Aontas Statement of Faith & Partner Covenent
The Statement of Faith of Aontas is designed as a summary of important truths held by all member churches. The individual churches express these beliefs in their own words but are in agreement that this statement accurately reflects their beliefs.
b. John 6:27; 1 Pet 1:2
c. John 1:1, 14; Titus 2:13; 1 John 5:20
d. Acts 5:3,4
e. Matt 3:16, 17; 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14
f. John 10:30; 17:22
g. Ps 90:2; John 1:1; 1 Tim 1:17; Heb 9:14
h. Gen 1:2,3; Job 33:4; John 1:2,3
i. Ps 33:10,11; 135:6; Dan 4:34, 35; Acts 17:25-28
j. Eph 1:3-14
b. Deut 32:4; Ezra 9:15; Ps 119:137; John 17:25
c. Gen 33:11; Gal 1:15; 1 Pet 5:10
d. Dan 9:9; Eph 2:4
e. Ps 86:15
f. 1 John 4:8
g. John 3:16,17; Rom 5:8; 1 John 4:9,10
b. Phil. 2:5-8; Rom 1:3
c. John 1:1; 20:28; Titus 2:13,14
d. Col 2:9;
e. Luke 1:34, 35; Matt 1:20-25
f. 1 Peter 2:22; Heb 7:26
g. Acts 2:22; John 2:11
h. Rom 5:19; 3:25; 2 Cor 5:21
i. Heb 7:23-28; 10:14-18
j. Col 2:13-15
k. 1 Cor 15:56-57
l. John 2:19; 1 Cor 15:4-8
m. Acts 1:9-11
n. Eph 1:20-23
o. 1 Tim 2:5; John 14:5; Acts 4:12
b. John 3:5-8; Rom 8:9
c. 2 Thess 2:13,14
d. Eph 4:11-13
e. John 17:17
f. Eph 4:22-32
g. Zech 4:6
b. Rom 3:10-18; Titus 1:15
c. Rom 3:12; Mark 7:20-23
d. Rom 3:19
e. Eph 2:3; 2 Thess 1:6-10
b. Heb 10:14-18; 7:23-28
c. Col 2:13-14;
d. Rom 4:23
e. Rom 6:23
b. Ps 116:12-14; Phil 1:11
c. Titus 2:9-10
d. Matt 5:16
e. John 15:5; Phil 2:13; Ezek 36:26,27
b. Acts 24:15
c. John 5:28,29
d. John 5:24,25
e. Matt 25:34; 1 Thess 4:13-18
f. Matt 25:41,42,46; 2 Thess 1:8,9; Rev 20:10
b. 1 Cor 1:2; John 3:3,5
c. 1 Cor 12:12,13,27
d. Mark 16:15; Gal 1:8,9
e. Matt 28:19
f. 1 Cor 11:23-26
g. Matt 18:15-18; 1 Cor 5:12-6:3
The Statement of Faith of Aontas is designed as a summary of important truths held by all member churches. The individual churches express these beliefs in their own words but are in agreement that this statement accurately reflects their beliefs.
The Scriptures
We affirm that the Holy Scriptures, as originally given by God through the different authors (a) are the infallible (b) and inerrant (c) Word of God. This comprises 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament. Recognising these as our only authority in all matters of faith and practice, we believe the doctrines taught in them.
a. 2 Tim. 3:16; Heb 1:1-2; 2 Pet. 1:20-21
b. John 17:17
c. Titus 1:2; John 17:17; (Heb 6:18)
The books comprising the Apocrypha are not of divine inspiration and are not part of Holy Scripture. They have no more authority than any other human writings.
Ps 19:7-11; 78:5-8; 119:9-11; Acts 2:42 a; 1 Thess. 4:1-8; 2 Tim. 3:16.
