1. The Scriptures.
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinion should be tried.
(2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Sam. 23:2; Acts 1:16, 3:21; John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31; Psa. 119:11; Rom. 3:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 1:10-12; Acts 11:14; Rom. 1:16; Mark 16:16; John 5:38-39; Prov. 30:5-6; John 17:17; Rev. 22:18-19; Rom. 3:4, 2:12; John 12:47-48; 1 Cor. 4:3-4; Luke 10:10-16, 12:47-48; Phil. 3:16; Eph. 4:3-6; Phil. 2:1-2; 1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Pet. 4:11; 1 John 4:1; Isa. 8:20; 1 Thess. 5:21; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:6; Eph. 6:17; Psa. 119:59-60; Phil. 1:9-11)
2. The True God.
We believe that there is one, and only one living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name if JEHOVAH, the Maker, and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct and harmonious offices in the great work if redemption.
(John 4:24; Psa. 147:5, 83:18; Heb. 3:4; Rom. 1:20; Jer. 10:10; Exod. 15:11; Isa. 6:3; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; Rev. 4:6-8; Mark 12:30; Rev. 4:11; Matt. 10:37; Jer. 2:12-13; Matt. 29:19; John 15:26; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 1 John 5:7; John 10:30, 17:5; 17:10; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor. 2:10-11; Phil.2:5-6; Eph. 2:18; 2 Cor. 13:14; Rev. 1:4-5)
3. The Fall of Man.
We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint, but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
(Gen. 1:27, 31; Eccl. 7:29; Acts 16:26; Gen. 2:16; Gen. 3:6-24; Rom. 5:12, 5:19; John 3:6; Psa. 51:5; Rom. 5:15-19, 8:7; Isa. 53:6; Gen. 6:12; Rom. 3:9-18; Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:18, 1:32, 2:1-16; Gal. 3:10; Matt. 20:15; Ezek. 18:19-20; Rom. 1:20, 3:19; Gal. 3:22)
4. God’s Purpose of Grace.
We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which He graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
(2 Tim. 1:8-9; Eph. 1:3-14; 1 Pet. 1:1-2; Rom. 11:5-6; John 15:15; 1 John 4:19; Hos. 12:9; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matt. 20:16; Acts 15:14; Exod. 33:18-19; Matt. 20:15; Eph. 1:11; Rom. 9:23-24; Jer. 31:3; Rom. 11:28-29; James 1:17-17; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rom. 11:32-36; 1 Cor. 4:7, 1:26-31; Rom. 3:27, 4:16; Col. 3:12; 1 Cor. 3:5-7, 15:10; 1 Pet. 5:10; Acts 1:24; 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 2:9; Luke 18:7; John 15:16: Eph. 1:16; 1 Thess. 2:12; 2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Cor. 9:22; Rom. 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; 2 Pet. 1:10; 1 Thess. 4:4-10; Isa. 42:16; Rom. 11:29; 2 Pet. 1:10-11; Phil. 3:12; Heb. 6:11)
5. The Way of Salvation.
We believe that the salvation of sinners if wholly of grace, through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all sufficient Saviour.
(Eph. 2:5; Matt. 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; Acts 15:11; John 3:16, 1:1-14; Heb. 4:14, 12:24; Phil. 2:6-7; Heb. 2:9, 2:14; 2 Cor. 5:21; Isa. 42:21; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 4:4-5; Rom. 3:21; Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 20:28; Rom. 4:25, 3:21-26; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Heb. 9:13-15, 1:8, 1:3, 8:1; Col. 3:1-4; Heb. 7:25; Col. 2:9; Heb. 2:18, 7:26; Psa. 89:19; Psa. 14)
6. Regeneration.
We believe the Scriptures teach that regeneration, or the new birth, is that change wrought in the soul by the Holy Spirit, by which a new nature and a spiritual life, not before possessed, are imparted, and the person becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus; a holy disposition is given to the mind; the will subdued; the dominion of sin broken, and the affections changed from a love of sin and self, to a love of holiness and God, in a manner incomprehensible to reason; the evidence of it is found in a changed disposition of mind, the fruits of righteousness, and a new life. And without it salvation is impossible.
