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This Church adopts the Holy Bible as our rule
in our faith, practice and methods of operation. No Bylaw or procedure
shall ever outweigh the Scriptures. This Church further adopts the
following
Baptist Church Covenant and
Articles of Faith as follows:
Baptist Church Covenant
Having been led, as we believe, by the of the Spirit
of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior; and on the profession
of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, angels and
this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one
another, as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the
aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to
strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge and holiness;
to give it a place in our affections, prayers and services above
every organization of human origin; to sustain its worship,
ordinances, discipline and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and
regularly, as God has prospered us, towards its expenses, for the
support of a faithful and evangelical ministry among us, the relief
of the poor and the spread of the Gospel throughout the world.
In case of difference of opinion in the church, we will strive to
avoid a contentious spirit, and if we cannot unanimously agree, we
will cheerfully recognize the right of the majority to govern.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to study
diligently the word of God; to religiously educate our children; to
seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintance; to walk
circumspectly in the world; to be kind and just to those in our
employ, and faithful in the service we promise others; endeavoring
in the purity of heart and good will towards all men to exemplify
and commend our holy faith.
We further engage to watch over, pray for, to exhort and stir up
each other unto every good word and work; to guard each other's
reputation, not needlessly exposing the infirmities of others; to
participate in each other's joys, and with tender sympathy bear one
another's burdens and sorrows; to cultivate Christian courtesy; to
be slow to give or take offense, but always ready for
reconciliation, being mindful of the rules of the Savior in the
eighteenth chapter of Matthew, to secure it without delay; and
through life, amid evil report, and good report, to seek to live to
the glory of God, who hath called us out of darkness into his
marvelous light.
When we remove from this
place, we engage as soon as possible to unite with some other church
where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the
principles of God's word.
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Articles Of Faith
The Scriptures
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The True God
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The Fall Of Man
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The Way Of Salvation
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Justification
The Freeness Of
Salvation |
Regeneration
| Repentance And
Faith |
God's Purpose Of Grace
Sanctification
|
Perseverance Of
Saints |
The Law And Gospel
|
A Gospel Church
Baptism And The
Lord's Supper |
The Christian Sabbath
|
Civil Government
Righteous And Wicked
|
The World To Come
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.
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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.
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The Fall Of Man
We believe the Scriptures teach that Man was created in
holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression
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, without defense or excuse.
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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.
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Justification
We believe the Scriptures teach that the great Gospel
blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in him is
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.
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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.
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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.
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Repentance And 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, danger and helplessness and of the way 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 Savior.
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God's Purpose Of Grace
We believe the Scriptures teach 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 effects in all who
truly believe the Gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian
assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands
and deserves the utmost diligence.
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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; 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.
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Perseverance Of Saints
We believe the Scriptures teach that such only are real
believers as endure to the end; that their persevering attachment to
Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial
professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare;
and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
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The Law And Gospel
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Law of God is the
eternal and unchangeable rule of his 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 love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them
through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one
great end of the Gospel, and of the Means of Grace connected with
the establishment of the visible church.
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A Gospel Church
We believe the Scriptures teach that a visible 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
only scriptural officers are Bishops or Pastors, and Deacons whose
Qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to
Timothy and Titus.
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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 Savior, with
its effect, in our death to sin and resurrections 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.
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The Christian Sabbath
We believe the Scriptures teach 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 secular labor
and sinful recreations, by the devout observation of all the means
of grace, both private and public, and by preparation for that rest
that remaineth for the people of God.
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Civil Government
We believe the Scriptures teach that civil
government is of divine appointment, for the interest 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 our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the
conscience, and the Prince of the Kings of the earth.
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Righteous And Wicked
We believe the Scriptures teach there is a radical and
essential difference between the righteous and wicked; that such
only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus,
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 in and after death.
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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 judgment will
fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of
righteousness.
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