The New Hampshire Baptist Confession. A.D. 1833.
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.
I. OF THE SCRIPTURES.
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction;2062 that it has God for its author, salvation for its end,2063 and truth without any mixture of error for its matter;2064 that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us;2065 and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true centre of Christian union,2066 and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.2067
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;2068 inexpressibly glorious in holiness,2069 and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love;2070 that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost;2071 equal in every divine perfection,2072 and executing distinct and harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.2073
III. OF THE FALL OF MAN.
We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker;2074 but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state;2075 in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners,2076 not by constraint, but choice;2077 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,2078 without defense or excuse.2079
IV. OF THE WAY OF SALVATION.
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace,2080 through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God;2081 who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin;2082 honored the divine law by his personal obedience,2083 and by his death made a full atonement for our sins;2084 that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven;2085 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.2086
V. OF JUSTIFICATION.
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ2087 secures to such as believe in him is Justification;2088 that Justification includes the pardon of sin,2089 and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness;2090 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;2091 by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God;2092 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.2093
VI. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION.
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel;2094 that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith;2095 and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection
of the gospel;2096 which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.2097
VII. OF GRACE IN REGENERATION.
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again;2098 that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind;2099 that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth,2100 so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel;2101 and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life.2102
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;2103 whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ,2104 we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy;2105 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.2106
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;2107 that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end;2108 that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable;2109 that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his
free mercy;2110 that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree;2111 that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel;2112 that it is the foundation of Christian assurance;2113 and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.2114
X. OF SANCTIFICATION.
We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness;2115 that it is a progressive work;2116 that it is begun in regeneration;2117 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.2118
XI. OF THE PERSEl’ERANCE OF SAINTS.
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end;2119 that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors;2120 that a special Providence watches over their welfare;2121 and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.2122
XII. 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;2123 that it is holy, just, and good;2124 and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love
of sin;2125 to deliver them from winch, 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.2126
XIII. OF A GOSPEL CHURCH.
We believe that a visible Church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers,2127 associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel;2128 observing the ordinances of Christ;2129 governed by his laws,2130 and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his Word;2131 that its only scriptural officers are Bishops, or Pastors, and Deacons,2132 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,2133 into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost;2134 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;2135 that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a Church relation; and to the Lord's Supper,2136 in which the members of the Church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ;2137 proceeded always by solemn self-examination.2138
XV. OF THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH.
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath;2139 and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes,2140 by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations;2141 by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private2142 and public;2143 and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.2144
XVI. OF CIVIL GOl’ERNMENT.
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society;2145 and that magistrates are
to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed;2146 except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ,2147 who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.2148
XVII. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED.
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked;2149 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;2150 while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse;2151 and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.2152
XVIII. OF THE WORLD TO COME.
We believe that the end of the world is approaching;2153 that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven,2154 and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution;2155 that a solemn separation will then take place;2156 that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy;2157 and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.2158
2062 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. 11l; Rom. iii. 1, 2.
2063 2 Tim. iii. 15; 1 Pet. i. 10–12; Acts xi. 14; Rom. i. 16; Mark xvi. 16; John v. 38, 39.
2064 Prov. xxx. 5, 6; John xvii. 17; Rev. xxii. 18, 19; Rom. iii. 4.
2065 Rom. ii. 12; John xii. 47, 48; 1 Cor. iv. 3, 4; Luke x. 10–16; xii. 47, 48.
2066 Phil. iii. 16; Eph. iv. 3–6; Phil. ii. 1, 2; 1 Cor. i. 10; 1 Pet. iv. 11.
2067 1 John iv. 1; 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.
