Confession of Faith
This Confession of Faith, adopted by Trinity Church Spokane Valley, is a compilation of The New Hampshire Confession of Faith by J. Newton Brown (1853) and the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. Some slight edits have been made from the original documents, but these summary statements are what we believe to be true to the scope of Scripture, truths that are and have been embraced by God’s people in Christ throughout history.
I. Of the Scriptures
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by divinely-inspired men, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction. It has God for its author, salvation through Christ for its purpose, and truth without any mixture of error for its content. It reveals the principles by which God will judge us. Therefore, it 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 Tim 3:16–17; 2 Tim 3:15; Prov 30:5–6; Rom 2:12; Phil. 3:16; 1 John 4:1
II. Of the Triune God
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God. He is an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Yahweh (the LORD), the Creator and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth. He is inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love. In the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are equal in every divine perfection, yet carry out distinct but harmonious offices in things, including the great work of redemption.
John 4:24; Ps 83:18; Heb 3:4; Rom 1:20; Jer 10:10 Ex 15:11; Ps 147:5; Isa 6:3; 1 Pet 1:15–16; Rev 4:6–8; Mark 12:30; Rev 4:11; Matt 10:37; Jer 2: 12–13; Matt 28:19; John 15:26; 1 Cor 12:4–6; John 10:30; John 5:17; John 14:23; John 17:5, 10; Acts 5:3–4; 1 Cor 2:10–11; Phil. 2:5–6; Eph 2:18; 2 Cor 13:14; Rev 1:4–5
A. God the Father
We believe God as Father reigns with providential care over His universe, His creatures, and the flow of the stream of human history according to the purposes of His grace. He is all powerful, all knowing, all loving, and all wise. God is Father in truth to those who become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. He is fatherly in His attitude toward all men.
Gen 1:1; 2:7; Ex 3:14; 6:2–3; 15:11ff; 20:1ff; Lev 22:2; Deut 6:4; 32:6; 1 Chr 29:10; Ps 19:1–3; Isa 43:4, 15; 64:8; Jer 10:10; 17:13; Mt 6:9ff; 7:11; 23:9; 28:19; Mk 1:9–11; Jn 4:24; 5:26; 14:6–13; 17:1–8; Ac 1:7; Rom 8:14–15; 1 Cor 8:6; Gal 4:6; Eph 4:6; Col 1:15; 1 Tim 1:17; Heb 11:6; 12:9; 1 Pe 1:17
B. God the Son
We believe Christ is the eternally begotten Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. He honored the divine law by His personal obedience, and in His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He will return in power and glory to judge the world and to consummate His redemptive mission. He now dwells in all believers by means of the Spirit as the living and ever-present Lord.
Ps 2:7ff; 110:1ff; Isa 7:14; 53:1–12; Mt 1:18–23; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16, 27; 17:5; 28:1–6, 19; Mk 1:1; 3:11; Lk 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46; Jn 1:1–18, 29; 10:30, 38; 11:25–27; 12:44–50; 14:7–11; 16:15–16, 28; 17:1–5, 21–22; 20:1–20, 28; Ac 1:9; 2:22–24; 7:55–56; 9:4–5, 20; Rom 1:2–4; 3:23–26; 5:6–21; 8:1–3, 34; 10:4; 1 Cor 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:1–8, 24–28; 2 Cor 5:19–21; 8:9; Gal 4:5; Eph 1:20; 3:11; 4:7–10; Phil 2:5–11; Col 1:13–22; 2:9; 1 Thes 4:14–18; 1 Tim 2:5–6; 3:16; Tit 2:13–14; Heb 1:1–3; 4:14–15; 7:14–28; 9:12–15, 24–28; 12:2; 13:8; 1 Pe 2:21–25; 3:22; 1 Jn 1:7–9; 3:2; 4:14–15; 5:9; 2 Jn 7–9; Rev 1:13–16; 5:9–14; 12:10–11; 13:8; 19:16
C. God the Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son, fully divine. He inspired holy men of old to write the Scriptures. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. He exalts Christ. He convicts men of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. He calls men to the Savior, and effects regeneration. At the moment of regeneration, He baptizes every believer into the Body of Christ. He cultivates Christian character, comforts believers, and bestows the spiritual gifts by which they serve God through His church. He seals the believer unto the day of final redemption. His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. He enlightens and empowers the believer and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.
