New Hampshire Baptist Confession (1853)

Article 1 – Of the Scriptures

  • Holy Bible = divinely–inspired writings authored by men under the Spirit’s guidance.

    • “Verbal–plenary inspiration”: every word is God-breathed (2 Tim 3:16-17, 2 Pet 1:21).

    • Scripture = “perfect treasure of heavenly instruction” → sufficient, comprehensive, reliable.

  • Three-fold essence

    • Author: God Himself → guarantees authority.

    • Aim: salvation → disclosure of gospel, promise of eternal life (2 Tim 3:15).

    • Nature: truth without mixture of error → inerrancy & infallibility (Prov 30:5-6).

  • Functional roles

    • Reveals the standards by which God will judge humanity (Rom 2:12; John 12:48).

    • Serves as the true center of Christian unity (Phil 3:16; Eph 4:3-6).

    • Provides “supreme standard” to test conduct, creeds, opinions (1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11).

  • Ethical / practical implications

    • Replaces subjective morality with objective revelation.

    • Calls believers to constant self-examination (Psa 119:59-60).

Article 2 – Of the True God

  • One, living, true, infinite, intelligent Spirit named JEHOVAH (John 4:24).

  • Attributes

    • Maker & Ruler of all creation (Heb 3:4; Rom 1:20).

    • “Inexpressibly glorious in holiness” (Exod 15:11).

    • Worthy of total honor, confidence, love (Mark 12:30).

  • Trinitarian Unity

    • One God in three co-equal persons: Father, Son, Holy Ghost (Matt 28:19).

    • Perfect equality of divine perfections (John 10:30).

    • Distinct yet harmonious roles in redemption (Eph 2:18).

  • Significance

    • Guards against polytheism, modalism.

    • Grounds Christian worship, prayer, baptism formula.

Article 3 – Of the Fall of Man

  • Original state: mankind created holy & happy, under divine law (Gen 1:27-31).

  • Voluntary transgression: Adam & Eve’s choice caused universal fall (Gen 3).

  • Current condition

    • All people now sinners by nature and by choice (Rom 5:12, 19).

    • Positively inclined toward evil; devoid of required holiness (Isa 53:6).

    • Under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without excuse (Eph 2:1-3).

  • Theological weight: explains necessity of grace, regeneration.

  • Practical: demolishes self-righteousness, calls for repentance.

Article 4 – Of the Way of Salvation

  • Salvation = wholly of grace (Eph 2:8).

  • Mediator: Son of God (John 3:16) → Incarnation without sin (Phil 2:6-7).

  • Active & passive obedience

    • Personal obedience honors divine law (Isa 42:21).

    • Substitutionary death = full atonement (Isa 53:4-5).

  • Resurrection & enthronement: Christ now reigns (Heb 1:3).

  • Composite person: perfectly unites human sympathy & divine sufficiency → “all-sufficient Saviour.”

  • Pastoral application: look only to Christ for redemption.

Article 5 – Of Justification

  • “Great gospel blessing” secured through faith.

  • Components

    • Pardon of sin (Zech 13:1).

    • Promise of eternal life on righteous grounds (Titus 3:5-7).

  • Basis: not works but faith in Christ’s blood (Rom 4:4-5).

  • Imputation: Christ’s perfect righteousness credited to believer (Rom 5:19).

  • Fruits: peace with God, access to all other blessings (Rom 5:1-3).

  • Assurance driver: believer stands “just–as–if” never sinned.

Article 6 – Of the Freeness of Salvation

  • Gospel offers salvation freely to all (Isa 55:1).

  • Duty: immediate, cordial, penitent, obedient faith (Mark 1:15).

  • Sole barrier = one’s own depravity & voluntary rejection (John 5:40).

  • Heightened condemnation follows rejection (John 3:19).

  • Missional thrust: no class is beyond reach; evangelize indiscriminately.

Article 7 – Of Grace in Regeneration

  • Necessity: “You must be born again” (John 3:3).

  • Nature: Holy Spirit imparts new, holy disposition (Ezek 36:26).

  • Mysterious operation: above comprehension, yet uses truth as instrument (James 1:18).

  • Secures voluntary obedience (1 Pet 1:22-25).

  • Evidence: repentance, faith, new life (Gal 5:16-23).

