Of the Fall of Man We believe that man 3; Titus 1, 72. John Newton Brown of New Hampshire, and was adopted by the New Hampshire Baptist Convention. 2:18; 7:26; Psa. 1 Pet. In our last entry, we examined the complex context in which the New Hampshire Confession of Faith was writtenthe anti-mission-society movement, the Free Will Baptist movement, and the phenomenon of Charles Finney's impact on Baptist ideas. 28:19-20; Acts and Epistles, 76. Acts 8:36-39; Matt. John Newton Brown of New Hampshire, and was adopted by the New Hampshire Baptist Convention. 1:14; Rev. Perhaps, the most important Baptist confession for early Baptists in America was the New Hampshire Confession (1833). 1. 2:8; Gal. 4:8, John 5:40; Matt. Acts 2:41-42; Matt. 4 (Fall 1987): 600-601. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. John Mark Terry is Emeritus Professor of Missions at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Cordova, Tennessee, and he serves as the Teaching Pastor at Central Baptist Church in Crandall, Texas. 2:1-2; 1 2 Tim. 25:3541; Rev. 16:1720; 1 Cor. 3; Titus 1, 72. 1:10; 1 Pet. The Creeds of the Evangelical Protestant Churches Philip Schaff (The New Hampshire Confession.) [3] Herschel H. Hobbs, The Baptist Faith and Message (Nashville: Convention Press, 1971), 2-3. 1:9; Rom. 25:35-41; Rev. New Hampshire Confession of Faith I view this confession as fundamentally loyal to the Calvinistic tradition, not a capitulation to any doctrine viewed as inconsistent with the historically expressed biblical faith of Baptists. 1 John 4:1; Isa. 6:17; Psa. 57:21; Psa. 8:5; John 3:6; Phil. 1:10-12; Acts 53:45; Matt. A confession of faith is like an executive summary of the Bible. 26:41; Eph. use of means in the highest degree (50); that it may be ascertained by its effects in all 3:57; 15:10; 1 Pet. 3:17; Matt. 11:3236, 1 Cor. 4:17, Matt. Gracious. 10:24-25; Acts 11:26; 13:44; Lev. kept sacred to religious purposes (79), by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful 1:27; 1 Cor. 3; Titus 1, Acts 8:3639; Matt. They are not intended to add anything to the simple conditions of salvation revealed in the New Testament, viz., repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. 4:20-24; Col. 3:9-11, 41. 2:12, 2 Tim. This is also true at the SBC-owned seminaries, excepting Southern Baptist Seminary and Southeastern Baptist Seminary, which have their own confessions of faith. 23:3; Exod. 6:33; 1 Tim. (10); equal in every divine perfection (11), and executing distinct and harmonious offices Brown, John Newton. Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph. 9:13-15, 25. 2:18; 7:26; Psa. 1:21; 1 Sam. 15:12-59; Luke 14:14; Dan. 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; 9:23- 26; John 12:25-26; Eccl. fell from that holy and happy state (14); in consequence of which all mankind are now 2:12-13, 10. As a denomination, the SBC has now affirmed a confession of faith (the BFM) for almost a hundred years, or the majority of the time it has existed. and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5:6; 2 Cor. This is because Baptist distinctives are derived from Baptist confessions, which are based on the Scriptures. Philadelphia. 1 Cor. Eph. great gospel blessing which Christ (26) secures to such as believe in him is Justification Quoted in J. M. Pendleton, D.D. 4:3; 5:23; 2 Cor. 4:3; 5:23; 2 Cor. The Philadelphia Baptist Association wrote a confession in 1742 that influenced many Baptists in the United States. condemnation to eternal ruin (17), without defense or excuse (18). 6:4; Col. 2:12; 1 Pet. 1:16; 1 Thess. 1:6; 2:12-13; Jude 24-25; Heb. 3:21-26; 1 John 4:10; 2:2; 1 Cor. 3:14-21; Matt. 1 Tim. 1:2225; 1 John 5:1; Eph. 8:5; Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:6; Jude 3:5; Eph. John Newton Brown, D. D., of New Hampshire (b. 1:10; 1 Pet. 24:15; 1 Cor. 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2 Pet. Perhaps, the most important Baptist confession for early Baptists in America was the New Hampshire Confession (1833). 4:3-4; Luke 10:10-16; 12:47-48, 5. 2:13, 1 Pet. 16:17-20; 1 Cor. 5:9; Zech. 3:56; 2 Thess. Rom. It was widely accepted by Baptists, especially in the Northern and Western States, as a clear and concise statement of their faith. 