New Hampshire Baptist Confession of 1833
This Confession
was drawn up by the Rev. John Newton Brown, D. D., of New Hampshire about
1833, and was 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
1. Of the Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written
by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction
(1); that it has God for its author, salvation
for its end (2), and truth without any mixture of error for its matter
(3); that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us (4); and
therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center
of Christian union (5), and the supreme standard by which all human conduct,
creeds, and opinions should be tried (6).
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 (7); inexpressibly
glorious in holiness (8), and worthy of all possible honor, confidence,
and love (9); 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
(11), and executing distinct and harmonious offices in the great work of
redemption (12).
3. Of the Fall
of Man
We believe that man was created in holiness,
under the law of his Maker (13); but by voluntary transgression fell from
that holy and happy state (14); in consequence of which all mankind are
now sinners (15), not by constraint, but choice (16); 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 (17), without
defense or excuse (18).
4. Of the Way
of Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners
is wholly of grace (19), through the mediatorial offices of the Son of
God (20); who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our
nature, yet without sin (21); honored the divine law by his personal obedience
(22), and by his death made a full atonement for our sins (23); that having
risen from the death, he is now enthroned in heaven (24); 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 (25).
5. Of Justification
We believe that the great gospel blessing
which Christ (26) secures to such as believe in him is Justification (27);
that Justification includes the pardon of sin (28), and the promise of
eternal life on principles of righteousness (29); 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 (30); by virtue of which
faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God (31); 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 (32).
6. Of the Freeness
of Salvation
We believe that the blessings of salvation
are made free to all by the gospel (33); that it is the immediate duty
of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith (34);
and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth
but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel (35);
which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation (36).
7. Of Grace in
Regeneration
We believe that, in order to be saved,
sinners must be regenerated, or born again (37); that regeneration consists
in giving a holy disposition to the mind (38); that it is effected in a
manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection
with divine truth (39), so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the
gospel (40); and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of
repentance, and faith, and newness of life (41).
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 (42); whereby being deeply convinced of
our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ
(43), we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication
for mercy (44); 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 (45).
9. 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 (46); that being perfectly consistent with the free agency
of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end (47); that
it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely
free, wise, holy, and unchangeable (48); that it utterly excludes boasting,
and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation
of his free mercy (49); that it encourages the use of means in the highest
degree (50); that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly
believe the gospel (51); that it is the foundation of Christian assurance
(52); and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves
the utmost diligence (53).
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 (54); that it is a progressive work (55); that it is begun
in regeneration (56); 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 (57).
11. Of the Perseverance
of Saints
We believe that such only are real believers
as endure unto the end (58); that their persevering attachment to Christ
is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors
(59); that a special Providence watches over their welfare (60); and they
are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (61).
12. Of the Harmony
of the Law and the Gospel
We believe that the Law of God is the
eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government (62); that it is
holy, just, and good (63); and that the inability which the Scriptures
ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their
love of sin (64); 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 (65).
13. Of a Gospel
Church
We believe that a visible Church of
Christ is a congregation of baptized believers (66), associated by covenant
in the faith and fellowship of the gospel (67); observing the ordinances
of Christ (68); governed by his laws (69), and exercising the gifts, rights,
and privileges invested in them by his Word (70); that its only scriptural
officers are Bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons (71), whose qualifications,
claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
14. Of Baptism
and the Lord's Supper
We believe that Christian Baptism is
the immersion in water of a believer (72), into the name of the Father,
and Son, and Holy Ghost (73); 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 (74); that it
is prerequisite to the privileges of a Church relation; and to the Lord's
Supper (75), in which the members of the Church, by the sacred use of bread
and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ (76); preceded
always by solemn self-examination (77).
15. Of the Christian
Sabbath
We believe that the first day of the
week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath (78); and is to be kept sacred
to religious purposes (79), by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful
recreations (80); by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both
private (81) and public (82); and by preparation for that rest that remaineth
for the people of God (83).
