What We Believe

"Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 1:13. We take doctrine very seriously based on how seriously God's word refers to doctrine.

Below is a summary of the major doctrinal beliefs of Orlando FPC. As a local church we subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms along with some additional statements. These doctrinal standards are a thoroughly biblical, theologically robust, and classic exposition of the Christian faith. The full content of those documents can be obtained online or in book form elsewhere.

God

The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation.

Proof Texts: Rom. 1:19–20; Ps. 19:1–3; Acts 17:28; 1 Cor. 2:9–10; 2 Tim. 3:15–17; Isa. 59:21

God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.

Proof Texts: John 4:24; Job 11:7; Ps. 90:2; James 1:17; Ex. 3:14; Ps. 147:5; Rev. 4:8; Rev. 15:4; Ex. 34:6–7

There is only one, true, and living God.

Proof Texts: Deut. 6:4; Deut. 32:4; Jer. 10:10

There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.

Proof Texts: Matt. 28:19; 1 John 5:7

The Bible

The holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience.

Proof Texts: 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19–21; Eph. 2:20; Rev. 22:18–19; Isa. 8:20; Luke 16:29, 31; Gal. 1:8–9; 2 Tim. 3:15–16

The Scriptures manifest themselves to be the Word of God, by their majesty and purity; by the consent of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God; by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation: but the Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the Scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very Word of God.

Proof Texts: Hos. 8:12; 1 Cor. 2:6–7, 13;

Ps. 119:18, 129; Ps. 12:6; 119:140; Acts 10:43; 26:22; Rom. 3:19, 27; Acts 18:28; Heb. 4:12; James 1:18; Ps. 19:7–11; Rom. 15:4; Acts 20:32; John 16:13–14; 20:31; 1 John 2:20, 27

The Scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.

Proof Texts: 2 Tim. 1:13

The Scriptures make known what God is, the persons in the Godhead, His decrees, and the execution of His decrees.

Proof Texts: Heb. 11:6; 1 John 5:7; Acts 15:14–15, 18; Acts 4:27–28

All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted to read, hear, and understand the holy scriptures.

Proof Texts: John 5:39; Rev. 22:18, 19; 1:3; Acts 8:30

Mankind

Human beings were created to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.

Proof Texts: Rev. 4:11; 1 Cor. 10:31; Ps. 73: 25–28

God created man male and female, after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.

Proof Texts: Gen. 1:27; Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:24; Gen. 1:28

When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon the pain of death.

Proof Texts: Gal. 3:12; Gen. 2:17

Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.

Proof Text: Eccl. 7:29

The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created, was their disobeying of God’s commandment by eating the forbidden fruit.

Proof Text: Gen. 3:6–8

That commandment, which was a form of covenant, being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression.

Proof Texts: Gen. 1:28; Gen. 2:16–17; Rom. 5:18; Hosea 6:7

The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery.

Proof Text: Rom. 5:12

The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the want of original righteousness, and the corruption of his whole nature, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it.

Proof Texts: Rom. 5:19; Rom. 3:10; Eph. 2:1; Matt. 15:19–20

Original sin is conveyed from our first parents unto their posterity by natural generation, so as all that proceed from them in that way are conceived and born in sin.

Proof Texts: Ps. 51:5; 58:3 Job 14:4; 15:14; John 3:6

All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under His wrath and curse, and so made liable to all miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever.

Proof Texts: Gen. 3:8, 24; Eph. 2:3;

Gal. 3:10; Rom. 6:23; Matt. 25:41

But God having, out of His mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a redeemer.

Proof Texts: Eph. 1:4; Rom. 3:21–22

Christ

The Lord Jesus Christ is the only redeemer of God’s elect, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continues to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever.

Proof Texts: 1 Tim. 2:5; John 1:14; Rom. 9:5; Heb. 7:24

Christ, the Son of God, became man, by taking to Himself a true body, and a reasonable soul, being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and born of her, yet without sin.

Proof Texts: Heb. 2:14; Matt. 26:38; Luke 1:31, 35; Heb. 7:26

It was requisite that the mediator should be God, that He might sustain and keep the human nature from sinking under the infinite wrath of God, and the power of death; give worth and efficacy to His sufferings, obedience, and intercession; and to satisfy God’s justice, procure His favor,4 purchase a peculiar people, give His Spirit to them, conquer all their enemies, and bring them to everlasting salvation.

