24 ARTICLES OF FAITH – First Union Missionary Baptist Church

ARTICLE 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; 2 Peter 1: 21; 2 Samuel 23: 2; Acts 1: 16; 3: 21; John 10:35; Luke 16: 29-31; Psalm 119:3; Romans 3: 1-2; Proverbs 30: 5-6; John 17:17; Revelation 22: 18-19; Romans 3:4; Romans 2: 12; John 12:47-48; 1 Corinthians 4: 3-4; Luke 10: 10-16, 12: 47-48)

ARTICLE II

Of The True Go

We Believe that there is one and only one living and true God, an intelligent, spiritual and personal Being, the Creator, Preserver and Ruler of the universe, infinite in holiness and all other perfections to Whom we owe the highest love, reverence and obedience. He is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, each with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being. (John 4:24; Psalm 147:5; Psalm 83:18; Hebrews 3:4; Romans 1:20; Jeremiah 10:10; Exodus 15:11; 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; Philippians 2:5-6; Ephesians 2:18; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 1:4-5)

ARTICLE III

Of the Fall of Man

We Believe that man was created by the special act of God, as recorded in Genesis. “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them” (Genesis 1:27). “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). He was created in a state of holiness under the law of his Maker, but through the temptation of satan, he transgressed the command of God an fell from his original holiness and righteousness; whereby his posterity inherit a nature corrupt and in bondage to sin, are under condemnation, and as soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors. (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 1:31; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Acts 17:26; Genesis 2:16; Genesis 3:6-24; Romans 5:12; Romans 5:19; John 3:6; Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:15-19; 8:7; Isaiah 52:6; Genesis 6:12; Romans 3:9-18; Ephesians 2:3; Romans 1:18; Romans 1:32, 2:1-16; Galatians 3:10; Matthew 20:15; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:20; Romans 3:19; Galatians 3:22)

ARTICLE IV

Of The Way Of Salvation

We Believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace, through the mediatorial office of the Son of God, Who by the Holy Spirit was born of the Virgin Mary and took upon Him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by His personal obedience and made atonement for our sins by His death. Being risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in Heaven, and, uniting in His person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, He is in every way qualified to be a compassionate and all-sufficient Saviour. (Ephesians 2:8; 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; 12:24; Philippians 2:6-7; Hebrews 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; 3:21-26; 1 John 4:10; 2:2; 1 Corinthians 15:1-3; Hebrews 9:13-15; Hebrews 1:8; Hebrews 1:3; 8:1; Colossians 3:1-4; Hebrews 7:25; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 7:26; Psalm 89:10; Psalm 34)

ARTICLE V

Of Justification

We Believe that justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of righteousness of all sinners who believe in Christ. This blessing is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness, which we have done, but through the redemption that is in and through Jesus The Christ. It brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other needed blessing. (John 1:16; Ephesians 3:8; Acts 13:39; Isaiah 53:11-12; Romans 8:1; Romans 5:9; Zechariah 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; 4:23-25; 1 John 2:12; Romans 5:1-3,11; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31; Matthew 6:33; 1 Timothy 4:8)

ARTICLE VI

Of The Freeness Of Salvation

We Believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel. It is the duty of all to accept them by penitent and obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner except his own voluntary refusal to accept Jesus The Christ as Teach, Saviour and Lord. (Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 23:17; Luke 14:17; 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 19:27; 2 Thessalonians 1:8)

ARTICLE VII

Of Grace In Regeneration

We Believe that regeneration or the new birth is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit, whereby we become partakers of the divine nature and a holy disposition is given, leading to the love and practice of righteousness. It is a work of Gods’ free grace conditioned upon faith in Christ and made manifest by the fruit which we bring forth to the glory of God. (John 3:3; John 3:6-7; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Revelation 14:3; 21-27; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ezekiel 36:26; Deuteronomy 30:6; Romans 2:28-29; 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 2:14-21; Matthew 3:8-10; 7:20; 1 John 5:4, 18)