The Trinity
We believe in the only true and living God (a), revealed in the Holy Scriptures as God the Father (b), God the Son (c), and God the Holy Spirit (d). The Divine Persons in this Holy Trinity exist in perfect unity (e), are co-equal (f), and co-eternal (g), and are sovereign in creation (h), providence (i) and redemption (j).
a. Deut 6:4; 1 Cor 8:4,6; Jer 10:10; 1 Thess. 1:9 b. John 6:27; 1 Pet 1:2
c. John 1:1, 14; Titus 2:13; 1 John 5:20
d. Acts 5:3,4
e. Matt 3:16, 17; 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14
f. John 10:30; 17:22
g. Ps 90:2; John 1:1; 1 Tim 1:17; Heb 9:14
h. Gen 1:2,3; Job 33:4; John 1:2,3
i. Ps 33:10,11; 135:6; Dan 4:34, 35; Acts 17:25-28
j. Eph 1:3-14
God, the Father
We believe in the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is holy (a), righteous (b), full of grace (c), mercy (d), compassion (e), and love (f). In His infinite love He sent His Son that the world might be saved through Him.
a. Lev 11:44,45; 19:2; 20:7; Is 6:3; 1 Pet 1:16; Rev 4:8 b. Deut 32:4; Ezra 9:15; Ps 119:137; John 17:25
c. Gen 33:11; Gal 1:15; 1 Pet 5:10
d. Dan 9:9; Eph 2:4
e. Ps 86:15
f. 1 John 4:8
g. John 3:16,17; Rom 5:8; 1 John 4:9,10
God, the Son
We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son of God (a), whose true humanity (b) and full deity (c) were joined in the unity of His divine Person (d). We believe in His virgin birth (e), in His sinless life and in His teaching (f), in His divine miracles (g), in His substitutionary atoning death on the cross (h). There He offered the one perfect and final sacrifice for sin (i), for all time, triumphing over Satan (j), sin and death (k). We believe in His bodily resurrection (l) and His ascension into Heaven (m), where He now sits in glory at the Father’s right hand (n), the only mediator between God and man (o).
a. John 1:14 b. Phil. 2:5-8; Rom 1:3
c. John 1:1; 20:28; Titus 2:13,14
d. Col 2:9;
e. Luke 1:34, 35; Matt 1:20-25
f. 1 Peter 2:22; Heb 7:26
g. Acts 2:22; John 2:11
h. Rom 5:19; 3:25; 2 Cor 5:21
i. Heb 7:23-28; 10:14-18
j. Col 2:13-15
k. 1 Cor 15:56-57
l. John 2:19; 1 Cor 15:4-8
m. Acts 1:9-11
n. Eph 1:20-23
o. 1 Tim 2:5; John 14:5; Acts 4:12
God, the Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead (a), who regenerates the sinner (b), leads him to repentance, gives him faith in Christ (c), equips him with gifts for service (d), sanctifies him through the Word (e), in this present life (f) and fits him to enjoy fellowship with God forever (g). For spiritual power and effectiveness His ministry is essential to the individual Christian and the church (h).
a. 2 Cor 3:17,18 b. John 3:5-8; Rom 8:9
c. 2 Thess 2:13,14
d. Eph 4:11-13
e. John 17:17
f. Eph 4:22-32
g. Zech 4:6
Man and the Fall
We believe that as a result of the Fall all men are sinful by nature (a). Sin pollutes and infects every part of their being (b), renders them unable to please God by their own efforts(c), makes them guilty in the sight of a holy God (d), and subject to the penalty which, in His wrath and condemnation, He has decreed against it (e).
a. Rom 5:12 b. Rom 3:10-18; Titus 1:15
c. Rom 3:12; Mark 7:20-23
d. Rom 3:19
e. Eph 2:3; 2 Thess 1:6-10
Salvation
We believe that through faith alone in Christ alone the sinner is freely justified by God (a). The death of Christ was the final perfect sacrifice for our sins, and no sacrifice for sins remains to be offered today (b). On the basis of Christ’s sacrifice once offered, God forgives all our sins (c), and credits Christ’s righteousness to our account (d). Salvation is therefore a gift from God, and not a human achievement (e)
a. Eph 2:8-10; Gal 2:16; Rom 3:22 & 28; 4:4-5b. Heb 10:14-18; 7:23-28
c. Col 2:13-14;
d. Rom 4:23
e. Rom 6:23
Good Works
We believe that good works are the fruit and evidence of a true and living faith a). By these, believers express their thankfulness to God (b), make the gospel attractive (c) and demonstrate Christ’s love in the world (d). The believer’s ability to do good works comes not from himself but from the Holy Spirit who is at work in him (e).
