Our Confession of Faith

(A slightly modified version of the historic Baptist declaration of 1833 called The New Hampshire Confession of Faith)

 

1. Of The Scriptures:

We believe that the Holy Bible is divinely inspired and was written by men who were moved by the Holy Spirit; that it 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, the true basis of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried. 

(2Ti.3:15-17; 2Pe.1:19-21; Jude 3; Acts 3:21; Acts 11:14; Rom.1:16-17; John 5:38-39; Pro.30:5-6; John 17:17; Rev.22:18-19; Rom.3:4; 2:11-16; John 12:47-48; Rev.20:12; Phi.3:16; 2:1-2; Eph.4:3-6; 1Co.1:10; 1Jo.4:1; 1Th.5:21; 2Co.13:5; Acts 17:11; Psa.119:59-60).

 

2. Of The True God:

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is 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 Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, and exercising distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption. 

(John 4:24; Psa.147:5; 83:18; Exo.15:11; Isa.6:3; 1Pe.1:15-16; Rev.4:6-8; Mark 12:30; Rev.4:11; Mat.10:37; Mat.28:19; John 15:26; 1Co.12:4-6; John 10:30; 14:23; 17:5, 10; Eph.2:18; 2Co.13:14; Rev.1:4-5).

 

3. Of God the Son:

We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit in a miraculous manner; born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever or can ever be born of a woman. Thus, God the eternal Word was manifested in human flesh. Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man.

(Luke 1:35; Mat.1:18-25; Gen.3:15; Isa.7:14; Gal.4:4; Mark 1:1; John 1:1-3, 14; 1Co.15:47; Rom.9:5; 1Jo.5:20; Col.1:19; 2:9).

 

4. Of the Holy Spirit:

We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son, and of the same nature, and that He was active in the creation of all things; that in His relation to the unbelieving world He restrains the evil one until God’s purposes are fulfilled; that He convicts of sin, of righteousness and of judgment; that He bears witness to the truth of the Gospel in preaching and testimony; that He is the agent in the new birth; that He seals, endues, guides, teaches, witnesses, sanctifies and helps the believer; that He is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer, but that the sign gifts, such speaking in tongues and the gift of healing, were temporary, and that speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism or filling of the Holy Spirit.

(John 14:16-17; Mat.28:18; Heb.9:14; John 14:26; Gen.1:1-3, 26; 2Th.2:7; John 16:8-11; 15:26-27; Acts 5:30-32; John 3:5-6; 2Th.2:13; 1Pe.1:2; Eph.1:13-14; John 14:26; Rom.8:16, 26-27; John 16:13; 1Co.12:4-11; 13:8; 14:21-22).

 

5. Of 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 and death, without excuse or defense.

(Gen1:27, 31; Ecc.7:20; Gen.3:6-24; Rom.5:12, 15-19; Psa.51:3; Isa.53:6; Gen.6:12; Rom.3:9-18; Eph.2:1-3;, Rom.2:1-16; Gal.3:10; Eze.18:19-20; Rom.1:20; 3:19).

 

6. Of The Way of Salvation:

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, who according to the will of the Father, assumed our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and by His death made a full atonement for the sins of His people; 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 in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.

(Eph.2:5; Luke 19:10; 1Jo.4:10; 1Co.3:5-7; Acts 15:11; John 3:16; 1:1-14; Heb.4:14; Phi.2:6-7; Heb.2:9, 14; 2Co.5:21; Isa.42:21; Phi.2:8; Gal.4:4-5; Rom.3:21; Isa.53:4-5; Mat.20:28; Rom.4:25; 3:21-26; 1Co.15:1-3; Heb.9:13-15; 1:3, 8; Col.3:1; Heb.7:25-26; Col.2:9; Heb.2:18; Psa.89:18).

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7. Of Justification:

We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life, through Christ’s righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of 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; Rom.8:1; 5:9; Zec.13:1; Mat.9:6; Acts 10:43; Rom.5:17; Tit.3:5-6; 1Jo.2:25; Rom.5:21; 6:23; Phi.3:7-9; Rom.5:19; 3:24-28; 4:23-25; 1Jo.2:12; Rom.5:1-3,11; 1Co.1:30-31; Mat.6:33; 1Ti.4:8).

