The 1833 New
Hampshire
Confession of
Faith
I.
Of the Scriptures
We believe 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 centre of Christian
union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and
opinions should be tried.
II.
Of the True God.
That there is one, and
only one, living and true God, 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; revealed under
the personal and relative distinctions of the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct
but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
III. Of the Fall of Man.
That man was created in a
state of holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary
transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of
which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice, being
by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God,
wholly given to the gratification of the world, of Satan, and of their
own sinful passions, therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin,
without defense or excuse.
IV.
Of the Way of Salvation.
That the salvation of
sinners is wholly of grace; through the Mediatorial Offices of the Son
of God, who took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the law
by his personal obedience, and made atonement for our sins by his death;
being risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in
his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections,
is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an
all-sufficient Saviour.
V.
Of Justification.
That the great Gospel
blessing which Christ of his fullness bestows on such as believe in Him,
is Justification; that Justification consists in the pardon of sin and
the promise of eternal life, on principles of righteousness; that it is
bestowed not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we
have done, but solely through His own redemption and righteousness, 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.
VI.
Of the Freeness of Salvation.
That the blessings of
salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate
duty of all to accept them by a cordial and obedient faith; and that
nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth except
his own voluntary refusal to submit to the Lord Jesus Christ, which
refusal will subject him to an aggravated condemnation.
VII. Of Grace in Regeneration.
That in order to be saved,
we must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in
giving a holy disposition to the mind; and is effected in a manner above
our comprehension or calculation, by the power of the Holy Spirit, so as
to secure our voluntary obedience of the Gospel; and that its proper
evidence is found in the holy fruit which we bring forth to the glory of
God.
We believe that Repentance
and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our
souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced
of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by
Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and
supplication for mercy; 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.
IX.
Of God’s Purpose of Grace.
That Election is the
gracious purpose of God, according to which he regenerates, sanctifies,
and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency
of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it
is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely
wise, holy, and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and
promotes humility, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of
His free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest
degree; that it is ascertained by its effects in all who believe the
gospel; is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain
it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves our utmost diligence.
We believe that
Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we
are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that
it is begun in regeneration; 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.
XI.
Of the Perseverance of Saints.
That such only are real
believers as endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to
Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from mere professors;
that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept
by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
XII. Harmony of the Law and the Gospel.
That the Law of God is the
eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is holy,
just, and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to
fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arises entirely from their love of
sin; 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.
XIII. Of a Gospel Church.
That a visible Church of
Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant
in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of
Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and
privileges invested in them by his word; that its only proper officers
are Bishops or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and
duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
XIV. Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
That Christian Baptism is
the immersion of a believer in water, in the name of the Father, Son,
and Spirit, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in
a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its purifying power; that
it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the
Lord’s Supper, in which the members of the church, by the use of bread
and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded
always by solemn self-examination.
XV.
Of the Christian Sabbath.
That the first day of the
week is the Lord’s Day, or Christian Sabbath; and is to be kept sacred
to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and
recreations; by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both
private and public; and by preparation for that rest which remaineth for
the people of God.
XVI. Of Civil Government.
That civil government is
of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human
society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously
honored, and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord
Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of
the kings of the earth.
XVII. Of the Righteous and the Wicked.
That there is a radical
and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; 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;
while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight
wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both
in and after death.
XVIII. Of the World to Come.
That the end of this world
is approaching: that at the last day, Christ will descend from heaven,
and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn
separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to
endless punishment and the righteous to endless joy; and that this
judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on
principles of righteousness.
