appointment of the Father, all power for the calling, institution, order, or government of the Church is invested in a supreme and sovereign manner; neither can the Pope of Rome, in any sense, be head thereof, but is no other than Antichrist, that man of sin and son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the Church against Christ, and all that is called God: whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of his coming. 5. In the execution of this power wherewith he is so intrusted, the Lord Jesus calleth out of the world unto himself, through the ministry of his Word, by his Spirit, those that are given unto him by his Father, that they may walk before him in all the ways of obedience which he prescribeth to them in his Word. Those thus called he commandeth to walk together in particular societies or churches, for their mutual edification, and the due performance of that public worship which he requireth of them in the world. 6. The members of these churches are saints by calling, visibly manifesting and evidencing (in and by their profession and walking) their obedience unto that call of Christ; and do willingly consent to walk together according to the appointment of Christ, giving up themselves to the Lord and one to another, by the will of God, in the professed subjection to the ordinances of the gospel. 7. To each of these churches thus gathered, according to his mind declared in his Word, he hath given all that power and authority which is any way needful for their carrying on that order in worship and discipline which he hath instituted for them to observe, with commands and rules for the due and right exerting and executing of that power. 8. A particular church gathered and completely organized, according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members; and the officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the Church (so-called and gathered) for the peculiar administration of ordinances, and execution of power and duty, which he intrusts them with or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world, are bishops or elders and deacons. 9. The way appointed by Christ for the calling of any person, fitted and gifted by the Holy Spirit, unto the office of bishop or elder in the church is that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the church itself, and solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer, with im position of hands of the eldership of the church, if there be any before constituted therein; and of a deacon, that he be chosen by the like suffrage, and set apart by prayer, and the like imposition of hands. 10. The work of pastors being constantly to attend the service of Christ in his churches, in the ministry of the Word and prayer, with watching for their souls, as they that must give an account to him, it is incumbent on the churches to whom they minister, not only to give them all due respect, but also to communicate to them of all their good things, according to their ability, so as they may have a comfortable supply, without being themselves entangled with secular affairs; and may also be capable of exercising hospitality towards others; and this is required by the law of nature, and by the express order of our Lord Jesus, who hath ordained that they that preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 11. Although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors of the churches to be instant in preaching the Word by way of office, yet the work of preaching the Word is not so peculiarly confined to them but that others also, gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved and called by the Church, may and ought to perform it. 12. As all believers are bound to join themselves to particular churches, when and where they have opportunity so to do, so all that are admitted unto the privileges of a church are also under the censures and government thereof, according to the rule of Christ. 13. No church members, upon any offense taken by them, having performed their duty required of them towards the person they are offended at, ought to disturb any church order, or absent themselves from the assemblies of the church or administration of any ordinances upon the account of such offense at any of their fellow-members, but to wait upon Christ in the further proceeding of the church. 14. As each church, and all the members of it, are bound to pray continually for the good and prosperity of all the churches of Christ, in all places, and upon all occasions to further it (every one within the bounds of their places and callings, in the exercise of their gifts and graces), so the churches (when planted by the providence of God so as they may enjoy opportunity and advantage for it) ought to hold communion among themselves for their peace, increase of love, and mutual edification. 