16. Of Civil Government
We believe that civil government is
of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society
(84); and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored
and obeyed (85); except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord
Jesus Christ (86) who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince
of the kings of the earth (87).
17. Of the Righteous
and the Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and
essential difference between the righteous and the wicked (88); 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
(89); while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his
sight wicked, and under the curse (90); and this distinction holds among
men both in and after death (91).
18. Of the World
to Come
We believe that the end of the world
is approaching (92); that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven
(93), and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution (94); that
a solemn separation will then take place (95); that the wicked will be
adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy (96);
and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven
or hell, on principles of righteousness (97).
Notes:
1. 2 Tim. 3:16-17;
2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Sam. 23:2; Acts 1:16; 3:21; John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31; Psa.
119:11; Rom. 3:1-2
2. 2 Tim. 3:15;
1 Pet. 1:10-12; Acts 11:14; Rom. 1:16; Mark 16:16; John 5:38-39
3. Prov. 30:5-6;
John 17:17; Rev. 22:18-19; Rom. 3:4
4. Rom. 2:12;
John 12:47-48; 1 Cor. 4:3-4; Luke 10:10-16; 12:47-48
5. Phil. 3:16;
Eph. 4:3-6; Phil. 2:1-2; 1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Pet. 4:11
6. 1 John 4:1;
Isa. 8:20; 1 Thess. 5:21; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:6; Jude 3:5;
Eph. 6:17; Psa. 119:59-60; Phil. 1:9-11
7. John 4:24;
Psa. 147:5; 83:18; Heb. 3:4; Rom. 1:20; Jer. 10:10
8. Exod. 15:11;
Isa. 6:3; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; Rev. 4:6-8
9. Mark 12:30;
Rev. 4:11; Matt. 10:37; Jer. 2:12-13
10. Matt. 28:19;
John 15:26; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 1 John 5:7
11. John 10:30;
5:17; 14:23; 17:5, 10; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor. 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6
12. Eph. 2:18;
2 Cor. 13:14; Rev. 1:4-5; comp. 2, 7
13. Gen. 1:27,
31; Eccl. 7:29; Acts 16:26; Gen. 2:16
14. Gen. 3:6-24;
Rom. 5:12
15. Rom. 5:19;
John 3:6; Psa. 51:5; Rom. 5:15-19; 8:7
16. Isa. 53:6;
Gen. 6:12; Rom. 3:9-18
17. Eph. 2:1-3;
Rom. 1:18, 32; 2:1-16; Gal. 3:10; Matt. 20:15
18. Ezek. 18:19-20;
Rom. 1:20; 3:19; Gal. 3:22
19. Eph. 2:5;
Matt. 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; Acts 15:11
20. John 3:16;
1:1-14; Heb. 4:14; 12:24
21. Phil. 2:6-7;
Heb. 2:9, 14; 2 Cor. 5:21
22. Isa. 42:21;
Phil. 2:8; Gal. 4:4-5; Rom. 3:21
23. Isa. 53:4-5;
Matt. 20:28; Rom. 4:25; 3:21-26; 1 John 4:10;
2:2; 1 Cor.
15:1-3; Heb. 9:13-15
24. Heb. 1:8,
3; 8:1; Col. 3:1-4
25. Heb. 7:25;
Col. 2:9; Heb. 2:18; 7:26; Psa. 89:19; Psa. 14
26. John 1:16;
Eph. 3:8
27. Acts 13:39;
Isa. 3:11-12; Rom. 8:1
28. Rom. 5:9;
Zech. 13:1; Matt. 9:6; Acts 10:43
29. Rom. 5:17;
Titus 3:5-6; 1 Pet. 3:7; 1 John 2:25; Rom. 5:21
30. Rom. 4:4-5;
5:21; 6:28; Phil. 3:7-9
31. Rom. 5:19;
3:24-26; 4:23-25; 1 John 2:12
32. Rom. 5:1-3,
11; 1 Cor. 1:30-31; Matt. 6:33; 1 Tim. 4:8
33. Isa. 55:1;
Rev. 22:17; Luke 14:17
34. Rom. 16:26;
Mark 1:15; Rom. 1:15-17
35. John 5:40;
Matt. 23:37; Rom. 9:32; Prov. 1:24; Acts 13:46
36. John 3:19;
Matt. 11:20; Luke 19:27; 2 Thess. 1:8
37. John 3:3,
6-7; 1 Cor. 1:14; Rev. 8:7-9; 21:27
38. 2 Cor.