(John 3; 1 Pet. 1:23; James 1:18; Eph. 4:24; Col. 2:13; Rom. 6:13; Col. 1:13; John 1:13; 1 Cor. 6:11)
7. Repentance.
We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance is a personal act, prompted by the Spirit; and consists in a godly sorrow for sin, as offensive to God and ruinous to the soul; that it is accompanied with great humiliation in view of one’s sin and guilt, together with prayer for pardon; also by sincere hatred of sin, and a persistent turning away from, and abandonment of, all that is evil and unholy. Since none are sinless in this life, repentance needs to be often repeated.
(Matt. 3:1-2, 4:17; Mark 1:15; Acts 3:19, 17:30, 20:21; 2 Cor. 7:2; Luke 24:47; Acts 5:21; Rom. 2:5)
8. Faith.
We believe the Scriptures teach that faith, as an evangelical grace wrought by the Spirit, is the medium through which Christ is received by the soul as its sacrifice and Savior. It is an assent of the mind and a consent of the heart, consisting mainly of belief and trust; the testimony of God is implicitly accepted and believed as true, while Christ is unreservedly trusted for salvation; by it the believer is brought into vital relations with God, freely justified, and lives as seeing Him who is invisible. Faith cannot save, but it reveals Christ to the soul as a willing and sufficient Savior, and commits the heart and life to Him.
(Acts 16:31; Rom. 10:3, 5:1; Heb. 11:1, 11:6; Rom. 1:17; James 2:23; Jer. 17:7; Psa. 125:1; 34:22; 2 Cor. 5:7; Rom. 3:22, 10:10)
9. Justification.
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in him is justification; that Justification includes pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, nit in consideration of any works righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood; by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
(John 1:16; Eph. 3:8; Acts 13:39; Isa. 3:11-12; Rom. 8:1, 5:9; Zech. 13:1; Matt. 9:6; Acts 10:43; Rom. 5:17; Titus 3:5-6; 1 Pet. 3:7; 1 John 2:25; Rom. 5:21, 4:4-5, 6:28; Phil. 3:7-9; Rom. 5:19, 3:24-26, 4:23-25; 1 John 2:12; Rom. 5:1-3; 1 Cor. 1:30-31; Matt. 6:33; 1 Tim. 4:8)
10. Adoption.
We believe the Scriptures teach the adoption is a gracious act, by which the father for the sake of Christ, accepts believers to the estate and condition of children, by a new and spiritual birth; sending the Spirit of adoption into their hearts, whereby they become members of the family of God, and entitled to all the rights, privileges, and promises of children; and if children, then heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, to the heritage of the saints of the earth, and an inheritance reserved in heaven for them.
(Rom. 8:14-16; Gal. 3:16, 4:5-7; Eph. 1:5; 1 John 3:1; Heb. 12:7; 1 Pet. 2:9)
11. Sanctification.
We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit; the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means-especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer and in the practice of all godly exercises and duties.
(1 Thess. 4:3, 5:23; 2 Cor. 7:1, 13:9; Eph. 1:4; Prov. 4:18; 2 Cor. 3:18; Heb. 6:1; 2 Pet. 1:5-8; Phil. 3:12-16; John 2:29; Rom. 8:5; John 3:16; Phil 1:9-11; Eph. 1:13-14; Phil. 1:12-13; Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18; 2 Cor. 13:5; Luke 11:35, 9:23; Matt. 26:41; Eph. 6:18, 4:30)
12. The Perseverance of Saints.
We believe that the Scriptures teach that such as are truly regenerate, being born of the Spirit, will not utterly fall away and finally perish, but will endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
(John 8:31; 1 John 2:27-28, 3:9, 5:18, 2:19; John 13:18; Matt. 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job. 17:9; Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30-33; Jer. 32:40; Psa. 121:3, 91:11-12; Phil. 1:6, 2:12-13; Jude 24-25; Heb. 1:14; 2 kings 6:16; Heb. 13:5; 1 John 4:4)
13. The Law and the Gospel.
We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just, and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their sinful nature; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the Holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the means of Grace connected with the establishment of the visible Church.
