ARTICLES OF FAITH  

​

1. OF THE SCRIPTURE:

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, 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 until the end of the world, the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be tried.

SCRIPTURE: 2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17

All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

​

2. OF THE TRUE GOD:

We believe that there is one and only one living and true God, the Creator, Preserver and Ruler of the universe.  He is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each with distinct personal attributes but without division of nature, essence or being.

SCRIPTURE: JOHN 4:24 

God is a Spirit and they that worship him, must worship him in Spirit and in truth.

​

3. OF THE FALL OF MAN:

We believe that man was created by the special act of God as recorded in Genesis. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him, male and female created he them.”  “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul.” He was created in a state of holiness, but through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God and fell from his original holiness and righteousness.  Whereby his posterity inherit a nature corrupt and in bondage to sin.

​SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 3:6,24

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her and he did eat.  So he the Lord God, drove out the man, and he placed at the East of the Garden of Eden, Cherubim and a flaming sword which turned every way to keep the way of the Tree of Life.

​

4. OF THE WAY OF SALVATION:

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of Grace, through the mediatorial office of the Son of God.  Who by the Holy Spirit, was born of the Virgin Mary, and took upon him our nature, yet without sin. Made atonement for our sins by his death.  Being risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in Heaven.

SCRIPTURE: JOHN 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.

​

5. OF JUSTIFICATION:

We believe that justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of righteousness of all sinners who believe in Christ. This blessing is bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but through the redemption that is in and through Jesus Christ.

SCRIPTURE: ACTS 13:39

By Him all that believe are justified from all things.

​

6. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION:

We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel.  Nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner except his own voluntary refusal to accept Jesus Christ as Teacher, Savior, and Lord.

SCRIPTURE: REVELATION 22:17b

Whosoever will let him take the water of life freely

​

7. OF GRACE IN REGENERATION:

We believe that regeneration or the new birth is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit, leading to the love and practice of righteousness.  It is a work of God’s free Grace conditioned upon faith in Christ and made manifest by the fruit which we bring forth to the Glory of God.

SCRIPTURE: JOHN 3:3

Verily, verily I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

​

8. 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 to God with sincere regret, confession and supplication for mercy, at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King and relying on Him alone as the only and all sufficient Savior.

SCRIPTURE: MARK 1:15

Repent ye and believe the Gospel.

​

9. OF GOD’S PURPOSE OF GRACE:

We believe that election is the gracious purpose of God to which He regenerates sanctifies and saves sinners.  It is perfectly consistent with the free agency of man and in no way interferes with the salvation of any individual.  It is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness it excludes boasting, and promotes humility.

SCIPTURE: ROMANS 8:30-31

Moreover, whom He did predestinate, them He also called; and whom He called, them He also justified; and whom he justified, them He also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

​

10. OF SANCTIFICATION (3 Phases – Positional, Progressive & Ultimate):

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 by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.

SCRIPTURE: 1 THESSALONIANS 4:3

For this is the will of God even your sanctification.

​

11. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS:

We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors. 

SCRIPTURE: JOHN 8:31

Then said Jesus, if ye continue in my Word, then are ye my disciples indeed.

​

12. OF THE HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL:

We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government. It is holy, just, and good; and that the inability the scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin; To deliver them from which, and to restore them through a mediator to genuine 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.

SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 3:31

Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

​

13. OF A GOSPEL CHURCH:

We believe 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.  That its only scriptural officers are bishops or pastors, ministers and deacons, whose qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the epistles to Timothy and Titus.

SCRIPTURE: I CORINTHIANS 11:2

Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

​

14. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER:

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost; to show 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 bread and wine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ, proceeded always by solemn self-examination.

SCRIPTURE: I CORINTHIANS 11:26

As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

​

15. OF THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH:

We believe 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.

SCRIPTURE: EXODUS 20:8

Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.

​

16. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT:

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interest and good order of human society; and that the 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).

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 22:21

Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God’s

​

17. OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND THE WICKED:

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked.  Those only who are justified through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit are truly righteous in His sight. Those who continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked and are under condemnation.

SCRIPTURE: MALACHI 3:18

Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked. Between him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not.

​

18. OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION:

We believe that Christianity is the religion of enlightenment and intelligence.  In Jesus Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. All sound learning is therefore a part of our Christian heritage. (The new birth opens all human faculties and creates a thirst for knowledge). An adequate system of schools is necessary to a complete spiritual program of Christ’s people.

SCRIPTUE: 2 TIMOTHY 2:15

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.

​

19. OF SOCIAL SERVICE:

We believe that every Christian is under obligation to provide for the orphaned, the aged, the helpless, and the sick.

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 25:35-36

For I was an hungered and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger and ye took me in: Naked and ye clothed me: I was sick and ye visited me: I was in prison and ye came unto me.

​

20. OF STEWARDSHIP:

We believe that God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him.  We are therefore under obligation to serve Him with our time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to us to use for the glory of God and helping others.

SCRIPTURE: 1 PETER 4:10

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

​

21. OF EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS:

We believe that it is the duty of every Christian man and woman, and the duty of every church of Christ to seek to extend the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 28:19-20 

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

​

22. OF THE RESURRECTION:

We believe that Scriptures clearly teach that Jesus rose from the dead. He appeared to the disciples after his resurrection in many convincing manifestations. He now exists in His glorified body at God’s right hand.

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 28:1-6

In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn towards the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher.  And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the Angel of the Lord descended from Heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:  And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the Angel answered and said unto the women. Fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus which was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

​

23. OF THE RETURN OF THE LORD:

We believe that the New Testament teaches in many places the visible and personal return of Jesus to this earth.  “This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”  The time of His coming is not revealed. “Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels in heaven, but my Father only.”  It is the duty of all believers to live in readiness for his coming and by diligence in good works to make manifest to all men the reality and power of their hope in Christ.

SCRIPTURE: ACTS 1:11

Which also said.  Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner, as ye have seen him go into heaven.

​

24. 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.

SCRIPTURE: 1 PETER 4:7

But the end of all things is at hand: Be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

​

​

1 Notes:

 

The Articles of Faith were taken from the “New Hampshire Baptist Confession of 1833.”  See details below.

The New Hampshire Baptist Confession of 1833

General Information

This Confession was drawn up by the Rev. John Newton Brown, D. D., of New Hampshire about 1833, and was adopted by the New Hampshire Convention, and widely accepted by Baptists, especially in the Northern and Western States, as a clear and concise statement of their faith, in harmony with the doctrines of older confessions, but expressed in milder form. The text is taken from the Baptist Church Manual, published by the American Baptist Publication Society, Philadelphia.