Gen 1:2; Judg 14:6; Job 26:13; Ps 51:11; 139:7ff; Isa 61:1–3; Joel 2:28–32; Mt 1:18; 3:16; 4:1; 12:28–32; 28:19; Mk 1:10, 12; Lk 1:35; 4:1, 18–19; 11:13; 12:12; 24:29; Jn 4:24; 14:16–17, 26; 15:26; 16:7–14; Acts 1:8; 2:1–4; 38; 4:31; 5:3; 6:3; 7:55; 8:17, 39; 10:44; 13:2; 15:28; 16:6; 19:1–6; Rom 8:9–11, 14–16, 26–27; 1 Cor 2:10–14; 3:16; 12:3–11, 13; Gal 4:6; Eph 1:13–14; 4:30; 5:18; 1 Thes 5:19; 1 Tim 3:16; 4:1; 2 Tim 1:14; 3:16; Heb 9:8, 14; 2 Pe 1:21; 1 Jn 4:13; 5:6; Rev 1:1; 22:17
III. Of Humanity
We believe that humanity is the special creation of God, made in his own image, in the historical persons of Adam and Eve. God created them male and female as the crowning work of his creation. The gift of gender is thus part of God’s creation. The gift of marriage consists of the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime, and models the way God relates to his people. The sacredness of human personality is evident in that God created man in His own image, and in that Christ died for man; therefore, every person of every race possesses full dignity and is worthy of respect and Christian love.
Gen 1:26–31; 2:5, 7, 18–22; Mark 10:6; Acts 17:26–29; Gal 3:28; Col 3:9–11; James 3:9
IV. The Fall
We believe humanity was created in holiness, under the law of his Creator. By voluntary transgression, however, humanity fell from that holy and happy state. As a result, all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but by choice. Being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, they are now positively inclined to evil. Therefore, mankind stands under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
Gen 1:27; 1:31; Ecc 7:29; Acts 17:26–29; Gen 2:16–17; 3:6–24; Rom 5:12, 15–19; Ps 51:5; Rom 8:7; Isa 53:6; Gen 6:12; Rom 3:9–18; Eph 2:1–3; Rom 1:18, 32; 2:1–16; Gal 3:10; Ezek 18:19–20; Rom 1:20; 3:19; Gal 3:22.
V. Of the Way of Salvation
We believe that the salvation of sinners is entirely of grace, through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord. By the appointment of the Father, he freely took upon himself our nature, yet without sin. He honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his substitutionary death made a full atonement for our sins. He rose from the dead and is now enthroned in heaven. Jesus unites in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections and, as such, is qualified in every way to be a suitable, a compassionate, and all-sufficient Savior.
Eph 2:3–5; Lk 19:10; 1 Jn 4:10; 1 Cor 3:5–7; Acts 15:11; John 3:16; 1:1–14; Heb 4:14; 12:24; Phil 2:9; 2 Cor 5:21; Isa 42:21; Phil 2:8; Gal 4:4–5; Rom 3:21; Isa 53:4–5; Mt 20:28; Rom 4:25; 3:21–26; 1 Cor 15:1–3; Heb 9:13–15; 1:8; 1:3; Col 3:1–4; Heb 7:25–26; Ps 89:19; 34
VI. Of Justification
We believe that a great gospel blessing which Christ secures to those who believe in him is Justification. Justification includes both the pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life. It is not given in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but only through faith in the Redeemer’s blood. By virtue of this faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us by God. Justification brings us, immediately at the time of salvation, into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
Jn 1:16; Eph 3:8; Acts 13:39; Isa 53:11–12; Rom 5:1–2; 5:9; Zec 13:1; Mt 9:6; Acts 10:43; Rom 5:17; Tit 3:5–7; 1 Jn 2:25; Rom 5:21; 4:4–5; 6:23; Phil 3:7–9; Rom 5:19; 3:24–26; 4:23–25; 1 Jn 2:12; Rom 5:3, 11; 1 Cor 1:30–31; Mt 6:33; 1 Tim 4:8
VII. Of the Freeness of Salvation
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel. It is the immediate duty of all to accept these blessings by a heartfelt, repentant, and obedient faith. Nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel, which only magnifies his condemnation.
