Articles of Faith
THE SCRIPTURES
We
believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and
is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; and 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.
THE TRUE GOD
We
believe the Scriptures teach 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 Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and
executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of
redemption.
THE FALL OF MAN
We
believe that the Scriptures teach that Man was created in holiness,
under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from
the holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are
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.
THE WAY OF SALVATION
We
believe that the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is
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 in every
way qualified to be a suitable, a com- passionate, and an
all-sufficient Saviour.
JUSTIFICATION
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 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.
THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
We
believe that the Scriptures teach 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 cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing
prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own
determined depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which
rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
REGENERATION
We
believe that the Scriptures teach that in order to be saved, sinners
must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in
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 and faith, and newness of life.
REPENTANCE AND FAITH
We
believe the Scriptures teach that repentance and faith are sacred
duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our soul~ 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 to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication
for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as
our prophet, priest and king, and relying or him alone as the only and
all-sufficient Saviour.
GOD'S PURPOSE OF GRACE
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 wit~ the end; that 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 encourage! 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.
SANCTIFICATION
We
believe the Scriptures teach 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 Healer and Comforter, in
the continual use of the appointed means especially the word of God,
self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.
PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS
We
believe the Scriptures teach that such only are real believers as
endure to 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.
THE LAW AND GOSPEL
We
believe the Scriptures teach 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, arise entirely from their 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,
and of the means of Grace connected with the establishment of the
visible church.
A 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 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.
BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
We
believe the Scriptures teach that Christian baptism is the immersion in
water of a believer, 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 Saviour, 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 bread and wine, are to
commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by
solemn self-examination.
THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH
We
believe the Scriptures teach that 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 and sinful recreations,
by the devout observances of all means of grace, both private and
public, and by preparation for the rest that remaineth for the people
of God.
CIVIL GOVERNMENT
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.
RIGHTEOUS AND WICKED
We
believe the Scriptures teach 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.
THE WORLD TO COME
We believe that the Scriptures teach 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 for 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.