Proof Texts: Acts. 2:24–25; Rom. 1:4; 4:25; Heb. 9:14; Acts 20:28; Heb. 9:14; 7:25–28; Rom. 3:24–26; Eph. 1:6; Matt. 3:17; Titus. 2:13–14; Gal. 4:6; Luke 1:68–69, 71, 74; Heb. 5:8–9; 9:11–15

It was requisite that the mediator should be man, that He might advance our nature, perform obedience to the law, suffer and make intercession for us in our nature, have a fellow feeling of our infirmities; that we might receive the adoption of sons, and have comfort and access with boldness unto the throne of grace.

Proof Texts: Heb. 2:16; Gal. 4:4; Heb. 2:14; 7:24–25; Heb. 4:15; Gal. 4:5; Heb. 4:16

It was requisite that the mediator, who was to reconcile God and man, should Himself be both God and man, and this in one person, that the proper works of each nature might be accepted of God for us, and relied on by us, as the works of the whole person.

Proof Texts: Matt. 1:21, 23; 3:17; Heb. 9:14; 1 Peter 2:6

Our mediator was called Jesus, because He saves His people from their sins.

Proof Texts: Matt. 1:21

Our mediator was called Christ, because He was anointed with the Holy Ghost above measure; and so set apart, and fully furnished with all authority and ability, to execute the offices of prophet, priest, and king of His church, in the estate both of His humiliation and exaltation.

Proof Texts: John 3:34; Ps. 45:7; John 6:27; Matt. 28:18–20; Acts 3:21–22; Luke 4:18, 21; Heb. 5:5–7; 4:14–15; Ps. 2:6; Matt. 21:5; Isa. 9:6–7; Phil. 2:8–11

Christ, as our redeemer, executeth the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in His estate of humiliation and exaltation.

Proof Texts: Acts 3:22; Heb. 5:6; Ps. 2:6

Christ executeth the office of a prophet in revealing to us, by His Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.

Proof Texts: John 1:18; John 20:31; John 14:26

Christ executeth the office of a priest, in His once offering up of Himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconcile us to God; and in making continual intercession for us.

Proof Texts: Heb. 9:28; Heb. 2:17; Heb. 7:25

Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to Himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all His and our enemies.

Proof Texts: Ps. 110:3; Isa. 33:22; 1 Cor. 15:25

Christ’s humiliation consisted in His being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.

Proof Texts: Luke 2:7; Gal. 4:4; Isa. 53:3; Matt. 27:46; Phil. 2:8; Matt. 12:40

Christ’s exaltation consisteth in His rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.

Proof Texts: 1 Cor. 15:4; Mark 16:19; Acts 17:31

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the third person in the holy Trinity, eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son, of the same substance and eternity with them, equal in perfection, power, and glory.

Proof Texts: Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; John 15:26; 2 Cor. 3:17; Acts 5:3, 4; Heb. 9:14; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Matt.12:31, 32

He is therefore truly and essentially God, uncreated and self-existent, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His possession of all the attributes of deity.

Proof Texts: Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 3:17

He is a divine person, not a mere influence or emanation, and is hypostatically distinct from the Father and the Son and that by eternal necessity.1

Proof Texts: John 15:26–27; 16:7; Acts 13:2 (“speaks”); 1 Cor. 2:10–11 (“searches” and “knows”); Matt. 28:19 (God’s “name” is the revelation of His nature)

He is the efficient agent in the following spheres: creation; the inspiration of Scripture; redemption, with special emphasis on His working in the birth, infilling, ministry, miracles, death, and resurrection of Christ; the application of redemption including conviction of sin, regeneration or the new birth, the incorporation of believers into Christ, the indwelling of believers, the assurance of believers of their adoption as God’s children and of their entrance into heaven, and the sanctification of believers, comforting them and enabling them to pray to their heavenly Father.