Isa 55:1; Rev 22:17; Rom 16:25–26; Mk 1:15; Rom 1:15–17; Jn 5:40; Mt 23:27; Rom 9:32; Pro 1:24; Acts 13:46; Jn 3:19; Mt 11:20; Lk 10:27; 2 Thes 1:8
VIII. Of Grace in Regeneration
We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again. Regeneration consists in the giving of a new and holy disposition to an otherwise rebellious sinner. It is accomplished in a way that is above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit and in connection with divine truth, thus securing our voluntary obedience to the gospel. The proper evidence of regeneration consists in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life.
Jn 3:3, 6–7; Rev 14:3; 21:27; 2 Cor 5:17; Ezek 36:26; Deut 30:6; Rom 2:28–29; 5:5; 1 Jn 4:7; Jn 3:8; 1:13; James 1:16–18; 1 Cor 1:30; Phil 2:13; 1 Pe 1:22–25; 1 Jn 5:1; Eph 4:20–24; Col 3:9–11; Eph 5:9; Rom 8:9; Gal 5:16–23; Eph 3:14–21; Mt 3:8–10; Mt 7:20; 1 Jn 5:4, 18
IX. Of Repentance and Faith
We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces that are wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God. He convinces us of our guilt, danger, helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, causing us to turn to God with true sorrow, confession, and pleas for mercy, while at the same time receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and relying on him alone as the only and all sufficient Savior.
Mk 1:15; Ac 11:18; Eph 2:8; 1 Jn 5:1; Jn 16:8; Ac 2:37–38; 16:30–31; Lk 18:13; 15:18–21; James 4:7–10; 2 Cor 7:11; 1 Tim 1:12–13; Ps 51; Rom 10:9–11; Ac 3:22–23; Heb 4:14; Ps 2:6; Heb 1:8; 7:25; 2 Tim 1:12
X. Of God’s Election
We believe that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners. Being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, election includes all the means in connection with the end of salvation. It is a most glorious display of God’s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable. It entirely obliterates boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust, and an active imitation of God’s free mercy. It encourages the greatest possible exercise of human responsibility. It may be discovered by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel. Election is the foundation of Christian assurance, and confirming our election deserves the utmost diligence.
2 Tim 1:8–9; Eph 1:3–14; 1 Pe 1:1–2; Rom 11:5–6; Jn 15:16; 1 Jn 4:19; 2 Thes 2:13–14; Acts 13:48; Jn 10:16; Mt 20:16; Acts 15:14; Ex 33:18–19; Mt 20:15; Eph 1:11; Rom 9:23–24; Jer 31:3; Rom 11:28–29; James 1:17–18; Rom 11:32–36; 1 Cor 1:26–31; Rom 3:27; 4:16; Col 3:12; 1 Cor 3:5–7; 15:10; 1 Pe 5:10; Acts 1:24; 1 Thes 2:13; 1 Pe 2:9; Lk 18:7; 1 Thes 2:12; 2 Tim 2:10; 1 Cor 9:22; Rom 8:28–30; Jn 6:37–40; 1 Thes 1:4–10; Isa 42:16; Rom 11:29; 2 Pe 1:10–11; Phil 3:12; Heb 6:11
XI. 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. It begins in regeneration and is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit—the Sealer and Comforter—by the continual use of God’s appointed means, especially including the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, prayer, and the oversight and fellowship of a local church.
