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This Confession was drawn up by the Rev.
John Newton Brown, D. D., of New Hampshire about 1833, and was 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
Of the Scriptures We believe that the
Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly
instruction (1); that it has God for its author, salvation for its end (2), and truth
without any mixture of error for its matter (3); that it reveals the principles by which
God will judge us (4); and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the
true center of Christian union (5), and the supreme standard by which all human conduct,
creeds, and opinions should be tried (6).
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 (7); inexpressibly glorious in
holiness (8), and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love (9); that in the
unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost
(10); equal in every divine perfection (11), and executing distinct and harmonious offices
in the great work of redemption (12).
Of the Fall of Man We believe that man
was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker (13); but by voluntary transgression
fell from that holy and happy state (14); in consequence of which all mankind are now
sinners (15), not by constraint, but choice (16); 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 (17), without defense or excuse (18).
Of the Way of Salvation We believe that
the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace (19), through the mediatorial offices of the
Son of God (20); who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature,
yet without sin (21); honored the divine law by his personal obedience (22), and by his
death made a full atonement for our sins (23); that having risen from the death, he is now
enthroned in heaven (24); 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 (25).
Of Justification We believe that the
great gospel blessing which Christ (26) secures to such as believe in him is Justification
(27); that Justification includes the pardon of sin (28), and the promise of eternal life
on principles of righteousness (29); 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 (30); by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of
God (31); 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 (32).
Of the Freeness of Salvation We believe
that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel (33); that it is the
immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith (34); and
that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent
depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel (35); which rejection involves him in an
aggravated condemnation (36).
Of Grace in Regeneration We believe
that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again (37); that
regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind (38); that it is effected
in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with
divine truth (39), so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel (40); and that
its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of
life (41).
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 (42); whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt,
danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ (43), we turn to God with
unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy (44); 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 (45).
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 (46); that being perfectly consistent with the free agency
of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end (47); that it is a most
glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and
unchangeable (48); that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer,
praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy (49); that it encourages the
use of means in the highest degree (50); that it may be ascertained by its effects in all
who truly believe the gospel (51); that it is the foundation of Christian assurance (52);
and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost
diligence (53).
Of Sanctification We believe that
Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made
partakers of his holiness (54); that it is a progressive work (55); that it is begun in
regeneration (56); 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 (57).
Of the Perseverance of Saints We
believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end (58); that their
persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from
superficial professors (59); that a special Providence watches over their welfare (60);
and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (61).
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 (62); that it is holy, just, and good (63); and that the inability which the
Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love
of sin (64); 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 (65).
Of a Gospel Church We believe that a
visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers (66), associated by
covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel (67); observing the ordinances of
Christ (68); governed by his laws (69), and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges
invested in them by his Word (70); that its only scriptural officers are Bishops, or
Pastors, and Deacons (71), whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the
Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper We
believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer (72), into the name
of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost (73); to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful
emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its effect in our
death to sin and resurrection to a new life (74); that it is prerequisite to the
privileges of a Church relation; and to the Lord's Supper (75), in which the members of
the Church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying
love of Christ (76); preceded always by solemn self- examination (77).
Of the Christian Sabbath We believe
that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath (78); and is to be
kept sacred to religious purposes (79), by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful
recreations (80); by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private (81)
and public (82); and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God
(83).
Of Civil Government We believe that
civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human
society (84); and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and
obeyed (85); except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ (86) who
is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth (87).
Of the Righteous and the Wicked We
believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the
wicked (88); 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 (89); while all
such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse
(90); and this distinction holds among men both in and after death (91). 18. Of the World
to Come We believe that the end of the world is approaching (92); that at the last day
Christ will descend from heaven (93), and raise the dead from the grave to final
retribution (94); that a solemn separation will then take place (95); that the wicked will
be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy (96); and that this
judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of
righteousness (97).
Of the World to Come We believe 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 to 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, or principles of righteousness.
1. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Sam.
23:2; Acts 1:16; 3:21; John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31; Psa. 119:11; Rom. 3:1-2
2. 2 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 1:10-12; Acts
11:14; Rom. 1:16; Mark 16:16; John 5:38-39
3. Prov. 30:5-6; John 17:17; Rev.
22:18-19; Rom. 3:4
4. Rom. 2:12; John 12:47-48; 1 Cor.
4:3-4; Luke 10:10-16; 12:47-48
5. Phil. 3:16; Eph. 4:3-6; Phil. 2:1-2; 1
Cor. 1:10; 1 Pet. 4:11
6. 1 John 4:1; Isa. 8:20; 1 Thess. 5:21;
2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:6; Jude 3:5; Eph. 6:17; Psa. 119:59-60; Phil. 1:9-11
7. John 4:24; Psa. 147:5; 83:18; Heb.
3:4; Rom. 1:20; Jer. 10:10
8. Exod. 15:11; Isa. 6:3; 1 Pet. 1:15-16;
Rev. 4:6-8
9. Mark 12:30; Rev. 4:11; Matt. 10:37;
Jer. 2:12-13
10. Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Cor.