ARTICLE VIII

Of Repentance And FaithWe Believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought 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 unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus The Christ as our Prophet, Priest, and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all-sufficient Saviour. (Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Ephesians 2:8; 1 John 5:1; John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; Acts 16:30; 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; 7:25; 2 Timothy 1:12)

ARTICLE IX

Of God’s Purpose Of Grace

We Believe that election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners. It is perfectly consistent with the free agency of man and in no way interferes with the salvation of any individual. It is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility. It encourages the use of means in the highest degree. (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 4:7; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Romans 3:27; 4:16; Colossians 3:12; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 1 Peter 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:12-13; 1 Peter 2:9; Luke 18:7; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Corinthians 9:22; John 6:37-40; 2 Peter 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:10; Romans 8:28-31; Isaiah 42:16; Romans 11:20)

ARTICLE IX

Of God’s Purpose Of Grace

ARTICLE 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, 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, 13:9; Ephesians 1:4; Proverbs 4:18; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Hebrews 6:1; 2 Peter 1:5-8; Philippians 3:12-16; 1 John 2:29; John 3:6; Philippians 1:9-11; Philippians 2:12-13; Ephesians 4:11-12, 30; 6:18; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Luke 9:23; 11:35; Matthew 26:41; Ephesians 6:18)

ARTICLE XI

Of The Perseverance 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. (John 6:39; John 8:31; 1 John 2:27- 28, 3:9, 5:18; 1 John 2;19; John 13:18; Matthew 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Romans 8:28; Matthew 6:30-33; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 2:12-13; Jude 24-25; Hebrews 1:14, 13:5; 1 John 4:4)

ARTICLE 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 manes of grace connected with the establishment of the visible Church. (Romans 3:31; Matthew 5:17; Luke 16:17; Romans 3:20, 4:15, 7:7-14, 22; Galatians 3:21; Psalm 119; Romans 8:7- 8; Romans 8: 2,4; Joshua 24:19; Jeremiah 13:23; John 6:44; 5:44; Romans 10:4; Hebrews 8:10; 12:14; Jude 20, 21)

ARTICLE 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 Scripture officers are bishops or pastors, and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus. (1 Corinthians 1:1-13; Matthew 18:17; Acts 5:11; 8:1; 11:21-23; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 14:23; 3 John 9; Acts 2:41-42, 2 Corinthians 8:5; Acts 2:47; 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; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 1 Corinthians 4:17; Matthew 28:20; John 14:15; 15:12; 1 John 4:21; John 14:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:2; 2 John 6; Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 4:7; 1 Corinthians 14:12; Philippians 1:27; Philippians 1:1; Acts 14:23; 15:22; 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1)

ARTICLE XIV

Of Baptism And The Lord’s Supper

We Believe that the Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit; to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Saviour 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. (Acts 8:36-39; Matthew 3:5-6; John 3:22-23; 4:1-2; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12; 16:32-34; 18:8; Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:47-48; Galatians 3:27-28; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:20-21; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:41-42; Matthew 28:19-20; 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; 10:32-33; 11:17-32; John 6:26-71)

ARTICLE XV

Of The Christian Sabbath

We Believe that the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day, or Christian Sabbath; and 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 remaineth for the people of God. (Acts 20:7; Genesis 2:3; Colossians 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; John 20:19; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Exodus 20:8; Revelations 1:10; Psalm 118:24; Isaiah 58:13-14; Isaiah 56:2-8; Hebrews 10:25; Acts 13:44; Hebrews 4:3-11)

ARTICLE XVI

Of Civil Government

We Believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus The Christ, Who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13; Matthew 22:21; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13; 1 Timothy 2:1-8; Acts 5:29; Matthew 10:28; Daniel 3:15-18, 6:7,10; Acts 4:18-20; Matthew 23:10; Romans 14:4; Revelations 19:16; Psalm 72:11; Psalm 2; Romans 14:9-13)

