Old Doxoblogy

Thursday, August 11, 2005

Thursday Theology-I Believe

The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. AMEN.

The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The New Hampshire Baptist Confession, 1833
1. 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
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;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
3. 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
4. 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
5. Of Justification
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ26 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. 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
9. Of 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
10. 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
11. 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
12. 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
13. 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.
14. 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
15. 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 private81 and public;82 and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.83
16. 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 Christ86 who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.87
17. 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

The Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed taken from Creeds of Christendom

The New Hampshire Baptist Confession, 1833 taken from The Hall of Church History, Theology from a Bunch of Dead Guys Courtesy of the Pyromaniac.

10 comments:

David Edward said...

a bit long, but lengthy to be sure.
I bless your typing fingers.

Bhedr said...

I chose the Baptist confession.

Go Baptists. Thank you for reminding me of why I am one.

Anonymous said...

Hey Jeremy, why did you include all three? Do you embrace all three? Also - you are from Tennessee, how did you settle on the "New Hampshire Baptist Confession"?

Jeremy Weaver said...

Mike,
I do embrace all three. Surprisingly enough the only major problem I have with any of the three is the New Hampshire Baptist Confession, Article 15.
I think the Sabbath issue is more of a spiritual rest accomplished in Christ than a physical rest one day a week from everything except Bible Reading.

Most Southern Baptist Churches that were started around the turn of the century adopted this Statement of Faith at their beginning. I am an heir of this tradition since joining a Southern Baptist Church.
Also, I pretty much held to this Confession all my life, except of course for portions of articles 7 and 9. I do hold to those articles fully now.

Brian,
Why are you a Baptist? Are you a Baptist from the 'Landmarkist' side, or from the 'Reformation' side?

David,
Copy and paste, man.

Joe said...

What? No mention of "The Baptist Faith and Messge" (version 1 or 2)?

Great post! I enjoyed re-reading the New Hampshire Baptist Confession which I had not read in years.

Thanks

Shawn said...

I've only studied and read the London Bapist before. Thank you

Hey guys check out this really cool WINDOWS help file that has the confessions on them with scripture proofs. Awesome indeed and I have used it for years.

http://www.tulip.org/refcon/

May God bless you jeremy and all.

Bhedr said...

Oh because I was born a Baptist? I am a Baptist simply because I believe in immersion. Reformed theology? I agree with much of it yet not their practice. I admire much of the reformers courage but I believe in independence from denominational and state religion; something the reformers felt was a casual command to disobey. Come out of her(that greek has the same root ek from ekklesia) essentially the risen Lord was calling His saints to come out and be who they were supposed to be when they first started. This is who the Baptists were and are supposed to be yet many today feel Revelation 18:4 is optional; even those who feel they are reformed. Baptist always clearly understood this command and obeyed it. The reformers did not; they felt it was optional and so they spread their reasoning around more. It is my hope that more and more Southern Baptist will see this; yet I wonder if they will. Ironically Calvary Chapel believers see this command clearer than the reformers did and so I feel reformers worship their theology rather than practice it. This is why I am a Baptist. Don't get me wrong some reformers came out yet many never cut the umbilical chord; hence this ECBism is still alive today and I think we have the reformers to blame for that. Many Southern Baptist have bought into this mindset and so I wonder how long I can remain one before I must seek out an Independent Baptist Church or a sound Bible believing Independent non-denominational Church.

Bhedr said...

By the way I chose the Baptist confession because I don't believe in bartered creeds made from a voting table spawned to draw Christians, Arians and pagans together; but rather confessions that pour out of hearts of belief. The confession is also more specific.

Jeremy Weaver said...

Brian,
Good answers!
It's fun to pick people's brains every once in a while.:)

Bhedr said...

Picking Brains or picking on Brian:-) Careful with those dendrites and axioms! I have too few of them.

One little caveat that I might add: I took heart last year when the SBC broke from the Baptist World Alliance and felt that we are finally coming to an understanding of Revelation 18:4 but then one step forward and two steps back; here we are involved in co-beism and the SBC is leading the way. It really makes me sick at heart. I am deeply grieved about this right now. I know we must have unity; but I am concerned about what our priorities are and just how many Southern Baptist hold fast to the same mind.