The words of our church covenant are fashioned from the Solemn Covenant adopted by Benjamin Keach’s London congregation way back in 1689. Each promise is inspired by Scripture and the covenant is a summary of how Christian fellowship is lived at its ‘biblical’ best. It is our prayer that all here will look to the Lord in striving to live together in the light of these promises.
1. We do promise and engage to walk in all holiness, godliness, humility and brotherly love, seeking to render our communion delightful to God, comforting to ourselves and lovely to the rest of the Lord’s people. (Philippians 1:3-5; Colossians 1:3-4; 1 Timothy 6:11-12; 2 Timothy 2:22; Titus 2:10-14; 3:8, 14)
2. We do promise to lovingly watch over each other, and not to allow sin to remain amongst us so far as God reveals it to us; and to stir up one another to love and good works; and in gentleness, to warn, rebuke and admonish one another with meekness, according to the rules left to us by Christ. (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Hebrews 10:24)
3. We do promise to pray for one another from the heart, and for the glory and increase of this Church, and for the presence of God in it, and the pouring forth of His Holy Spirit upon it, and for His protection over it, to His glory. (Psalm 28:9; 51:18; 122:6-9; 2 Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 6:18; James 5:16.)
4. We do promise to bear one another’s burdens; to stand by one another having empathy with one another in all conditions whether practical or spiritual, as God in His providence gives opportunity. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; Romans 12:15-16; Galatians 6:2, 10; Philippians 2:2-4; James 1:27.)
5. We do promise to bear with one another’s weaknesses, failings and infirmities, with much tenderness, not revealing them to any outside the Church, nor any within, unless, according to the rule of Christ there is a requirement so to do. (Romans 14:1-12; 5:1-5; Ephesians 4:2.)
6. We do promise to strive together for the truth of the Gospel and the purity of God’s ways and ordinances, to avoid causes of division and those that cause it, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:3; Philippians 1:27; Jude 3.)
7. We do promise to meet together on the Lord’s days, and at other times, as the Lord shall give us opportunities, to serve and glorify God in the way of His worship, to edify one another, and to promote the good of His Church. (Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 10:25.)