Proof Texts: Gen. 1:2; 2 Tim. 3:16 with 2 Peter 1:10–12, 21; Luke 1:35; Luke 4:1; John 3:34; Luke 4:14, 18–21; Heb. 9:14; Rom. 8:11; 1 Peter 3:18; John 16:8–11; John 6:63; 1 Cor. 12:13; John 14:17; Rom. 8:9; Rom. 8:16; Eph. 1:13–14; Rom. 8:10–15; Gal. 5:22–23; John 14:16; Rom. 8:15, 26

Sin

Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.

Proof Text: 1 John 3:4; Exodus 20:3-17

No man is able, either of himself, or by any grace received in this life, perfectly to keep the commandments of God; but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.

Proof Texts: James 3:2; John 15:5; Rom. 8:3; Eccl. 7:20; 1 John 1:8, 10; Gal. 5:17;

Rom. 7:18–19; Gen. 6:5; 8:21; Matt. 15:19-20; Rom. 3:9–19; James 3:2–13

Every sin, even the least, being against the sovereignty, goodness, and holiness of God, and against His righteous law, deserves His wrath and curse, both in this life, and that which is to come; and cannot be expiated but by the blood of Christ.

Proof Texts: James 2:10–11; Ex. 20:1–2; Hab. 1:13; Lev. 10:3; 11:44–45; 1 John 3:4; Rom. 7:12; Eph. 5:6; Gal. 3:10; Lam. 3:39; Deut. 28:15–68; Matt. 25:41; Heb. 9:22;

1 Peter 1:18–19

To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, God requireth of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption.

Proof Texts: Acts 20:21; Prov. 2:1–5

Salvation

We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us, by His Holy Spirit.

Proof Texts: John 1:12; Titus 3:5–6

Redemption is certainly applied, and effectually communicated, to all those for whom Christ hath purchased it; who are in time by the Holy Ghost enabled to believe in Christ according to the gospel.

Proof Texts: Eph. 1:13–14; John 6:37, 39;

10:15–16; Eph. 2:8; 2 Cor. 4:13

The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.

Proof Texts: Eph. 2:8; Eph. 3:17

The union which the elect have with Christ is the work of God’s grace, whereby they are spiritually and mystically, yet really and inseparably, joined to Christ as their head and husband; which is done in their effectual calling.

Proof Texts: Eph. 1:22; 2:6–8; 1 Cor. 6:17;

John 10:28; Eph. 5:23, 30; 1 Peter 5:10; 1 Cor. 1:9

Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ, and renewing our wills, He doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.

Proof Texts: 2 Tim. 1:9; Acts 2:37; Acts 26:18; Ezek. 36:26; John 6:44–45

They that are effectually called do in this life partake of justification, adoption, and sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life do either accompany or flow from them.

Proof Texts: Rom. 8:30; Eph. 1:5; 1 Cor. 1:30

Justification is an act of God’s free grace, wherein He pardoneth all our sins, and accepteth us as righteous in His sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.

Proof Texts: Eph. 1:7; 2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 5:19;

Gal. 2:16

Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God.

Proof Texts: 1 John 3:1; John 1:12

Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.

Proof Texts: 2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 4:24;

Rom. 8:1

The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end.

Proof Texts: Rom. 5:1–2, 5; Prov. 4:18 3. 1 John 5:13

Death, being the wages of sin, why are not the righteous delivered from death, seeing all their sins are forgiven in Christ? The righteous shall be delivered from death itself at the last day, and even in death are delivered from the sting and curse of it; so that, although they die, yet it is out of God’s love, to free them perfectly from sin and misery, and to make them capable of further communion with Christ in glory, which they then enter upon.

Proof Texts: Rom. 6:23, Heb. 9:27; 1 Cor. 15:26, 55–57; Heb. 2:15; Isa. 57:1–2; 2 Kings 22:20; Rev. 14:13; Eph. 5:27; Luke 23:43; Phil 1:23

They who, having never heard the gospel, know not Jesus Christ, and be lieve not in Him, cannot be saved, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, or the laws of that religion which they profess; neither is there salvation in any other, but in Christ alone, who is the Savior only of His body the church.

Proof Texts: Rom. 10:14; 2 Thess. 1:8–9; Eph. 2:12; John 1:10–12; John 8:24; Mark 16:16; 1 Cor. 1:20–24; John 4:22; Rom. 9:31–32; Phil. 3:4–9; Acts 4:12; Eph. 5:23

All that hear the gospel, and live in the visible church, are not saved; but they only who are true members of the invisible church.

