The New Hampshire Confession of Faith (1853)

Modernized and edited for use at Gospel Life Church

I. The Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, 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.

II. 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 the LORD, the Maker 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 the great work of redemption.

III. The Fall

Humanity was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker. 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.

IV. 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.

V. 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.

VI. 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.

VII. 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.

VI. 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.

IX. 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.

X. 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.

XI. The Perseverance of 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.

XII. The 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.

XIII. The Ordinances

We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name

of the Father, and Son, and 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 pre-requisite 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.

XIV. 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.

XV. 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.

In Addendum

Addendum I. Creation

The Triune God in infinite wisdom, power, and sovereignty created, from nothing, everything, whether invisible, visible, all that resides on earth and heaven in six days*.  This creation was deemed by God as being very good and was without sin.  Every creature in creation reflects an aspect of God’s character and reveals, at least in part, the image of God.  

*We confess that the Hebrew word for “days” is subject to differing hermeneutical interpretation. The main conviction remaining that God is the sole creator of all things.

Addendum II. Humanity

We believe God created humankind immutably as male and female to reflect and bear His image. As such, human beings of every ethnicity, age, ability, as well as the pre-born deserve dignity, protection, honor, respect, and Christian love. In accordance with God’s sovereign plan, Adam and Eve freely chose to sin, therefore, God’s image in all humankind has become distorted and their relationship with God has become disrupted.

Addendum III. Marriage

We believe that Christian marriage is a sacred institution ordained by God for the well-being of mankind and the propagation of the human race. It is the spiritual and physical union of one man and one woman according to Scripture. It is a covenant representing the spiritual and physical union into which one biological male and one biological female may enter into for the glory of God. This symbolizes the relationship of Christ to his church. As the sign of this covenant, sexual activity is reserved exclusively for the marriage relationship. According to the scriptural ideal, marriage requires sacrificial love and faithfulness to each other for life.

Scripture References

  1. II Timothy 3:16-17; II Timothy 3:15; Proverbs 30:5-6; Romans 2:12; Philippians 3:16; I John 4:1

  2. John 4:24; Psalm 83:18; Hebrews 3:4; Romans 1:20; Jeremiah 10:10; Exodus 15:11; Psalm 147:5; Isaiah 6:3; I 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; I Corinthians 12:4-6; I John 5:7; John 10:30; John 5:17; John 14:23; John 17:5,10; Acts 5:3-4; I Corinthians 2:10-11; Philippians 2:5-6; Ephesians 2:18; II Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 1:4-5

  3. Genesis 1:27; Genesis 1:31; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Acts 17:26-29; Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:6-24; Romans 5:12,15-19; Psalm 51:5; Romans 8:7; Isaiah 53:6; Genesis 6:12; Romans 3:9-18; Ephesians2:1-3; Romans 1:18,32; Romans 2:1-16; Galatians3:10; Matthew 20:15; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Romans 1:20; Romans 3:19; Galatians 3:22

  4. Ephesians 2:3; Matthew 18:11; I John 4:10; I Corinthians 3:5-7; Acts 15:11; John 3:16; John 1:1-14; Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 12:24; Philippians 2:9,14; II 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; Romans 3:21-26; I John 2:3; I Corinthians 15:1-3; Hebrews 9:13-15; Hebrews 1:8; Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 3:1-4; Hebrews 7:25; Colossians  2:18; Hebrews 7:26; Psalm 89:19; Psalm 34

  5. John 1:16; Ephesians 3:8; Acts 13:39; Isaiah 53:11-12; Romans 5:1-2; Romans 5:9; Zechariah 13;1; Matthew 9:6; Acts 10:43; Romans 5:17; Titus 3:5-7; I Peter 3:7; I John 2:25; Romans 5:21; Romans 4:4-5; Romans 6:23; Philippians 3:7-9; Romans 5:19; Romans 3:24-26; Romans 4:23-25; I John 2:12; Romans 5:3; Romans 5:11; I Corinthians 1:30-31; Matthew 6:33; I Timothy 4:8

  6. Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17; 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 10:27; II Thessalonians 1:8

  7. John 3:3; John 3:6-7; I Corinthians 3:14; Revelation 14:3; Revelation 21:27; II Corinthians 5;17; Ezekiel 36:26; Deuteronomy 30:6; Romans 2:28-29; Romans 5:5; I John 4:7; John 3:8; John 1:13; James 1:16-18; I Corinthians 1:30; Philippians 2:13; I Peter 1:22-25; I John 5:1; Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians  3:9-11; Ephesians 5:9; Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:16-23; Ephesians 3:14-21; Matthew 3:8-10; Matthew 7:20; I John 5:4, 18

  8. Mark 1:15; Acts 11:18; Ephesians 2:8; I John 5:1; John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; Acts 16:30-31; Luke 18:13; Luke 15:18-21; James 4:7-10; II 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; Hebrews 7:25; II Timothy 1:12

