This statement of faith is a guideline for believers to begin to know what we believe. May it serve to encourage the reading and studying of the Bible to understand it more fully and by it grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. These statements have been adopted from the Chruch’s original Confession of Faith established in 1833.
1. OF THE SCRIPTURES
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction;a that it has God for its author, salvation for its end,b and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter;c that it reveals the principles, by which God now governs, and will ultimately judge us;d and therefore, is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union,e and the supreme standard, by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.f
(a) 2 Peter 1: 21; 2 Timothy 3: 16-17; Romans 15: 4; 2 Samuel 23: 2; Acts 1: 16; 3:21; John 10: 35; Luke 16: 29-31; Psalms 119: 11; Romans 3:2-3; Hebrews 1:1-2.
(b) 2 Timothy 3: 15; James 1: 21; 1 Peter 1: 10; Acts 2: 14; Romans 1: 16; Mark 16: 16; John 5: 34-39; 1 Corinthians 15: 2.
(c) Proverbs 30: 5-6; John 17: 17; Romans 3: 4; Revelation 22: 18-19.
(d) Romans 2: 12; John 12: 47-48; 1 Corinthians 4: 84; Luke 10: 10-16.
(e) Philippians 2: 1-2, 3: 16; 1 Peter 4: 11; Ephesians 4: 3-6; 1 Corinthians 1-10.
(f) 1 John 4: 1 & 6; Isaiah 8: 20; 1 Thessalonians 5: 21; 2 Corinthians 13: 5; Acts 17: 11; Jude 1: 3; Ephesians 6: 17; Psalms 110: 59-60; Philippians 1: 9-11.
2. OF THE TRUE GOD
We believe that there is one, and only one, true and living God, whose name is Jehovah, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth;a inexpressibly glorious in holiness;b worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love;c revealed under the personal and relative distinctions of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost;d equal in every divine perfection,e and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
(a) Psalms 83: 18; Hebrews 3: 4; Romans 1: 20; Jeremiah 10: 10.
(b) Exodus 15: 11; Isaiah 6: 3; 1 Peter 1: 15-16; Revelation 4: 8.
(c) Mark 12: 30; Revelation 4: 11; Matthew 10: 37; Jeremiah 2: 12-13.
(d) Matthew 28: 19; 1 John 5: 7; John 15: 26; 1 Corinthians 12: 4 & 6.
(e) John 5: 17, 10: 30, 14: 23; Acts 5: 3-4; 1 Corinthians 3: 10-11.
(f) Ephesians 2: 18; 2 Corinthians 13: 14.
3. OF THE FALL OF MAN
We believe that man was created in a state of holiness, under the law of his maker;a but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state;b in consequence of which all mankind are sinners,c not by constraint or necessity, but by choice;d being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, wholly given to the gratification of the world, of Satan, and of their own sinful passions, and, therefore, under just condemnation to eternal ruin;e without defense of excuse.f
(a) Genesis 1: 27 & 31, 2: 16; Ecclesiastes 7: 29.
(b) Genesis 3: 6 & 24; Romans 5: 12.
(c) Romans 5: 15-19, 7, 8; John 3: 6; Psalms 51: 5.
(d) Isaiah 53: 6; Genesis 6: 12; Romans 3: 9-18.
(e) Ephesians 2: 3; Romans 1: 18 & 32; Galatians 3: 10; Matthew 25: 41; Revelation 20: 15.
(f) Romans 1: 20, 3: 19; Ezekiel 18: 19-20; Galatians 3: 22.
4. OF THE WAY OF SALVATION
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace,a through the Mediatorial Offices of the Son of God,b who took upon Him our nature, yet without sin,c honored the law by His personal obedience,d and made atonement for our sins by His death;e being risen from the dead He is now enthroned in Heaven;f and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and all-sufficient Savior.g
(a) Ephesians 2: 5 & 8 & 10; Matthew 18: 11; 1 John 4: 10; 1 Corinthians 3: 5-7; Acts 15: 11.
