The following Confession of Faith is a slightly modified version of the New Hampshire Confession of Faith from 1853. We chose a historic confession of faith in which we find agreement because we value statements of faith that have stood the test of time and been thoroughly vetted by multiple generations of Christians and leaders.
If you have questions about anything found in our Confession of Faith, feel free to reach out to us at info@christfellowshipnc.org
Of the Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired. It is a unified story that leads to Jesus and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter, that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.
2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 3:15, Proverbs 30:5-6, Romans 2:12, Philippians 3:16, 1 John 4:1
Of the True God
We believe that there is one, and only one living and true God, an infinite intelligent Spirit, whose name is Yahweh, the Maker and supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection and executing distinct but harmonious roles in the great work of redemption.
John 4:24, Psalm 83:18, Hebrews 3:4, Romans 1:20, Jeremiah 10:10, Exodus 15:11, Psalm 147:5, Isaiah 6:3, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Revelation 4:6-8, Mark 12:30, Revelation 4:11, Matthew 10:37, Jeremiah 2:12-13, Matthew 28:19, John 15:26, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 1 John 5:7, John 10:30, John 5:17, John 14:23, John 17:5 & 10, Acts 5:3-4, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, Philippians 2:5-6, Ephesians 2:18, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Revelation 1:4-5
Of the Fall of Humans
We believe that humans were created in holiness, under the command, wisdom, and blessing of their Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all humans are now sinners, both by nature and by choice, empty of the holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
Genesis 1:27, Genesis 1:31, Ecclesiastes 7:29, Acts 17:26-29, Genesis 2:16-17, Genesis 3:6-24, Romans 5:12, Romans 5:15-19, Psalm 51:5, Romans 8:7, Isaiah 53:6, Genesis 6:12, Romans 3:9-18, Ephesians 2:1-3, Romans 1:18,32, Romans 2:1-16, Galatians 3:10, Matthew 20:15, Ezekiel 18:19-20, Romans 1:20, Romans 3:19, Galatians 3:22
Of the Way of Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is completely by grace; through the mediating work of Jesus, the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven; 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 Savior.
Ephesians 2:3, Matthew 18:11, 1 John 4:10, 1 Corinthians 3:5-7, Acts 15:11, John 3:16, John 1:1-14, Hebrews 4:14, Hebrews 12:24, Philippians 2:9 & 14, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Isaiah 42:21, Philippians 2:8, Galatians 4:4-5, Romans 3:21, Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 20:28, Romans 4:25, Romans 3:21-26, 1 John 2:3, 1 Corinthians 15:1-3, Hebrews 9:13-15, Hebrews 1:8, Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 3:1-4, Hebrews 7:25, Colossians 2:18, Hebrews 7:26, Psalm 89:19, Psalm 34
Of Justification
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to those who believe in him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is given not because of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood; by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; 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.
John 1:16, Ephesians 3:8, Acts 13:39, Isaiah 53:11-12, Romans 5:1-2, Romans 5:9, Zecheriah 13;1, Matthew 9:6, Acts 10:43, Romans 5:17, Titus 3:5-7, 1 Peter 3:7, 1 John 2:25, Romans 5:21, Romans 4:4-5, Romans 6:23, Philippians 3:7-9, Romans 5:19, Romans 3:24-26, Romans 4:23-25, 1 John 2:12, Romans 5:3, Romans 5:11, 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, Matthew 6:33, 1 Timothy 4:8
Of the Freeness of Salvation
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel of Jesus; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by humble repentance and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; such rejection leads to his rightful condemnation.
Isaiah 55:1, Revelation 22:17, Romans 16:25-26, Mark 1:15, Romans 1:15-17, John 5:40, Matthew 23:37, Romans 9:32, Proverbs 1:24, Acts 13:46, John 3:19, Matthew 11:20, Luke 10:27, 2 Thessalonians 1:8
Of Grace in Regeneration
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that it is properly revealed in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life.
