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THE NEW HAMPSHIRE BAPTIST CONFESSION. A.D. 1833.
(The New Hampshire Confession.)
[This Confession was drawn up by the Rev. John Newton Brown, D.D., of New Hampshire (b. 1803, d. 1868), about 1833, and has been adopted by the New Hampshire Convention, and widely accepted by Baptists, especially in the Northern and Western States, as a clear and concise statement of their faith, in harmony with the doctrines of older confessions, but expressed in milder form. The text is taken from the Baptist Church Manual, published by the American Baptist Publication Society, Philadelphia.}
Declaration of Faith.
I. OF THE SCRIPTURES.
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction;206220622 Tim. iii. 16, 17; 2 Pet. i. 21; 1 Sam. xxiii. 2; Acts i. 16; iii. 21; John x. 35; Luke xvi. 29–31; Psa. cxix. 11l; Rom. iii. 1, 2. that it has God for its author, salvation for its end,206320632 Tim. iii. 15; 1 Pet. i. 10–12; Acts xi. 14; Rom. i. 16; Mark xvi. 16; John v. 38, 39. and truth without any mixture of error for its matter;20642064Prov. xxx. 5, 6; John xvii. 17; Rev. xxii. 18, 19; Rom. iii. 4. that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us;20652065Rom. ii. 12; John xii. 47, 48; 1 Cor. iv. 3, 4; Luke x. 10–16; xii. 47, 48. and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true centre of Christian union,20662066Phil. iii. 16; Eph. iv. 3–6; Phil. ii. 1, 2; 1 Cor. i. 10; 1 Pet. iv. 11. and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.206720671 John iv. 1; Isa. viii. 20; 1 Thess. v. 21; 2 Cor. xiii. 5; Acts xvii. 11; 1 John iv. 6; Jude iii. 5; Eph. vi. 17; Psa. cxix. 59, 60; Phil. i. 9–11.
II. OF THE TRUE 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 heaven and earth;20682068John iv. 24; Psa. cxlvii. 5; lxxxiii. 18; Heb. iii. 4; Rom. i. 20; Jer. x. 10. inexpressibly glorious in holiness,20692069Exod. xv. 11; Isa. vi. 3; 1 Pet. i. 15, 16; Rev. iv. 6–8. and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love;20702070Mark xii. 30; Rev. iv. 11; Matt. x. 37; Jer. ii. 12, 13. that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost;20712071Matt. xxviii. 19; John xv. 26; 1 Cor. xii. 4–6; 1 John v. 7. equal in every divine perfection,20722072John x. 30; v. 17; xiv. 23; xvii. 5, 10; Acts v. 3, 4; 1 Cor. ii. 10, 11; Phil. ii. 5, 6. and executing distinct and harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.20732073Eph. ii. 18; 2 Cor. xiii. 14; Rev. i. 4, 5; comp. ii., vii.
743III. OF THE FALL OF MAN.
We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker;20742074Gen. i. 27; i. 31; Eccles. vii. 29; Acts xvi. 26; Gen. ii. 16. but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state;20752075Gen. iii. 6–24; Rom. v. 12. in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners,20762076Rom. v. 19; John iii. 6; Psa. li. 5; Rom. v. 15–19; viii. 7. not by constraint, but choice;20772077Isa. liii. 6; Gen. vi. 12; Rom. iii. 9–18. 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,20782078Eph. ii. 1–3; Rom. i. 18; i. 32; ii. 1–16; Gal. iii. 10; Matt. xx. 15. without defense or excuse.20792079Ezek. xviii. 19, 20; Rom. i. 20; iii. 19; Gal. iii. 22.