(b) John 1: 1-14, 3: 16; Hebrews 4: 14, 12: 24.
(c) Philippians 2: 6-7; Hebrews 2: 9 & 14; 2 Corinthians 8: 9.
(d) Isaiah 42: 21; Philippians 2: 8; Galatians 4: 4-5; Romans 3: 21.
(e) Isaiah 53: 5; Matthew 20: 28; Romans 4: 25, 3: 21-26, John 4: 10, 2:2; Hebrews 9: 13-15; 1 Corinthians 15: 3.
(f) Hebrews 1: 3 & 8, 8:3; Colossians 3: I-4.
(g) Hebrews 7: 25-26, 2:18; Colossians 2: 9; Psalms 45, 89: 11: 1-149.
5. OF JUSTIFICATION
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ of His fulness,a bestows in such as believe in Him, is Justification;b that Justification consists in the pardon of sin,c and the promise of eternal life, on principles of righteousness;d that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done,e but solely through His own redemption and righteousness;f that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and for eternity.g
(a) John 1: 16; Ephesians 3: 8.
(b) Acts 13: 39; Romans 8: 1; Isaiah 53: 11.
(c) Romans 5: 9; Zechariah 13: 1; Matthew 9: 6; Acts 10: 43.
(d) Romans 5: 17 & 21; Titus 3: 5-6; John 2: 25.
(e) Romans 4: 4-5, 5: 21, 6: 23; Philippians 3: 7-9.
(f) Romans 3: 24-26, 5: 19; 1 John 2: 12.
(g) Romans 5: 1-3 & 11; 1 Corinthians 1: 30; 1 Timothy 4: 8; Matthew 6: 33.
6. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all men by the gospel;a that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial and obedient faith;b and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, except his own voluntary refusal to submit to the Lord Jesus Christ;c which refusal will subject him to an aggravated condemnation.d We believe that no one would be saved apart from the sovereign grace of God.e
(a) Revelation 22: 17; Isaiah 55: 1; Luke 14: 17.
(b) Romans 1: 16, 16: 25-26; Mark 1: 15.
(c) John 5: 40; Matthew 23: 37; Romans 9: 32; Proverbs 1: 24; Acts 13: 46.
(d) John 3: 19
(e) Romans 8: 30; John 6: 44.
7. OF GRACE IN REGENERATION
We believe that in order to be saved we must be regenerated, or born again;a that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind;b and is effected in a manner above our comprehension or calculation,c by the power of the Holy Spirit, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel;d and that its proper evidence is found in the holy fruit which we bring forth to the glory of God.e
(a) John 3: 3; John 3: 7; Revelation 21: 27.
(b) 2 Corinthians 5: 17; Ezekiel 26: 26; Deuteronomy 30: 6; Romans 2: 28-29, 5: 5; 1 John 4: 7.
(c) John 1: 13, 3: 8; James 1: 16-18; 1 Corinthians 1: 30; Philippians 2: 13.
(d) 1 Peter 1: 22; 1 John 5: 1; Ephesians 4: 20-24; Colossians 3: 9-11.
(e) Ephesians 3: 14-21, 5: 9; Romans 8: 9; Galatians 5: 16-23.
8. OF GOD’S PURPOSE OF GRACE
We believe that Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners;a that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end;b that it is a most glorious display, of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable;c that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, prayer, praise, trust in God, and activation of His free mercy;d that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree;e that it is ascertained by its effects in all who believe the gospel;f is the foundation of Christian assurance;g and that to discover it with regard to ourselves, demands and deserves our utmost diligence.h
(a) 2 Timothy 1: 8-9; Ephesians 1: 3-14; 1 Peter 1: 1-2; Romans 11: 5-6; John 15: 16; 1 John 4: 19.
(b) 2 Thessalonians 2: 13-14; Acts 13: 48, 15: 14; John 10: 16; Matthew 20: 16.
