I. 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.

II. 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.

III. The Fall of Man.

We believe the Scriptures teach that Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker;
but by voluntary transgressions 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.

IV. 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.

V. 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.

VI. 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.

VII. 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.

VIII. 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 of 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.

IX. 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.

X. 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.

XI. Perseverance of the 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.

XII. 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.

XIII. 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.

XIV. 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 resurrection 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 selfexamination.

XV. 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 observance of all the means of grace, both private and public,
and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.

XVI. 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.

XVII. Righteous and Wicked

We believe the Scriptures teach that there is a radical and essential difference between the
righteous and the 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.

XVIII. 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.