1 Thes 4:3; 5:23; 2 Cor 7:1; 13:10; Phil 3:12–16; 1 Jn 2:29; Rom 8:5; Eph 1:4; Pro 4:18; 2 Cor 3:18; Heb 6:1; 2 Pe 1:5–8; Jn 3:6; Phil 1:9–11; Eph 1:13–14; Phil 2:12–13; Eph 4:11–12; 1 Pe 2:2; 2 Pe 3:18; 2 Cor 13:5; Lk 11:35; 9:23; Mt 26:41; Eph 6:18; 4:30.
XII. Of Perseverance of the Saints
We believe that all true believers endure to the end. Their persevering attachment to Christ and to his people is the grand mark distinguishing them from false professors. A special providence watches over their welfare, and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
Jn 8:31; 1 Jn 2:27–28; 3:9; 5:18; 2:19; Jn 13:18; Mt 13:18–23; Jn 6:66–69; Job 17:9; Rom 8:28–30, 38; Mt 6:30–33; Jer 32:40; Ps 121:3; 91:11–12; Phil 1:6; 2:13; Jude 24–25; Heb 1:14; 2 Kgs 6:16; Heb 13:5; 1 Jn 4:4
XIII. 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.
Rom 3:31; Mt 5:17; Lk 16:17; Rom 3:20; Rom 4:15; Rom 7:12; 7:7, 14–22; Gal 3:21; Ps 119; Rom 8:7–8; Josh 24:19; Jer 13:23; Jn 6:44; 5:44; Rom 8:2–4; 10:4; 1 Tim 1:5; Heb 8:10; Jude 20–21
XIV. Of a Gospel Church
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, joined together by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel. A visible church observes the ordinances of Christ, is governed by his laws, and exercises the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his word. The only scriptural officers of the church are Elders (also called Pastors), and Deacons, whose qualifications and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
1 Cor 1:1–3; Mt 18:17; Acts 5:11; 8:1; 11:21–23; 1 Cor 4:17; 14:23; 3 Jn 9; 1 Tim 3:5; Acts 2:41–42; 2 Cor 8:5; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 5:12–13; 11:2; 2 Thes 3:6; Rom 16:17–20; 1 Cor 11:23–24; Mt 18:15–20; 1 Cor 5:6; 2 Cor 2:17; 1 Cor 4:17; Mt 28:20; Jn 14:15; 15:12; 1 Jn 4:21; 1 Thes 4:2; 2 Jn 6; Gal 6:2; Eph 4:7; 1 Cor 14:12; Phil 1:1; Acts 14:23; 15:22; 1 Tim 3; Tit 1
XV. 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This demonstrates, 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. Baptism is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and the Lord’s Supper. We likewise believe that the Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby the members of the church, following earnest self-examination, use bread and the cup to commemorate together the dying love of Christ. These two ordinances belong to the gathered church, serving to mark off believers from unbelievers and to make the church visible on earth.
Acts 8:36–39; Mt 3:5–6; Jn 3:22–23; Mt 28:19–20; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:12; 16:32–34; 18:8; 10:47–48; Gal 3:26–28; Rom 6:4; Col 2:12; 1 Pe 3:20–21; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:41–42; 1 Cor 11:26; Mt 26:26–29; Mk 14:22–25; Lk 22:14–20; 1 Cor 11:28; 5:1–8; 10:3–32; 11:17–32; Jn 6:26
XVI. Of the Lord’s Day
We believe the first day of the week is the Lord’s Day. It is a Christian institution for regular observance. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. Activities on the Lord’s Day should be commensurate with the Christian’s conscience under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Mt 12:1–12; 28:1ff; Mk 2:27–28; 16:1–7; Lk 24:1–3, 33–36; Jn 4:21–24; 20:1, 19–28; Acts 20:7; Rom 14:5–10; 1 Cor 16:1–2; Col 2:16–17; 3:16; Rev 1:10
XVII. Of the 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 Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the kings of the earth.
