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Grace Baptist Church Articles of Faith
The Articles of Faith (below, from the New Hampshire Confession),
Church Constitution, and Church Covenant are accepted by its present members and shall be subscribed
to and accepted voluntarily by new members as they offer themselves
for membership. We do hereby adopt as the fullest expression
of our faith the London
Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689.
This ancient document is a most excellent summary of things
most surely believed among us. We accept the same, not as an
authoritative rule or code of faith, whereby we are to be fettered,
but as an assistance to us in controversy, a confirmation in
faith, and a means of edification in righteousness. In this
Confession the members of our church will have a body of Divinity
in small compass and by means of Scriptural proofs will be ready
to give a reason for the hope that is in them (I Peter 3:15).
I. OF 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 should be tried.
II. OF THE TRUE GOD
We believe 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 Spirit equal in
every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious
offices in the great work of redemption.
III. OF THE FALL OF MAN
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 by choice; being by
nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of
God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore without defense
or excuse.
IV. OF THE WAY OF SALVATION
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 himself 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 all-sufficient Saviour.
V. OF JUSTIFICATION
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.
VI. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION
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.
VII. OF GRACE IN REGENERATION
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 holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
VIII. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH
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.
IX. OF GOD'S PURPOSE OF GRACE
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.
X. OF SANCTIFICATION
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.
XI. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS
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.
XII. OF THE HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL
We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable
rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just, and good;
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.
XIII. OF A GOSPEL 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 Bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons,
whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the
epistles to Timothy and Titus.
XIV. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
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 the 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. OF THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH
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 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. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
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.
XVII. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
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.
XVIII. OF THE WORLD TO COME
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.
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