12:4-6; 1 John 5:7
11. John 10:30; 5:17; 14:23; 17:5, 10;
Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor. 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6
12. Eph. 2:18; 2 Cor. 13:14; Rev. 1:4-5;
comp. 2, 7
13. Gen. 1:27, 31; Eccl. 7:29; Acts
16:26; Gen. 2:16
14. Gen. 3:6-24; Rom. 5:12
15. Rom. 5:19; John 3:6; Psa. 51:5; Rom.
5:15-19; 8:7
16. Isa. 53:6; Gen. 6:12; Rom. 3:9-18
17. Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:18, 32; 2:1-16;
Gal. 3:10; Matt. 20:15
18. Ezek. 18:19-20; Rom. 1:20; 3:19; Gal.
3:22
19. Eph. 2:5; Matt. 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1
Cor. 3:5-7; Acts 15:11
20. John 3:16; 1:1-14; Heb. 4:14; 12:24
21. Phil. 2:6-7; Heb. 2:9, 14; 2 Cor.
5:21
22. Isa. 42:21; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 4:4-5;
Rom. 3:21
23. Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 20:28; Rom. 4:25;
3:21-26; 1 John 4:10; 2:2; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Heb. 9:13-15
24. Heb. 1:8, 3; 8:1; Col. 3:1-4
25. Heb. 7:25; Col. 2:9; Heb. 2:18; 7:26;
Psa. 89:19; Psa. 14
26. John 1:16; Eph. 3:8
27. Acts 13:39; Isa. 3:11-12; Rom. 8:1
28. Rom. 5:9; Zech. 13:1; Matt. 9:6; Acts
10:43
29. Rom. 5:17; Titus 3:5-6; 1 Pet. 3:7; 1
John 2:25; Rom. 5:21
30. Rom. 4:4-5; 5:21; 6:28; Phil. 3:7-9
31. Rom. 5:19; 3:24-26; 4:23-25; 1 John
2:12
32. Rom. 5:1-3, 11; 1 Cor. 1:30-31; Matt.
6:33; 1 Tim. 4:8
33. Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Luke 14:17
34. Rom. 16:26; Mark 1:15; Rom. 1:15-17
35. John 5:40; Matt. 23:37; Rom. 9:32;
Prov. 1:24; Acts 13:46
36. John 3:19; Matt. 11:20; Luke 19:27; 2
Thess. 1:8
37. John 3:3, 6-7; 1 Cor. 1:14; Rev.
8:7-9; 21:27
38. 2 Cor. 5:17; Ezek. 36:26; Deut. 30:6;
Rom. 2:28-29; 5:5; 1 John 4:7
39. John 3:8; 1:13; James 1:16-18; 1 Cor.
1:30; Phil. 2:13
40. 1 Pet. 1:22-25; 1 John 5:1; Eph.
4:20-24; Col. 3:9-11
41. Eph. 5:9; Rom. 8:9; Gal. 5:16-23;
Eph. 3:14-21; Matt. 3:8-10; 7:20; 1 John 5:4, 18
42. Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; 1
John 5:1
43. John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; 16:30-31
44. Luke 18:13; 15:18-21; James 4:7-10; 2
Cor. 7:11; Rom. 10:12-13; Psa. 51
45. Rom. 10:9-11; Acts 3:22-23: Heb.
4:14; Psa. 2:6; Heb. 1:8; 8:25; 2 Tim. 1:12
46. 2 Tim. 1:8-9; Eph. 1:3-14; 1 Pet.
1:1-2; Rom. 11:5-6; John 15:15; 1 John 4:19; Hos. 12:9
47. 2 Thess. 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John
10:16; Matt. 20:16; Acts 15:14
48. Exod. 33:18-19; Matt. 20:15; Eph.
1:11; Rom. 9:23-24: Jer. 31:3; Rom. 11:28-29; James 1:17-18; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rom. 11:32-36
49. 1 Cor. 4:7; 1:26-31; Rom. 3:27; 4:16;
Col. 3:12; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 15:10; 1 Pet. 5:10; Acts 1:24; 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 2:9; Luke
18:7; John 15:16; Eph. 1:16; 1 Thess. 2:12
50. 2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Cor. 9:22; Rom.
