| WE BELIEVE |
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.
THE TRUE GOD
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.
THE WAY OF SALVATION
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.
REGENERATION
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.
SANCTIFICATION
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; |
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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.
BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER
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 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 to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the church, by the sacred us of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
THE CHURCH
We believe that the universal church is the fellowship of baptized believers the world over who share a common relationalship in our declaration of Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior, and the Son of God. Moreover, we affirm the importance of the local church that commits itself to a common mission and to the tenets of worship, discipleship, fellowship and evangelism. We believe that the two biblical offices of the local church are the offices of pastor and deacon. We further believe in the operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit according to the bible and that members of the universal and local church are to manifest the fruit of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
THE WORLD TO COME
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 judgement will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.
(The New National Baptist Hymnal National Baptist Publishing Board, 1977), pp. 606-609
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