What We Believe
When our church was organized in 1908, the church adopted the New Hampshire Confession of Faith as written in 1833 by a well-known Baptist preacher by the name of J. Newton Brown. "Confessions of Faith" (sometimes referred to as "Statements of Faith") are not substitutes for the authority of the Scripture itself, but they do state what one (or a group) believes about the Scripture itself (in regards to various areas of doctrine) and have been used down through history for such.
I. Of the Scriptures: We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction (II Tim. 3:16-17; II Pet. 1:21; II Sam. 23:2; Acts 1:16; 3:21; John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31; Ps. 119:111; Rom. 3:1-2) that it has God for its author, salvation for its end (II Tim. 3:15; I Pet. 1:10-12; Acts 11:14; Rom. 1:16; Mark 16:16; John 5:38-39) and truth without any mixture of error for its matter (Prov. 30:5-6; John 17:17; Rev. 22:18-19; Rom. 3:4) that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us (Rom. 2:12; John 12:47-48; I Cor. 4:3-4; Luke 10:10-16; 12:47-48) and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union (Phil. 3:16; Eph. 4:3-6; Phil. 2:1-2; I Cor. 1:10; I Pet. 4:11) and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried (I John 4:1; Isa. 8:20; I Thes. 5:21; II Cor. 13:5; Acts 17:11; I John 4:6; Jude 3; Eph. 6:17; Ps. 119:59-60; Phil. 1:9-11).
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 (I John 4:24; Ps. 147:5; Ps. 83:18; Heb. 3:4; Rom. 1:20; Jer. 10:10) inexpressibly glorious in holiness (Ex. 15:11; Isa. 6:3; I Pet. 1:15-16; Rev. 4:6) and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love (Mark 12:30; Rev. 4:11; Matt. 10:37; Jer. 2:12-13) that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; I Cor. 12:4-6; I John 5:7) equal in every divine perfection (John 10:30; John 5:17; 14:23; 17:5; 17:10; Acts 5:3-4; I Cor. 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6) and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption (Eph. 2:18; II Cor. 13:14; Rev. 1:4-5; Comp. Ch. 2,7).
III. Of the Fall of Man: We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker (Gen. 1:27, 31; Eccl. 7:29; Acts 17:26-29; Gen. 2:16-17) but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state (Gen. 3:6-24; Rom. 5:12) in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners (Rom. 5:19; John 3:6; Ps. 51:5; Rom. 8:7) not by constraint but choice (Isa. 53:6; Gen. 6:12; Rom. 3:9-18) 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 (Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:18; Rom. 1:32; 2:1-16; Gal. 3:10; Matt. 20:15) without defense or excuse (Ezek. 18:19-20; Rom. 1:20; 3:19; Gal. 3:22).
IV. Of the Way of Salvation: We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace (Eph. 2:8; Matt. 18:11; I John 4:10; I Cor. 3:5-7; Acts 15:11) through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God (John 3:16; 1:1-14; Heb. 4:14; 12:24) who by the appointment of the Father freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin (Phil. 2:6-7; Heb. 2:9, 14; II Cor. 5:21) honored the divine law by His personal obedience (Isa. 42:21; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 4:4-5; Rom. 3:21) and by His death made a full atonement for our sins (Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 20:28; Rom. 4:25; 3:21-26; I John 4:10; 2:2; I Cor. 15:1-3) that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven (Heb. 1:8; 1:3; 8:1; Col. 3:1-4) 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 (Heb. 7:25; Col. 2:9; Heb. 2:18; 7:26; Ps. 89:19; Ps. 34).
V. Of Justification: We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ (John 1:16; Eph. 3:8) secures to such as believe in Him is justification (Acts 13:39) 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 (Rom. 4:4-5; 5:21; 6:23; Phil. 3:7-9) by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God (Rom. 5:19; 3:24-26; 4:23-25; I John 2:12) 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 (Rom. 5:1-2; 5:3; 5:11; I Cor. 1:30-31; Matt. 6:33; I Tim. 4:8).