John 3:3, John 3:6-7, 1 Corinthians 3:14, Revelation 14:3, Revelation 21:27, 2 Corinthians 5;17, Ezekiel 36:26, Deuteronomy 30:6, Romans 2:28-29, Romans 5:5, 1 John 4:7, John 3:8, John 1:13, James 1:16-18, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Philippians 2:13, 1 Peter 1:22-25, 1 John 5:1, Ephesians 4:20-24, Colossians 3:9-11, Ephesians 5:9, Romans 8:9, Galatians 5:16-23, Ephesians 3:14-21, Matthew 3:8-10, Matthew 7:20, 1 John 5:4 & 18
Of Repentance and Faith
We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties and also inseparable graces, worked in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with sincere contrition, confession, and pleas for mercy; 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 Savior.
Mark 1:15, Acts 11:18, Ephesians 2:8, 1 John 5:1, John 16:8, Acts 2:37-38, Acts 16:30-31, Luke 18:13, Luke 15:18-21, James 4:7-10, 2 Corinthians 7:11, Romans 10:12-13, Psalm 51, Romans 10:9-11, Acts 3:22-23, Hebrews 4:14, Psalm 2:6, Hebrews 1:8, Hebrews 7:25, 2 Timothy 1:12
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; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be confirmed by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel, that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to confirm it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
2 Timothy 1:8-9, Ephesians 1:3-14, 1 Peter 1:1-2, Romans 11:5-6, John 15:16, 1 John 4:19, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, Acts 13:48, John 10:16, Matthew 20:16, Acts 15:14, Exodus 33:18-19, Matthew 20:15, Ephesians 1:11, Romans 9:23-24, Jeremiah 31:3, Romans 11:28-29, James 1:17-18, 2 Timothy 1:9, Romans 11:32-36, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, Romans 3:27, Romans 4:16, Colossians 3:12, 1 Corinthians 3:5-7, 1 Corinthians 15:10, 1 Peter 5:10, Acts 1:24, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Peter 2:9, Luke 18:7, John 15:16, 1 Thessalonians 2:12, 2 Timothy 2:10, 1 Corinthians 9:22, Romans 8:28-30, John 6:37-40, 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10, Isaiah 42:16, Romans 11:29, 2 Peter 1:10-11, Philippians 3:12, Hebrews 6:11
Of Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is the process by which according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; 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.
1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 2 Corinthians 7:1, 2 Corinthians 13:10, Philippians 3:12-16, 1 John 2:29, Romans 8:5, Ephesians 1:4, Proverbs 4:18, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Hebrews 6:1, 2 Peter 1:5-8, John 3:6, Philippians 1:9-11, Ephesians 1:13-14, Philippians 2:12-13, Ephesians 4:11-12, 1 Peter 2:2, 2 Peter 3:18, 2 Corinthians 13:5, Luke 11:35, Luke 9:23, Matthew 26:41, Ephesians 6:18, Ephesians 4:30
Of Perseverance of the Saints
We believe that true believers are those who endure to the end: that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special providence watches over their welfare, and that they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
John 8:31, 1 John 2:27-28, 1 John 3:9, 1 John 5:18, 1 John 2:19, John 13:18, Matthew 13:20-21, John 6:66-69, Job 17:9, Romans 8:28, Matthew 6:30-33, Jeremiah 32:40, Psalm 121:3, Psalm 91:11-12, Philippians 1:6, Philippians 2:13, Jude 24:25, Hebrews 1:14, 2 Kings 6:16, Hebrews 13:5, 1 John 4:4
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; that it is holy, just and good; and that the inability which the scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts arises entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to sincere 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.
Romans 3:31, Matthew 5:17, Luke 16:17, Romans 3:20, Romans 4:15, Romans 7:12, Romans 7:7, Romans 7:14-22, Galatians 3:21, Psalm 119, Romans 8:7-8, Joshua 24:19, Jeremiah 13:23, John 6:44, John 5:44, Romans 8:2-4, Romans 10:4, 1 Timothy 1:5, Hebrews 8:10, Jude 20 & 21
Of a Gospel Church
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his word; that its only scriptural officers are elders and deacons whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus.
