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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 in-
spired, 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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