IV. OF THE WAY OF SALVATION.
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace,20802080Eph. ii. 5; Matt. xviii. 11; 1 John iv. 10; 1 Cor. iii. 5–7; Acts xv. 11. through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God;20812081John iii. 16; i. 1–14; Heb. iv. 14; xii. 24. who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin;20822082Phil. ii. 6, 7; Heb. ii. 9; ii. 14; 2 Cor. v. 21. honored the divine law by his personal obedience,20832083Isa. xlii. 21; Phil. ii. 8; Gal. iv. 4, 5; Rom. iii. 21. and by his death made a full atonement for our sins;20842084Isa. liii. 4, 5; Matt. xx. 28; Rom. iv. 25; iii. 21–26; 1 John iv. 10; ii. 2; 1 Cor. xv. 1–3; Heb. ix. 13–15. that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven;20852085Heb. i. 8; i. 3; viii. 1; Col. iii. 1–4. 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 Saviour.20862086Heb. vii. 25; Col. ii. 9; Heb. ii. 18; vii. 26; Psa. lxxxix. 19; xiv.
V. OF JUSTIFICATION.
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ20872087John i. 16; Eph. iii. 8. secures to such as believe in him is Justification;20882088Acts xiii. 39; Isa. iii. 11, 12; Rom. viii. 1. that Justification includes the pardon of sin,20892089Rom. v. 9; Zech. xiii. 1; Matt. ix. 6; Acts x. 43. and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness;20902090Rom. v. 17; Titus iii. 5, 6; 1 Pet. iii. 7; 1 John ii. 25; Rom. v. 21. that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of 744righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood;20912091Rom. iv. 4, 5; v. 21; vi. 23; Phil. iii. 7–9. by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God;20922092Rom. v. 19; iii. 24–26; iv. 23-25; 1 John ii. 12. 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.20932093Rom. v. 1, 2; v. 3; v. 11; 1 Cor. i. 30, 31; Matt. vi. 33; 1 Tim. iv. 8.
VI. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION.
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel;20942094Isa. lv. 1; Rev. xxii. 17; Luke xiv. 17. that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith;20952095Rom. xvi. 26; Mark i. 15; Rom. i. 15–17. and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel;20962096John v. 40; Matt. xxiii. 37; Rom. ix. 32; Prov. i. 24; Acts xiii. 46. which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.20972097John iii. 19; Matt. xi. 20; Luke xix. 27; 2 Thess. i. 8.
VII. OF GRACE IN REGENERATION.
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again;20982098John iii. 3; iii. 6, 7; 1 Cor. i. 14; Rev. viii. 7–9; xxi. 27. that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind;209920992 Cor. v. 17; Ezek. xxxvi. 26; Deut. xxx. 6; Rom. ii. 28, 29; v. 5; 1 John iv. 7. that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth,21002100John iii. 8; i. 13; James i. 16-18; 1 Cor. i. 30; Phil. ii. 13. so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel;210121011 Pet. i. 22-25; 1 John v. 1; Eph. iv. 20–24; Col. iii. 9–11. and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life.21022102Eph. v. 9; Rom. viii. 9; Gal. v. 16–23; Eph. iii. 14–21; Matt. iii. 8–10; vii. 20; 1 John v. 4, 18.
VIII. 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;21032103Mark i. 15; Acts xi. 18; Eph. ii. 8; 1 John v. 1. whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, 745and of the way of salvation by Christ,21042104John xvi. 8; Acts ii. 37, 38; xvi. 30, 31. we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy;21052105Luke xviii. 13; xv. 18-21; James iv. 7–10; 2 Cor. vii. 11; Rom. x. 12, 13; Psa. li. 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.21062106Rom. x. 9–11; Acts iii. 22, 23; Heb. iv. 14; Psa. ii. 6; Heb. i. 8; viii. 25; 2 Tim. i. 12.
