THE NEW HAMPSHIRE CONFESSION (1833)
DECLARATION OF FAITH
I. Of the Scriptures. We believe [that] the Holy Bible was written by
men inspired, andis a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for
itsauthor, 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, thetrue centre of Christian union, and the supreme
standard by which allhuman conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
II. Of the True God. [We believe] That there is one, and only one, living and
trueGod, [an infinite, intelligent Spirit,] whose name is JEHOVAH, thyeMaker and Supreme
Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious inholiness; [and] worthy of all possible
honor, confidence, and love;revealed under the personal and relative distinction of the
Father, theSon, and the Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, andexecuting
distinct but harmonious offices in the great work ofredemption.
III. Of the Fall of Man. [We believe] That man was created in a state of holiness,
underthe law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from thatholy and happy
state; in consquence of which all mankind are nowsinners, not by constraint but choice,
being by nature utterly void ofthat holiness required by the law of God, wholly given to
thegratification of the world, of satan, and of their own sinful pasions, therefore under
just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense orexcuse.
IV. Of The way of Salvation [We believe] That the salvation of sinners is wholly of
grace;through the Mediatorial Offices of the Son of God, who [by theappointment of the
Father, freely] took upon him our nature, yetwithout sin; honored the [divine] law by his
personal obedience, and made atonement for ours sins by his death; being risen from the
dead heis now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person thetenderest
sympathies with divine perfections, [he] is every wayqualified to be a suitable, a
compassionate, and an all sufficentSaviour.
V. Of Justification. [We believe] That the great Gospel blessing which Christ of
hisfulness bestows on such as believe in Him, is Justification ; That Justification
consists in the pardon of sin and the promise of eternallife, on principles of
righteousness; that is bestowed not in anyconsideration of any works of righteousness
which we have done, butsolely through His own redemption and righteousness, [by virtue
ofwhich faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God;]that it brings us
into a state of most blessed peace and favor withGod, 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 theGospel; 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
thegreatest sinner on earth except his own [inherent depravity and] voluntaryrefusal to
submit to the Lord Jesus Christ, which refusal will subject him toan aggravated
condemnation.
VII. Of grace in Regeneration. [We believe] That in order to be saved, we must be
regenerated or bornagain; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the
mind;and is effected in a manner above our comprehension or calculation, by thepower of
the Holy Spirit, [in connection with divine truth,] so as to secureour voluntary obedience
to the Gospel; and that its proper evidence is foundin the holy fruit which we bring forth
to the glory of God.
VIII. Of Repentance and Faith. [This article added in1853.] We believe that
repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and alsoinseparable graces, wrought in our souls
by the regenerating Spirit of God;whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and
helplessness, and ofthe way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned
contrition,confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartly receiving
theLord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and relying on him alone asthe only
and all sufficent Saviour.
IX. Of God's Purpose of Grace. [We believe] That Election is the gracious purpose
of God, according towhich he [graciously] regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that
beingperfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the meansin
connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God'ssovereign goodness,
being infinitely [free,] wise, holy and unchangeable; thatit utterly excludes boasting,
and promotes humility, [love,] prayer, praise,trust in God, and active imitation of his
free mercy; that it encourges theuse of means in the highest degree; that it is
ascertained by its effects inall who [truely] believe the gospel; [that it] is the
foundation of Christianassurence; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves,
demands anddeserves our utmost diligence.
X. Of Sanctification. [Added in 1853.] We believe that Sanctification is the
process by which, according to thewill of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that
it is a progressivework; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in
thehearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealerand
Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means-especially the Wordof God,
self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayer.
XI. Of the Perseverance of Saints. [We believe] That such only are real believers
as endure unto the end;that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark
whichdistingushes them from mere professors; that a special Providence watches overtheir
welfare; and [that] they are kept by the power of God through faith untosalvation.
XII. [of the] Harmony of the Law and the Gospel. [We believe] That the Law of God
is the eternal and unchangeable rule ofhis moral government; that it is holy, just, and
good; and that the inabilitywhich the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its
precepts, arisesentirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to
restorethem through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy law, is one greatend of
the Gospel, and of the means of grace connected with the establishmentof the visible
Church.
XIII. Of a Gospel Church. [We believe] That a visible Church of Christ is a
congregation of baptized believers, associated by covernant in the faith and fellowship of
the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws; andexercising the
gifts, rights, and priviledges invested in them by his word;that its only proper officers
are Bishops or Pastors, and Deacons, whosequalifications, claims, and duties are defined
in the Epistles to Timothy andTitus.
XIV Of Baptism and the Loed's Supper. [We believe] That Christian Baptism is the
immersion of a believer inwater, in the name of the Father [and Son, and Spirit, to show
forth in asolemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in a crucified, buried, and risenSaviour,
with its purifing power; that it is prerequisite to the privileges ofa church relation;
and to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of thechurch, by the [sacred] use of bread
and wine, are to commemorate together thedying 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, orChristian Sabbath; and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes,
byabstaining from all secular labor and [sinful] recreations; by the devoutobservance of
all means of grace, both private and public; and by preprationfor rest which remaineth for
the people of God.
XVI. Of Civil Government. [We believe] That civil government is of divine
appointment, for theinterests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to
beprayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except [only] in thingsopposed to the
will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of theconscience, 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 therighteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith
are justified in thename of the Lord Jesus, and sancitified by the Spirit of our God, are
truelyrighteous in his esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence andunbelief are
in his sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinctionholds among men both in and
after death. xviii. Of the World to Come. [We believe] That the end of this world is
approching: that at the lastday, Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from
the grave tofinal retribution; that a solemn seperation will then take place; that
thewicked will be adjudged to endles punishment, and the righteous to endlessjoy; and that
the judgement will fix forever the final state of men in heavenand hell, on principles of
righeousness.
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