New Hampshire Confession
1833
The New Hampshire Confession of Faith, established in 1833, is a foundational statement of Baptist theological beliefs and principles. Originating in the context of American Baptist churches, particularly in the New England region, this confession serves as a comprehensive outline of Christian doctrines as understood by Baptists at that time. The confession consists of 28 chapters covering topics such as Scripture, the nature of God, creation, salvation, the Church, and more. It was adopted as a unifying document to clarify the theological convictions held by American Baptists amidst various doctrinal debates and divisions. The confession's clear articulation of Baptist beliefs played a significant role in fostering doctrinal unity and guiding churches in their understanding of Scriptural truths. Over the years, the New Hampshire Confession of Faith has remained influential within the Baptist tradition, contributing to the shaping of theological education and discourse, and reflecting the theological distinctives of American Baptists during the 19th century.
Rev. John Newton Brown, 1803 - 1868
Chapter 1 – Of the Scriptures
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, 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.
Chapter 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; 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, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Chapter 3 – Of the Decrees of God
We believe that God has eternally decreed, in his sovereign wisdom and power, to save from sin and damnation, all those whom He has chosen in Christ, by His grace and for His glory; that He did appoint Jesus Christ to be the Mediator of the covenant, and the foundation of the Church; that He gave Him to be a covenant of the people, and to be Head over all things to the Church, which is His body.
Chapter 4 – Of Creation
We believe that the work of creation was accomplished by the divine power of God, according to His wise design; that He created the universe out of nothing, by the word of His power, in the space of six days, and all very good; that the work of creation was finished and sealed with God's approval, and remains a demonstration of His wisdom, goodness, and glory.
Chapter 5 – Of Divine Providence
We believe that 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 to destroy the free agency or to make Himself the author of sin, nor to impair the accountability of moral agents.
Chapter 6 – Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof
We believe that God created Adam and Eve in His own image, innocent, holy, and capable of obedience; but by voluntary transgression, they fell from their holy and happy state, and their descendants inherit a nature corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His law, and are under condemnation.
Chapter 7 – Of God's Covenant
We believe that the covenant of redemption was made between God the Father and God the Son on behalf of those chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, wherein the Son engaged to be the Surety and Savior of His people, assuming human nature, obeying and suffering in their stead.
Chapter 8 – Of Christ the Mediator
We believe that 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, and by His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, He reconciled God and sinners.
Chapter 9 – Of the Gospel
We believe that the Gospel is the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ; that it reveals the way of God's grace in justifying the sinner by faith in Christ, and that it includes repentance towards God and the fruit of faith in holiness.
Chapter 10 – Of Regeneration
We believe that regeneration is a gracious work of the Holy Spirit, whereby the sinner's heart is renewed, and they are enabled to repent of sin, believe in Jesus Christ, and live a new life in conformity to God's will.
Chapter 11 – Of Repentance and Faith
We believe that repentance and faith are graces wrought in the soul by the Spirit of God; that they are inseparable graces, and are necessary for salvation.
Chapter 12 – Of Justification
We believe that justification is God's gracious act by which He declares the sinner to be righteous, solely on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ; that it is not the result of any merit on the sinner's part, but is solely due to the merits of Christ.
Chapter 13 – Of Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is the process by which the believer is made more and more conformed to the image of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit; that it involves the believer's cooperation with God's transformative work.
Chapter 14 – Of Perseverance of Saints
We believe that all true believers will be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, and that none of God's elect shall ever finally fall away from grace.
Chapter 15 – 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; that it is a reflection of His character and a standard of righteousness; that the Gospel does not nullify the Law, but rather fulfills it through the work of Christ.
Chapter 16 – Of the Church
We believe in the local church as a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ, exercising discipline, and fulfilling the Great Commission.
Chapter 17 – Of the Baptism and the Lord's Supper
We believe that baptism is the immersion of a believer in water, symbolizing their identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection; and that the Lord's Supper is a commemoration of Christ's atoning sacrifice and a fellowship with Him.
Chapter 18 – Of the Lord's Day
We believe that the first day of the week, the Lord's Day, is to be observed as a day of worship, rest, and spiritual devotion, in commemoration of Christ's resurrection.
Chapter 19 – Of Liberty of Conscience
We believe in the individual's right to hold and express their religious beliefs according to the dictates of their conscience, without coercion or interference.
Chapter 20 – Of the Resurrection
We believe in the resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust; that the just will be raised to eternal life and the unjust to eternal damnation.
Chapter 21 – Of the Judgment
We believe in the final judgment, when every person will give an account of their deeds before God, and receive either eternal reward or eternal punishment.
Chapter 22 – Of the Kingdom of God
We believe that Christ reigns as King over His Church and His Kingdom; that His Kingdom will be consummated at His second coming, when He will deliver the Kingdom to God the Father.
Chapter 23 – Of Civil Government
We believe that civil government is ordained by God for the maintenance of order and justice, and that Christians should be subject to the government's authority while adhering to their higher allegiance to God.
Chapter 24 – Of the Righteous and the Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that only the righteous will enjoy eternal life, and the wicked will suffer eternal punishment.
Chapter 25 – Of Marriage
We believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman in a covenant relationship, designed by God for companionship, mutual support, and the procreation of children.
Chapter 26 – Of the Family
We believe in the importance of the family as an institution ordained by God; that families should be nurtured and guided by Biblical principles.
Chapter 27 – Of the Lord's Supper
We believe in the importance of the family as an institution ordained by God; that families should be nurtured and guided by Biblical principles.
Chapter 28 – Of the State of Man After Death and the Resurrection of the Dead
We believe that the souls of believers, upon death, enter into conscious joy and glory in the presence of Christ; and that the bodies of both the just and unjust will be raised from the dead at the last day.