2068 John iv. 24; Psa. cxlvii. 5; lxxxiii. 18; Heb. iii. 4; Rom. i. 20; Jer. x. 10.
2069 Exod. xv. 11; Isa. vi. 3; 1 Pet. i. 15, 16; Rev. iv. 6–8.
2070 Mark xii. 30; Rev. iv. 11; Matt. x. 37; Jer. ii. 12, 13.
2071 Matt. xxviii. 19; John xv. 26; 1 Cor. xii. 4–6; 1 John v. 7.
2072 John x. 30; v. 17; xiv. 23; xvii. 5, 10; Acts v. 3, 4; 1 Cor. ii. 10, 11; Phil. ii. 5, 6.
2073 Eph. ii. 18; 2 Cor. xiii. 14; Rev. i. 4, 5; comp. ii., vii.
2074 Gen. i. 27; i. 31; Eccles. vii. 29; Acts xvi. 26; Gen. ii. 16.
2075 Gen. iii. 6–24; Rom. v. 12.
2076 Rom. v. 19; John iii. 6; Psa. li. 5; Rom. v. 15–19; viii. 7.
2077 Isa. liii. 6; Gen. vi. 12; Rom. iii. 9–18.
2078 Eph. ii. 1–3; Rom. i. 18; i. 32; ii. 1–16; Gal. iii. 10; Matt. xx. 15.
2079 Ezek. xviii. 19, 20; Rom. i. 20; iii. 19; Gal. iii. 22.
2080 Eph. ii. 5; Matt. xviii. 11; 1 John iv. 10; 1 Cor. iii. 5–7; Acts xv. 11.
2081 John iii. 16; i. 1–14; Heb. iv. 14; xii. 24.
2082 Phil. ii. 6, 7; Heb. ii. 9; ii. 14; 2 Cor. v. 21.
2083 Isa. xlii. 21; Phil. ii. 8; Gal. iv. 4, 5; Rom. iii. 21.
2084 Isa. liii. 4, 5; Matt. xx. 28; Rom. iv. 25; iii. 21–26; 1 John iv. 10; ii. 2; 1 Cor. xv. 1–3; Heb. ix. 13–15.
2085 Heb. i. 8; i. 3; viii. 1; Col. iii. 1–4.
2086 Heb. vii. 25; Col. ii. 9; Heb. ii. 18; vii. 26; Psa. lxxxix. 19; xiv.
2087 John i. 16; Eph. iii. 8.
2088 Acts xiii. 39; Isa. iii. 11, 12; Rom. viii. 1.
2089 Rom. v. 9; Zech. xiii. 1; Matt. ix. 6; Acts x. 43.
2090 Rom. v. 17; Titus iii. 5, 6; 1 Pet. iii. 7; 1 John ii. 25; Rom. v. 21.
2091 Rom. iv. 4, 5; v. 21; vi. 23; Phil. iii. 7–9.
2092 Rom. v. 19; iii. 24–26; iv. 23-25; 1 John ii. 12.
2093 Rom. v. 1, 2; v. 3; v. 11; 1 Cor. i. 30, 31; Matt. vi. 33; 1 Tim. iv. 8.
2094 Isa. lv. 1; Rev. xxii. 17; Luke xiv. 17.
2095 Rom. xvi. 26; Mark i. 15; Rom. i. 15–17.
2096 John v. 40; Matt. xxiii. 37; Rom. ix. 32; Prov. i. 24; Acts xiii. 46.
2097 John iii. 19; Matt. xi. 20; Luke xix. 27; 2 Thess. i. 8.
2098 John iii. 3; iii. 6, 7; 1 Cor. i. 14; Rev. viii. 7–9; xxi. 27.
2099 2 Cor. v. 17; Ezek. xxxvi. 26; Deut. xxx. 6; Rom. ii. 28, 29; v. 5; 1 John iv. 7.
2100 John iii. 8; i. 13; James i. 16-18; 1 Cor. i. 30; Phil. ii. 13.
2101 1 Pet. i. 22-25; 1 John v. 1; Eph. iv. 20–24; Col. iii. 9–11.
2102 Eph. v. 9; Rom. viii. 9; Gal. v. 16–23; Eph. iii. 14–21; Matt. iii. 8–10; vii. 20; 1 John v. 4, 18.
2103 Mark i. 15; Acts xi. 18; Eph. ii. 8; 1 John v. 1.
2104 John xvi. 8; Acts ii. 37, 38; xvi. 30, 31.
2105 Luke xviii. 13; xv. 18-21; James iv. 7–10; 2 Cor. vii. 11; Rom. x. 12, 13; Psa. li.
2106 Rom. x. 9–11; Acts iii. 22, 23; Heb. iv. 14; Psa. ii. 6; Heb. i. 8; viii. 25; 2 Tim. i. 12.
2107 2 Tim. i. 8, 9; Eph. i. 3–14; 1 Pet. i. 1, 2; Rom. xi. 5, 6; John xv. 15; 1 John iv. 19; Hos. xii. 9.
