HUDSON BAPTIST CHURCH
DECLARATION OF FAITH...
1) of the Scriptures...
We believe that the Holy Bible in its entirety is God’s word, written by men who were
divinely inspired. It is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction that has God as its author,
salvation and edification as its purpose, and truth without any mixture of error for its content.
It reveals the principles by which God will judge us, and therefore is, and shall remain until
the end of the world, the true center of Christian doctrine and the supreme standard by which
all human conduct, creeds and opinions should be evaluated and tried.
References: 2 Timothy 3:14-16, John 12:44-50, 2 Peter 1:21, Acts 11:14, Proverbs 30: 5-6, Isaiah 8:20, 40:8, 1 Thes. 5:21, Psalm 18:30, Hebrews 4:12, Romans 1:16 & 10:11-13.
2) of the True God...
We believe there is one, and only one, living and true God. His name is Jehovah/Yahweh and He is the maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth. He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness and is worthy of all possible confidence, love, glory, honor and praise. The unity of the Godhead exists in three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They are equal in every divine perfection and they execute distinct, but harmonious offices, administrations and positions in the great work of redemption.
References: John 14:23-28, Exodus 15:11, Revelation 4:8-11, Matthew 28:18-20,
John 20:26-31, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Duet. 6:4-6, Mark 12:29-30, Proverbs 3:25-26, Ephesians 3:11-12, Psalm 33:18.
3) of the Fall of Man...
We believe that man was created in God’s image and under His rule and authority. By voluntary transgression, Man fell from that holy happy state through Adam. The consequence is that all mankind are sinners, not by constraint, but by choice. Man is, by nature, utterly void of the holiness required by the law of God. Mankind is positively inclined to evil and is therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin. Mankind is without defense and without excuse.
Gen 1:27-31, 3:2-24, Romans 1:20, 3:9-23, 5:12-19, Ephesians 2: 1-3, Isaiah 53: 6.
4) of the Way of Salvation...
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly by grace through faith in Jesus, the Son of God, who is the only mediator between God and Man. Jesus, by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon himself our nature, yet without sin. He honored the divine law by his personal obedience, even to the point of death. He made a full atonement for our sins by his death and resurrection. He is now enthroned in Heaven. He has fulfilled every qualification to be the suitable, compassionate and all-sufficient savior.
Ephesians 2:4-9; John 3:16-18, 36; Philippians 2:6-11; Isaiah 53: 3-6; Hebrews 7:25
Romans 5:19
5) of Justification...
We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures for everyone who believes in Him is Justification. Justification includes the pardon of Sin and the promise of eternal life. It is not bestowed on us because of anything that we have done. It is bestowed on us solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood. Through faith, His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us by God. This righteousness brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing necessary for time and eternity.
Acts 13: 38-39; Romans 3:22-26, 4:4-8, 5:1-2 & 9-11
6) of the Freeness of Salvation...
We believe that the blessings of Salvation are made free to all by the Gospel of Christ and that it is the immediate duty of all to repent and accept salvation by faith. Nothing prevents the Salvation of the greatest sinner on Earth but his own determined depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel. Those who reject the Gospel stand condemned already.
Revelation 22:17; John 5:39-40; John 3:16-19, 36; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 5:6-11, 6:23.
7) of Regeneration...
We believe that in order to be saved, a sinner must be regenerated, or “born again”. It is an act of God in which He imparts new spiritual life to us. Regeneration includes being given a holy disposition of the mind. This regeneration is effected in a manner beyond our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with Divine truth, and secures our voluntary obedience to the Gospel. Its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith and newness of life.
Titus 3:5; John 3:3,7-8; 1 Peter 1:3; 2 Corinthians 5:14,17; John 1:12-13; 1 John 5:1-3; Ephesians 5:9, James 1:18.
8) of Repentance and Faith...
We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties and inseparable gifts of God. They are brought about in our souls by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit of God, who also convicts and leads us. He deeply convinces us of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of Salvation by Christ, so that we turn to God with genuine humility, confession, and supplication 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 11:16-18; Ephesians 2:8; 1 John 5:1; Acts 2:37-38; Romans 10:9-11.
9) of God’s Purpose of Grace...
