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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
|
The True God
|
The Fall Of Man
|
The Way Of Salvation
|
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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