ARTICLES OF FAITH
article i
inspiration of the scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, or inbreathed; 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 basis of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried.
II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:21; II Timothy 3:15; Acts 11:14; Proverbs 30:5-6; John 17:17; Romans 2:12; I Corinthians 4:3-4; Philippians 3:16; Ephesians 4:3-6; I John 4:1; Jude 3 & 5.
article ii
the name, nature, and being of God
We believe 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 the universe; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead, there are three separate and distinct 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.
John 4:24; Psalm 83:18; Exodus 15:11; I Peter 1:15-16; Mark 12:30; Revelation 4:11; Matthew 28:19; John 15:26; 10:30; Acts 5:3-4; Ephesians 2:18; II Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 1:4-5.
article iii
the fall of man
We believe that man was created in a state or condition of holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by a voluntary transgression he fell from that happy and holy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but by choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
Genesis 1:27; Acts 15:26; Genesis 3:6-24; Romans 5:12, 19; Psalm 51:5; Romans 8:7; Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:9-18; Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 1:18; Galatians 3:10, 2; Ezekiel 18:19-20.
article iV
the way of salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly by grace; through the mediatorial offices 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 every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.
Ephesians 2:5; 2:8-10; John 4:10; Acts 15:11; John 3:16; John 1:1-14; Hebrews 4:14; Philippians 2:6-7; II Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 42:21; Galatians 4:4-5; Romans 3:21; Isaiah 53:3, 5; Matthew 20:28; Romans 3:21-26; 9:13-15; Hebrews 1:8; Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 3:1-4; Hebrews 7:25; Psalm 89:19, and Psalm 45.
article V
the blessings of the gospel
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to those who believe in Him is salvation; that this includes all the divine redemptive acts of God on behalf of the sinner, such as justification, which is the divine act of God whereby He declares a believer just; redemption, the divine act of God whereby He purchased by the shed blood of Christ, and by His mighty power, the freedom of the believer from the power and dominion of sin; grace, the divine disposition of God wherein He saves men, not by any merit or work of their own, but wholly by the work and merit of Christ; propitiation, the divine act of God in offering Christ as the sinner’s substitute; imputation, the divine act of God whereby He imputes or counts the righteousness and excellencies of Christ to the believer; forgiveness, the divine act of God by which He remits the sins of a believer; sanctification, the divine act of God whereby He imparts His holiness to the inner man, or new born one, and sets apart the entire man to the service of God; glorification, the divine act of God whereby that element or part of man which is mortal will be changed into a state and condition of immortality.
Matthew 1:21; Romans 1:16; Acts 4:12; 10:43; Romans 4:1-5, 13-25; 5:1; Galatians 3:11; Romans 3:24; I Corinthians 1:30; Hebrews 9:12; I Peter 1:18; Ephesians 2:5, 8-10; I John 1:2; Romans 3:25; 4:8, 9; Acts 5:31; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; John 17:17, 19; Acts 20:32; I Corinthians 1:2, 6:11; Ephesians 5:26; I Thessalonians 5:23; I John 3:9; II Peter 1:4; I John 3:1-2; Philippians 3:20-21; I Corinthians 15:51-53; Romans 8:17.
article VI
salvation free
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 involved him in an aggravated condemnation.
Isaiah 55:1; Luke 14:17; Revelation 22:17; Romans 16:26; Mark 1:15; Romans 1:15-17; John 5:40; Matthew 23:37; Romans 9:32; Proverbs 1:24; John 3:19; Matthew 11:20; Luke 19:27; II Thessalonians 1:8.
article VII
grace in regeneration
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or “born from above;” 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, faith, and newness of life.
John 3:3, 5, 7; I Corinthians 1:14; Revelation 21:27; II Corinthians 5:17; Ezekiel 36:26; Romans 2:28-29; 5:5; I John 4:7; John 3:8; 1:13; Philippians 2:13; James 1:16-18; I Peter 1:22, 25; I John 5:1; Colossians 3:9-11; Ephesians 5:9; Galatians 5:19-23; Matthew 3:8-10; I John 5:4, 18.