What we believe

 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.

 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. 

 We believe the Scriptures teach that Man was created in holiness, under  the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgressions 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.

 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  compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior. 

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.

 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. 

 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.   

 We believe the Scriptures teach 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 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  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 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 Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the  appointed means especially the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and  prayer. 

 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.  

 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. 

 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.   

 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 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 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 observance of all the means of grace,  both private and public, and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God. 

 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. 

 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.  

 We believe 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.