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The 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
- 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).
- 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).
- 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).
- 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).
- 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).
- 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).
- 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).
- 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).
- f 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).
- 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).
- 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).
- 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).
- 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.
- 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).
- 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).
- 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).
- 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).
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; 5:4465.
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. 12:2866. 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. 3:567.
Acts 2:41-42; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 5:12-1368. 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. 4:1769. 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 Epistles70. 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 172. 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; 18:873. Matt. 28:19; Acts
10:47-48; Gal. 3:27-2874. Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; 1 Pet. 3:20-21;
Acts 22:1675. Acts 2:41-42; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts and Epistles76.
1 Cor. 11:26; Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-2077. 1
Cor. 11:28; 5:1, 8; 10:3-32; 11:17-32; John 6:26-7178. Acts 20:7;
Gen. 2:3; Col. 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; 1 Cor. 16:1- 279.
Exod. 20:8; Rev. 1:10; Psa. 118:2480. Isa. 58:13-14; 56:2-881.
Psa. 119:1582. 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; 87:383. Heb.
4:3-1184. Rom. 13:1-7; Deut. 16:18; 1 Sam. 23:3; Exod. 18:23;
Jer. 30:2185. Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13; 1 Tim.
2:1-886. Acts 5:29; Matt. 10:28; Dan. 3:15-18; 6:7-10; Acts
4:18-2087. Matt. 23:10; Rom. 14:4; Rev. 19:16; Psa. 72:11; Psa.
2; Rom. 14:9-1388. Mal. 3:18; Prov. 12:26; Isa. 5:20; Gen. 18:23;
Jer. 15:19; Acts 10:34- 35; Rom. 6:1689. Rom. 1:17; 7:6; 1 John
2:29; 3:7; Rom. 6:18, 22; 1 Cor. 11:32; Prov. 11:31; 1 Pet.
4:17-1890. 1 John 5:19; Gal. 3:10; John 3:36; Isa. 57:21; Psa.
10:4; Isa 55:6-791. 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.
7:13-1492. 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. 3:3-1393. Acts 1:11;
Rev. 1:7; Heb. 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 5:1-1194. 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 10:4295. Matt. 13:49, 37-43;
24:30-31; 25:31-3396. 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. 4:1897. 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