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We adopt the Articles of Faith as
follows:
THE SCRIPTURES We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men
divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction;
and 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.
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.
THE FALL OF MAN We believe that the Scriptures teach that Man was
created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary
transgression fell from the holy and happy state; in consequence of
which all mankind are 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.
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 com-
passionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour.
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.
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.
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.
REPENTANCE AND FAITH We believe the Scriptures teach that
repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces,
wrought in our soul~ 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 or him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour.
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 wit~ the end; that 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
encourage! 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.
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 Healer and
Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means especially the
word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.
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 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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 observances of all means of
grace, both private and public, and by preparation for the rest that
remaineth for the people of God.
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.
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.
THE WORLD TO COME We believe that 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.
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