Beliefs
Statement of Faith
Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church
Based on the New Hampshire Confession, 1833
I. 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. 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, executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
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; 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. 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.
V. 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 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. 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.
VII. 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 its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith and newness of life.
VIII. 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 Saviour.
IX. 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; 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. Of Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is the process of 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. Of the Perseverance of the 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.
XII. Of the Harmony of the Law and Gospel
We believe 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, 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.
XIII. 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 Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
XIV. Of Baptism and the Lord’s 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 Saviour, 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 the fruit of the vine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
XV. Of the Christian Sabbath
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day or Christian Sabbath; and it 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. 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.
XVII. 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.
XVIII. Of the World to Come
We 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 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.