[CBC Dove Logo]

Calvary Baptist Church
4455 SW 175th Ave.
Aloha, OR 97007
(503)-649-7352

Pharris T. Hughey, Pastor

DECLARATION OF FAITH
(Adapted from The New Hampshire Confession of Faith,
as revised and enlarged by J. Newton Brown)

Calvary Baptist Church of Aloha, Oregon, presents this declaration
of faith for the purpose of declaring the things most surely believed
among us. This purpose is twofold. We seek to educate our own
members.

It is good to have a reminder of the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ
in a form easily accessible. It is also a reference concerning the
teaching of our church. Our minds do not always assist us during the
spur of the moment. We do not always make the connection between
the teaching of scripture and applying it to our everyday life. We
seek to be mission minded.

This declaration of faith can serve as a starting point when talking to
others about our Lord. It gives those outside our church references on
which to explore what the scriptures say about the need for salvation
in Christ. It also serves as a comparison concerning other beliefs and
practices in our present world.

For the sake of brevity, we have adapted the Baptist Church manual,
which is the New Hampshire Confession of Faith by J. Newton
Brown. If a more thorough statement is desired, we refer you to the
Philadelphia Baptist Confession of Faith, which is the same as the
1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith.
I. OF THE SCRIPTURES

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired,
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]
II. OF THE TRUE GOD

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an
infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAH, 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 Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, and executing
distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
[1 Peter 1:2-3]
III. OF THE FALL OF MAN

We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his
Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy
state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by
constraint, but choice; 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 ruin, without defense or excuse.
[1 Corinthians 15:22]
IV. OF THE WAY OF SALVATION

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through
the mediatorial offices of 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 2:8-10]
V. OF JUSTIFICATION

We believe that the great gospel blessing which Christ secures to
such as 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 bestowed, not in consideration 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.
[Romans 3:20-26]
VI. OF THE FREENESS OF SALVATION

We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the
gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a cordial,
penitent, 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; which rejection involves him in an
aggravated condemnation.
[John 3:18, John 6:37-40]
VII. 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 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 its proper
evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and
newness of life.
[John 1:12-13,John 3:8, 2 Corinthians 5:17]
VIII. OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH

We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also
inseparable graces, wrought in our soul 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 unfeigned contrition, 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.
[Acts 11:18, Romans 12:3]
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 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 ascertained by its effects in all
who truly believe the gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian
assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands
and deserves the utmost diligence.
[Romans 8:28-30]
X. 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, Who uses self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness,
and prayer to cause us to grow spiritually.
[1 Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 13:20-21]
XI. OF THE PERSEVERANCE
AND PRESERVATION OF SAINTS

We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto 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.
[Philippians 1:6,Philippians 2:12-13, John 10:27-30]
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 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 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 church.
[Romans 8:2-4]
XIII. 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 Pastors or Elders, and
Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the
epistles to Timothy and Titus.
[Colossians 1:17-19, Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12:12-14,
1 Timothy 3:14-15]
XIV. OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER

We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a
believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Spirit 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 prerequisite to the
privileges of a church relation; 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.
[Romans 6:4-6, 1 Corinthians 11:23-29, Luke 22:14-20]
XV. OF THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH
OR ASSEMBLING TOGETHER

We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or
Christian Sabbath; and if at all possible is to be kept sacred to
religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful
recreations; by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both
private and public; and by preparation for that rest that remains for
the people of God; and whenever possible, it is our duty to assemble
together for fellowship and worship with the saints of God.
[Acts 20:7, Hebrews 4:9-10, Hebrews 10:23-25]
XVI. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT

We believe that civil government is of divine appointment, for the
interests and good order of human society; and that governing officials
are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only
in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only
Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
[1 Peter 2:13-15, Romans 13:1-7]
XVII. OF THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED

We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the
righteous and the wicked; that such only as 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 such as continue in
impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse;
and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.
[1 John 3:9-10]
XVIII. OF THE WORLD TO COME

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 adjudged to endless punishment, and the
righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the
final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.
[John 5:28-29, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 20:10-15]

[Back]   Back to Calvary Baptist Home Page
Copyright © 1998 Calvary Baptist Church. All rights reserved.