ARTICLES OF FAITH
1. 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 opinions
shall be tried.
2. We believe the Scripture teaches 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 Ghost;
equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious
offices in the great work of redemption.
3. We believe the Scriptures teach 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 void of that holiness required by the
law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation
to eternal ruin, without excuse or defense.
4. We believe the Scriptures teach 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 is 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, praise, 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 effect 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.
5. We believe the Scriptures teach 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 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 Savior.
6. 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 newness of life. And
without it salvation is impossible.
7. We believe the Scriptures teach that Repentance is a personal act,
prompted by the Sprit, 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.
8. 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 asset 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 tot he soul as a willing and sufficient Savior, and
commits the heart and life to Him.
9. We believe the Scriptures teach 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 on principles of
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 His perfect righteousness if 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.
10. We believe the Scriptures teach that 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 if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ,
to the heritage of the saints on earth, and an inheritance reserved in heaven
for them.
11. We believe the Scriptures teach that Sanctification is the process by
which, according to the will of God, we are partakers of His holiness; that it
is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; 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 continues use of the appointed means---especially
the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer, and
in the practice of all godly exercise and duties.
12. We believe 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 to 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.
13. We believe the Scriptures teach the Law of God is an eternal and
unchangeable rule of His moral government; that it is holy, just, and good;
and that the inability which the Scriptures 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 the means of Grace connected with the
establishment of the visible church.
14. 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 exercising 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.
15. We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian Baptism is the immersion
in water of a believer in Christ, into the name of the Father, the 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 prerequisite to the privileges of a
Church relation, and to the Lord's Supper.
16. 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
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 their hope of eternal life in His resurrection from the dead; its
observance to be preceded by faithful self-examination.
17. We believe the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the
Lord's Day; 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 the means of grace, both private and public; and by
preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.
18. We believe the Scriptures teach 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. But that
civil rulers have no rights of control over, or of interference with,
religious matters.
19. We believe the Scriptures teach that there is a radical 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
their curse; and this distinction holds among men both in this life and after
death.