COVENANT BAPTIST CHURCH STATEMENT OF FAITH (2025)
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
in one being: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (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 most tender sympathies with divine perfections, He is every
way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior (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 needed 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 rely on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior(45).
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).
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 arise 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 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
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 Elders, 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
Spirit (73); to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified,
buried, and risen Savior, with its effects in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life
(74); that it is important to a Church relation and to the Lord's Supper (75), in which the
members of the Church are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ (76);
preceded always by solemn self-examination (77).
Of the Family
We believe that marriage is the lifelong uniting of one man and one
woman in covenant commitment; that the husband and wife are of equal worth before
God, being both created in the image of God and, in equal measure (78), dependent on
His grace; and that marriage is God's unique revelation of the union between Christ and
His church (79). As such, a husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church, to
provide for, protect, and pastor his family, following Christ's example of leadership as He
shepherds the Church (80); a wife is to respect and submit herself, by grace given her,
to her husband's leadership, even as the Church willingly submits to the headship of
Christ (81). Children are to honor and obey their parents, as is pleasing to the Lord (82).
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).
Of the World to Come
We believe that the end of the age 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 a principle of
righteousness (97), while ushering the new heavens and new earth.
(This document was adapted from the New Hampshire Confession of 1833 and the Baptist Faith and
Message of 2000)