5:20; Gen. 18:23; Jer. 1833 New Hampshire Confession of Faith - Article 4 Revised June 2017 1 Tyler Robbins - eccentricfundamentalist.com We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace,1 through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God;2 who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin;3 honored the divine law by his personal obedience,4 5:20; Gen. 18:23; Jer. 18:7; John 15:16; Eph. 119, 64. The New Hampshire Confession of Faith was drawn up by the Rev. 2:1213; Eph. 119:11; Rom. committed to historic Baptist & Reformed service within New Testament churches of like faith and order as found in the pages of the New Testament. No one wants to join a group that is for nothing. 119:11; Rom. 1:6-12; Heb. 3:20; 4:15, 63. PDF The New Hampshire Confession of Faith In 1833, Baptists in the United States agreed upon a confession of faith around which they could organize a missionary society under the Triennial Convention. 4:11, 6. Rom. 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. 3:2021; Acts 22:16, Acts 2:4142; Matt. This movement, combined with the revivalism of the age, had worn away the sharp edges of their Calvinistic persuasion. 10:37; Jer. 2:10; 1 Cor. 4:13-18; 5:1-11, 94. 1 Pet. 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom. 23:10; Rom. 14, 28. 3:18; Prov. It was produced by the Westminster Assembly, which was called together by the Long Parliament in 1643, during the English Civil War, and met regularly in Westminster Abbey until 1649. Col. 3:12; 1 Cor. 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). 4:11; Matt. Psa. of sin (64); to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to The New Hampshire Confession of Faith 1:27; 1 Cor. 9:22; Rom. 11:28; 5:1, 8; 10:3-32; 11:17-32; John 6:26-71, 78. 11:26; Matt. 14:9-13, 88. 1 Cor. Sources of the First Calvinistic Baptist Confession of Faith. Rom. The Noble New Hampshire Confession 1:9; Rom. An Analysis of the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 - Center for Baptist 13:1; Matt. Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly 8:7-8; Josh. 2:8; 1 John 5:1, Luke 18:13; 15:1821; James 4:710; 2 Cor. 18:19-20; Rom. (90); and this distinction holds among men both in and after death (91). 20:15, 18. retribution (94); that a solemn separation will then take place (95); that the wicked will Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor. In its 1853 rendition, the Confession consists of 18 articles. God (31); that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 1:13-14, 57. 26:8; 87:3, 84. 3:5-6; 2 Thess. Matt. John 6:44; 5:44, 65. 6:1; 2 Pet. Psa. Bible> Library The New Hampshire Baptist Confession. The 1920s was one of the most consequential decades of our existence, and the 1925 SBC meeting was the epicenter of it. 4:11-12; 1 Pet. 14:12; Phil. Pastors, and Deacons (71), whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the 3:7; 1 John 2:25; Rom. 12:14; Matt. creeds, and opinions should be tried (6). 4:7; 1 Cor. Please make sure all fields are filled out. 11:2; 2 Thess. Eph. 51, Rom. . 1:1314, Phil. This confession was adopted in 1834, the year after the New Hampshire Baptist Association's adoption of the New Hampshire Confession. We likewise believe that the Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby the members of the church, following earnest 119:11; Rom. Rom. 3:12-16, 56. The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) was organized in 1845, but the messengers to that first convention did not formulate a confession of faith. 12:28, 1 Cor. Before explaining Baptist distinctives, the reader should understand that the Southern Baptist Convention does not impose its Statement of Faith and Message on its member churches. 3:22-23; 4:1-2; Matt. It shows that they are fully in accord with what the Primitives called Fullerism. Affirming that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel and that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial penitent, and obedient faith, they attribute the failure to believe to the sinners own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation., Since such inherent depravity is at the root of all voluntary rejection of the gospel, the article on Grace in Regeneration forms the bridge between unbelief and belief. Volume 39, . 3:17; Matt. In 1853, J. Newton Brown added two articles, Repentance and Faith and Sanctification, and published the confession in a book he put together entitled The Baptist Church Manual. 