1 Corinthians 1:1-3, Matthew 18:17, Acts 5:11, Acts 8:1, Acts 11:21-23, 1 Corinthians 4:17, 1 Corinthians 14:23, 3 John 9, 1 Timothy 3:5, Acts 2:41-42, 2 Corinthians 8:5, Acts 2:47, 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, 1 Corinthians 11:2, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, Romans 16:17-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-24, Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 5:6, 2 Corinthians 2:17, 1 Corinthians 4:17, Matthew 28:20, John 14:15, John 15:12, 1 John 14:21, 1 Thessalonians 4:2, 2 John 6, Galatians 6:2, Ephesians 4:7, 1 Corinthians 14:12, Philippians 1:1, Acts 14:23, Acts 15:22, 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1
Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe that the Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is required in order to join in covenant fellowship with the church, and to the Lord’s Supper; in which the members of the church by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self-examination.
Acts 8:36-39, Matthew 3:5-6, John 3:22-23, John 4:12, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 8:12, Acts 16:32-34, Acts 18:8, Acts 10:47-48, Galatians 3:26-28, Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12, 1 Peter 3:20-21, Acts 22:16, Acts 2:41-42, 1 Corinthians 11:26, Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-20, 1 Corinthians 11:28, 1 Corinthians 5:1-8, 1 Corinthians 10:3-32, 1 Corinthians 11:17-32, John 6:26
Of the Righteous and the Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that only those who 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; while all who continue in unrepentance and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among humans both in and after death.
Malachi 3:18, Proverbs 12:26, Isaiah 5:20, Genesis 18:23, Jeremiah 15:19, Acts 10:34-35, Romans 6:16, Romans 1:17, Romans 7:6, 1 John 2:29, 1 John 3:7, Romans 6:18 & 22, 1 Corinthians 11:32, Proverbs 11:31, 1 Peter 4:17-18, 1 John 5:19, Galatians 3:10, John 3:36, Isaiah 57:21, Psalm 10:4, Isaiah 55:6-7, Proverbs 14:32, Luke 16:25, John 8:21-24, Proverbs 10:24, Luke 12:4-5, Luke 9:23-26, Ecclesiastes 3:17, Matthew 7:13-14
Of the New Heavens and the New Earth
We believe that the end of the world is approaching; that at the Last Day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be judged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; that this judgment will fix forever the final state of humans, on principles of righteousness; and that Christ will redeem creation and make all things new as its King, with the righteous in Christ forever reigning with him in the new heavens and new earth.
1 Peter 4:7, 1 Corinthians 7:29-31, Hebrews 1:10-12, Matthew 24:35, 1 John 2:17, Matthew 28:20, Matthew 13:39-40, 2 Peter 3:3-13, Acts 1:11, Revelation 1:7, Hebrews 9:28, Acts 3:21, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Acts 24:15, 1 Corinthians 15:12-58, Luke 14:14, Daniel 12:2, John 5:28-29, John 6:40, John 11:25-26, 2 Timothy 1:10, Acts 10:42, Matthew 13:49, Matthew 13:37-43, Matthew 24:30-31, Matthew 25:31-46, Revelation 22:11, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Mark 9:43-48, 2 Peter 2:9, Jude 7, Philippians 3:19, Romans 6:23, 2 Corinthians 5:10-11, John 4:36, 2 Corinthians 4:18, Romans 3:5-6, 2 Thessalonains 1:6-12, Hebrews 6:1-2, 1 Corinthians 4:5, Acts 17:31, Romans 2:2-16, Revelation 20:11-12, 1 John 2:28, 1 John 4:17, 1 Peter 3:11-12
STATEMENT ON MARRIAGE AND SEXUALITY
The Bible presents God’s created order for marriage as the union of one man and one woman in permanent sacred fidelity. We, therefore, perform marriages of believing individuals according to this biblical truth.
Additionally, sexual intimacy is only appropriate as exercised within the bounds of the marriage relationship. Sexual immorality, defined as any lustful intent toward another individual or sexual activity outside of the boundaries of the sacred marital relationship between one man and one woman, is clearly prohibited in the Scriptures.
Matthew 15:19, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Hebrews 13:4