5:17; Ezek. 36:26; Deut. 30:6; Rom. 2:28-29; 5:5; 1 John 4:7
39. John 3:8;
1:13; James 1:16-18; 1 Cor. 1:30; Phil. 2:13
40. 1 Pet.
1:22-25; 1 John 5:1; Eph. 4:20-24; Col. 3:9-11
41. Eph. 5:9;
Rom. 8:9; Gal. 5:16-23; Eph. 3:14-21; Matt. 3:8-10; 7:20; 1 John 5:4, 18
42. Mark 1:15;
Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; 1 John 5:1
43. John 16:8;
Acts 2:37-38; 16:30-31
44. Luke 18:13;
15:18-21; James 4:7-10; 2 Cor. 7:11; Rom.10:12-13; Psa. 51
45. Rom. 10:9-11;
Acts 3:22-23: Heb. 4:14; Psa. 2:6; Heb. 1:8; 8:25; 2 Tim. 1:12
46. 2 Tim.
1:8-9; Eph. 1:3-14; 1 Pet. 1:1-2; Rom. 11:5-6; John 15:15; 1 John 4:19;
Hos. 12:9
47. 2 Thess.
2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matt. 20:16; Acts 15:14
48. Exod. 33:18-19;
Matt. 20:15; Eph. 1:11; Rom. 9:23-24: Jer. 31:3; Rom. 11:28-29; James 1:17-18;
2 Tim. 1:9; Rom. 11:32-36
49. 1 Cor.
4:7; 1:26-31; Rom. 3:27; 4:16; Col. 3:12; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 15:10; 1 Pet. 5:10;
Acts 1:24; 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 2:9; Luke 18:7; John 15:16; Eph. 1:16;
1 Thess. 2:12
50. 2 Tim.
2:10; 1 Cor. 9:22; Rom. 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; 2 Pet. 1:10
51. 1 Thess.
1:4-10
52. Rom. 8:28-30;
Isa. 42:16; Rom. 11:29
53. 2 Pet.
1:10-11; Phil. 3:12; Heb. 6:11
54. 1 Thess.
4:3; 5:23; 2 Cor. 7:1; 13:9; Eph. 1:4
55. Prov. 4:18;
2 Cor. 3:18; Heb. 6:1; 2 Pet. 1:5-8; Phil. 3:12-16
56. John 2:29;
Rom. 8:5; John 3:6; Phil. 1:9-11; Eph. 1:13-14
57. Phil. 2:12-13;
Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18; 2 Cor. 13:5; Luke 11:35; 9:23; Matt.
26:41; Eph. 6:18; 4:30
58. John 8:31;
1 John 2:27-28; 3:9; 5:18
59. 1 John
2:19; John 13:18; Matt. 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9
60. Rom. 8:28;
Matt. 6:30-33; Jer. 32:40; Psa. 121:3; 91:11-12
61. Phil. 1:6;
2:12-13; Jude 24-25; Heb. 1:14; 2 Kings 6:16; Heb. 13:5; 1 John 4:4
62. Rom. 3:31;
Matt. 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom. 3:20; 4:15
63. Rom. 7:12,
7, 14, 22; Gal. 3:21; Psa. 119
64. Rom. 8:7-8;
Josh. 24:19; Jer. 13:23; John 6:44; 5:44
65. Rom. 8:2,
4; 10:4; 1 Tim. 1:5; Heb. 8:10; Jude 20-21; Heb. 12:14; Matt. 16:17-18;
1 Cor. 12:28
66. 1 Cor.
