A
CONFESSION OF THE FAITH
OF SEVERAL
CHURCHES
OF CHRIST
In the
I Peter iii. 15.
Sanctifie the Lord God in
your hearts, and be ready alwaies to give an answer to every man that asketh
you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
Mattew x. 32.
Whosoever therefore shall
confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father, which is in
heaven.
Isaiah viii. 20.
To the Law and to the
Testimony, if they speak not according to this rule it is because there is no
light in them.
Acts xvii. II.
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received
the word with all readiness of minde, and searched the Scriptures daily,
whether those things were so.
A CONFESSION of the FAITH
of several congregations of Christ in the
I.
WE believe that there is
but one God (I Cor. 8:6.), who is immortal, eternal, invisible, only wise (I
Tim. 1:17.), holy (Lev. 11:44.), almighty (Gen. 17:1.) infinite (I Kings 8:27;
Isa. 40:28; Ps. 147:5); a Spirit (John 4:24.), glorious in holiness (Ex.
15:11), just, merciful, gracious, long-suffering, abundant in mercy and truth
(Ex. 34:6, 7.), faithful in all things (Deut. 7:9.).
II.
THAT this God, who is so in
himself, did according to his own will in time, create all things, by, and for
Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:2; Col. 1:16;
THAT God made man after his
own image (Gen. 1:27), in an estate of uprightness and human perfection
(Eccles. 7:29.),
IV.
THAT God gave Adam a just
law, requiring obedience under the penalty of death (Gen. 2:17), which law he
brake, and brought himself and his posterity under the guilt and judgment
denounced (Gen. 3:6; Rom. 5:12, 17, 18, 19.).
V.
VI.
THAT in process of time God
gave forth his laws by the hand of Moses (Exod. 20;
THAT out of this condition
none of the sons of Adam were able to deliver themselves (Rom. 8:3; Eph. 2:1,
5; Rom. 5:6.).
VIII.
THAT God continued and
renewed the manifestation of his grace and mercy in Christ after the first
promise made (Gen. 3), in other promises (Gen. 22:18 with Gen. 12:3; Gal.
3:16.); and in types, as the passover (Exod. 12:8 and ver. 13 with I Cor.
5:7.), and the brazen serpent (Numb. 21:9 compared with
IX.
THAT God in his son did
freely, without respect to any work done, or to be done by them as a moving
cause, elect and choose some to himself before the foundation of the world
(Eph. 1:3, 4;
X.
THAT those that were thus
elected and chosen in Christ were by nature (before conversion) children of
wrath even as others (Eph. 2:3; Rom. 3:9.).
XI.
THAT those that are chosen
of God, called and justified, shall never finally fall from him, but being born
from above are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (John
6:39; 10:28; 11:26; I Pet. 1:5; Ps. 89:30, 31, 32, 33, 34; I John 3:9; John
14:19; Heb. 12:2; Jer. 31:3; John 10:29; Ps. 37:28; Jer. 32:40; Rom. 8:39; I
Cor. 1:8, 9; Rom. 8:30; Ps. 48:14.).
XII.
THAT when the fulness of
time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman (Gal. 4:4, 5.) according
to the promises and prophesies of the scriptures; who was conceived in the womb
of Mary the virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit of God, (Luke 1:35; Matt.
1:20.), and by her born in Bethlehem (Matt. 2:11; Luke 2:6, 7.).
XIII.
WE believe that Jesus
Christ is truly God (Isa. 9:6; Heb. 1:8; Rom. 9:5.) and truly man, of the seed
of David (I Tim. 2:5; Acts 13:23; Rom. 1:3.).
XIV.
THAT after he came to be
about thirty years of age, being baptized, he manifested himself to be the Son
of God (Luke 3:21, 23 with John 2:7, 11.), the promised Messiah, by doing such
works both in his life and in his death which were proper unto, and could be
done by none but the Son of God, the true Messiah (John 1:49; 6:9, &c.).
XV.
THAT this man Christ Jesus
suffered death under Pilate, at the request of the Jews (Luke 23:24.), bearing
the sins of his people on his own body on the cross (I Pet. 2:24), according to
the will of God (Isa. 53:6), being made sin for us, (2 Cor. 5:11) and so was
also made a curse for us (Gal. 3:13, 14; I Pet. 3:18.), that we might be made
the righteousness of God in him (2 Cor. 5:11), and by his death upon the cross,
he hath obtained eternal redemption and deliverance for his church. (
XVI.
THAT this same Jesus having
thus suffered death for our sins, was buried (Matt. 27:59, 60.), and was also
raised by the power of God (Eph. 1:19.) the third day according to the scriptures
(I Cor. 15:3, 4.), for our justification (Rom.4:25.).
XVII.