Rom 13:1–7; Deut 16:18; 2 Sam 23:3ff; Ex 18:13–23; Jer 30:21; Mt 22:21; Tit 3:1; 1 Pe 2:13; 1 Tim 2:1–4; Acts 5:29; Mt 28; Dan 3:15–18; 6:7–10; Acts 4:18–20; Mt 23:10; Rom 14:4; Rev 19:16; Ps 72:11; Ps 2; Rom 14:9–13.
XVIII. 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 justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem. In contrast, all those who continue in rebellion and unbelief are wicked in his sight, and under his curse. This distinction holds both in and after death.
Mal 3:18; Pro 12:26; Isa 5:20; Gen 18:23; Jer 15:19; Acts 10:34–35; Rom 6:16; 1:17; 7:6; 1 Jn 2:29; 3:7; Rom 6:18, 22; 1 Cor 11:32; Pro 11:31; 1 Pe 4:17–18; 1 Jn 5:19; Gal 3:10; Jn 3:36; Isa 57:21; Ps 10:4; Isa 55:6–7; Pro 14:32; Lk 16:25; Jn 8:21–24; Pro 10:24; Lk 12:4–5; 9:23–26; Ecc 3:17; Mt 7:13–14.
XIX. Of the World to Come
We believe that the end of the world is approaching. At the last day Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution. Then a solemn separation will take place, as the wicked will be sentenced to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy. This just judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell.
1 Pe 4:7; 1 Cor 7:29–31; Heb 1:10–12; Mt 24:35; 1 Jn 2:17; Mt 28:20; Mt 13:39–40; 2 Pe 3:3–13; Acts 1:11; Rev 1:7; Heb 9:28; Acts 3:21; 1 Thes 4:13–18; 5:1–11; Acts 24:15; 1 Cor 15:12–58; Lk 14:14; Dan 12:2; Jn 5:28–29; 6:40; 11:25–26; 2 Tim 1:10; Acts 10:42; Mt 13:49; Mt 13:37–43; 24:30–32; 25:31–46; Rev 22:11; 1 Cor 6:9–10; Mk 9:43–48; 2 Pe 2:9; Jude 7; Phil 3:19; Rom 6:23; 2 Cor 5:10–11; Jn 4:36; 2 Cor 4:18; Rom 3:5–6; 2 Thes 1:6–12; Heb 6:1–2; 1 Cor 4:5; Acts 17:31; Rom 2:2–16; Rev 20:11–12; 1 Jn 2:28; 4:17; 2 Pe 3:11–12.
XX. The Family
We believe God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. It is composed of persons related to one another by marriage, blood, or adoption.
Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race.
The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God’s image. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to His people. A husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. A wife is to submit herself graciously to the servant leadership of her husband even as the church willingly submits to the headship of Christ. She, being in the image of God as is her husband and thus equal to him, has the God-given responsibility to respect her husband and to serve as his helper in managing the household and nurturing the next generation.
Children, from the moment of conception, are a blessing and heritage from the Lord. Parents are to demonstrate to their children God’s pattern for marriage. Parents are to teach their children the gospel, as well as spiritual and moral values and to lead them, through consistent lifestyle example and loving discipline, to make choices based on biblical truth. Children are to honor and obey their parents.
Gen 1:26–28; 2:15–25; Ex 20:12; Deut 6:4–9; Josh 24:15; Ps 78:1–8; 127; 128; 139:13–16; Pro 1:8; 5:15–20; 6:20–22; 12:4; 13:24; 14:1; 17:6; 18:22; 22:6, 15; 23:13–14; 24:3; 29:15, 17; 31:10–31; Ecc 9:9; Mal 2:14–16; Mt 5:31–32; 18:2–5; 19:3–9; Mk 10:6–12; 1 Cor 7:1–16; Eph 5:21–33; 6:1–4; Col 3:18–21; 1 Tim 5:8, 14; 2 Tim 1:3–5; Tit 2:3–5; Heb 13:4; 1 Pe 3:1–7.