VI. Of the Freeness of Salvation: We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel (Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Luke 14:17) that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent and obedient faith (Rom. 16:25-26; Mark 1:15; Rom. 1:15-17) and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel (John 5:40; Matt. 25:37; Rom. 9:32; Prov. 1:24; Acts 13:46) which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation (John 3:19; Matt. 11:20; Luke 19:27; II Thes. 1:8).
VII. Of Grace in Regeneration: We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again (John 3:3, 6-7; I Cor. 2:14; Rev. 14:3; Rev. 21:37) that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind (II Cor. 5:17; Ezek. 36:26; Deut. 30:6; Rom. 2:28-29; 5:5; I John 4:7) that it is effected, in a manner above our comprehension, by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth (John 3:8; 1:13; James 1:16-18; I Cor. 1:30; Phil. 2:13) so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel (I Peter 1:22-25; I John 5:1; Eph. 4:20-24; Col. 3:9-11) and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life (Eph. 5:9; Rom. 8:9; Gal. 5:16-23; Eph. 2:14-21; Matt. 3:8-10; 7:20).
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 (Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; I John 5:1) whereby, being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and the way of salvation by Christ (John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; 16:30-31) we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy (Luke 18:13; Isa. 53:11; Rom. 10:12-13; Ps. 51). 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 (Rom. 10:9-11; Acts 3:22-23; Heb. 4:14; Ps. 2:6; Heb. 1:8; 7:25; II Tim. 1:1-2).
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 (II Tim. 1:8-9; Eph. 1:3-14; I Pet. 1:1-2; Rom. 11:5-6; John 15:15; I John 4:19) that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end (II Thes. 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matt. 20:16; Acts 15:14) that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable (Ex. 33:18-19; Matt. 20:15; Eph. 1:11; Rom. 9:23-24; Jer. 31:3; Rom. 11:28-29, 32-36; James 1:17-18) that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy (I Cor. 4:7; I Cor. 1:26-31; Rom. 3:27; 4:16; Col. 3:12; I Cor. 15:10; I Peter 5:10; I Thes. 2:12-13; I Peter 2:9; Luke 18:7) that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree (II Tim. 2:10; I Cor. 9:22; John 6:37-40; II Peter 1:10) that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel (I Thes. 1:4-10) that it is the foundation of Christian assurance (Rom. 8:28-31; Isa. 42:16; Rom. 11:29) and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence (II Peter 1:10-11; Phil. 3:12; Heb. 6:11).
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 (I Thes. 4:3; 5:23; II Cor. 7:1; 13:9; Eph. 1:4) that it is a progressive work (Prov. 4:18; Heb. 6:1; II Peter 1:5-8; Phil. 3:12-16) that it is begun in regeneration (I John 2:29; Rom. 8:5; John 3:6; Phil. 1:9-11) 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 (Phil. 2:12-13; Eph. 4:11-12, 30; 6:18; I Peter 2:2; II Peter 3:18; II Cor. 13:5; Luke 9:23; 11:35; Matt. 26:41; Eph. 6:18).
XI. Of the Perseverance of the Saints: We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end (John 8:31; I John 2:27-28; 3:9; 5:18) that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors (I John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt. 13:20-21; John 6:66-69) that a special providence watches over their welfare (Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30-33; Jer. 32:40; Ps. 121:2; 91:11-12) and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (Phil. 2:12-13; Jude 1, 24, 25; Heb. 1:14; 13:5; I John 4:4).
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 (Rom. 3:31; Matt. 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom. 3:20; 4:15) and that the inability which the scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin (Rom. 8:7-8; Josh. 24:19; Jer. 13:23; John 6:44; 5:44) and that God's law is holy, just and good (Rom. 7:12; 7:7, 14, 22; Gal. 3:21; Ps. 119) and that to deliver fallen men from their love of sin, 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 (Rom. 8:2-4; Rom. 10:4; Heb. 8:10; 12:14; Jude 20, 21).