15. In cases of difficulties or differences, either in point of doctrine or administration, wherein either the churches in general are concerned or any one church, in their peace, union, and edification; or any member or members of any church are injured, in or by any proceedings in censures not agreeable to truth and order: it is according to the mind of Christ that many churches, holding communion together, do by their messengers meet to consider and give their advice in or about that matter in difference, to be reported to all the churches concerned; howbeit these messengers assembled are not intrusted with any church power properly so called, or with any jurisdiction over the churches themselves, to exercise any censures either over any churches or persons, to impose their determination on the churches or officers. Instead of Chapter XXVII., ‘Of the Sacraments,' of the Westminster Confession, the following is given (Ch. XXVIII. B. C.): OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER. 1. Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of positive and sovereign institution, appointed by the Lord Jesus, the only Lawgiver, to be continued in his Church to the end of the world. 2. These holy appointments are to be administered by those only who are qualified, and thereunto called, according to the commission of Christ. Similarly (Ch. XXVIII. W. C.; Ch. XXIX. B. C.): OF BAPTISM. 1. Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament ordained by Jesus Christ to be unto the party baptized a sign of his fellowship with him in his death and resurrection; of his being engrafted into him; of remission of sins; and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life. 2. Those who do actually profess repentance towards God, faith in and obedience to our Lord Jesus, are the only proper subjects of this ordinance. 3. The outward element to be used in this ordinance is water, wherein the party is to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 4. Immersion, or dipping of the person in water, is necessary to the due administration of this ordinance. Chapters XXX., 'Of Church Censures,' and XXXI., 'Of Synods and Councils,' of the Westminster Confession are omitted. On the other hand, a chapter 'Of the Gospel and the Extent of the Grace thereof' is added from the Savoy Declaration, making Chapter XXX. of the Baptist Confession and the Savoy Declaration. 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. 3 I. OF THE SCRIPTURES. 1 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,2 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 centre of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried." II. OF THE TRUE GOD. : 7 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; 10 equal in every divine perfection," and executing distinct and harmonious offices in the great work of redemp tion, 12 1 2 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. 111; Rom. iii. 1. 2. 2 2 Tim. iii. 15; 1 Pet. i. 10-12; Acts xi. 14; Rom. i. 16; Mark xvi. 16; John v. 38, 39. Prov. xxx. 5, 6; John xvii. 17; Rev. xxii. 18, 19; Rom. iii. 4. Rom. ii. 12; Phil. iii. 16; 1 John iv. 1; John xii. 47, 48; 1 Cor. iv. 3, 4; Luke x. 10-16; xii. 47, 48. 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. 7 John iv. 24; Psa. cxlvii. 5; lxxxiii. 18; Heb. iii. 4; Rom. i. 20; Jer. x. 10. Exod. xv. 11; Isa. vi. 3; 1 Pet. i. 15, 16; Rev. iv. 6-8. 9 Mark xii. 30; Rev. iv. 11; Matt. x. 37; Jer. ii. 12, 13. 10 Matt. xxviii. 19; John xv. 26; 1 Cor. xii. 4-6; 1 John v. 7. "John x. 30; v. 17; xiv. 23; xvii. 5, 10; 12 Eph. ii. 18; 2 Cor. xiii. 14; Rev. i. 4, 5; Acts v. 3, 4; 1 Cor. ii. 10, 11; Phil. ii. 5, 6. comp. ii., vii. III. 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; 2 in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners,3 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. OF THE WAY OF SALVATION. We believe 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;9 honored the divine law by his personal obedience,10 and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; 11 that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven; 12 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.13 V. OF JUSTIFICATION. We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ 14 secures to such as believe in him is Justification; 15 that Justification includes the pardon of sin,16 and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; 17 that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of 1 Gen. i. 27; i. 31; Eccles. vii. 29; Acts xvi. 26; Gen. ii. 16. * Gen. iii. 6-24; Rom. v. 12. ' Rom. v. 19; John iii. 6; Psa. li. 5; Rom. v. 15–19; viii. 7. 5 6 7 Isa. liii. 6; Gen. vi. 12; Rom. iii. 9-18. 'Eph. ii. 1-3; Rom. i. 18; i. 32; ii. 1-16; Gal. iii. 10; Matt. xx. 15. Ezek. xviii. 19, 20; Rom. i. 20; iii. 19; Gal. iii. 22: Eph. ii. 5; Matt. xviii. 11; 1 John iv. 10; 1 Cor. iii. 5-7; Acts xv. 11. John iii. 16; i. 1-14; Heb. iv. 14; xii. 24. " Isa. liii. 4, 5; Phil. ii. 8; Gal. iv. 4, 5; Rom. iii. 21. Matt. xx. 28; Rom. iv. 25; iii. 21-26; 1 John iv. 10; ii. 2; 1 Cor. xv. 1-3; Heb. ix. 13-15. 12 Heb. i. 8; i. 3; viii. 1; Col. iii. 1-4. 13 Heb. vii. 25; Col. ii. 9; 14 John i. 16; Eph. iii. 8. Heb. ii. 18; vii. 26; Psa. lxxxix. 19; xiv. 15 Acts xiii. 39; Isa. iii. 11, 12; Rom. viii. 1. 16 Rom. v. 9; Zech. xiii. 1; Matt. ix. 6; Acts x. 43. 17 Rom. v. 17; Titus iii. 5, 6; 1 Pet. iii. 7; 1 John ii. 25; Rom. v. 21. VOL. III.-BBB |