Beliefs
Baptist Articles of Faith
I. 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 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.
II. 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. The Fall of Man.
We believe the Scriptures teach that Man was created in holiness, under the law
of his Maker; but by voluntary transgressions 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.
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 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
compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.
V. 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.
VI. 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.
VII. 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.
VIII. 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 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 Savior.
IX. 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 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.
X. 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 word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.
XI. Perseverance of the 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.
XII. 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.
XIII. 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.
XIV. 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 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;
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, or Christian Sabbath, and is to be kept
sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful
recreations, 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.
XVI. 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.
XVII. 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.
XVIII. The World to Come.
We believe 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.