2108 2 Thess. ii. 13, 14; Acts xiii. 48; John x. 16; Matt. xx. 16; Acts xv. 14.
2109 Exod. xxxiii. 18, 19; Matt. xx. 15; Eph. i. ll; Rom. ix. 23, 24; Jer. xxxi. 3; Rom. xi. 28, 29; James i. 17, 18; 2 Tim. i. 9; Rom. xi. 32-36.
2110 l Cor. iv. 7; i. 26–31; Rom. iii. 27; iv. l6; Col. iii. 12; 1 Cor. iii. 5–7; xv. 10; 1 Pet. v. 10; Acts i. 24: 1 Thess. ii. 13; 1 Pet. ii. 9; Luke xviii. 7; John xv. 10; Eph. i. 16; 1 Thess. ii. 12.
2111 2 Tim. ii. 10; 1 Cor. ix. 22; Rom. viii. 28–30; John vi. 37–40; 2 Pet. i. 10.
2112 1 Thess. i. 4–10.
2113 Rom. viii. 28–30; Isa. xlii. 16; Rom. xi. 29.
2114 2 Pet. i. 10, 11; Phil. iii. 12; Heb. vi. 11.
2115 1 Thess. iv. 3; 1 Thess. v. 23; 2 Cor. vii. 1; xiii. 9; Eph. i. 4.
2116 Prov. iv. 18; 2 Cor. iii. 18; Heb. vi. 1; 2 Pet. i. 5–8; Phil. iii. 12–16.
2117 John ii. 29; Rom. viii. 5; John iii. 6; Phil. i. 9–11; Eph. i. 13, 14.
2118 Phil. ii. 12, 13; Eph. iv. 11, 12; 1 Pet. ii. 2; 2 Pet. iii. 18; 2 Cor. xiii. 5; Luke xi. 35; ix. 23; Matt. xxvi. 41; Eph. vi. 18; iv. 30.
2119 John viii. 31; 1 John ii. 27, 28; iii. 9; v. 18.
2120 1 John ii. 19; John xiii. 18; Matt. xiii. 20, 21; John vi. 66–69; Job xvii. 9.
2121 Rom. viii. 28; Matt. vi. 30–33; Jer. xxxii. 40; Psa. cxxi. 3; xci. 11, 12.
2122 Phil. i. 6; ii. 12, 13; Jude 24, 25; Heb. i. 14; 2 Kings vi. 16; Heb. xiii. 5; 1 John iv. 4.
2123 Rom. iii. 31; Matt. v. 17; Luke xvi. 17; Rom. iii. 20; iv. 15.
2124 Rom. vii. 12; vii. 7, 14, 22; Gal. iii. 21; Psa. cxix.
2125 Rom. viii. 7, 8; Josh. xxiv. 19; Jer. xiii. 23; John vi. 44; v. 44.
2126 Rom. viii. 2, 4; x. 4; 1 Tim. i. 5; Heb. viii. 10; Jude 20, 21; Heb. xii. 14; Matt. xvi. 17, 18; 1 Cor. xii. 28.
2127 1 Cor. i. 1–13; Matt. xviii. 17; Acts v. 11; viii. 1; xi. 31; 1 Cor. iv. 17; xiv. 23; 3 John 9; 1 Tim. iii. 5.
2128 Acts ii. 41, 42; 2 Cor. viii. 5; Acts ii. 47; 1 Cor. v. 12, 13.
2129 1 Cor. xi. 2; 2 Thess. iii. 6; Rom. xvi. 17–20; 1 Cor. xi. 23; Matt. xviii. 15–20; 1 Cor. v. 6; 2 Cor. ii. 7; 1 Cor. iv. 17.
2130 Matt. xxviii. 20; John xiv. 15; xv. 12; 1 John iv. 21; John xiv. 21; 1 Thess. iv. 2; 2 John 6; Gal. vi. 2; all the Epistles.