THAT after he had been seen
forty days upon the earth, manifesting himself to his disciples (Acts 1:3.), he
ascended into the heavens (Acts 1:9, 10, 11; Heb. 4:14.), and is set on the right
hand of the throne of God (Heb. 8:1; Heb. 1:3.), whom the heavens must receive
until the time of the Restitution of all things. (Acts 3:21.).
XVIII.
THAT the Father having thus
exalted him, and given him a name above every name (Phil. 2:9.), and hath made
him who is mediator (I Tim. 2:5), priest (Heb.
XIX.
THAT the Spirit is
administred by or through the word of faith preached (Gal. 3:2) which word was
first declared by the Lord himself, and was confirmed by them that heard him
(Heb. 2:3.), which word is called the gospel of God's grace (Acts 20:24.), the
word of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:19.), the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17.),
the weapon of a Christian (2 Cor. 10:4.); a faithful (Rev. 22:6.), quick,
powerful (Heb. 4:12.), plain (Prov. 8: 9.), comfortable (Rom. 15:4.), pure (Ps.
12:6.), right, true (Ps. 33:4.), sound (Tit. 2:8.), and wholesome word (I Tim.
6:3.).
XX.
THAT this spirit of Christ,
being administer'd by the word of faith, worketh in us faith in Christ (John 3:
5; I Pet. 1:22 Acts 16:14; Gal. 5:22.) by virtue of which we come to receive
our sonship (John 1:12; Gal. 3:26.), and is further administer'd unto us
through faith in the promises of God (Eph. 1:13; Acts 2:38, 39; Acts 1:4.),
waiting on him in those ways and means that he hath appointed in his word (John
14:15, 16, 17; Luke 11:9, 13.), this faith being the ground of things hoped
for, and the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1.).
XXI.
THAT justification is God's
accounting and declaring that man justified from the guilt and condemnation of
all his sin, who hath received Jesus Christ and doth believe in him (in truth
and power) according to the record given of him by God in scripture (Rom. 4: 5;
I John 5:10, 11; Joh. 3:36.).
XXII.
THAT justification from the
guilt and condemnation of sin is only obtained through faith in that man Jesus
Christ, crucified at Jerusalem, and by God raised from the dead (Rom. 5:1, 9;
Acts 13:38, 39; Rom. 4:25; 10:9.). And that those who bring in any other way of
justification, do therein make void, and acquit themselves of having any
interest in the gospel and grace of Christ (Gal. 2:21; 5:4.).
XXIII.
THAT this faith being
wrought in truth and power, it doth not only interest us in our justification,
sonship, and glory, but it produceth as effects and fruits, a conformity, in a
measure, to the Lord Jesus, in his will, graces and virtues (Rom. 5:3, 4; I
John 3:23, 24; 2 Pet. 1:5, 6, 7; Gal. 5:6; Acts 26:18; I Thess 1:3.).
XXIV.
THAT it is the duty of
every man and woman, that have repented from dead works, and have faith towards
God, to be baptized (Acts 2:38; 8:12, 37, 38.), that is, dipped or buried under
the water (Rom. 6:3, 4; Col. 2:12.), in the name of our Lord Jesus (Acts
8:16.), or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19.),
therein to signify and represent a washing away of sin (Acts 22:16.), and their
death, burial, and resurrection with Christ (Rom. 6:5; Col. 2:12.), and being
thus planted in the visible church or body of Christ (I Cor. 12:3.), who are a
company of men and women separated out of the world by the preaching of the
gospel (Acts 2:41; 2 Cor. 6:17.), do walk together in communion in all the
commandments of Jesus (Acts 2:42.), wherein God is glorified and their souls
comforted (2 Thes. 1:11, 12:2 Cor. 1:4.).
XXV.
THAT we believe some of
those commandments further to be as followeth.
1. CONSTANCY in prayer (Col. 2:23,
24.).
2. BREAKING of bread (I Cor.
3. GIVING of thanks (Eph. 5:20.).
4. WATCHING over one another (Heb.
12:15.).
5. CARING one for another (I Cor.
6. EXHORTING one another (Heb. 3:13.).
7. DISCOVERING to each other, and
bearing one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2.).
8. LOVING one another (Heb. 13:1.).
9. REPROVING when need is one another
(Matt. 18:15.).
10.
SUBMITTING
one to another in the Lord (I Pet. 5:5.).
11.
ADMINISTERING
one to another according to the gift received, whether it be
in spirituals, or temporals (I Pet. 4:10.).
12.
THE
offender to seek reconciliation, as well as the offended (Matt.
13.
LOVE
our enemies and persecutors, and pray for them (Matt.
14.
EVERY
one to work if he be able, and none to be idle (2 Thes.
