Whiteland
Missionary Baptist Church
Eighteen Articles of Faith |
1. Of The Scriptures We
believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and it 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 should be tried. II Tim. 3:16-17; II Tim. 3:15; Prov. 30:5-6; Rom.
2-12; Phil. 3:16; I John 4:1, and many more. 2. 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;
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
officers in the great work of redemption. John 4:24; Ps. 83:18; Heb. 3:4; Rom. 1:20; Jer.
10:10; Ex. 15:11; and many more. 3. Of The
Fall Of Man We
believe 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. Gen 1:27; Gen 1:31; Ecc. 7:29;
Acts 15:26; and many more. 4. Of The
Way Of Salvation We
believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the Mediatorial office
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 every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and all
sufficient Savior. Eph. 2:5; Matt. 18:11; I John 4:10; I Cor.
3:5-7; Acts 15:11; John 3:16; John 1:1-14; and many more. 5. Of
Justification We
believe 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 Redeemers’
blood, by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness if 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. John
1:16; Eph. 3:8; Acts 13:39; Isa. 3:11-12; Rom. 8:1; and many more. 6. Of The
Freeness Of Salvation We
believe 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 a cordial penitent and obedient faith; and that
nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent
depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an
aggravated condemnation. Isa.
55:1; Rev. 22:17; Luke 14-17; Rom. 16:26; Mark 1:15; Rom. 1:15-17; and many more. 7. Of Grace
In Regeneration We
believe 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 it’s proper
evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith and newness of life. John
3:3; John 3:6-7; I Cor. 1:14; Rev. 8:7-9; Rev. 21:27; II Cor. 5:17; Ezek. 36:26; and many
more. 8. 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; 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. Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; I John
5:1; John 16:8; and many more. 9. Of
God’s Purpose Of Grace We
believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously
regenerated, 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 is 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 desires the utmost diligence. II Tim.
1:8-9; Eph. 1:3-14; I Peter 1:1-2; Rom. 11:5-6; John 15:16; and many more. 10. Of
Sanctification We
believe 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
poser 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. I Thess. 4:3; I Thess 5:23; II Cor. 7:1; II Cor. 13:9; Phil. 3:12; John 2:29; Rom
8:5; and many more. 11. Of The
Perseverance Of Saints We
believe that such only are real believers as endure unto 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 that they are kept
by the power of God through faith unto salvation. John 8:31; I John 2:27-28; I John 3:9; I
John 5:18; and many more. 12. Of The
Harmony Of The Law And The Gospel We
believe that the law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of this moral government;
that it is holy, just and good; and that the inability which the Scripture ascribe to
fallen man to fulfill its precepts, arises 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. Rom. 3:31; Matt. 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom. 3:20; Rom
7:12; Rom. 7:7; and many more. 13. Of A
Gospel Church We
believe 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 Epistle to Timothy and Titus.
I Cor. 1:13; Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11; Acts 8:1; Acts 11:31; I Cor. 4:17; I Cor. 14:23; III
John 9; I Tim. 3:5; and many more. 14. Of
Baptism And The Lords’ Supper We
believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in 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 Lords 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. Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:5-6; John 3:22-23; John 4:12; Matt.
28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; and many more. 15. Of The
Christian Sabbath We
believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day or Christian Sabbath; and it
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. Acts 20:7;
Gen 2:3; Co. 2:16-17; and many more. 16. Of Civil
Government We
believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests 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. Rom 13:1-7; Deu.
16:18; II Sam. 23:3; Ex. 18:23; Jer. 30:21; Matt 22:21; and many more. 17. Of The
Righteous And The Wicked We
believe 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. Mal. 3:18; Pro. 12:26; Isa.
5:20; Gen. 18:23; Jer. 15:19; and many more. 18. Of The
World To Come W e believe that the end of this world is approaching; that at the Last Day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to the 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. I Peter 4:7; I Cor. 7:29-21; Heb. 1:10-13; Matt. 24:35; and many more. |