2131 Eph. iv. 7; 1 Cor. xiv. 12; Phil. i. 27; 1 Cor. xii. 14.
2132 Phil. i. 1; Acts xiv. 23; xv. 22; 1 Tim. iii.; Titus i.
2133 Acts viii. 36–39; Matt. iii. 5, 6; John iii. 22, 23; iv. 1, 2; Matt. xxviii. 19; Mark xvi. 16; Acts ii. 38; viii. 12; xvi. 32-34; xviii. 8.
2134 Matt. xxviii. 10; Acts x. 47, 48; Gal. iii. 27, 28.
2135 Rom. vi. 4; Col. ii. 12; 1 Pet. iii. 20, 21; Acts xxii. 16.
2136 Acts ii. 41, 42; Matt. xxviii. 19, 20; Acts and Epistles.
2137 1 Cor. xi. 20; Matt. xxvi. 26–29; Mark xiv. 22–25; Luke xxii. 14–20.
2138 1 Cor. xi. 28; v. 1, 8; x. 3–32; xi. 17–32; John vi. 26–71.
2139 Acts xx. 7; Gen. ii. 3; Col. ii. 16, 17; Mark ii. 27; John xx. 19; 1 Cor. xvi. 1, 2.
2140 Exod. xx. 8; Rev. i. 10; Psa. cxviii. 24.
2141 Isa. lviii. 13, 14; lvi. 2–8.
2142 Psa. cxiii. 15.
2143 Heb. x. 24, 25; Acts xi. 26; xiii. 44; Lev. xix. 30; Exod. xlvi. 3; Luke iv. 16; Acts xvii. 2, 3; Psa. xxvi. 8; lxxxvii. 3.
2144 Heb. iv. 3–11.
2145 Rom. xiii. 1–7; Deut. xvi. 18; 1 Sam. xxiii. 3; Exod. xviii. 23; Jer. xxx. 21.
2146 Matt. xxii. 21; Titus iii. 1; 1 Pet. ii. 13; 1 Tim. ii. 1-8.
2147 Acts v. 29; Matt. x. 28; Dan. iii. 15–18; vi. 7–10; Acts iv. 18–20.
2148 Matt. xxiii. 10; Rom. xiv. 4; Rev. xix. 16; Psa.lxxii. 1l; ii.; Rom. xiv. 9–13.
2149 Mal. iii. 18; Prov. xii. 26; Isa. v. 20; Gen. xviii. 23; Jer. xv. 19; Acts x. 34, 35; Rom. vi. 16.
2150 Rom. i. 17; vii. 6; 1 John ii. 29; iii. 7; Rom. vi. 18, 22; 1 Cor. xi. 32; Prov. xi. 31; 1 Pet. iv. 17, 18.
2151 1 John v. 19; Gal. iii. 10; John iii. 36; Isa. lvii. 21; Psa. x. 4; Isa. lv. 6, 7.
2152 Prov. xiv. 32; Luke xvi. 25; John viii. 21–24; Prov. x. 24; Luke xii. 4, 5; ix. 23–26; John xii. 25, 26; Eccl. iii. 17; Matt. vii. 13, 14.
2153 1 Pet. iv. 7; 1 Cor. vii. 29–31; Heb. i. 10–12; Matt. xxiv. 35; 1 John ii. 17; Matt. xxviii. 20; xiii. 39, 40; 2 Pet. iii. 3–13.
2154 Acts i. 11; Rev. i. 7; Heb. ix. 28; Acts iii. 21; 1 Thess. iv. 13–18; v. 1–11.
2155 Acts xxiv. 15; 1 Cor. xv. 12–59; Luke xiv. 14; Dan. xii. 2; John v. 28, 29; vi. 40; xi. 25, 26; 2 Tim. i. 10; Acts x. 42.
2156 Matt. xiii. 49; xiii. 37–43; xxiv. 30, 31; xxv. 31-33.
2157 Matt. xxv. 35–41; Rev. xxii. 11; 1 Cor. vi. 9, 10; Mark ix. 43–48; 2 Pet. ii. 9; Jude 7; Phil. iii. 19; Rom. vi. 32; 2 Cor. v. 10, 11; John iv. 36; 2 Cor. iv. 18.
2158 Rom. iii. 5, 6; 2 Thess. i. 6–12; Heb. vi. 1, 2; 1 Cor. iv. 5; Acts xvii. 31; Rom. ii. 2-16; Rev. xx. 11, 12; 1 John ii. 28; iv. 17.