a. Jam 2:14-18; 2 Pet 1:5-10 b. Ps 116:12-14; Phil 1:11
c. Titus 2:9-10
d. Matt 5:16
e. John 15:5; Phil 2:13; Ezek 36:26,27
The Return of Our Lord Jesus Christ
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will return personally, visibly and gloriously to this earth (a) to raise all the death, both the just and the unjust (b). As the righteous Judge he will divide all men into two, and only two,categories - the saved and the lost (c). Those whose faith is in Christ will be saved eternally (d) and will enter immediately into the joy of their Lord sharing with Him his inheritance in heaven (e). The unbeliever will be condemned by Him to hell, where they will experience eternal conscious punishment for their sins under the righteous judgment of God (f).
a. Acts 1:11; Matt 25:31-33 b. Acts 24:15
c. John 5:28,29
d. John 5:24,25
e. Matt 25:34; 1 Thess 4:13-18
f. Matt 25:41,42,46; 2 Thess 1:8,9; Rev 20:10
The Church
We believe that the church consists of the elect of God (a), that is, all those who in every age are born again of the Spirit of God (b) and thus united to Christ their Head (c). We believe that a true local church exists where the following marks are evident, and are practised according to the Word of God: the preaching of the Gospel of Christ (d) The administration of Baptism (e) the Lord’s Supper (f) and the exercise of Church Discipline.(g)
a. 1 Pet 1:1,2; Eph 1:1,4,5,11,13 b. 1 Cor 1:2; John 3:3,5
c. 1 Cor 12:12,13,27
d. Mark 16:15; Gal 1:8,9
e. Matt 28:19
f. 1 Cor 11:23-26
g. Matt 18:15-18; 1 Cor 5:12-6:3
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Partner Churches, Associates and Supporters’ Covenant
As a local Church, Christian Organization, or Christian Individual it is our sincere desire to express our unity in Christ by joining with others in Aontas.
Recognizing that it is the desire of our Lord Jesus Christ that His people maintain the unity of the Spirit and strive together to attain the unity of the Faith, we are committed to the aims of Aontas. True unity can only be possible on the basis of the truth as it is declared in the Scriptures and we hold that the central doctrines of the faith are accurately laid out in the Statement of Faith.
In our dealings with other Christians, whether as individuals or as churches, we resolve to be careful not to misrepresent each other. In our relations, we desire to be led by the Lord in obedience to His Word and to do all that is in our power to prevent sinful divisions.
It is our intention to consider the needs and aspirations of all Bible-centred churches and missions in conducting our affairs. This means that where possible, we will seek to co-operate rather than compete and, in the matter of members of other churches joining our church, we will show respect to the other church by consulting with them.
In all, we commit ourselves to pray for the Bible-centred churches and Christian Organizations in Ireland, especially those in our area.
Recognizing that it is the desire of our Lord Jesus Christ that His people maintain the unity of the Spirit and strive together to attain the unity of the Faith, we are committed to the aims of Aontas. True unity can only be possible on the basis of the truth as it is declared in the Scriptures and we hold that the central doctrines of the faith are accurately laid out in the Statement of Faith.
In our dealings with other Christians, whether as individuals or as churches, we resolve to be careful not to misrepresent each other. In our relations, we desire to be led by the Lord in obedience to His Word and to do all that is in our power to prevent sinful divisions.
It is our intention to consider the needs and aspirations of all Bible-centred churches and missions in conducting our affairs. This means that where possible, we will seek to co-operate rather than compete and, in the matter of members of other churches joining our church, we will show respect to the other church by consulting with them.
In all, we commit ourselves to pray for the Bible-centred churches and Christian Organizations in Ireland, especially those in our area.