  9. II Timothy 1:8-9; Ephesians 1:3-14; I Peter 1:1-2; Romans 11:5-6; John 15:16; I John 4:19; II 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; Romans11:28-29; James 1:17-18; II Timothy 1:9; Romans 11:32-36; I Corinthians 1:26-31; Romans 3:27; Romans 4:16; Colossians 3:12; I Corinthians 3:5-7; I Corinthians 15:10; I Peter 5:10; Acts 1:24; I Thessalonians 2:13; I Peter 2:9; Luke 18:7; John 15:16; I Thessalonians 2:12; II Timothy 2:10; I Corinthians 9:22; Romans 8:28-30; John 6:37-40; I Thessalonians 1:4-10; Isaiah 42:16; Romans 11:29; II Peter 1:10-11; Philippians 3:12; Hebrews 6:11

  10. I Thessalonians 4:3; I Thessalonians 5:23; II Corinthians 7:1; II Corinthians 13:10; Philippians 3:12-16; I John 2:29; Romans 8:5; Ephesians 1:4; Proverbs 4:18; II Corinthians 3:18; Hebrews 6:1; II Peter 1:5-8; John 3:6; Philippians 1:9-11; Ephesians 1:13-14; Philippians 2:12-13; Ephesians 4:11-12; I Peter 2:2; II Peter 3:18; II Corinthians 13:5; Luke 11:35; Luke 9:23; Matthew 26:41; Ephesians 6:18; Ephesians 4:30

  11. John 8:31; I John 2:27-28; I John 3:9; I John 5:18; I John 2:19; John 13:18; Matthew 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; Job 17:9; Romans 8:28; Matthew 6:30-33; Jeremiah 32:40; Psalm 121:3; Psalm 91:11-12; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 2:13; Jude 24:25; Hebrews 1:14; II Kings 6:16; Hebrews 13:5; I John 4:4

  12. I Corinthians 1:1-3; Matthew 18:17; Acts 5:11; Acts 8:1; Acts 11:21-23; I Corinthians 4:17; I Corinthians 14:23; III John 9; I Timothy 3:5; Acts 2:41-42; II Corinthians 8:5; Acts 2:47; I Corinthians 5:12-13; I Corinthians 11:2; II Thessalonians 3:6; Romans 16:17-20; I Corinthians 11:23-24; Matthew 18:15-20; I Corinthians 5:6; II Corinthians 2:17; I Corinthians 4:17; Matthew 28:20; John 14:15; John 15:12; I John 14:21; I Thessalonians 4:2; II John 6; Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 4:7; I Corinthians 14:12; Philippians 1:1; Acts 14:23; Acts 15:22; I Timothy 3; Titus 1

  13. Acts 8:36-39; Matthew 3:5-6, 15; John 3:22-23; John 4:12; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12; Acts 16:32-34; Acts 18:8; Acts 10:47-48; Galatians 3:26-28; Romans 6:4; Colossians  2:12; I Peter 3:20-21; Acts 22:16; Acts 2:41-42; I Corinthians 11:26; Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; I Corinthians 11:28; I Corinthians 5:1-8; I Corinthians 10:1-4, 14-18; I Corinthians 11:17-32; John 6:26

  14. Malachi 3:18; Proverbs 12:26; Isaiah 5:20; Genesis 18:23; Jeremiah 15:19; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 6:16; Romans 1:17; Romans 7:6; I John 2:29; I John 3:7; Romans 6:18,22; I Corinthians 11:32; Proverbs 11:31; I Peter 4:17-18; I 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; John 8:21-24; Proverbs 10:24; Luke 12:4-5; Luke 9:23-26; Eccl. 3:17; Matthew 7:13-14

  15. I Peter 4:7; I Corinthians 7:29-31; Hebrews 1:10-12; Matthew 24:35; I John 2:17; Matthew 28:20; Matthew 13:39-40; II Peter 3:3-13; Acts 1:11; Revelation 1:7; Hebrews 9:28; Acts 3:21; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Thessalonians 5:1-11; Acts 24:15; I Corinthians 15:12-58; Luke 14:14; Daniel 12:2 John 5:28-29; John 6:40; John 11:25-26; II Timothy 1:10; Acts 10:42; Matthew 13:49; Matthew 13:37-43; Matthew 24:30-31; Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 22:11; I Corinthians 6:9-10; Mark 9:43-48; II Peter 2:9; Jude7; Philippians 3:19; Romans 6:23; II Corinthians 5:10-11; John 4:36; II Corinthians 4:18; Romans 3:5-6; II Thessalonians 1:6-12; Hebrews 6:1-2; I Corinthians 4:5; Acts 17:31; Romans 2:2-16; Revelation 20:11-12; I John 2:28; I John 4:17; II Peter 3:11-12

Addendum I.

Gen 1:1-2; Col 1:16; Gen 1:31; Gen 2:25; I John 3:9; Rev 1:20

Addendum II.

Gen 1:26-27; Ps 139:12-23; Deut 32:6; Job 10:11-12; Gen 3:1-24

Addendum III.

Gen 1:27, 2:18, 22-25; Matt 19:4-5; Eph 5:22-33; Prov 5:18-19; Mal 2:14; Mark 10:8-9