15.
THE
women in the church to learn in silence, and in all
subjection (I Tim. 2:11; I Cor. 14:37.).
16.
PRIVATE
admonition to a brother offending another; and if not prevailing, to take one
or two more; if he hear not them, then to tell it to the church; and if he hear
not them, to be accounted as an heathen and publican (Matt. 18:15.).
17.
PUBLICK
rebuke to publick offenders (I Tim. 5:20.).
18.
THE
brethren in ministring forth their gifts, ought to do it decently and in order,
one by one, that all may learn and all may be comforted (I Cor.
19.
A
SPECIAL care to assemble together, that their duty to God, and the church may
not be neglected (Heb.
20.
AND
all things in the church, done in the name and power of the head, the Lord
Christ Jesus (Col. 3:7.).
21.
THAT
in admitting of members into the church of Christ, it is the duty of the
church, and ministers whom it concerns, in faithfulness to God, that they be
careful they receive none but such as do make forth evident demonstration of
the new birth, and the work of faith with power (John 3:3; Matt. 3:8, 9; Acts
8:37; Ezek. 44:6, 7, Acts 2:38; 2 Cor. 9:14; Ps. 26:4, 5; 101:7.).
XXVI
THAT those that truly
repent, and believe, and are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, are in a
fit capacity to exercise faith, in full assurance to receive a greater measure
of the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38, 39; Eph. 1:13.).
XXVIII. (Sic Original)
THAT it
is the duty of the members of Christ in the order of the gospel, tho' in
several congregations and assemblies (being one in the head) if occasion be, to
communicate each to other, in things spiritual, and things temporal (Rom.
XXIX.
THAT the Lord Christ Jesus
being the foundation and corner stone of the gospel church whereon his apostles
built (Eph. 2:20; Heb. 2:3), He gave them power and abilities to propagate, to
plant, to rule and order (Matt. 28:19, 20; Luke 10:16), for the benefit of that
his body, by which ministry he did shew forth the exceeding riches of his
grace, by his kindness towards it in the ages to come (Eph. 2:7), which is
according to his promise (Matt. 28:20.)
XXX.
THAT this foundation and
ministration aforesaid, is a sure guide, rule and direction, in the darkest
time of the anti-christian apostacy, or spiritual Babylonish captivity, to
direct, inform, and restore us in our just freedom and liberty, to the right
worship and order belonging to the church of Jesus Christ (I Tim. 3:14, 15; 2
Tim. 3:15, 16, 17; John 17:20; Isa. 59:21; Rev.2:24; Isa.40:21; Rev. 2:5; I
Cor. 14:37; Rev. 1:3; 2 Thes. 3:14; Rev. 2: 11; I Pet. 1:25; I John 4:6; 2 Pet.
1:15, 16; Isa. 58: 11, 12; 2 Pet. 3:2; Isa. 8:20.).
XXXI.
THAT the church of Jesus
Christ with its ministry may from among themselves, make choice of such
members, as are fitly gifted and qualified by Christ, and approve and ordain
such by fasting, prayer, and laying on of hands (Acts 13: 3; 14:23.), for the
performance of the several duties, whereunto they are called (Acts 20:28; Rom,
12:6,7, 8; 2 Tim. 4:2; Acts 6:3.).
XXXII
THAT such a ministry
labouring in the word and doctrine, have a power to receive a livelihood of
their brethren, whose duty it is to provide a comfortable subsistance for them,
if they be able, to whom for Christ's sake they are servants (I Cor. 9:4,7; I
Tim. 5:17, 18.). Yet it is commendable in cases of necessity, for them, for
example sake, and that they may be able to support the weak, to labour and work
with their hands (Acts 20: 24, 25.).
XXXIII.
THAT the authority of
Christ in an orderly ministry in his church, is to be
submitted unto (Heb. 13: 17; 2 Thes. 3: 14.).
XXXIV.
THAT as it is an ordinance
of Christ, so it is the duty of his church in his authority, to send forth such
brethren as are fitly gifted and qualified through the Spirit of Christ to
preach the gospel to the world (Acts 13:1, 2, 3; 11:22; 8:14.).
XXXV.
THAT it is the duty of us
believing Gentiles, not to be ignorant of that blindness that yet lieth on
Israel, that none of us may boast (Rom. 11:25.), but to have bowels of love and
compassion to them, praying for them (Rom. 10:1.), expecting their calling, and
so much the rather, because their conversion will be to us life from the dead
(Rom. II: 15.).
XXXVI.
THAT it is the will of the
Lord, and it is given to the saints not only to believe in him, but to suffer
for his name (John
XXXVII.
THAT the angels of the Lord
are ministring spirits, sent forth for the good of those that shall be the
heirs of salvation (Heb. 1:14; Ps. 91:11, 12; Acts 27:23; Luke 22:43.).