IX. OF GOD'S PURPOSE OF GRACE.
We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners;210721072 Tim. i. 8, 9; Eph. i. 3–14; 1 Pet. i. 1, 2; Rom. xi. 5, 6; John xv. 15; 1 John iv. 19; Hos. xii. 9. that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end;210821082 Thess. ii. 13, 14; Acts xiii. 48; John x. 16; Matt. xx. 16; Acts xv. 14. that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable;21092109Exod. xxxiii. 18, 19; Matt. xx. 15; Eph. i. ll; Rom. ix. 23, 24; Jer. xxxi. 3; Rom. xi. 28, 29; James i. 17, 18; 2 Tim. i. 9; Rom. xi. 32-36. that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy;21102110l Cor. iv. 7; i. 26–31; Rom. iii. 27; iv. l6; Col. iii. 12; 1 Cor. iii. 5–7; xv. 10; 1 Pet. v. 10; Acts i. 24: 1 Thess. ii. 13; 1 Pet. ii. 9; Luke xviii. 7; John xv. 10; Eph. i. 16; 1 Thess. ii. 12. that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree;211121112 Tim. ii. 10; 1 Cor. ix. 22; Rom. viii. 28–30; John vi. 37–40; 2 Pet. i. 10. that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel;211221121 Thess. i. 4–10. that it is the foundation of Christian assurance;21132113Rom. viii. 28–30; Isa. xlii. 16; Rom. xi. 29. and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.211421142 Pet. i. 10, 11; Phil. iii. 12; Heb. vi. 11.
X. OF SANCTIFICATION.
We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness;211521151 Thess. iv. 3; 1 Thess. v. 23; 2 Cor. vii. 1; xiii. 9; Eph. i. 4. that it is a progressive work;21162116Prov. iv. 18; 2 Cor. iii. 18; Heb. vi. 1; 2 Pet. i. 5–8; Phil. iii. 12–16. that it is begun in regeneration;21172117John ii. 29; Rom. viii. 5; John iii. 6; Phil. i. 9–11; Eph. i. 13, 14. 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 746means—especially the Word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.21182118Phil. ii. 12, 13; Eph. iv. 11, 12; 1 Pet. ii. 2; 2 Pet. iii. 18; 2 Cor. xiii. 5; Luke xi. 35; ix. 23; Matt. xxvi. 41; Eph. vi. 18; iv. 30.
XI. OF THE PERSEl’ERANCE OF SAINTS.
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end;21192119John viii. 31; 1 John ii. 27, 28; iii. 9; v. 18. that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors;212021201 John ii. 19; John xiii. 18; Matt. xiii. 20, 21; John vi. 66–69; Job xvii. 9. that a special Providence watches over their welfare;21212121Rom. viii. 28; Matt. vi. 30–33; Jer. xxxii. 40; Psa. cxxi. 3; xci. 11, 12. and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.21222122Phil. i. 6; ii. 12, 13; Jude 24, 25; Heb. i. 14; 2 Kings vi. 16; Heb. xiii. 5; 1 John iv. 4.
XII. OF THE HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL.
We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government;21232123Rom. iii. 31; Matt. v. 17; Luke xvi. 17; Rom. iii. 20; iv. 15. that it is holy, just, and good;21242124Rom. vii. 12; vii. 7, 14, 22; Gal. iii. 21; Psa. cxix. and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin;21252125Rom. viii. 7, 8; Josh. xxiv. 19; Jer. xiii. 23; John vi. 44; v. 44. to deliver them from winch, 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.21262126Rom. viii. 2, 4; x. 4; 1 Tim. i. 5; Heb. viii. 10; Jude 20, 21; Heb. xii. 14; Matt. xvi. 17, 18; 1 Cor. xii. 28.
XIII. OF A GOSPEL CHURCH.
We believe that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers,212721271 Cor. i. 1–13; Matt. xviii. 17; Acts v. 11; viii. 1; xi. 31; 1 Cor. iv. 17; xiv. 23; 3 John 9; 1 Tim. iii. 5. associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel;21282128Acts ii. 41, 42; 2 Cor. viii. 5; Acts ii. 47; 1 Cor. v. 12, 13. observing the ordinances of Christ;212921291 Cor. xi. 2; 2 Thess. iii. 6; Rom. xvi. 17–20; 1 Cor. xi. 23; Matt. xviii. 15–20; 1 Cor. v. 6; 2 Cor. ii. 7; 1 Cor. iv. 17. governed by his laws,21302130