ARTICLE XVII

Of The Righteous and Wicked

We Believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked. Those only who are justified through the name of the Lord Jesus The Christ and sanctified by the Holy Spirit are truly righteous in His sight. Those who continue in impenitence and unbelief are in His sight wicked and are under condemnation. This distinction between the righteous and the wicked holds in and after death, and will be made manifest at the judgment when final and everlasting awards are made to all men. (Malachi 3:18; Proverbs 12:26; Isaiah 5:20; Genesis 18:23; 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)

ARTICLE XVIII

Of Faith

We Believe that Christianity is the religion of enlightenment and intelligence. In Jesus The Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. All sound learning is therefore a part of our Christian heritage. The new birth opens all humans faculties and creates a thirst for knowledge. An adequate system of schools is necessary to a complete spiritual program for Christ’s people. The cause of education in the Kingdom of Christ is co-ordinate with the causes of missions and general benevolence, and should receive along with these the liberal support of the Churches. (Proverbs 10:14; Proverbs 8:10-12; Acts 7:22; Acts 13:1; Acts 17:30; John 8:32; John 8:12; John 5:39; Acts 17:11; 2 Timothy 2:15; Luke 2:52; Acts 19:8-10)

ARTICLE XIX

Of Social Service

We Believe that every Christian is under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ regnant in his own life and in human society; to oppose in the Spirit of Christ every form of greed, selfishness and vice; to provide for the orphaned, the aged, the helpless, and the sick; to seek to bring industry, government and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth and brotherly love; to promote these ends Christians should be ready to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and his truth. All means and methods used in social service for the amelioration of society and the establishment of righteousness among men must finally depend on the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Christ Jesus. (Matthew 25:35-36; James 1:27; Mark 9:38-41; Ephesians 5:5; Acts 11:29; Romans 15:26; 1 Corinthians 16:1; 1 Timothy 5:8; Acts 5:11)

ARTICLE X

Of Stewardship

We Believe that God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. We have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in our possessions. We are therefore under obligation to serve Him with our time talents and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to use to use for the glory of God and helping others. Christians should cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately and liberally contribute of their means to advancing the redeemer’s cause on earth. (1 Peter 4:10; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; Malachi 3:8-10; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Matthew 16:24; Luke 11:42)

ARTICLE XXI

Of Evangelism And Missions

We Believe that it is the duty of every Christian man and woman, and the duty of every Church of Christ to seek to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. The new birth of man’s spirit by God’s Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life. It is also expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by personal effort and by all other methods sanctioned by the gospel of Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 8:30-35; 1 Corinthians 9:19-27)

ARTICLE XXII

Of The Resurrection

We Believe that the Scriptures clearly teach that Jesus rose from the dead. His grave was emptied of its contents. He appeared to the disciples after His resurrection in many convincing manifestations. He now exists in His glorified body at God’s right hand. There will be a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked. The bodies of the righteous will conform to the glorious spiritual body of Jesus. (Matthew 28:1-6; Luke 24:1-7; Mark 16:1-7; John 20:1-10; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; John 5:5:28-29)

ARTICLE XXIII

Of The Return Of The Lord

We Believe that the New Testament teaches in many places the visible and personal return of Jesus to this earth. “This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” The time of His coming is not revealed. “Of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only (Matthew 24:36). It is the duty of all believes to live in readiness for His coming and by diligence in good works to make manifest to all men the reality and power of their hope in Christ. (Acts 1:11; Matthew 24; Revelation 19:11-16; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12)

ARTICLE XXIV

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. (1 Peter 4:7; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Hebrews 1:10-12; Matthew 25:31; 28:20; 13:39-43; 1 John 2:17; 2 Peter 3:3-13; Revelation 1:7; Hebrews 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13:18; 5:1-11; Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:12-58; Luke 14:14; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29, 6:40, 11:25-26; Acts 10:42; Matthew 13:49; Matthew 13: 37-43,49, 24:30-31; 25:31-33; Matthew 25:31-46; 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.)