Article 1: Of 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 should be tried.
(See II Pet. 1:21; II Tim. 3:16; I Thes. 5:21)
(Note that the first Baptist Articles of Faith is concerned with Scriptures. The rest of the Articles of Faith are built on what we belive the Scriptures teach.)
Article 2: Of the True God
We believe that there is one and only one living and true God, an intelligent, spiritual and personal being, the Creator, Preserver and Ruler of the universe, infinite in holiness and all other perfections to whom we owe the highest love, reverence and obedience.
He is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being.
(See Ps. 83:18; Mk. 12:30; Jn. 14:15; Mt. 28:19-20)
Article 3: Of the Fall of Man
We believe that man was created by the special act of God, as recorded in Genesis. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them”
(Genesis 1:27). “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7).
He was created in a state of holiness under the law of his Maker, but through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; ...whereby his posterity inherit a nature corrupt and in bondage to sin, are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors.
(See Gen. 1:27, 31; 3:6; Rom. 5:19; 3:23; 6:23; Ps. 51:5; Jn. 3:18)
Article 4: Of 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 Holy Spirit was born of the Virgin Mary and took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience and made atonement for our sins by his death.
Being risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in Heaven, and, uniting in his person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is in every way qualified to be a compassionate and all-sufficient Saviour. (See Eph. 2:8-9; II Cor. 5:21; Rom. 6:23; Heb. 7:25)
Article 5: Of Justification
We believe that justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of righteousness of all sinners who believe in Christ. This blessing is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but through the redemption that is in and through Jesus
Christ.
It brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other needed blessing. (See Rom. 5:1-2, 9; 4:5; Mt. 6:33; I Cor. 2:9; Heb. 11:6)
Article
6: Of the Freeness of Salvation
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel. It is the duty of all to accept them by penitent and obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner except his own voluntary refusal to accept Jesus Christ as Teacher, Savior and Lord. (see Jn. 3:16; 5:40; 3:19)
Article 7: Of Grace in
Regeneration
We believe that regeneration or the new birth is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit, whereby we become partakers of the divine nature and a holy disposition is given, leading to the love and practice of righteousness.
It is a work of God’s free grace conditioned upon faith in Christ and made manifest by the fruit which we bring forth to the glory of God. (see Jn. 3:3; Eph. 5:8-9; Mt. 7:20; I Jn. 5:1; Tit. 3:5)
Article 8:
Of 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 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 allsufficient Savior. (See Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; Jn. 16:8)
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 should be tried.
(See II Pet. 1:21; II Tim. 3:16; I Thes. 5:21)
(Note that the first Baptist Articles of Faith is concerned with Scriptures. The rest of the Articles of Faith are built on what we belive the Scriptures teach.)
Article 2: Of the True God
We believe that there is one and only one living and true God, an intelligent, spiritual and personal being, the Creator, Preserver and Ruler of the universe, infinite in holiness and all other perfections to whom we owe the highest love, reverence and obedience.
He is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being.
(See Ps. 83:18; Mk. 12:30; Jn. 14:15; Mt. 28:19-20)
Article 3: Of the Fall of Man
We believe that man was created by the special act of God, as recorded in Genesis. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them”
(Genesis 1:27). “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7).
He was created in a state of holiness under the law of his Maker, but through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God and fell from his original holiness and righteousness; ...whereby his posterity inherit a nature corrupt and in bondage to sin, are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors.
(See Gen. 1:27, 31; 3:6; Rom. 5:19; 3:23; 6:23; Ps. 51:5; Jn. 3:18)
Article 4: Of 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 Holy Spirit was born of the Virgin Mary and took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience and made atonement for our sins by his death.
Being risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in Heaven, and, uniting in his person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is in every way qualified to be a compassionate and all-sufficient Saviour. (See Eph. 2:8-9; II Cor. 5:21; Rom. 6:23; Heb. 7:25)
Article 5: Of Justification
We believe that justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of righteousness of all sinners who believe in Christ. This blessing is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but through the redemption that is in and through Jesus
Christ.
It brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other needed blessing. (See Rom. 5:1-2, 9; 4:5; Mt. 6:33; I Cor. 2:9; Heb. 11:6)
Article
6: Of the Freeness of Salvation
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel. It is the duty of all to accept them by penitent and obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner except his own voluntary refusal to accept Jesus Christ as Teacher, Savior and Lord. (see Jn. 3:16; 5:40; 3:19)
Article 7: Of Grace in
Regeneration
We believe that regeneration or the new birth is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit, whereby we become partakers of the divine nature and a holy disposition is given, leading to the love and practice of righteousness.
It is a work of God’s free grace conditioned upon faith in Christ and made manifest by the fruit which we bring forth to the glory of God. (see Jn. 3:3; Eph. 5:8-9; Mt. 7:20; I Jn. 5:1; Tit. 3:5)
Article 8:
Of 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 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 allsufficient Savior. (See Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; Jn. 16:8)