  • Encourages self-test (2\;Cor.\,13:5).

Article 8 – Of Repentance and Faith

  • Twin graces; wrought by Spirit (Eph 2:8).

  • Repentance: sense of guilt → contrition, confession, plea for mercy (Luke 18:13).

  • Faith: receiving Christ as Prophet, Priest, King (Rom 10:9-11).

  • Reliance solely on Christ’s sufficiency.

  • Ethical note: inseparable—no saving faith without genuine repentance.

Article 9 – Of God’s Purpose of Grace (Election)

  • Election: eternal, sovereign plan to regenerate, sanctify, save (Eph 1:3-14).

  • Harmony with human freedom; includes means as well as end (2 Thess 2:13-14).

  • Goals

    • Display God’s goodness & wisdom.

    • Eliminate boasting; foster humility, praise, evangelistic zeal.

  • Encourages diligent use of means (2 Tim 2:10).

  • Basis for assurance; discerned by fruit (1 Thess 1:4-10).

Article 10 – Of Sanctification

  • Process whereby believers share God’s holiness (1 Thess 4:3).

  • Progressive, begins at regeneration, continues lifelong (Prov 4:18).

  • Powered by Holy Spirit working through means: Word, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, prayer (Phil 2:12-13).

  • Holiness = evidence of genuine faith.

Article 11 – Of the Perseverance of Saints

  • True believers endure to the end (John 8:31).

  • Perseverance distinguishes them from superficial professors (1 John 2:19).

  • Special providence protects them (Rom 8:28).

  • Kept by God’s power through faith (1 Pet 1:5).

  • Comforts amid trials; counters antinomian laxity.

Article 12 – Of the Harmony of the Law and the Gospel

  • God’s Law = eternal, holy, just, good (Rom 7:12).

  • Fallen man’s inability originates in love of sin, not defect in Law (Rom 8:7-8).

  • Gospel, through Christ, delivers believers into genuine obedience (Rom 8:2-4).

  • Church & means of grace aim to restore holiness.

  • Guards against legalism (Law for salvation) & antinomianism (Law irrelevant).

Article 13 – Of a Gospel Church

  • Definition: congregation of baptized believers covenanted together (1 Cor 1:2).

  • Duties

    • Observe ordinances (Baptism, Lord’s Supper).

    • Governed by Christ’s laws; exercise gifts & privileges.

  • Officers: Bishops/Pastors & Deacons (1 Tim 3; Titus 1).

  • Emphasis on congregational polity, covenant membership.

Article 14 – Of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

  • Baptism

    • Immersion in water of a believer into Trinitarian name (Matt 28:19).

    • Symbolizes union with Christ’s death & resurrection → death to sin, new life (Rom 6:4).

    • Prerequisite for church membership & Lord’s Supper.

  • Lord’s Supper

    • Bread & wine memorialize Christ’s dying love (1 Cor 11:26).

    • Requires solemn self-examination (1 Cor 11:28).

  • Emphasis: ordinances = visible sermons of the gospel.

Article 15 – Of the Christian Sabbath

  • Lord’s Day = first day of the week (Acts 20:7).

  • To be kept sacred through private & public means of grace, anticipating eternal rest (Heb 4:3-11).

  • Encourages rhythm of worship, rest, preparation.

Article 16 – Of Civil Government

  • Civil authority = divine institution for societal good (Rom 13:1-7).

  • Christians must pray for, honor, obey rulers—except when commands oppose Christ (Acts 5:29).

  • Christ alone Lord of conscience & “Prince of the kings of the earth” (Rev 19:16).

  • Balances civic duty with ultimate allegiance to God.

Article 17 – Of the Righteous and the Wicked

  • Essential difference: righteous justified & sanctified; wicked remain impenitent (Mal 3:18).

  • Status pertains both now and after death (Luke 16:25).

  • Underpins moral seriousness, evangelism urgency.

Article 18 – Of the World to Come

  • World’s end approaching (1 Pet 4:7).

  • Last Day: Christ descends, dead raised (1 Thess 4:13-18).

  • Final separation: righteous to endless joy, wicked to endless punishment (Matt 25:31-46).

  • Judgment fixes state forever on righteous principles (Rom 2:2-16).

  • Eschatological hope motivates holiness, mission, perseverance.