1:1-13; Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11; 8:1; 11:31; 1 Cor. 4:17; 14:23; 3 John
9; 1 Tim. 3:5
67. Acts 2:41-42;
2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 5:12-13
68. 1 Cor.
11:2; 2 Thess. 3:6; Rom. 16:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:23; Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor
5:6; 2 Cor. 2:7; 1 Cor. 4:17
69. Matt. 28:20;
John 14:15; 15:12; 1 John 4:21; John 14:21; 1 Thess. 4.2; 2 John 6; Gal.
6:2; all the Epistles
70. Eph. 4:7;
1 Cor. 14:12; Phil. 1:27; 1 Cor. 12:14
71. Phil. 1:1;
Acts 14:23; 15:22; 1 Tim. 3; Titus 1
72. Acts 8:36-39;
Matt. 3:5-6; John 3:22-23; 4:1-2; Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12;
16:32-34; 18:8
73. Matt. 28:19;
Acts 10:47-48; Gal. 3:27-28
74. Rom. 6:4;
Col. 2:12; 1 Pet. 3:20-21; Acts 22:16
75. Acts 2:41-42;
Matt. 28:19-20; Acts and Epistles
76. 1 Cor.
11:26; Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20
77. 1 Cor.
11:28; 5:1, 8; 10:3-32; 11:17-32; John 6:26-71
78. Acts 20:7;
Gen. 2:3; Col. 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; 1 Cor. 16:1- 2
79. Exod. 20:8;
Rev. 1:10; Psa. 118:24
80. Isa. 58:13-14;
56:2-8
81. Psa. 119:15
82. Heb. 10:24-25;
Acts 11:26; 13:44; Lev. 19:30; Exod. 46:3; Luke 4:16; Acts 17:2, 3; Psa.
26:8; 87:3
83. Heb. 4:3-11
84. Rom. 13:1-7;
Deut. 16:18; 1 Sam. 23:3; Exod. 18:23; Jer.30:21
85. Matt. 22:21;
Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13; 1 Tim. 2:1-8
86. Acts 5:29;
Matt. 10:28; Dan. 3:15-18; 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20
87. Matt. 23:10;
Rom. 14:4; Rev. 19:16; Psa. 72:11; Psa. 2; Rom. 14:9-13
88. Mal. 3:18;
Prov. 12:26; Isa. 5:20; Gen. 18:23; Jer. 15:19;Acts 10:34- 35; Rom. 6:16
89. Rom. 1:17;
7:6; 1 John 2:29; 3:7; Rom. 6:18, 22; 1 Cor. 11:32; Prov. 11:31; 1 Pet.
4:17-18
90. 1 John
5:19; Gal. 3:10; John 3:36; Isa. 57:21; Psa. 10:4; Isa 55:6-7
91. Prov. 14:32;
Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Prov. 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; 9:23- 26; John 12:25-26;
Eccl. 3:17; Matt. 7:13-14
92. 1 Pet.
4:7; 1 Cor. 7:29-31; Heb. 1:10-12; Matt. 24:35; 1 John 2:17; Matt. 28:20;
13:39-40; 2 Pet. 3:3-13
93. Acts 1:11;
Rev. 1:7; Heb. 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:13-18;5:1-11
94. Acts 24:15;
1 Cor. 15:12-59; Luke 14:14; Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29; 6:40; 11:25-26; 2
Tim. 1:10; Acts 10:42
95. Matt. 13:49,
37-43; 24:30-31; 25:31-33
96. Matt. 25:35-41;
Rev. 22:11; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Mark 9:43-48; 2 Pet. 2:9; Jude 7; Phil. 3:19;
Rom. 6:32; 2 Cor. 5:10-11; John 4:36; 2 Cor. 4:18
97. Rom. 3:5-6;
2 Thess. 1:6-12; Heb. 6:1-2; 1 Cor. 4:5; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:2-16; Rev.
20:11-12; 1 John 2:28; 4:17
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