Abstract of Principles
I. The Scriptures
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by
inspiration of God, and are the only sufficient, certain and
authoritative rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience.
II. God
There is but one God, the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of all things,
having in and of Himself, all perfections, and being infinite in them
all; and to Him all creatures owe the highest love, reverence and
obedience.
III. The Trinity
God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit each with
distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or
being.
IV. Providence
God from eternity, decrees or permits all things that come to pass,
and perpetually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and all
events; yet so as not in any wise to be the author or approver of sin
nor to destroy the free will and responsibility of intelligent
creatures.
V. Election
Election is God’s eternal choice of some persons unto everlasting
life-not because of foreseen merit in them, but of His mere mercy in
Christ-in consequence of which choice they are called, justified and
glorified.
VI. The Fall of Man
God originally created Man in His own image, and free from sin; but,
through the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God, and
fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his
posterity inherit a nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His
law, are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral
action, become actual transgressors.
VII. The Mediator
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is the divinely appointed
mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature,
yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the law; suffered and died upon
the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, and rose again
the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose right hand He ever
liveth to make intercession for His people. He is the only Mediator, the
Prophet, Priest and King of the Church, and Sovereign of the Universe.
VIII. Regeneration
Regeneration is a change of heart, wrought by the Holy Spirit, who
quickeneth the dead in trespasses and sins enlightening their minds
spiritually and savingly to understand the Word of God, and renewing
their whole nature, so that they love and practice holiness. It is a
work of God’s free and special grace alone.
IX. Repentance
Repentance is an evangelical grace, wherein a person being by the
Holy Spirit, made sensible of the manifold evil of his sin, humbleth
himself for it, with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and
self-abhorrence, with a purpose and endeavor to walk before God so as to
please Him in all things.
X. Faith
Saving faith is the belief, on God’s authority, of whatsoever is
revealed in His Word concerning Christ; accepting and resting upon Him
alone for justification and eternal life. It is wrought in the heart by
the Holy Spirit, and is accompanied by all other saving graces, and
leads to a life of holiness.
XI. Justification
Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal of sinners, who
believe in Christ, from all sin, through the satisfaction that Christ
has made; not for anything wrought in them or done by them; but on
account of the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, they receiving and
resting on Him and His righteousness by faith.
XII. Sanctification
Those who have been regenerated are also sanctified by God’s word and
Spirit dwelling in them. This sanctification is progressive through the
supply of Divine strength, which all saints seek to obtain, pressing
after a heavenly life in cordial obedience to all Christ’s commands.
XIII. Perseverance of the Saints
Those whom God hath accepted in the Beloved, and sanctified by His
Spirit, will never totally nor finally fall away from the state of
grace, but shall certainly persevere to the end; and though they may
fall through neglect and temptation, into sin, whereby they grieve the
Spirit, impair their graces and comforts, bring reproach on the Church,
and temporal judgments on themselves, yet they shall be renewed again
unto repentance, and be kept by the power of God through faith unto
salvation.
XIV. The Church
The Lord Jesus is the head of the Church, which is composed of all
His true disciples, and in Him is invested supremely all power for its
government. According to His commandment, Christians are to associate
themselves into particular societies or churches; and to each of these
churches He hath given needful authority for administering that order,
discipline and worship which He hath appointed. The regular officers of a
Church are Bishops or Elders, and Deacons.
XV. Baptism
Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus, obligatory upon every
believer, wherein he is immersed in water in the name of the Father, and
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as a sign of his fellowship with the
death and resurrection of Christ, of remission of sins, and of giving
himself up to God, to live and walk in newness of life. It is
prerequisite to church fellowship, and to participation in the Lord’s
Supper.
XVI. The Lord’s Supper
The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of Jesus Christ, to be administered
with the elements of bread and wine, and to be observed by His churches
till the end of the world. It is in no sense a sacrifice, but is
designed to commemorate His death, to confirm the faith and other graces
of Christians, and to be a bond, pledge and renewal of their communion
with Him, and of their church fellowship.
XVII. The Lord’s Day
The Lord’s Day is a Christian institution for regular observance, and
should be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both
public and private, resting from worldly employments and amusements,
works of necessity and mercy only excepted.
XVIII. Liberty of Conscience
God alone is Lord of the conscience; and He hath left it free from
the doctrines and commandments of men, which are in anything contrary to
His word, or not contained in it. Civil magistrates being ordained of
God, subjection in all lawful things commanded by them ought to be
yielded by us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but also for conscience
sake.
XIX. The Resurrection
The bodies of men after death return to dust, but their spirits
return immediately to God-the righteous to rest with Him; the wicked, to
be reserved under darkness to the judgment. At the last day, the bodies
of all the dead, both just and unjust, will be raised.
XX. The Judgment
God hath appointed a day, wherein He will judge the world by Jesus
Christ, when every one shall receive according to his deeds; the wicked
shall go into everlasting punishment; the righteous, into everlasting
life.
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