18:1520; 1 Cor 5:6; 2 Cor. 3:21, Isa. Exod. The Deterioration of the Baptist Faith and Message 1:30-31; Matt. 1:8; 8:25; 2 Tim. Of the World Phil. was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker (13); but by voluntary transgression works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's 5:17; Titus 3:5-6; 1 Pet. The New Hampshire Confession of Faith was adopted from the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, although in a form far more brief and vague on many points than the 1689 before it. 16:1718; 1 Cor. Rom. 23:2; Acts 1:16; 3:21; John 10:35; Luke 16:2931; Psa. Gal. blood (30); by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of 25:35-41; Rev. The two principal Baptist confessions of faith are the Confession of 1688, or Philadelphia Confession, and the New Hampshire Confession. American Baptist Confessions of Faith | The Reformed Reader 3:10; John 3:36; Isa. holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just New Hampshire Baptist Confession of Faith (This document was drawn up by the Rev. 1 Cor. They also distinguish churches from one another by describing positions on doctrines and practices like baptism and church government. 8:2, 4; 10:4; 1 Tim. John 10:30; 5:17; 14:23; 17:5, 10; 2:12; 1 Cor. In 1832 the General Conference approved the writing of a confession of faith, an action that Benjamin Randall never would have approved. 2:18; 2 Cor. wicked (88); that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, 11:20; Luke 19:27; 2 Thess. This article about Baptist Christianity is a stub. 1:7; Heb. 12:28, 66. A. D. 1833. 16:18; 1 Sam. Of Repentance and Faith We believe that Of the Freeness of Salvation We believe Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13; Jude 24-25; Heb. 2 Tim. 4:11, 6. 1:5; Heb. 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). The committee that wrote that confession testified that they leaned heavily on the New Hampshire Confession. 36:26; Deut. 3:10; John 3:36; Isa. 1:8; 8:25; 2 Tim. The New Hampshire Confession of Faith was drawn up by the Rev. 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). 1:12, 46. 1:9; Rom. 13:23; John 6:44; 5:44, 65. 12:26; Isa. grace connected with the establishment of the visible Church (65). 5:17; Luke 16:17; 72:11; Psa. 2:12, 50. 2:1-8, 86. 3:10; 4:17; There are a number of other Baptist associations that allow womens ordination as pastors, but the SBC does not. 1:10; 1 Pet. believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end (58); that their Even when the application and meaning of a text has seemed clear to people for generations, culture changes can ignite new disagreements. 11:31; 1 Pet. Of Grace in Regeneration We believe 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 4:4-5; Rom. It was widely accepted by Baptists, especially in the Northern and Western States, as a clear and concise statement of their faith. 3:3-13, 93. Of a Gospel Church We believe that a 14:9-13, 88. 33:18-19; Matt. 3:1518; 6:710; Acts 4:1820, Matt. 2:41-42; Matt. 30:56; John 17:17; Rev. Beyond that, the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board require their missionaries to sign a pledge to preach and teach in accordance with and not contrary to the 2000 Statement of Faith. and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem (89); while all 3:1216, John 2:29; Rom. 7:12, 7, 14, 22; Gal. 6:18, 22; 1 Cor. 8:9; Gal. Matt. 10:28; Dan. Rom. 2 Pet. 1:8-9; Eph. 14:12; Phil. Southern Baptist churches of the pre-Baptist Faith and Message era widely adopted the New Hampshire Confession, which is also why E.Y. 7:1; 13:9; Eph. 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thess. 12:9, 2 Thess. Eph. 24:35; 1 John 2:17; Matt. 31:3; Rom. 11:32; Prov. Life and Books and Everything: Whats Going Right in the Church? 8:28; Matt. 1:10; Acts 10:42, Matt. Rom. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; 7:29; Acts 16:26; Gen. 2:16, 15. 3:20-21; Acts 22:16, 75. be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy (96); and that this He comments on Southern Baptists and their fidelity to the Bible: Baptists, along with other Christian denominations, appeal to the Bible as their ultimate or sole source for religious authority. 30:21, 85. 4:25; This page is not available in other languages. 3:4; Rom. civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12; 16:32-34; 18:8, 73. 2:6; Heb. the Church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying 1 John 2:29; Rom. 10:12-13; Psa. Repentance and faith are duties because they are commanded in Scripture in many passages (e.g Luke 3:3; Mark 1:15; Luke 24:46 47; Acts 2:38; Acts 11:18; Acts 17:30, Romans 1:5; Hebrews 4:2, 6, 11). 