What We Believe

DECLARATION OF FAITH

I. OF 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 PRINCIPALS 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."

II. OF 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."

III. OF THE FALL OF MAN.
"WE BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES TEACH THAT MAN WAS CREATED IN INNOCENCE, UNDER THE LAW OF HIS MAKER; BUT BY VOLUNTARY TRANSGRESSION FELL FROM THE HOLY AND HAPPY STATE; IN CONSEQUENCE OF WHICH ALL MANKIND ARE NOW SINNERS; 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 DEFENCE OR EXCUSE."

IV. OF THE WAY OF SALVATION
"WE BELIEVE 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 HIMSELF OUR FLESH, 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 ALL SUFFICIENT SAVIOUR.

V. OF JUSTIFICATION.
"WE BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES TEACH THAT THE GREAT GOSPEL BLESSING WHICH CHRIST SECURES TO SUCH AS BELIEVE IN HIM IS JUSTIFICATION; THAT JUSTIFICATION INCLUDED THE PARDON OF SIN, AND THE PROMISE OF ETERNAL LIFE ON PRINCIPALS 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 RIGHTEOUSNESS IS FREELY IMPUTED TO US OF GOD; THAT IT BRINGS INTO A STATE OF BLESSED PEACE AND FAVOR WITH GOD, AND SECURES EVERY OTHER BLESSING NEEDFUL FOR TIME AND ETERNITY."

VI. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION.
"WE BELIEVE 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 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."

VII. OF GRACE IN REGENERATION.
"WE BELIEVE 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."

VIII. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH.
"WE BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES TEACH 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 REPENTANCE, CONFESSION AND SUPPLICATION FOR MERCY; AT THE SAME TIME HEARTILY RECEIVING THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS OUR PROPHET, PRIEST, AND KING, AND RELYING UPON HIM ALONE AS THE ONLY AND ALL-SUFFICIENT SAVIOUR."

IX. OF 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 SAVE SINNERS; THAT BEING PERFECTLY CONSISTENT WITH THE FREE AGENCY OF MAN, IT COMPREHENDS ALL THE MEANS IN CONNECTION WITH THE END; AND 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 TO ASCERTAIN IT WITH REGARD TO OURSELVES DEMANDS AND DESERVES THE UTMOST DILIGENCE."

X. OF 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 SEALER AND COMFORTER, IN THE CONTINUAL USE OF THE APPOINTED MEANS--ESPECIALLY THE WORK OF GOD, SELF-EXAMINATION, SELF-DENIAL, WATCHFULNESS, AND PRAYER."

XI. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS.
"WE BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES TEACH 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; THAT A SPECAL PROVIDENCE WATCHES OVER THEIR WELFARE, AND THAT THEY ARE KEPT BY THE POWER OF GOD THROUGH FAITH UNTO SALVATION."

XII. OF A GOSPEL CHURCH.
"WE BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES TEACH THAT THE 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; AND EXERCISING THE GIFTS, RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES INVESTED IN THEM BY HIS WORD; AND THAT ITS ONLY SCRIPTURAL OFFICERS ARE BISHOPS OR PASTORS AND DEACONS WHOSE QUALIFICATIONS, CLAIMS, AND DUTIES ARE DEFINED IN THE EPISTLES OF TIMOTHY AND TITUS. MOREOVER, WE BELIEVE IN THE AUTONOMY OF THE CHURCH OPERATING THROUGH THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS UNDER THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST. WE BELIEVE CHRIST'S CHURCH HAS BEEN CONTINUALLY AND FAITHFULLY CARRING OUT HIS WORK FROM JESUS' PERSONAL MINISTRY UNTIL THE PRESENT TIME."

XIII. CHRISTIAN BAPTISM.
"WE BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES TEACH THAT CHRISTIAN BAPTISM IS THE IMMERSION IN WATER OF A BELIEVER IN CHRIST IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY GHOST, BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH, TO SHOW FORTH HIS FAITH IN THE CRUCIFIED, BURIED, AND RISEN SAVIOUR, WITH ITS EFFECT, IN HIS 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."

XIV. THE LORD'S SUPPER.
"wE BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES TEACH THAT THE LORD'S SUPPER IS A LOCAL CHURCH ORDINANCE AND THAT THE ELEMENTS ARE TO BE BREAD AND FRUIT OF THE VINE, REPRESENTING CHRIST'S BODY AND BLOOD, PARTAKEN OF BY THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH ASSEMBLED FOR THAT PURPOSE, IN COMMEMORATION OF THE DEATH OF OUR LORD, SHOWING OUR FAITH AND PARTICIPATION IN THE MERITS OF HIS SACRIFICE, OUR DEPENDENCE ON HIM FOR SPIRITUAL LIFE AND NOURISHMENT, AND OUR HOPE OF LIFE ETERNAL THROUGH HIS RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD."

XV. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
"WE BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES TEACH THAT CIVIL GOVERNMENT IS A 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."

XVI. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED.
"WE BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES TEACH THAT THERE IS A RADICAL AND ESSENTIAL DIFFERENCE BETWEENT 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 ME, BOTH IN AND AFTER DEATH."

XVII. OF THE WORLD TO COME.
"WE BELIEVE THE SCRIPTURES TEACH THAT THE END TIME IS APPROACHING WHEN THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE TO MEET CHRIST IN THE AIR; THEN WILL BE THE JUDGEMENT OF CHURCH-AGE SAINTS AND THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB. CHRIST WILL RETURN TO THE EARTH AFTER THE 7-YEAR TRIBULATION PERIOD; FOR 1000 YEARS HE WILL REIGN SUPREME ON THE EARTH; THEN THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT OF THE LOST. THEN SAINTS WILL ENTER THE NEW EARTH AND THE HOLY CITY FOR ETERNITY."