi 3:10
to take a share of responsibility for the direction of the church – by keeping myself informed on the church’s policy and vision through attendance at communication meetings, reading relevant documents and attending corporate opportunities for prayer where possible. 1 Corinthians 12:14-20
to develop fellowship with fellow Christians in the Church – by getting to know them and praying for them, showing love and encouragement; by helping to welcome visitors and newcomers; by readiness to forgive and be forgiven when misunderstandings occur. Colossians 3:12-14; 1 Peter 3:8

Please note, there is no intention to create a new legalism here. We are not saying that these things are necessary for salvation, or to gain the Lord ‘s approval. We are simply affirming our desire to live for God in the life of His local church, and in dependence on His Spirit.

Statement of Faith

We believe in:

1) The one true God who lives eternally in three persons—the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

2) The love, grace and sovereignty of God in creating, sustaining, ruling, redeeming and judging the world.

3) The divine inspiration and supreme authority of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, which are the written Word of God—fully trustworthy for faith and conduct

4) The dignity of all people, made male and female in God’s image to love, be holy and care for creation, yet corrupted by sin, which incurs divine wrath and judgement.

5) The incarnation of God’s eternal Son, the Lord Jesus Christ–born of the virgin Mary; truly divine and truly human, yet without sin.

6) The atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross: dying in our place, paying the price of sin and defeating evil, so reconciling us with God.

7) The bodily resurrection of Christ, the first fruits of our resurrection; his ascension to the Father, and his reign and mediation as the only Saviour of the world.

8) The justification of sinners solely by the grace of God through faith in Christ.

9) The ministry of God the Holy Spirit, who leads us to repentance, unites us with Christ through new birth, empowers our discipleship and enables our witness.

10) The Church, the body of Christ both local and universal, the priesthood of all believers——given life by the Spirit and endowed with the Spirit’s gifts to worship God and proclaim the gospel, promoting justice and love.

11) The personal and visible return of Jesus Christ to fulfil the purposes of God, who will raise all people to judgement, bring eternal life to the redeemed and eternal condemnation to the lost, and establish a new heaven and new earth.