 

8. Of the Freeness of Salvation:

We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.

(Isa.55:1; Rev.22:17, Luke 14:17; Rom.16:26; Mark 1:15; Rom.1:15-17; John 5:40; Mat.23:37; Rom.9:32; Pro.1:24; Acts 13:46; John 3:19; Mat.11:20; Luke 19:27; 2Th.1:8).

 

9. Of Grace in Regeneration:

We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated or born again; that regeneration consists of giving spiritual life to a spiritually dead sinner, and thereby giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, (in connection with divine truth,) so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life.

(John 3:5-6; Acts 16:14; Rom.2:28-29; 1Pe.1:2; 1Co.2:14; Eph.2:1-10; 2Co.5:17; Col.3:9-10; Heb.10:16-17; Rom.12:2; 1Co.6:11; Rom.6:3, 23; 7:24-25; 1Jo.3:9, 14; Psa.51; John 8:34-36; Phi.2:13; Rom.6:18; John 3:1-8; Jam.1:18; 1Co.2:10-12; Rom.8:1-17; 1Jo.3:4-18; Tit.3:5).

 

10. Of Repentance and Faith:

We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn from our sin to God with unfeigned contrition, and confession; at the same time heartily trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.

(2Tim.2:24-26; Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph.2:8; Acts 13:48; 1Jo.5:1; John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38, 16:30-32; Luke 18:13; 15:18-21; Jam.4:7-10; 2Co.7:11; Psa.51; Rom.10:9-13; Acts 3:22-23; Psa.2:6; Heb.1:8; 2Ti.1:12).

 

11. Of 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; it is a most gracious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy; that it encourages the use of means to 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.

(2Ti.1:8-9; Eph. 1:3-14; 1Pe.1:1-2; Rom.11:5-6, John 15:16; 2Th.2:13-14; Acts 13:48; Mat.20:16; Exo.33:18-19; Eph.1:11; Rom.9:23-24; Jer.31:3; Rom.11:28-36; Jam.1:17; 2Tim.1:9; 1Co.4:7; 1:26-31; Rom.3:27; 4:16; Col.3:12; 1Th.2:13; 1Co.3:5-7; 15:10; 1Pe.5:10; Acts 1:24; Eph.1:16; Luke 18:7; 2Ti.2:10; 1Co.9:22; Rom.8:28-30; John 6:37-40; 2Pe.1:10; 1Th.1:4-10; Rom.8:28-30; Isa.42:16; Rom.11:29; 2Pe.1:10-11; Phi.3:12; Heb.6:11).

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12. Of Spiritual Adoption:

We believe that adoption is a gracious act, by which the Father, for the sake of Christ, accepts believers as His children; sending the Spirit of adoption into their hearts whereby they become members of the family of God, and are entitled to all the rights, privileges, and promises of children; and if children, then heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ, to the inheritance reserved in heaven for them.

(Rom.8:14-17; Eph.1:5; Gal.3:26; 4:5-6; 1Pe.1:4; Eph.3:6; Tit.3:7; John 1:12-13).

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13. Of 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.

(1Th.4:3; 5:23; 2Co.7:1; 13:9; Eph.1:4; Pro.4:18; 2Co.3:18; Heb.6:1; 2Pe.1:5-8; Phi.3:12-16; Rom.8:5; John 3:6; Phi.1:9-11; Eph.1:13-14; Phi.2:12-13; Eph.4:11-12; 1Pe.2:2; 2Pe.3:18; 2Co.13:5; Luke 11:35; 9:23; Mat.26:41; Eph.6:18; 4:30).

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14. Of the Perseverance of Saints:

We believe that such as are truly regenerated, being born of the Spirit, will not utterly fall away and finally perish, but will endure unto the end; that their preserving 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; 1Jo.2:27-28; 3:9; 5:18; 2:19; John 13:18; Mat.13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9; Rom.8:28; Mat.6:30-33; Jer.32:40; Psa.121:3; 91:11-12; Phi.1:6; 2:12-13; Jude 24; Heb.1:14; 2Ki.6:16; Heb.13:5; 1Jo.4:4).

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15. Of the Harmony of the Law and the Gospel:

We believe that all moral 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 depraved nature and love of sin; 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.

