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1. We believe that there is but one God, who is a Spirit -- the Creator
of all things-the Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us
all; who is to be worshipped in spirit and in truth-upon whom we are
continually dependent, and to whom we ascribe praise for our life, food,
raiment, health, Sickness, prosperity, and adversity. We love Him as the source
of all goodness; and reverence Him as that sublime Being, who searches the
reins and trieth the hearts of the children of men. 2. We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son and image of the
Father-that in Him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells, and that by Him
alone we know the Father. He is our Mediator and Advocate; nor is there any
other name given under heaven by which we can be saved. In His name alone we
call upon the Father, using no other prayers than those contained in the Holy
Scriptures, or such as are in substance agreeable thereunto. 3. We believe in the Holy Spirit as the Comforter, proceeding from
the Father, and from the Son; by whose inspiration we are taught to pray; being
by Him renewed in the spirit of our minds; who creates us anew unto good works,
and from whom we receive the knowledge of the truth. 4. We believe that there is one holy church, comprising the whole
assembly of the elect and faithful, that have existed from the beginning of the
world, or that shall be to the end thereof. Of this church the Lord Jesus
Christ is the head-it is governed by His Word and guided by the Holy Spirit. In
the church it behooves all Christians to have fellowship. For her He (Christ)
prays incessantly, and His prayer for it is most acceptable to God, without
which indeed there could be no salvation. 5. We hold that the ministers of the church ought to be
unblameable both in life and doctrine; and if found otherwise, they ought to be
deposed from their office, and others substituted in their stead; and that no
person ought to presume to take that honor unto himself but he who is called of
God as was Aaron-that the duties of such are to feed the flock of God, not for
filthy lucre's sake, or as having dominion over God's heritage, but as being
examples to the flock, in word, in conversation, in charity, in faith, and in
chastity. 6. We acknowledge, that kings, princes, and governors, are the
appointed and established ministers of God, whom we are bound to obey (in all
lawful and civil concerns). For they bear the sword for the defense of the
innocent, and the punishment of evil doers; for which reason we are bound to
honor and pay them tribute. From this power and authority, no man can exempt
himself, as is manifest from the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, who
voluntarily paid tribune not taking upon Himself any jurisdiction of temporal
power 7. We believe that in the ordinance' of baptism the water is the
visible and external sign, which represents to us that which, by virtue of
God's invisible operation, is within us-namely, the renovation of our minds,
and the mortification of our members through (the faith of) Jesus Christ. And
by this ordinance we are received into the holy congregation of God's people,
previously professing and declaring our faith and change of life. 8. We hold that the Lord's Supper is a commemoration of, and
thanksgiving for, the benefits which we have received by His sufferings and
death-and that it is to be received in faith and love-examining ourselves, that
so we may eat of that bread and drink of that cup, as it is written in the Holy
Scriptures. 9. We
maintain that marriage was instituted of God-that it is holy and honorable, and
ought to be forbidden none, provided there be no obstacle from the divine word. 10. We contend, that all those in whom the fear of God dwells,
will thereby be led to please Him, and to abound with the good works (of the
gospel) which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them--which are
love, joy, peace, patience; kindness, goodness, gentleness, sobriety, and the
other good works; enforced in the Holy Scriptures. 11. On the other hand, we confess that we consider it to be our
duty to beware of false teachers, whose object is to divert the minds of men
from the true worship of God, and to lead them to place their confidence in the
creature, as well as to depart from the good works of the gospel, and to regard
the inventions of men. 12. We take the Old and the New Testament for the rule of our
life, and we agree with the general confession of faith contained in (what is
usually termed) the Apostles’ Creed. |