(Rom. 3:31; Matt. 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom. 3:20, 4:15, 7:12, 7:14, 7:22; Gal. 3:21; Psa. 119; Rom. 8:7-8; Josh. 24:19; Jer. 13:23; John 6:44, 5:44; Rom. 8:2, 8:4, 10:4; 1 Tim. 1:5; Heb. 8:10; Jude 20-21; Heb. 12:14; Matt. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 12:28)
14. Gospel Church.
We believe the Scriptures teach that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws, and exercision the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his Word; that its only scriptural officers are Bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
(1 Cor. 1:1-13; Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11, 8:1, 11:31; 1 Cor. 4:17, 14:23; 3 John 9; 1 Tim. 3:5; Acts 2:41-42; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 5:12-13, 11:2; 2 Thess. 3:6; Rom. 16:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:23; Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5:6; 2 Cor. 2:7; 1 Cor. 4:17; Matt. 28:20; John 14:15, 15:12; 1 John 4:21; John 14:21; 1 Thess. 4:2; 2 John 6; Gal. 6:2; all the Epistles; Eph. 4:7; 1 Cor. 14:12; Phil. 1:27; 1 Cor. 12:14; Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; 1 Tim. 3; Titus 1:6-9)
15. Baptism.
We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in Christ, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death to sin, and resurrection to a new life; that it is a prerequisite to the privileges of a Church relation and to the Lord’s Supper.
(Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:5-6; John 3:22-23, 4:1-2; Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Matt. 18:19; Gal. 3:27-28; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; 1 Pet. 3:20-21; Acts 22:16)
16. The Lord’s Supper.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Lord’s Supper is a provision of bread and wine, as symbols of Christ’s body and blood, partaken of by the members of the Church, in commemoration of the suffering and death of their Lord; showing their faith and participation in the merits of His sacrifice, and the hope of eternal life through His resurrection from the dead; its observance to be preceded by faithful self-examination.
(Luke 22:19-20; Mark 14:20-26; Matt. 26:27-30; 1 Cor. 11:27-30; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:42)
17. The Christian Sabbath.
We believe the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day, or Christian Sabbath; and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor, except works of mercy and necessity, by the devout observance of all means of grace, both private and public; and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.
(Acts 20:7; Gen. 2:3; Col. 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Exod. 20:8; Rev. 1:10; Psa. 119:24; Isa. 58:13-14, 56:2-8; Psa. 119:15; Heb. 10:24-25; Acts 11:26; Lev. 13:44, 19:30; Exod. 46:3; Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2; Psa. 26:8, 87:3; Heb. 4:3-11)
18. The Civil Government.
We believe the civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. But that civil rulers have no right of control over, or of interference with, religious matters.
(Rom. 13:1-7; Deut. 16:18; 1 Sam. 23:3; Exod. 18:23; Jer. 30:21; Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13; 1 Tim. 2:1-8; Acts 5:29; Matt. 10:28; Dan. 3:15-18; Acts 4:18-20; Matt. 23:10; Rom. 14:14; Rev. 19:16; Psa. 72:11; Rom. 14:9-13)
19. The Righteous and the Wicked.
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.
(Mal. 3:18; Prov. 12:26; Isa. 5:20; Gen. 18:23; Jer. 15:19; Acts 10:34-35; Rom. 6:16, 1:17, 7:6; 1 John 2:29; Rom. 6:18, 6:20; 1 Cor. 11:32; Prov. 11:31; 1 Pet. 4:17-18; 1 John 5:19; Gal. 3:10; John 3:36; Isa. 57:21; Psa. 10:4; Isa. 55:6-7; Prov. 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-21; Prov. 10:24; Luke 12:4-5, 9:23-26; John 12:25-26; Eccl. 3;17; Matt. 7:13-14)
20. The World to Come.
We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven, and rise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be judged to endless sorrow, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.
(1 Pet. 4:7; 1 Cor. 7:29-31; Heb. 1:10-12; Matt. 24:35; 1 John 2:17; Matt. 28:20, 12:39-40; 2 Pet. 3:3-13; Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7; Heb. 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:13-18, 5:1-11; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:12-59; Luke 14:14; Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29, 6:40, 11:25-26; 2 Tim. 1:10; Acts 10:42; Matt. 13:49, 13:37-43, 24:30-31, 25:31-33, 25:35-41; Rev. 22:11; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Mark 9:43-48; 2 Pet. 2:9; Jude 7; Phil 3:19; Rom. 6:32; 2 Cor. 5:10-11; John 4:36; 2 Cor. 4:18; Rom. 3:5-6; 2 Thess. 1:6-12; Heb. 6:1-2; 1 Cor. 4:5; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:2-16; Rev. 20:11-12; 1 John 2:28, 4:17)
* The New Hampshire Confession Revised.
top