Adopted primarily from the New Hampshire Confession (1833)
**Scriptural references have been omitted for brevity.
Section 1 – The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction, and is without error; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth 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.
Section 2 – the True God
We believe that there is one, and only one living true God, an infinite, intelligent spirit whose name is Yahweh, 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 God-head there are three persons – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
We believe that Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, that He died for our sins and was raised for our justification; that He is true God and true man; and is the only and sufficient mediator between God and man, through who every soul may have direct access to God.
We believe in the personality of the Holy Spirit and that his ministry is to reveal Christ to men in the regeneration and sanctification of their souls, and in the understanding and application of Christian truth.
Section 3 – The Fall of Man
We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from the happy and holy state; in the consequences of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but by choice, being by nature utterly void
of the holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
Section 4 – The Way of Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial office of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon himself 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, an all-sufficient Savior.
Section 5 – Justification
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is justification; that justification included the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on the 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 needed for time and eternity.
Section 6 – The Freeness of Salvation
We believe 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 a cordial, 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.
Section 7 – 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 voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life.
Section 8 – 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; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and hopelessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with genuine sorrow and remorse, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, and King, and relying upon Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.
Section 9 – Sanctification
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; 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, prayer, and unselfish service and giving.
We believe that God, the creator and owner of all things and persons has entrusted to the Christian his life, time, talents, influence, money, goods, and all things whatsoever he possesses; that as stewards of these possessions he is to administer them under the will of God for the purpose of Jesus Christ; that in definite expression of this stewardship he is to contribute systematically and proportionately of his means to the support of his church and of the missionary and benevolent enterprises of Christ’s Kingdom.
Section 10 – 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 effect in all who truly believe the gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance and to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
Section 11 – The Perseverance of Saints
We believe that such only are real believers as endure to the end; that they’re 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.
Section 12 – The Harmony of the law and the Gospel
We believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of 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 tendency to and love of sin: to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to genuine obedience to the holy law, is the great end of the gospel, and of means of grace.
Section 13 – A Gospel Church
We believe that a 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 pastors (sometimes called bishops or elders) and deacons whose qualifications are defined in the Epistles of Timothy and Titus. We believe that every church is independent and self-governing, but it is under moral obligations to associate itself with other churches of like faith and order in approved common enterprises that seek the promotion of Christ’s Kingdom, particularly such as missions, Christian education, hospitals, and benevolences.
Section 14 – 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, and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth in solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death of sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is a prerequisite to the privileges of church membership; and to the Lord’s Supper, in which the members of the church by the sacred use of bread and cup, are to commemorate together the Lord’s death preceded always by solemn self-examination.
Section 15 – The Christian Sabbath (The Lord’s Day)
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 unnecessary secular labor, by the devout observances of all the means of grace both private and public; and by preparation for that rest that remains for the people of God.
Section 16 – Civil Government
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 the Lord Jesus Christ who is the only Lord of the conscience and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
Section 17 – 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 Jesus Christ 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 here and after death.
Section 18 – The World to Come
We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that in 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 condemned to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy and that the judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, in the principles of righteousness.
Section 19 – The Family
We believe that God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related by marriage, blood, or adoption. Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race. The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God’s image. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation. Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to teach their children biblical values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline. Children are to honor and obey their parents.
Section 20 – Human Sexuality
We believe that God created all people at conception to be either male or female with the purpose of human good and flourishing. Physical anomalies or psychological conditions do not nullify this. A person’s gender is not reversible or alterable medically, socially, mentally or emotionally. All sexual activity is limited to one male and one female in a lifelong commitment of marriage for the joy of intimacy and procreation. Human beings are made of body and soul, and what one does with his or her body has direct consequences on their final state.