1:10, 1 Thess. 1 p. 130, 131. 3:27-28, 74. 1:4-5; comp. 1. 2 Cor. 12:9, 47. 26:41; Eph. 1:7; Heb. Rom. him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour (45). 1:30; Phil. Carroll and Calvin Goodspeed from the seminary delivered a series of lectures on the Confession sometime between 1905 and 1909. Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph. Phil. 36:26; Deut. 5:1-3, 11; 1 Cor. For Southern Baptist Seminary, the oldest SBC seminary, the confession is called The Abstract of Principles. 11:20; Luke 19:27; 2 Thess. 2 Thess. 4:11-12; 1 Pet. 2:12-13; Eph. 23:3; Exod. 5:1-3, 11; 1 Cor. Of the Christian Sabbath We believe Warren and his supporters are welcome to keep making the case for the ordination of women pastors, but lets stop appealing to the myth that Baptists have always been against confessions. 3:6; Rom. A recent scholarly compilation of Baptist confessions, running the gamut from liberal to conservative Baptist denominations, is 548 pages long! A confession of faith is not binding on individuals and churches, but the confession does express what a group of Christians believe the Bible teaches. Son of God (20); who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, 10:1213; Psa. 1:14; 2 Kings 6:16; Heb. W. J. Mcglothlin. 16:12, Heb. that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again (37); that 1803, d. 1868), about 1833, and has been adopted by the New Hampshire Convention, and widely accepted by Baptists, especially in the Northern and Western States, as a clear and concise statement of their . unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the means of Regeneration does not come on the basis of a prior disposition but establishes the necessary disposition of mind consistent with salvation. 3:19; Rom. 1:17; 7:6; 1 John 2:29; 3:7; Rom. Under the strength of this change, we sinners, as stated by the confession, are deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, and so turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy. Because of the inseparability of these duties wrought by grace, the confession goes on to affirm, 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.. These two seminaries affirm the 2000 Statement, but they continue to prioritize their historic confessions. 9:23-24: Jer. 10:37; Jer. righteousness (97). The idea that Baptist unity has always depended on a common mission (presumably evangelism), not on confessions, is even more difficult to support when you consider the vast array of English, American, and other national Baptist confessions from the 1600s to the present (1500s if you include Anabaptist confessions). 4:1112; 1 Pet. 20:11-12; 1 John 2:28; 4:17, Canadian Donors:Canadian Committee of The Bible Study HourPO Box 24087, RPO JosephineNorth Bay, ON, P1B 0C7. 12:2; John 5:28-29; 6:40; 11:25-26; 2 Tim. 1. John 5:40; Matt. This page was last edited on 17 January 2017, at 16:21. 12:46; 1 John 5:7, John 10:30; 5:17; 14:23; 17:5, 10; Acts 5:34; 1 Cor. Eph. 16:1- 2, 82. 23:10; Rom. 13:17; Deut. 1:24; Acts 13:46, 36. 16:17-20; 1 Cor. 3:10; Matt. Westminster Confession, confession of faith of English-speaking Presbyterians. Copyright 2023 The Gospel Coalition, INC. All Rights Reserved. This work was published before January 1, 1928, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago. Church Manual Designed for the Use of Baptist Churches. 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). 57:21; Psa. The New Hampshire Confession of Faith was drawn up by the Rev. american baptist confessions. 6:1; 2 Pet. 2:12-13; Eph. 10:16; Matt. Heb. The article on justification sets forth a clear rejection of works righteousness, and affirms the pardon of sin, the promise of eternal life on principles of Righteousness. This means not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemers blood. By faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God and believers are brought into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God. Included in that transaction are every other blessing needful for time and eternity., The article on the Freeness of Salvation is aimed to show that Calvinists believe in universal offer based on universal duty, not necessarily universal provision. a short confession or a brief narrative of faith, 1691; the coalheaver's confession, 1745; articles of religion of the new connexion, 1770. the goatyard declaration of faith, 1792 . 