Revised from the New Hampshire Confession of Faith (1853)

I. The Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction¹; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end², and truth without any mixture of error for its matter³; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us⁴; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union⁵, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried ⁶.
 
II. Of The True God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker and supreme Ruler of heaven and earth⁷; inexpressibly glorious in holiness⁸, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love⁹; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit¹⁰; equal in every divine perfection¹¹, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption¹².
 
III. Of The Fall Of Humanity
We believe that Adam and Eve were created in holiness, under the law of their maker¹³; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state¹⁴; in consequence of which all people are now sinners¹⁵, not by constraint but choice¹⁶; 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 ruin¹⁷, without defense or excuse¹⁸.
 
IV. Of The Way Of Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace¹⁹; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God²⁰; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin²¹; honored the divine law by his personal obedience²², and by his death made a full atonement for our sins²³; that having risen from the dead he is now enthroned in heaven²⁴; 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 Savior²⁵.
 
V. Of Justification
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ²⁶ secures to those who believe in Him is justification²⁷; that justification includes the pardon of sin²⁸, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness²⁹; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood³⁰; by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God³¹; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity³².
 
VI. Of The Freeness Of Salvation
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel³³; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial, penitent, and obedient faith³⁴; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel³⁵; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation³⁶.
 
VII. Of Grace In Regeneration
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again³⁷; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind³⁸; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth³⁹, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel⁴⁰; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life⁴¹.
 
VIII. 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 God⁴²; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ⁴³, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy⁴⁴; 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 Savior⁴⁵.
 
IX. 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 sinners⁴⁶; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end⁴⁷; that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable⁴⁸; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy⁴⁹; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree⁵⁰; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel⁵¹; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance⁵²; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence⁵³.
 
X. Of Sanctification
We believe that sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness⁵⁴; that it is a progressive work⁵⁵; that it is begun in regeneration⁵⁶; 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 prayer⁵⁷.
 
XI. Of The Perseverance Of Saints
We believe that only those who endure unto the end are true believers⁵⁸; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors⁵⁹; that a special providence watches over their welfare⁶⁰; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation⁶¹.
 
XII. 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 government⁶²; that it is holy, just, and good⁶³; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arises entirely from their love of sin⁶⁴: 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 church⁶⁵.
 
XIII. Of A Gospel Church
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers⁶⁶, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel⁶⁷; observing the ordinances of Christ⁶⁸; governed by His laws⁶⁹; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word⁷⁰; that its only scriptural officers are pastors and elders, and deacons⁷¹, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the letters to Timothy and Titus.
 
XIV. Of Baptism And The Lord's Supper
We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer⁷², into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit⁷³; 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 life⁷⁴; and that baptism is the visible sign of membership in the Body of Christ⁷⁵.  We believe that in the Lord's Supper, believers in Jesus, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ⁷⁶, preceded always by solemn self-examination⁷⁷.
 
XV. Of the Lord’s Day
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day⁷⁸ and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes⁷⁹ by preparation for that rest that remains for the people of God⁸⁰.
 
XVI. Of Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society⁸¹; and that civil leaders are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed⁸²; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ⁸³, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth⁸⁴.
 
XVII. Of The Righteous And The Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked⁸⁵; 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 esteem⁸⁶; while all who continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse⁸⁷; and this distinction holds among people both in and after death⁸⁸. 
 
XVIII. Of The World To Come
We believe that the end of the world is approaching⁸⁹; that at the last day Christ will descend from heaven⁹⁰, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution⁹¹; that a solemn separation will then take place⁹²; that the wicked will be judged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy⁹³; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness⁹⁴.

-- Approved by the Elder Council of Grace Community Bible Church on April 4, 2006 and affirmed by the congregation on August 20, 2006
 
 
 
