Our statement of faith is based on the 1833 New Hampshire Baptist Confession and the Nicene Creed.
- We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
- We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man, yet without sin. He honored the divine law by his personal obedience; and by his death made a full atonement for our sins. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
- We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. The divinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is One, their glory equal, their Persons unmixed, their Being indivisible, their majesty co-eternal.
- We believe that the Holy Spirit spoke through the prophets and apostles; 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 the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just, and good; 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.
- We believe that humanity 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 humanity are now sinners; the inability of fallen people to fulfill God’s precepts arises from their love of sin, their willful refusal to be subject to the rule of God; being spiritually dead, humanity is 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.
- We believe that the salvation of sinners is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone; that in the substitutionary, atoning death of the Lord Jesus Christ, he bore God’s wrath toward sin for the saints, through which his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that justification includes the pardon of sin, reconciliation, and the promise of eternal life; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God.
- We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that it is a resurrection from spiritual death; that it is effected by the power of the Holy Spirit, through the Word; so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its fruits are repentance, faith, and newness of life.
- 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 Savior.
- 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.
- 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 begun in regeneration, and carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, through the continual use of the appointed means–especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, the ordinances, and prayer.
- 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 they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
- We believe in one, holy, universal and apostolic Church; 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 scriptural officers are Overseers or Elders or Pastors, and Deacons; whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
- 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 Savior, 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.
- We believe in the sacred duty and blessing of weekly assembling for worship, that assembling together is not to be forsaken; that we are to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, devoting ourselves to the public reading of scripture, heeding scriptural officers who are keeping watch over our souls; in the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public, including the preaching and teaching of the whole counsel of God; and by preparation for that rest that remains for the people of God.
- 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.
- 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.
- We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come; 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.