147:5; 83:18; Heb. 1:22-25; 1 John 5:1; Eph. 1 Cor. Of the Perseverance of Saints We The New Hampshire Confession of Faith Prov. John 4:24; Psa. 3:10; Matt. [4] R. Stanton Norman, Southern Baptist Identity: A Theological Perspective. In David S. Dockery, Southern Baptist Identity. 11:5-6; John 15:15; 1 John 4:19; Hos. Historically, Baptists have intuitively understood that confessions foster unity by setting up ecclesiological and doctrinal fences. 1:10-12; Matt. What were really debating, then, is how the boundaries of the denomination should be maintained, and what issues are non-negotiable in order for churches to remain in good standing with the SBC. 1:10, 53. Phil. 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). 10:28; Dan. (Stephanie Jones), Divorce and Remarriage in the OT: Deuteronomy 24:1-4 Establishing Grounds for Divorce, On Pastoral Ministry and Job Titles (Phillip Powers). 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, an. Luke 18:13; 15:18-21; James 4:7-10; 2 30:5-6; John 17:17; Rev. 10:12-13; Psa. 2 Cor. 2:9; Luke believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the 2:13; 119:59-60; Phil. 3:5-7; 15:10; 1 Pet. Its hard to know what these confessions were used for, if not to identify a common set of beliefs and practices for denominational unity and boundaries. 5:1519; 8:7, Eph. 8:28; Matt. John Newton Brown, D. D., of New Hampshire about 1833, and was adopted by the New Hampshire Convention, and widely accepted by Baptists, especially in the Northern and Western States, as a clear and concise statement of their faith, in harmony with the doctrines of . 1:20; 3:19; Gal. Acts 20:7; Gen. 2:3; Col. 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; 1 Cor. For many churches today, the rule of Christ's peace is absent. 1:16; 1 Thess. 5:19; 3:24-26; 4:23-25; 1 John 1:314; 1 Pet. 6:18; 4:30, 59. Strength in Numbers Second, there's strength in numbers. 18. 3:21; Psa. The result was the Baptist Faith and Message of 1925. In 1833, Baptists in the United States agreed upon a confession of faith around which they could organize a missionary society under the Triennial Convention. 30:6; Southern Baptist churches of the pre-Baptist Faith and Message era widely adopted the New Hampshire Confession, which is also why E.Y. John Newton Brown of New Hampshire, and was adopted by the New Hampshire Baptist Convention. 3:18; Prov. My personal investigation of the theology and historical context does not yield the same judgment. 2 Tim. 13:5; Luke 11:35; 9:23; Matt. 2:9; Jude 7; Phil. Confessions are only guides in interpretation, having no authority over the conscience. in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with 4:36; 2 Cor. 11:28; 5:1, 8; 10:3-32; 11:17-32; John 6:26-71, 78. [2] Surprisingly, the Southern Baptist Convention did not adopt a confession of faith for eighty years. Would critics of confessions really say that we are obliged to maintain fellowship with churches regardless of what they believe? 1:6; 2:1213; Jude 2425; Heb. 3:3-13, 93. 26:8; 87:3, 84. The Westminster Shorter Catechism is a catechism written in 1646 and 1647 by the Westminster Assembly, a synod of English and Scottish theologians and laymen intended to bring the Church of England into greater conformity with the Church of Scotland. 2:1314; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matt. This is true, but it is somewhat irrelevant since so many Baptist churches and associations already had confessions when the SBC was founded. sinners (15), not by constraint, but choice (16); being by nature utterly void of that 9:32; Prov. 1:10; 23:10; 20:1112; 1 John 2:28; 4:17, 1833 New Hampshire Baptist Confession of Faith, The Philadelphia Confession of Faith (1742), Church Manual Designed for the Use of Baptist Churches, The New Hampshire Confession of Faith at Reformedreader.org, The New Hampshire Confession of Faith at BaptistDocuments, The New Hampshire Confession of Faith at Spurgeon.org, https://en.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=New_Hampshire_Baptist_Confession_of_Faith_(1833)&oldid=6616224. 20:15; Eph. 1:11; Rom. 4:6-8, 9. with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and 7:25; Col. 2:9; Heb. Baptist Faith and Message is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth (87). 4:11, 1 John 4:1; Isa. 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).