XIII. Of a Gospel Church: We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers (I Cor. 1:1-13; Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11; 8:1; 11:21-23: I Cor. 4:17; 14:23; III John 9) associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel (Acts 2:41-42, 47; I Cor. 5:12-13), observing the ordinances of Christ (I Cor. 11:2-34; II Thes. 3:6; Rom. 16:17-20; II Cor. 2:17; I Cor. 4:17); governed by His laws (Matt. 28:20; John 14:15; 15:12; 14:21; I John 4:21; I Thes. 4:2; II John 6; Gal. 6:2; all the Epistles) and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His work (Eph. 1:27); 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 (Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:3; 15:22; I Tim. 3; Titus 1).
XIV. Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper: We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer (Acts 8:36-39; 2:38; 8:12; 16:32-34; 18:8; Matt. 3:5-6; 28:19; John 3:22-23; Mark 16:16) into the name of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost (Matt. 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Gal. 3:27-28) 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 (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; I Peter 3:20-21; Acts 22:16) that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation, and to the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:41-42; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts and Epistles) in which the members of the church by the sacred use of bread and the cup, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ (I Cor. 11:26; Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20) preceded always by solemn self-examination (I Cor. 11:17-32; 5:1; 10:3-32; John 6:26-71).
XV. Of the Christian Sabbath: We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day or Christian Sabbath (Acts 20:7; Gen. 2:3; Col. 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; I Cor. 16:1-2) and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes (Ex. 20:8; Rev. 1:10; Ps. 118:24), by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations (Isa. 58:13-14); by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private (Ps. 118:15) and public (Heb. 10:24-25; Acts 11:26) and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God (Heb. 4:3-11).
XVI. Of Civil Government: We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society (Rom. 13:1-7; Deut. 16:18; II Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:21-23; Jer. 30:21) and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed (Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13; I Tim. 2:1-3) except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 5:29; 4:18-20; Matt. 10:28; Dan. 3:15-18; 6:7-10) who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth (Matt. 23:10; Rom. 14:4; Rev. 19:16; Ps. 72:11; Ps. 2; Rom. 14:9-13).
XVII. Of the Righteous and the Wicked: We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked (Mal. 3:18; Prov. 12:26; Isa. 5:20; Gen. 18:23; Acts 10:34-35; Rom. 6:16), 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 (Rom. 1:17; 7:6; 6:18-22; I John 2:19; 3:7; I Cor. 11:32; Prov. 11:31; Ps. 10:4; Isa. 55:6-7), and this distinction holds among men both in and after death (Prov. 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; 12:25-26; Prov. 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; 9:23-26; Matt. 7:13-14).
XVIII. Of the Resurrection and Return of Christ and Related Events: We believe in and accept the sacred Scriptures upon these subjects at their face and full value. Of the Resurrection, we believe that Christ rose bodily "the third day according to the Scriptures;" that He ascended "to the right hand of the throne of God;" that He alone is our merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God; "That this same Jesus which was taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven" --bodily, personally and visibly; that the "dead in Christ shall rise first;" that the living saints "shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trump;" that the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His Father David;" and that "Christ shall reign a thousand years in righteousness until He hath put all enemies under His feet" (Matt. 28:6-7; Luke 24:39; John 20:27; I Cor. 15:4; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2, 4-6; Acts 1:9; 1:11; Luke 24:51; Mark 16:19; Rev. 3:21; Heb. 8:1; 12:2; 8:6; I Tim. 2:5; I John 2:1; Heb. 2:17; 5:9-10; John 14:3; Acts 1:11; I Thes. 4:16; Matt. 24:27; 25:13; 24:42; Jas. 5:8; Heb. 9:28; I Thes. 4:16; I Cor. 15:42-44; 15:51-53; I Thes. 4:17; Phil. 3:21-21; Luke 1:32; Isa. 9:6-7; Acts 9:29-30; I Cor. 15:25; Isa. 32:1; 11:3-5; Ps. 72:8; Rev. 20:1-4, 6).