I. THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfecttreasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, andtruth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by whichGod will judge us, and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the truecenter of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct,creeds, and opinions shall be tried.
II. THE TRUE GOD
We believe the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one, living and true God, aninfinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah, the Maker and Supreme Ruler ofheaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honorconfidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, theFather, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executingdistinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
III. THE FALL OF MAN
We believe the Scriptures teach that Man was created in holiness, under the law of hisMaker; but by voluntary transgressions fell from that holy and happy state; inconsequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; beingby nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined toevil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
IV. 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 personalobedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen fromthe dead, he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person thetenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is in every way qualified to be asuitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour.
V. JUSTIFICATION
We believe the Scriptures teach that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures tosuch as believe in him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, andthe promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not inconsideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely throughfaith in the Redeemer’s blood; by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freelyimputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor withGod, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
VI. THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
We believe that the Scriptures teach that the blessings of salvation are made free to allby the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by cordial, penitent andobedient 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 rejectioninvolves him in an aggravated condemnation.
VII. REGENERATION
We believe that the Scriptures teach that in order to be saved, sinners must beregenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to themind that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the HolySpirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to theGospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith,and newness of life.
VIII. REPENTANCE AND FAITH
We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and alsoinseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; wherebybeing deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness and of the way ofsalvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, andsupplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as ourprophet, priest and king, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour.
IX. GOD’S PURPOSE OF GRACE
We believe the Scriptures teach that election is the eternal purpose of God, according towhich he graciously regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners; that being perfectlyconsistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection withthe end; that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitelyfree, wise, holy and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting and promoteshumility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that itencourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by itseffects in all who truly believe the Gospel; that it is the foundation of Christianassurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves theutmost diligence.
X. SANCTIFICATION
We believe the Scriptures teach that Sanctification is the process by which, according tothe will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; thatit is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by thepresence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use ofthe appointed means especially the word of God, self-examination, self-denial,watchfulness, and prayer.
XI. 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 themfrom superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; andthey are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
XII. THE LAW AND GOSPEL
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeablerule of his moral government; that it is holy, just and good; and that the inability whichthe Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arise entirely from their love ofsin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeignedobedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the Means of Graceconnected with the establishment of the visible church.
XIII. A GOSPEL CHURCH
We believe the Scriptures teach that a visible church of Christ is a congregation ofbaptized 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 areBishops or Pastors, and Deacons whose Qualifications, claims and duties are defined inthe Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
XIV. BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of abeliever, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth in asolemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, withits effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to theprivileges of a church relation; and to the Lord’s Supper, in which the members of thechurch, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dyinglove of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
XV. THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH
We believe the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day, orChristian Sabbath, and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from allsecular labor and sinful recreations, by the devout observance of all the means ofgrace, both private and public, and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for thepeople of God.
XVI. CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe the Scriptures teach that civil government is of divine appointment, for theinterest 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 ourLord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the Kings ofthe earth.
XVII. RIGHTEOUS AND WICKED
We believe the Scriptures teach that there is a radical and essential difference betweenthe righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name ofthe 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 underthe curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.
XVIII. THE WORLD TO COME
We believe the Scriptures teach that the end of the world is approaching; that at the lastday, Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave for finalretribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will beadjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that thisjudgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.