Church’s Covenant
HILLVIEW BAPTIST AMENDED CHURCH COVENANT
Having being led by the Holy Spirit to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and on the public confession of our faith, having been immersed by way of water baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God and this assembly, solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:12-16).
- We purpose, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love (Romans 12:10; Ephesians 4:1-6; Hebrews 13:1);
- To strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines (Ephesians 4:12-16);
- To give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin (Acts 4:19, 5:29);
- To give faithfully of time and talent in its activities; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, as God has prospered us, to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel throughout all nations (2 Corinthians 9:6-15; 1 Peter 4:10-11).
- We also purpose to maintain family and private devotions; to train our children according to the Word of God; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances (Deuteronomy 4:9, 6:4-9, 11:19, Eph. 6:4);
- To walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our conduct (Ephesians 5:11-17);
- To avoid all gossip, backbiting and unrighteous anger; to abstain from all forms of activity which dishonour our Lord Jesus Christ, cause stumbling to a fellow believer or hinder the winning of a soul to Christ, our Saviour; and to give Him preeminence in all things (Ephesians 5:1-10).
- We further purpose to encourage one another in the blessed hope of our Lord’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 5:9-11);
- To watch over one another in brotherly love (Galatians 6:1-2; Ephesians 5:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:9, 5:14-15);
- To remember each other in prayer (Ephesians 6:18; Col. 4:2; 1 Timothy 2:1);
- To aid each other in sickness and distress (James 5:14-16);
- To cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech (Ephesians 4:23-32);
- To be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and, mindful of the rules of our Saviour, to seek it without delay (Matthew 5:22-24, 6:14; 18:15-22; Mark 11:25-26; Colossians 3:12-13).
We moreover purpose that if we remove from this place we will as soon as possible unite with some other church of like faith and order where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word. If there is no such Church, we shall seek, with the Lord’s help to establish one.