 
1 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:21; 1 Sam. 23:2; Acts 1:16; 3:21; John 10:35; Luke 16:29-31; Psa. 119:11; Rom. 3:1-2
2 2 Tim. 3:15; 1 Pet. 1:10-12; Acts 11:14; Rom. 1:16; Mark 16:16; John 5:38-39
3 Prov. 30:5-6; John 17:17; Rev. 22:18-19; Rom. 3:4
4 Rom. 2:12; John 12:47-48; 1 Cor. 4:3-4; Luke 10:10-16; 12:47-48
5 Phil. 3:16; Eph. 4:3-6; Phil. 2:1-2; 1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Pet. 4:11
6 1 John 4:1; Isa. 8:20; 1 Thess. 5:21; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 17:11; 1 John 4:6; Jude 3:5; Eph. 6:17; Psa. 119:59-60; Phil. 1:9-11
7 John 4:24; Psa. 147:5; 83:18; Heb. 3:4; Rom. 1:20; Jer. 10:10
8 Exod. 15:11; Isa. 6:3; 1 Pet. 1:15-16; Rev. 4:6-8
9 Mark 12:30; Rev. 4:11; Matt. 10:37; Jer. 2:12-13
10 Matt. 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 1 John 5:7
11 John 10:30; 5:17; 14:23; 17:5, 10; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Cor. 2:10-11; Phil. 2:5-6
12 Eph. 2:18; 2 Cor. 13:14; Rev. 1:4-5; comp. 2, 7
13 Gen. 1:27, 31; Eccl. 7:29; Acts 16:26; Gen. 2:16
14 Gen. 3:6-24; Rom. 5:12
15 Rom. 5:19; John 3:6; Psa. 51:5; Rom. 5:15-19; 8:7
16 Isa. 53:6; Gen. 6:12; Rom. 3:9-18; James 1:13-15
17 Eph. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:18, 32; 2:1-16; Gal. 3:10; Matt. 20:15
18 Ezek. 18:19-20; Rom. 1:20; 3:19; Gal. 3:22
19 Eph. 2:5; Matt. 18:11; 1 John 4:10; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; Acts 15:11
20 John 3:16; 1:1-14; Heb. 4:14; 12:24
21 Phil. 2:6-7; Heb. 2:9, 14; 2 Cor. 5:21
22 Isa. 42:21; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 4:4-5; Rom. 3:21
23 Isa. 53:4-5; Matt. 20:28; Rom. 4:25; 3:21-26; 1 John 4:10; 2:2; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Heb. 9:13-15
24 Heb. 1:8, 3; 8:1; Col. 3:1-4
25 Heb. 7:25; Col. 2:9; Heb. 2:18; 7:26; Psa. 89:19; Psa. 14
26 John 1:16; Eph. 3:8
27 Acts 13:39; Isa. 3:11-12; Rom. 8:1
28 Rom. 5:9; Zech. 13:1; Matt. 9:6; Acts 10:43
29 Rom. 5:17; Titus 3:5-6; 1 Pet. 3:7; 1 John 2:25; Rom. 5:21
30 Rom. 4:4-5; 5:21; 6:28; Phil. 3:7-9
31 Rom. 5:19; 3:24-26; 4:23-25; 1 John 2:12
32 Rom. 5:1-3, 11; 1 Cor. 1:30-31; Matt. 6:33; 1 Tim. 4:8
33 Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17; Luke 14:17
34 Rom. 16:26; Mark 1:15; Rom. 1:15-17
35 John 5:40; Matt. 23:37; Rom. 9:32; Prov. 1:24; Acts 13:46; Rom. 1:18-32
36 John 3:19; Matt. 11:20; Luke 19:27; 2 Thess. 1:8
37 John 3:3, 6-7; 1 Cor. 1:14; Rev. 8:7-9; 21:27
38 John 3:3, 6-7; 1 Cor. 1:14; Rev. 8:7-9; 21:27
39 John 3:8; 1:13; James 1:16-18; 1 Cor. 1:30; Phil. 2:13
40 1 Pet. 1:22-25; 1 John 5:1; Eph. 4:20-24; Col. 3:9-11
41 Eph. 5:9; Rom. 8:9; Gal. 5:16-23; Eph. 3:14-21; Matt. 3:8-10; 7:20; 1 John 5:4, 18
42 Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; 1 John 5:1
43 John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; 16:30-31
44 Luke 18:13; 15:18-21; James 4:7-10; 2 Cor. 7:11; Rom. 10:12-13; Psa. 51
45 Rom. 10:9-11; Acts 3:22-23: Heb. 4:14; Psa. 2:6; Heb. 1:8; 8:25; 2 Tim. 1:12
46 2 Tim. 1:8-9; Eph. 1:3-14; 1 Pet. 1:1-2; Rom. 11:5-6; John 15:15; 1 John 4:19; Hos. 12:9
47 2 Thess. 2:13-14; Acts 13:48; John 10:16; Matt. 20:16; Acts 15:14
48 Exod. 33:18-19; Matt. 20:15; Eph. 1:11; Rom. 9:23-24: Jer. 31:3; Rom. 11:28-29; James 1:17-18; 2 Tim. 1:9; Rom. 11:32-36
49 1 Cor. 4:7; 1:26-31; Rom. 3:27; 4:16; Col. 3:12; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 15:10; 1 Pet. 5:10; Acts 1:24; 1 Thess. 2:13; 1 Pet. 2:9; Luke 18:7; John 15:16; Eph. 1:16; 1 Thess. 2:12
50 2 Tim. 2:10; 1 Cor. 9:22; Rom. 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; 2 Pet. 1:10
