The Articles Of Faith
(The New Hampshire Confession of Faith as revised and enlarged by J. Newton Brown)
Article 1. 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 shall be tried.
PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE TAUGHT
II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:21; II Samuel 23:2; Acts 1:16; John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31; Psalms 119:111; Romans 3:1-2; II Timothy 3:15; I Peter 1:10-12; Acts 11:14; Romans 1:16; Mark 16:16; John 5:38-39; Proverbs 30:5-6; John 17:17; Revelation 22:18-19; Romans 3:4; Romans 2:12; John 12:47-48; I Corinthians 4:3-4; Luke 10:10-16; 12:47-48; Philippians 3:16; Ephesians 4:3-6; Philippians 2:1-2; I Corinthians 1:10; I Peter 4:11; John 4:1; Isaiah 8:20; I Thessalonians 5:21; II Corinthians 13:5; Acts 17:11; I John 4:6; Jude 3; Ephesians 6:17; Psalms 119:59-60; Philippians 1:9-11
Article 2. 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 Ghost; equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE TAUGHT
I John 4:24; Psalms 147:5; Psalms 83:18; Hebrews 3:4; Romans 1:20; Jeremiah 10:10; Revelation 1:18; Psalms 90:2; Exodus 15:1; Isaiah 6:3; I Peter 1:15-16; Mark 12:30; Proverbs 3:9; Revelation 4:11; Matthew 10:37; Jeremiah 2:12-13; Matthew 6:13; Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; I Corinthians 12:4-6; I John 5:7; John 10:30; John 5:17; 14:23; 17:5,10; Acts 5:3-4; I Corinthians 2:10-11; Philippians 2:5-6; Ephesians 2:18; II Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 1:4-5
Article 3. 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 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.
PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE TAUGHT
Genesis 1:27; Genesis 1:31; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Acts 17:26-29; Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:6-24; Romans 5:12; Psalms 51:5; Romans 5:19; John 3:6; Psalms 51:5; Romans 5:15-19; 8:7; Ezekiel 18:4; Genesis 2:17; Isaiah 53:6; Genesis 6:12; Romans 3:9-18; Romans 3:23; 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 1:18; Romans 1:32; 2:1-16; Galatians 3:10; Matthew 20:15; Romans 6:23; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 3:19; Galatians 3:22; Acts 17:30
Article 4. 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 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 every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour.
PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE TAUGHT
Ephesians 2:8; Matthew 18:11; I John 4:10; I Corinthians 3:5,7; Acts 15:11; John 3:16; John 1:1-14; Hebrews 4:14; 12:24; I Timothy 2:5; Philippians 2:6-7; Hebrews 2:9,14; II Corinthians 5:21; John 1:1-14; Matthew 26:42; Isaiah 42:21; Philippians 2:8; Galatians 4:4-5; Romans 3:21; Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 20:28; Romans 4:25; 3:21-26; I John 4:10; 2:2; I Corinthians 15:1-3; Hebrews 9:13-15; Hebrews 4:15; II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 1:3; 8:1; I Corinthians 3:1-4; Mark 16:19; Hebrews 7:25; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 7:26; Psalms 89:19; Psalms 34; Hebrews 1:8
Article 5. 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.
PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE TAUGHT
Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Romans 3:28; Galatians 3:11; James 2:14-26; John 1:16; Ephesians 3:8; Acts 13:39; Isaiah 53:11-12; Romans 5:9; Zechariah 13:1; Matthew 9:6; Acts 10:43; Romans 5:17; Titus 3:5-7; I Peter 3:7; I John 2:25; Romans 5:1; Romans 4:5; Romans 5:21; 6:23; Philippians 3:7-9; Romans 5:19; Romans 3:24-26; 4:23-25; I John 2:12; Romans 5:1-2; Romans 5:3; Romans 5:11; I Corinthians 1:30-31; Matthew 6:33; I Timothy 4:8
Article 6. Of The Freeness Of Salvation
We believe that the blessing of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial of 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.
PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE TAUGHT
Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17; Luke 14:17; Romans 16:25-26; Mark 1:15; Romans 1:15-17; Luke 13:3,5; John 3:16; John 5:40; Matthew 23:37; Romans 9:32; Proverbs 1:24; Acts 13:46; Mark 16:16; John 3:19; Matthew 11:20; Luke 19:27; II Thessalonians 1:8.
Article 7. 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; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE TAUGHT
John 3:3; John 3:6,7; I Corinthians 2:14; Revelation 14:3; 21:27; II Corinthians 5:17; Ezekiel 36:26; Deuteronomy 30:6; Romans 2:28,29; 5:5; I John 4:7; John 3:8; John 1:13; James 1:16-18; I Corinthians 1:30; Philippians 2:13; I Peter 1:22-25; I John 5:1; Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians 3:9-11; Ephesians 5:9; Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:16-23; Ephesians 2:14-21; Matthew 3:8-10; 7:20; I John 5:4,18: Matthew 3:8.
Article 8. Of Repentance and Faith
We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regeneration 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.
PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE TAUGHT
Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Ephesians 2:8; I John 5:1; John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; Acts 16:30-31; Luke 18:13; Luke 15:18-21; James 4:7-10; II Corinthians 7:11; Romans 10:12-13; Psalms 51; Romans 10:9-11; Acts 3:22-23; Hebrews 4:14; Psalms 2:6; Hebrews 1:8; 7:25; II Timothy 1:12.
Article 9. 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.
PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE TAUGHT
II Timothy 1:8-9; Ephesians 1:3-14; I Peter 1:1-2; Romans 11:5-6; John 15:16; I John 4:19; II Thessalonians 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matthew 20:16; Acts 15:14; John 3:16; Exodus 33:18-19; Ephesians 2:9; Psalms 34:8; Proverbs 2:6,3:19; Luke 1:49; Revelation 4:8; Leviticus 11:44; 21:8; Numbers 23:19; I Samuel 15:29; Psalms 33:11; 119:89; Hebrews 13:8; Ephesians 1:11; Romans 9:23-24; Jeremiah 31:3; Romans 11:28-29; James 1:17-18; II Timothy 1:9; Romans 11:32-36; I Corinthians 4:7; I Corinthians 1:26-31; Romans 3:27; 4:16; Colossians 3:12; I Corinthians 15:10; I Peter 5:10; I Thessalonians 2:12-13; I Peter 2:9; Luke 18:7; II Timothy 2:10; I Corinthians 9:22; John 6:37-40; II Peter 1:10; I Thessalonians 1:4-10; Romans 8:28-31; Isaiah 42:16; Romans 11:19; I Peter 1:10-11; Philippians 3:12; Hebrews 6:11
Article 10. Of Sanctification
We believe that the 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, and Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means, especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.
PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE TAUGHT
I Thessalonians 4:3; I Thessalonians 5:23; II Corinthians 7:1; 13:9; Ephesians 1:1; Proverbs 4:18; Hebrews 6:1; II Peter 1:5-8; Philippians 3:12-16; I John 2:29; Romans 8:5; John 3:6; Philippians 1:9-11; Philippians 2:12-13; Acts 20:30-32; Ephesians 4:11-12,30; 6:18; I Peter 2:2; II Peter 3:18; II Corinthians 13:5; Luke 9:23; 11:35; Matthew 26:41
Article 11. Of The Perseverance of 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.
PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE TAUGHT
John 8:13; I John 2:27-28; 3:9; 5:18; Mark 13:13; I John 2:19; John 13:18; Matthew 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Romans 8:28; Matthew 6:30-33; Jeremiah 32:40; Psalms 12:2; 91:11-12; Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13; Jude 1:24-25; Hebrews 1:14; 13:5; I John 4:4
Article 12. Of The Harmony of The Law and The Gospel
We believe that the Law of God is eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government, that is holy, just, and good, and that the inability which the scriptures ascribe to fallen man 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 visual Church.
PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE TAUGHT
Romans 3:31; Matthew 5:17; Luke 16:17; Romans 3:20; 4:15; 7:12; 7:7-14, 22; Galatians 3:21; Psalms 119; Romans 8:7-8; Joshua 24:19; Jeremiah 13:23; John 6:44; Romans 8:2-4; 10:4; Hebrews 8:10; 12:14; Jude 1:21
Article 13. Of A GospelChurch
We believe that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith of fellowship of the Gospel, observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by its laws, in exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, that it’s only scriptural officers are bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the epistles to Timothy and Titus.
PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE TAUGHT
I Corinthians 1:1-13; Matthew 18:17; Acts 5:11; 8:1; 11:21-23; I Corinthians 4:23; 14:23; III John 9; Matthew 16:16-18; Acts 2:41-42; II Corinthians 8:5; Acts 2:41; I Corinthians 5:12-13; 11:2; II Thessalonians 3:6; Romans 16:17-20; I Corinthians 11:23-34; Matthew 18:15-21; II Corinthians 2:17; I Corinthians 1:17; Matthew 28:20; John 14:15; 15:12; I John 4:21; John 14:21; I Thessalonians 4:2; II John 6; Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 4:7; I Corinthians 14:12; Philippians 1:27; 1:1; Acts 14:23; 15:12; I Timothy 3; Titus 1
Article 14. 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, the Son, and the 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 all 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.
PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE TAUGHT
Acts 8:36-39; Matthew 3:5-6; John 3:22-23; 4:1-2; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12; 16:32,34; 18:8; Matthew 3:16; Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Galatians 3:27-28; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; I Peter 3:20-21; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:41-42; Matthew 29:19-20; Acts and Epistles; I Corinthians 11:26; Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; I Corinthians 11:28; I Corinthians 5:1,8; 10:3-32; 11:17-32; John 6:26-71
Article 15. 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.
PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE TAUGHT
Acts 20:7; Genesis 2:3; Colossians 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Exodus 20:8; Revelation 1:10; Psalms 118:24; Isaiah 58:13-14; Psalms 118:15; Hebrews 10:24-25; Acts 11:26; Hebrews 4:3-11
Article 16. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe 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.
PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE TAUGHT
Romans 13:1-7; Deuteronomy 16:28; II Samuel 23:3; Exodus 18:21-23; Jeremiah 30:21; Matthew 22:21; Titus 3:1; I Peter 2:13; I Timothy 2:1-3; Acts 5:29; Daniel 3:15-18; 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20; Matthew 23:10; Romans 14:4; Revelation 19:16; Psalms 72:11; Psalms 2; Romans 14:9-13
Article 17. 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 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.
PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE TAUGHT
Psalms 7:11; 10:4; 145:20; 9:17; Malachi 3:18; Proverbs 12:26; Isaiah 5:20; Genesis 18:23; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 6:16; 1:17; 7:6; I John 2:29; 3:7; Romans 6:18,22; I Corinthians 11:32; Proverbs 11:31; I Peter 4:17-18; I John 5:19; Galatians 3:10; John 3:36; Isaiah 57:21; Psalms 10:4; Isaiah 55:6-7; Proverbs 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Proverbs 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; 9:23-26; John 12:25-26; Ecclesiastes 3:17; Matthew 7:13-14
Article 18. 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.
PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE TAUGHT
I Peter 4:7; I Corinthians 7:29-31; Hebrews 1:10-12; Matthew 25:31; 28:20; 13:39-43; I John 2:17; II Peter 3:3-13; Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7; Hebrews 9:28; Acts 3:21; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:1-11; Acts 24:15; I Corinthians 15:12-58; Luke 14:14; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; 6:40; 11:25-26; Acts 10:42; Matthew 13:49; Matthew 13:37-42; 24:30; 25:31-33; Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 22:11; I Corinthians 6:9-10; Mark 9:43-48; II Peter 2:9; Jude 7; Philippians 3:19; Romans 6:23; II Corinthians 6:9-11; John 4:36; II Corinthians 4:18; Romans 3:5-6; II Thessalonians 1:6-12; Hebrews 6:1-2; I Corinthians 4:5; Acts 17:31; Romans 2:2-16; Revelation 20:11-12; I John 2:28; 4:17; II Peter 3:11-12