(Rom.3:31; Mat.5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom.3:19-20; 4:15; 7:12; Gal.3:21; Psa.119; Rom.7:12; Josh.24:19; Jer.13:23; John 6:44; 5:44; Rom.8:2-4; 10:4; 1Ti.1:5; Heb.8:10; Jude 20-21; Heb.12:14).

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16. Of a Gospel Church:

We believe that a 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 exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word; that its only scriptural officers are Pastors (also called Elders and Bishops), and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.

(Act.2:41-42; Mat.18:7; Acts 8:1; 1Co.4:17; 14:23; Acts 2:47; 1Co.5:12-13; 4:17; 2Th.3:6; Rom.16:17-20; Mat.18:15-20; 28:20; John 14:14-15; 15:12; 1Jo.4:21; John 14:21; 1Th.4:2, 2Jo.6; Gal.6:2; Eph.4:7; 1Co.14:12; Phi.1:27; 1:1; Acts 14:23; 15:22).

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17. Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper:

We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in Christ; in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; 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 prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation, and to the Lord’s Supper, in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.

(Mark 16:16; Acts 8:36-39; 16:30-34; Mat.28:19-20; Rom.6:3-4; Col.2:12; 1Pe.3:20-21; Acts 2:41-42; Mat.28:19-20; Mat.26:26-28; 1Co.11:24-32; 10:16-17; Heb.9:25-26, 28; 1Co.11:28).

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18. Of the Lord’s Day:

We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day, and is to be sanctified as the day of worship in this New Covenant age. It is a day for devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public.

(Mark 16:9; John 20:19, 26; 1Cor.16:1-2; Rev.1:10; Acts 2:42-27; Acts 20:7; Heb.10:24-25; Psa.26:8; 119:15; 1Ti.3:15).

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19. Of the Civil Government:

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest 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.

(Rom.13:1-7; Deu.16:18; 2Sam.23:3; Jer.30:21; Mat.22:21; Tit.3:1; 1Pe.2:13-14; 1Ti.2:1-8; Acts 5:29; Mat.10:28; Dan.3:15-18; 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20; Mat.23:10; Rev.19:16; Psa.2).

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20. Of 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 this life and after death.

(Mal.3:18; Pro.12:26; Isa.5:20; Gen.18:23; Rom.6:16; 1:17; 1Jo.2:29; 3:7; Rom.6:18, 22; Pro.11:31; 1Pe.4:17-18; 1Jo.5:19; Gal.3:10; John 3:36; Isa.57:21; Psa.10:4; Isa.55:6-7; Pro.14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Pro.10:24; Luke 12:4-5; 9:23-26; John 12:25,26; Ecc.3:17).

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21. Of the Devil, or Satan:

We believe that Satan is a finite, angelic being who was once holy, though not independent, and enjoyed heavenly honors; but through pride and ambition to become like the Most High, he fell and drew after him a host of angels; that he is now the malignant prince and the power of the air, and the unholy god of this world; that he is man’s great tempter, the enemy of God, the accuser of the brethren, the author of all false religions, the chief power of the present apostasy; the lord of antichrists, and the author of all powers of darkness – destined to final defeat at the hands of the Son of God, and to the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels.

(Eze.28:14-17; Isa.14:12-15; Rev.12:9; Jude 6; 2Pe.2:4; Eph.2:2; John 14:30; 1Th.3:5; Mat.4:1; 1Pe.5:8; Zec.3:1; Mat.13:25, 37-39; Luke 22:3-4; Rev.12:10; 2Co.11:13-14; Mat.13:10; 1Jo.4:3; 2Jo.7; 1Jo.2:22; 2Th.2:8-11; Rev.19:11; 12:7-9; 20:1-3,10; Mat.15:41).

 

22. Of 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 raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, 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.

(1Th.4:13 – 5:10; 2Th.1:5-10; Luke 21:25-28; 1Pe.4:7; 1Jo.2:17; 2Pe.3:1-13; Acts 24:15; 1Co.15:12-39; Dan.12:2; Mat.13:49; 25:31-33; Rev.22:11; 1Co.6:9-10; 2Pe.2:9; Rom.6:22; Acts 17:31; Rom.2:2-16; Rev.20:11-15).

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