(c) Exodus 33: 18-19; Matthew 20: 15; Ephesians 1: 11; Romans 9: 23-24, 11: 28-29 & 32-36; Jeremiah 31: 3; James 1: 17-18.
(d) 1 Corinthians 1: 26-31, 3: 5-7, 4: 7, 15: 10; Romans 3: 27, 4: 16; Colossians 3: 12; 1 Peter 5: 10; Acts 1: 24; 1 Thessalonians 2: 12-13; 1 Peter 2: 9; Luke 18: 7; John 15: 16; Ephesians 1: 16; 1 Thessalonians 2: 12.
(e) 2 Timothy 2: 10; 1 Corinthians 9: 22; Romans 8: 28-30; John 6: 37-40; 2 Peter 1: 10.
(f) 1 Thessalonians 1: 4-10.
(g) Romans 8: 28-39, 11: 29; Isaiah 42: 16.
(h) 2 Peter 1: 10; Philippians 3: 12; Hebrews 6: 11.
9. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS
We believe that such only are real believers, as endure unto the end;a that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors;b that a special Providence watches over their welfare;c and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.d
(a) John 8: 31; 1 John 2: 27, 3: 9, 5: 18.
(b) John 2: 19, 13: 18; Matthew 13: 20-21; John 6: 66 & 69.
(c) Romans 8: 28; Matthew 6: 30 & 32; Jeremiah 32: 40; Psalms 121: 3, 91: 11-12.
(d) Philippians 1: 6, 2: 12-13; Jude 24: 25; Hebrews 1: 14, 13: 6; 2 Kings 6: 16; 1 John 4: 3.
10. HARMONY OF THE LAW AND GOSPEL
We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government;a that it is holy just and good;b and that the inability which the scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfil its precepts, arises entirely from their love of sin;c 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.d
(a) Romans 3: 20 & 31, 4: 15; Matthew 5:17; Luke 16: 17.
(b) Romans 7: 7, 12, 14 & 22; Galatians 3: 21; Psalms 119.
(c) Romans 8: 7-8; Joshua 24: 19; Jeremiah 13: 23; John 6: 44, 5: 44.
(d) Romans 8: 2-4, 10: 4; 1 Timothy 1: 15; Hebrews 8: 10, 12: 14; Jude 20: 21.
11. OF A GOSPEL CHURCH
We believe a visible church of Christ, is a congregation of baptized believers,a associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel;b observing the ordinances of Christ;c governed by His laws;d and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges, invested in them by His word;e that it’s only proper officers are Elders and Deacons;f whose qualifications, claims, and duties, are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.g
(a) 1 Corinthians 1: 1-2,13; Mathew 18: 17, 16: 13-18; Acts 5: 12-14, 8: 1.
(b) 1 Corinthians 4: 17, 14: 23; 3 John 9; I Timothy 3: 5.
(c) Acts 2: 41-42 & 47; 2 Corinthians 8: 5; 1 Corinthians 5: 12-13.
(d) 1 Corinthians 4: 17, 5: 6,11: 2 & 23; 2 Thessalonians 3: 6; Romans 16: 17-20; Matthew 18: 15-20; 2 Corinthians 2: 6-7.
(e) Matthew 28: 20; 1 John 3: 23, 4: 21; John 14: 15 & 21, 15: 12; Galatians 6: 2; All The Epistles.
(f) Ephesians 4: 7; 1 Corinthians 12-14, 14: 12; Philippians 1: 27.
(g) Philippians 1: 1; Acts 14: 23, 15: 22, 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
12. BAPTISM & THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe that Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water,a in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;b to show forth is a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its purifying power;c that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord’s Supper,d in which the members of the church by the use of bread and wine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ;e preceded always by solemn self-examination.f
(a) Matthew 3: 5-6, 28: 19; John 3: 22-23, 4: 1-2; Mark 16: 16; Acts 2:38, 8: 12, 16: 32-34, 18: 8.