8:28-30; John 6:37-40; 2 Pet. 1:10
51. 1 Thess. 1:4-10
52. Rom. 8:28-30; Isa. 42:16; Rom. 11:29
53. 2 Pet. 1:10-11; Phil. 3:12; Heb. 6:11
54. 1 Thess. 4:3; 5:23; 2 Cor. 7:1; 13:9;
Eph. 1:4
55. Prov. 4:18; 2 Cor. 3:18; Heb. 6:1; 2
Pet. 1:5-8; Phil. 3:12-16
56. John 2:29; Rom. 8:5; John 3:6; Phil.
1:9-11; Eph. 1:13-14
57. Phil. 2:12-13; Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Pet.
2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18; 2 Cor. 13:5; Luke 11:35; 9:23; Matt. 26:41; Eph. 6:18; 4:30
58. John 8:31; 1 John 2:27-28; 3:9; 5:18
59. 1 John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt.
13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9
60. Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30-33; Jer. 32:40;
Psa. 121:3; 91:11-12
61. Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13; Jude 24-25; Heb.
1:14; 2 Kings 6:16; Heb. 13:5; 1 John 4:4
62. Rom. 3:31; Matt. 5:17; Luke 16:17;
Rom. 3:20; 4:15
63. Rom. 7:12, 7, 14, 22; Gal. 3:21; Psa.
119
64. Rom. 8:7-8; Josh. 24:19; Jer. 13:23;
John 6:44; 5:4465. Rom. 8:2, 4; 10:4; 1 Tim. 1:5; Heb. 8:10; Jude 20-21; Heb. 12:14; Matt.
16:17-18; 1 Cor. 12:2866. 1 Cor. 1:1-13; Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11; 8:1; 11:31; 1 Cor. 4:17;
14:23; 3 John 9; 1 Tim. 3:567. Acts 2:41-42; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 5:12-1368. 1
Cor. 11:2; 2 Thess. 3:6; Rom. 16:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:23; Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5:6; 2 Cor.
2:7; 1 Cor. 4:1769. Matt. 28:20; John 14:15; 15:12; 1 John 4:21; John 14:21; 1 Thess. 4.2;
2 John 6; Gal. 6:2; all the Epistles70. Eph. 4:7; 1 Cor. 14:12; Phil. 1:27; 1 Cor. 12:14
71. Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; 15:22; 1 Tim. 3; Titus 172. Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:5-6; John
3:22-23; 4:1-2; Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12; 16:32-34; 18:873. Matt. 28:19;
Acts 10:47-48; Gal. 3:27-2874. Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; 1 Pet. 3:20-21; Acts 22:1675. Acts
2:41-42; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts and Epistles76. 1 Cor. 11:26; Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25;
Luke 22:14-2077. 1 Cor. 11:28; 5:1, 8; 10:3-32; 11:17-32; John 6:26-7178. Acts 20:7; Gen.
2:3; Col. 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; 1 Cor. 16:1- 279. Exod. 20:8; Rev. 1:10; Psa.
118:2480. Isa. 58:13-14; 56:2-881. Psa. 119:1582. Heb. 10:24-25; Acts 11:26; 13:44; Lev.
19:30; Exod. 46:3; Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2, 3; Psa. 26:8; 87:383. Heb. 4:3-1184. Rom. 13:1-7;
Deut. 16:18; 1 Sam. 23:3; Exod. 18:23; Jer. 30:2185. Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13;
1 Tim. 2:1-886. Acts 5:29; Matt. 10:28; Dan. 3:15-18; 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-2087. Matt. 23:10;
Rom. 14:4; Rev. 19:16; Psa. 72:11; Psa. 2; Rom. 14:9-1388. Mal. 3:18; Prov. 12:26; Isa.
5:20; Gen. 18:23; Jer. 15:19; Acts 10:34- 35; Rom. 6:1689. Rom. 1:17; 7:6; 1 John 2:29;
3:7; Rom. 6:18, 22; 1 Cor. 11:32; Prov. 11:31; 1 Pet. 4:17-1890. 1 John 5:19; Gal. 3:10;
John 3:36; Isa. 57:21; Psa. 10:4; Isa 55:6-791. Prov. 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24;
Prov. 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; 9:23- 26; John 12:25-26; Eccl. 3:17; Matt. 7:13-1492. 1 Pet.
4:7; 1 Cor. 7:29-31; Heb. 1:10-12; Matt. 24:35; 1 John 2:17; Matt. 28:20; 13:39-40; 2 Pet.
3:3-1393. Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7; Heb. 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 5:1-1194. Acts
24:15; 1 Cor. 15:12-59; Luke 14:14; Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29; 6:40; 11:25-26; 2 Tim. 1:10;
Acts 10:4295. Matt. 13:49, 37-43; 24:30-31; 25:31-3396. Matt. 25:35-41; Rev. 22:11; 1 Cor.
6:9-10; Mark 9:43-48; 2 Pet. 2:9; Jude 7; Phil. 3:19; Rom. 6:32; 2 Cor. 5:10-11; John
4:36; 2 Cor. 4:1897. Rom. 3:5-6; 2 Thess. 1:6-12; Heb. 6:1-2; 1 Cor. 4:5; Acts 17:31; Rom.
2:2-16; Rev. 20:11-12; 1 John 2:28; 4:17
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