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
Fall of Man
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, with defense or excuse.
The
Way to 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
Saviour.
Justification
We believe the Scriptures
teach that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such
as believe in him 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.
The
Freeness of Salvation
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.
Repentance
of Faith
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, dander 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.
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 use of bread and wine,
are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded
always by solemn self-examination.
*As
found in the Articles of Faith printed in The New National Baptist
Hymnal.