We believe that God has chosen us, (elected us) for His eternal purpose. Because God chose us, He graciously regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners. This is perfectly consistent with the free will of man. Election comprehends and uses all the infinite power and resources of God in connection with His purpose and it is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness. God is infinitely wise, holy and unchangeable. His grace promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God and an active imitation of God’s free mercy in the believer. It uses all means and circumstances to the highest degree so that its effects may be achieved in all who truly believe the Gospel of Jesus. Election is the foundation of Christian assurance. With regards to ourselves, it demands and deserves our utmost diligence.
2 Timothy 1: 8-9, 2:10, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14, Exodus 33:18-19, Matthew 20:15,
1 Corinthians 1: 4-9, 4:7, Ephesians 5:1, 1:2-12, 1 Thessalonians 1: 3, Romans 8: 28-30, 2 Peter 1: 10-11.
10) of Sanctification...
We believe that sanctification is the process by which , according to the will of God, we are made partakers of His holiness. It is a progressive work that is begun in regeneration. It is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Ghost, by the continual use of the appointed means, especially the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayer. We must actively participate in the renewing of our minds. Sanctification is completed at death.
1 Thessalonians 4: 3-7, 5:23, Proverbs 4:18, Romans 8:5, Philippians 2:12-13,
Colossians 3:1-17, 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27, Philippians 3:12-14, Ephesians 4:22-24, Ephesians 4:17-24, 5:8-9; Romans 6:6-14, 12:1-2, Hebrews 12:23, 1 Pet 1:15-16, 2Corinthians 3:18, John 17:17-19.
11) of The Harmony of the Law and Gospel...
We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of His moral government. It is holy, just and good. The inability which the scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arises entirely from their love of sin. The law shows men that they are sinful. One of the great ends of the Gospel is to deliver men from the condemnation of the Old Testament law through a mediator (Jesus) to unfeigned obedience to God. The law is our tutor to lead us to Christ. Once we have been saved through faith in Jesus, we are no longer under the supervision of the law because His death and resurrection fulfilled the law. Those who are not in Christ Jesus are still under the curse of the law. The new law of God is love.
Romans 3:19-31, 7:12, 8:2-4 & 7-8; Galatians 3:1-27, 2:21, Ephesians 2:1-10 and v15.
12) of A Gospel Church...
We believe that the Church of Christ consists of baptized (visible) believers who have repented and believe. These believers are associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel. The Church of Christ observes the ordinances of Jesus (Baptism and The Lord’s Supper), is governed by His laws and exercises their individual gifts, rights and privileges invested in them by His word.
1 Corinthians 1:1-3 and v. 10, 1 Corinthians 12:27. Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:11, Titus 1, Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 12:4-8, Ephesians 4:11-13, Colossians 1:18 .
13) of Baptism and Communion...
We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ has left us the ordinances of Baptism and Communion
which are to be observed by the Church in commemoration of His Person and work. We
believe the Christian Baptism is the immersion of the believer in water into the name of the
Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. This water immersion is a public testimony of the
believer’s spiritual immersion into the death and resurrection of Jesus. The believer is giving
a public testimony that he is dead to sin and made alive in Christ. Baptism is a solemn and
beautiful symbol of our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Savior.
Matthew 3, 26:26-28, 28:19-20, Acts 2:41-42, 8:36-39, 18:8, Romans 6:4-10, Galatians 2:20, 1 Cor. 11:2; 23-26, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:17-20, John 3:23
14) Of Civil Government...
We believe that Civil Government is of divine appointment, for the interests and good order of human society. Magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed, except in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, who is the only Lord of the conscience and who is the King of Kings.
Romans 13:1-7, Matthew 22:21, Acts 5:29, Matthew 10:16-28, Revelation 19:16, 1Pet 2:13-14, 17.
15) Of the Righteous and the Wicked...
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked. Only those who through faith are sanctified by the Spirit of our God are truly righteous in His eyes. All who continue unrepentant and in unbelief are wicked in His sight and are under the curse (See #3 regarding the Fall of Man and the curse). This distinction holds true among men both before and after death.
Matthew 7:18, 13:49-50, Romans 1:17, 8:12-14 & 16-17, 1 John 2:29, Galatians 3:9-14, Proverbs 14:32
16) Of the World to Come...
We believe that the end of this world is approaching. At the Last Day, Jesus will descend from heaven and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution. A solemn separation will then take place. The wicked will be judged and suffer endless punishment while the righteous will experience eternal joy in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus. This judgment will forever settle, on principles of righteousness, the final state of men in heaven or hell.
1 Peter 4:7, Acts 1:11, 24:15, Matthew 13:49-50, Revelation 22:12