51 1 Thess. 1:4-10
52 Rom. 8:28-30; Isa. 42:16; Rom. 11:29
53 2 Pet. 1:10-11; Phil. 3:12; Heb. 6:11
54 1 Thess. 4:3; 5:23; 2 Cor. 7:1; 13:9; Eph. 1:4
55 Prov. 4:18; 2 Cor. 3:18; Heb. 6:1; 2 Pet. 1:5-8; Phil. 3:12-16
56 John 2:29; Rom. 8:5; John 3:6; Phil. 1:9-11; Eph. 1:13-14
57 Phil. 2:12-13; Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18; 2 Cor. 13:5; Luke 11:35; 9:23; Matt. 26:41; Eph. 6:18; 4:30
58 John 8:31; 1 John 2:27-28; 3:9; 5:18
59 1 John 2:19; John 13:18; Matt. 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9
60 Rom. 8:28; Matt. 6:30-33; Jer. 32:40; Psa. 121:3; 91:11-12
61 Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13; Jude 24-25; Heb. 1:14; 2 Kings 6:16; Heb. 13:5; 1 John 4:4
62 Rom. 3:31; Matt. 5:17; Luke 16:17; Rom. 3:20; 4:15
63 Rom. 7:12, 7, 14, 22; Gal. 3:21; Psa. 119
64 Rom. 8:7-8; Josh. 24:19; Jer. 13:23; John 6:44; 5:44
65 Rom. 8:2, 4; 10:4; 1 Tim. 1:5; Heb. 8:10; Jude 20-21; Heb. 12:14; Matt. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 12:28
66 1 Cor. 1:1-13; Matt. 18:17; Acts 5:11; 8:1; 11:31; 1 Cor. 4:17; 14:23; 3 John 9; 1 Tim. 3:5
67 Acts 2:41-42; 2 Cor. 8:5; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 5:12-13
68 1 Cor. 11:2; 2 Thess. 3:6; Rom. 16:17-20; 1 Cor. 11:23; Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor 5:6; 2 Cor. 2:7; 1 Cor. 4:17
69 Matt. 28:20; John 14:15; 15:12; 1 John 4:21; John 14:21; 1 Thess. 4.2; 2 John 6; Gal. 6:2; all the Epistles
70 Eph. 4:7; 1 Cor. 14:12; Phil. 1:27; 1 Cor. 12:14
71 Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23; 15:22; 1 Tim. 3; Titus 1
72 Acts 8:36-39; Matt. 3:5-6; John 3:22-23; 4:1-2; Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12; 16:32-34; 18:8
73 Matt. 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Gal. 3:27-28
74 Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12; 1 Pet. 3:20-21; Acts 22:16
75 Acts 2:41-42; Matt. 28:19-20; Acts and Epistles
76 1 Cor. 11:26; Matt. 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20
77 1 Cor. 11:28; 5:1, 8; 10:3-32; 11:17-32; John 6:26-71
78 Acts 20:7; Gen. 2:3; Col. 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; 1 Cor. 16:1- 2
79 Exod. 20:8; Rev. 1:10; Psa. 118:24
80 Heb. 4:3-11
81 Rom. 13:1-7; Deut. 16:18; 1 Sam. 23:3; Exod. 18:23; Jer. 30:21
82 Matt. 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Pet. 2:13; 1 Tim. 2:1-8
83 Acts 5:29; Matt. 10:28; Dan. 3:15-18; 6:7-10; Acts 4:18-20
84 Matt. 23:10; Rom. 14:4; Rev. 19:16; Psa. 72:11; Psa. 2; Rom. 14:9-13
85 Mal. 3:18; Prov. 12:26; Isa. 5:20; Gen. 18:23; Jer. 15:19; Acts 10:34- 35; Rom. 6:16
86 Rom. 1:17; 7:6; 1 John 2:29; 3:7; Rom. 6:18, 22; 1 Cor. 11:32; Prov. 11:31; 1 Pet. 4:17-18
87 1 John 5:19; Gal. 3:10; John 3:36; Isa. 57:21; Psa. 10:4; Isa 55:6-7
88 Prov. 14:32; Luke 16:25; John 8:21-24; Prov. 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; 9:23- 26; John 12:25-26; Eccl. 3:17; Matt. 7:13-14
89 1 Pet. 4:7; 1 Cor. 7:29-31; Heb. 1:10-12; Matt. 24:35; 1 John 2:17; Matt. 28:20; 13:39-40; 2 Pet. 3:3-13
90 Acts 1:11; Rev. 1:7; Heb. 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 5:1-11
91 Acts 24:15; 1 Cor. 15:12-59; Luke 14:14; Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29; 6:40; 11:25-26; 2 Tim. 1:10; Acts 10:42
92 Matt. 13:49, 37-43; 24:30-31; 25:31-33
93 Matt. 25:35-41; Rev. 22:11; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Mark 9:43-48; 2 Pet. 2:9; Jude 7; Phil. 3:19; Rom. 6:32; 2 Cor. 5:10-11; John 4:36; 2 Cor. 4:18
94 Rom. 3:5-6; 2 Thess. 1:6-12; Heb. 6:1-2; 1 Cor. 4:5; Acts 17:31; Rom. 2:2-16; Rev. 20:11-12; 1 John 2:28; 4:17