What We Believe

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 should be tried.

We believe that there is one, and only one living and true God, an infinite, intelligent

Spirit, whose name is the LORD, 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

Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in

the great work of redemption.

[Originally JEHOVAH, and Ghost]

We believe 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 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.

We believe 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 every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an allsufficient Saviour.

We believe 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.

We believe 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 a cordial penitent, and obedient 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

We believe 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.

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 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 on

him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour.

We believe 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 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.

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 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 Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.

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; that a special providence watches over their welfare, and that they are kept by

the power of God through faith unto salvation.

We believe 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, arises 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.

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 invested in

them by his word; that its only scriptural officers are elders or pastors and deacons

whose qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.

[Original had bishops]

We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the

name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit; 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.

[Original had Ghost.]

Marriage is to be between one man and one woman; neither is it lawful for any man to have

more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband at the same time.

[Original did not have a definition of marriage. The included text is taken from The Second

London Baptist Confession of Faith, 1689. All Roman numerals below are changed because of

the addition.]

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 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.

[Original: included “by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations.”]

We believe that civil government is of 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.

We believe 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.

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; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of

men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.