XXXVIII.
THAT the wicked angels (Ps.
78: 49.) kept not their first estate in which they were created (Jude 6.), the
prince of whom is called the devil (Matt. 8: 28.), and the great dragon, and
the old serpent, and satan (Rev. 12:9.), and the accuser of our brethren (Rev.
12:10.), and the prince of this world (John 14:30.), and a prince that ruleth
in the air; a spirit working in the children of disobedience (Eph. 2: 2.), and
our adversary (I Pet. 5:8.), whose children the wicked are (Matt. 13:39; John
8:44.) To him we ought not to give place (Eph. 4:27.), whose power Christ hath
overcome for us (Heb. 2: 14.), and for him and his angels everlasting fire is
prepared (Matt. 25:41.).
XXXIX.
THAT it is our assured
expectation, grounded upon promises, that the Lord Jesus Christ shall the
second time appear without sin unto salvation, unto his people, to raise and
change the vile bodies of all his saints, to fashion them like unto his
glorious body, and so to reign with him, and judge over all nations on the
earth in power and glory (Phil. 3:20, 21; Heb. 9:28; Acts 3:19,20, 21; Matt.
19:28; Rev. 2:26, 27; I Cor. 6:2; Ps. 72:8, 11; Dan. 7:27; Zech. 14:9; PS. 2:8,
9; Jer. 23:5,6; Ezek. 21:26,27; Isa.32:1; Rev. 11:15; Ps. 82:8; Rev. 5:9, l0;
20:6.).
XL.
THAT there is a day
appointed, when the Lord shall raise the unjust as well as the righteous, and
judge them all in righteousness (John
XLI.
THAT there is a place into
which the Lord will gather all his elect, to enjoy him for ever, usually in
scripture called heaven (2 Cor. 5:1; John 14:2, 3.).
XLII.
THAT there is a place into
which the Lord will cast the devil, his angels and wicked men, to be tormented
for ever, from his presence and the glory of his power, usually in scripture
called hell (Mark 9:43, 44, 45; Ps. 9:17; Matt. 25:41; 10:28; 23:33; Luke
10:15; 16:23.).
XLIII.
THAT it is both the duty
and privilege of the church of Christ (till his coming again) in their
fellowship together in the ordinances of Christ, to enjoy, prize, and press
after, fellowship through and in the Spirit with the Lord, and each with other
(Acts 2:42; I Cor. 11:26; Eph. 2:21,22; Eph. 4:3,4, 5, 6; I Cor. 12:13; Eph. 3:
9; Col. 2:2), which we believe to be attained through the exercise of faith in
the death, resurrection, and life of Christ (2 Cor. 5:14, 15, 16; Col. 2:12;
Phil. 3:9, 10, 11; I Pet. 2:5.).
XLIV.
THAT the ministry of civil
justice (being for the praise of them that do well, and punishment of
evildoers) is an ordinance of God, and that it is the duty of the saints to be
subject thereunto not only for fear, but for conscience sake (Rom. 13:1, 2, 3,
4, 5; I Pet. 2: 13, 14.) and that for such, prayers and supplications are to be
made by the saints (I Tim. 2: 1, 2.).
XLV.
THAT nothing doth come to
pass by fortune or chance, but all things are disposed by the hand of God, and
all for good to his people (Gen. 45:5; 50:20; Rom.
XLVI
AND that a church so
believing, and so walking, though despised, and of low esteem, is no less in
the account of her Lord and King, than though
BLACK,
yet comely, Cant. 1:5.
FAIREST, without spot3 Cant. 4:7.
PRECIOUS, Isa. 43:4.
BEAUTIFUL, Cant. 7:1.
HOLY, without blemish, Eph. 5:27.
PLEASANT, Cant.
WHOSE soul loveth Christ, Cant. 1:7.
RUNNERS after Christ, Cant. 1:4.
HONOURABLE, Isa. 43:4.
THE desire of Christ, Cant. 7:10.
COM PLEAT in Christ, Col. 2:10.
LOVERS of the Father, John 16:27.
THE blessed of the Father, Matt. 25:34.
KEPT by the Lord, I Pet. 1:5; Isa. 27:3.
GRAVEN on the palms of his hands, Isa. 49:16.
TENDER to the Lord as the apple of his eye, Zech. 2:8.
TAUGHT of the Lord, Isa. 54:13.
ONE that hath obtained mercy, I Pet. 2 10.
ONE that hath a redemption, Eph. 1:7.
THE gates of hell shall not prevail against it, Matt. 16:18.
IN that church be glory unto God by Jesus Christ,
throughout all ages world without end. Amen. Eph. 2:21.