(b) Matthew 28: 19; Acts 10: 47-48; Galatians 3: 27-28.
(c) Romans 6: 1-14; Colossians 2: 12; 1 Peter 3: 20-21; Acts 22: 16.
(d) Acts 2: 41-42; Matthew 28: 19-20; Acts, and Epistles.
(e) 1 Corinthians 11: 26; Matthew 26: 26-29; Mark 14: 22-25; Luke 22: 14-21.
(f) 1 Corinthians 5: 7-8, 10: 3-32, 11: 17-32; John 6: 26-71.
13. OF THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. Activities on the Lord’s Day should be commensurate with the Christian’s conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Exodus 20: 8-11; Matthew 12:1-2, 28:1ff; Mark 2:27-28, 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-3, 33-36; John 4:21-24, 20:1,19-28; Acts 20:7; Romans 14:5-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Colossians 2:16, 3:16; Revelation 1:10
14. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society;a and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed,b except in thing opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ,c who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.d
(a) Romans 13: 1-7; Deuteronomy 16: 18; 2 Samuel 23: 3; Exodus 18: 23; Jeremiah 30: 21.
(b) Matthew 22: 21; Titus 3: 1; 1 Peter 2: 13; 1 Timothy 2: 1-8.
(c) Acts 4: 18-20, 5: 29; Matthew 10: 28; Daniel 3: 15-18, 6: 7-10.
(d) Matthew 23: 10; Romans 14: 4 & 9-13; Revelation 19: 16; Psalms 2, 72: 11.
15. OF THE RIGHTEOUS & THE WICKED
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked;a 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;b while all such as continue in impatience and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse;c and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.d
(a) Malachi 3: 18; Isaiah 5: 20; Genesis 18: 23; Jeremiah 15: 19; Acts 10: 34-35; Romans 6: 16.
(b) Romans 1: 17, 7: 6, 6: 18-22; 1 John 2: 29, 3: 7; 1 Corinthians 11: 32; Proverbs 11: 31; 1 Peter 4: 17-18.
(c) 1 John 5: 19; Galatians 3: 10; John 3: 36; Isaiah 55: 6-7, 57: 21; Psalms 10: 4.
(d) Proverbs 10: 24, 14: 32; Luke 9: 23-26, 12: 4-5, 16: 25; John 8: 21-24, 12: 25-26; Ecclesiastes 3: 17; Matthew 7: 13-14.
16. OF THE WORLD TO COME
We believe that the end of this world is approaching;a that at the Last Day, Christ will descend from heaven;b and raise the dead from the grave to final Judgment;c that solemn separation will then take place;d that the wicked will be consigned to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy;e and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.f
(a) 1 Peter 4: 7; 1 Corinthians 7: 29-31; Hebrews 1: 10-12; Matthew 13: 39 & 49, 24: 35, 28: 20; 1 John 2: 17; 2 Peter 3: 3-13.
(b) Acts 1: 11, 8: 21; Revelation 1: 7; Hebrews 9: 28; 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18, 5: 1-11.
(c) Acts 10: 42, 24: 15; 1 Corinthians 15: 12-59; Luke 14: 14; Daniel 12: 2; John 5: 28-29, 6: 40, 11: 25-26; 2 Timothy 1: 10.
(d) Matthew 13: 37-43 & 49, 24: 30-31, 25: 27-33.
(e) Matthew 25: 35-41 & 46; Revelation 22: 11; 1 Corinthians 6: 9-10; Mark 9: 43-48; 2 Peter 2: 9-10; Romans 6: 22; 2 Corinthians 4: 18, 5: 10-11; John 4: 36.
(f) 2 Peter 3: 11-12; Romans 2: 2-16, 3: 5-6; 2 Thessalonians 1: 6-12; Hebrews 6: 1-2; 1 Corinthians 4: 5; Acts 17: 31; Revelation 20: 11-12; 1 John 2: 8, 4: 17.
“Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God,…?”
2 Peter 3: 11-12