Proof Texts: John 12:38–40; Rom. 9:6; 11:7;

Matt. 7:21; 22:14

The Church

The visible church is a society made up of all such as in all ages and places of the world do profess the true religion, and of their children.

Proof Texts: 1 Cor. 1:2; 12:13; Rom. 15:9–12; Rev. 7:9; Ps. 2:8; 22:27–31; 45:17; Matt. 28:19–20; Isa. 59:21; 1 Cor. 7:14; Acts 2:39; Rom. 11:16; Gen.17:7

The visible church hath the privilege of being under God’s special care and government;1 of being protected and preserved in all ages, notwithstanding the opposition of all enemies; and of enjoying the communion of saints, the ordinary means of salvation, and offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the ministry of the gospel, testifying, that whosoever believes in Him shall be saved, and excluding none that will come unto Him.

Proof Texts: Isa. 4:5–6; 1 Tim. 4:10; Ps. 115:1–2, 9; Isa. 31:4–5; Zech. 12:2–4, 8–9; Acts 2:39, 42; Ps. 147:19–20; Rom. 9:4; Eph. 4:11–12; Mark 16:15–16; John 6:37

The invisible church is the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ the head.

Proof Texts: Eph. 1:20, 22–23; John 10:16, 11:52

The members of the invisible church by Christ enjoy union and communion with Him in grace and glory.

Proof Texts: John 17:21, 24; Eph. 2:5–6

The Sacraments or Ordinances

A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ, wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented,1 sealed, and applied to believers.2

1. Gen. 17:10

2. Rom. 4:11a

The sacraments of the New Testament are baptism1 and the Lord’s Supper.2

1. Mark 16:16a

2. 1 Cor. 11:23

Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,1 signifies and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace,2 and our engagement to be the Lord’s.3

1. Matt. 28:19

2. Rom. 6:3

3. Rom. 6:4

Who is to be Baptized?

Infant Baptist Position: Baptism is not to be administered to any that are out of the visible church, till they profess their faith in Christ, and obedience to Him;1 but the infants of such as are members of the visible church are to be baptized.2

1. Acts 2:41a 2. Gen. 17:7, 10; Acts 2:38–39

Believers’ Baptist Position: Baptism is to be administered to those who profess their faith in Christ and obedience to Him.1

1. Acts 2:41a

Open Policy: In light of the controversy in Church history which has seen good men of God on both sides of this issue and the fact that this is not a core tenant of the gospel message,1 the FPCNA allows for the two different views above to both exist in our congregations. We agree to lovingly tolerate one another while we stand together against the heresy of baptismal regeneration. We have chosen to stand together, in spite of this difference, and preach the true gospel of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone.

1. 1 Cor. 1:14-17

The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ’s appointment, His death is showed forth;1 and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of His body and blood, with all His benefits, to their spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace.2

1. Luke 22:19–20 2. 1 Cor. 10:16

It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord’s Supper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body,1 of their faith to feed upon Him,2 of their repentance,3 love,4 and new obedience;5 lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves.6

1. 1 Cor. 11:28–29

2. 2 Cor. 13:5a

3. 1 Cor. 11:31

4. 1 Cor. 11:18, 20

5. 1 Cor. 5:8

6. 1 Cor. 11:27

Prayer

Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, in the name of Christ, by the help of His Spirit; for things agreeable to His will, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of His mercies.

Proof Texts: Ps. 62:8; Rom. 8:27; John 16:23b; Dan. 9:4a; Phil. 4:6

God only being able to search the hearts, hear the requests, pardon the sins, and fulfill the desires of all; and only to be believed in, and worshiped with religious worship;6 prayer, which is a special part thereof, is to be made by all to Him alone, and to none other.

Proof Texts: 1 Kings 8:39; Acts 1:24; Rom. 8:27; Ps. 65:2; Mic. 7:18; Ps. 145:18–19; Rom. 10:14; Matt. 4:10; 1 Cor. 1:2; Ps. 50:15; Rom. 10:14

To pray in the name of Christ is, in obedience to His command, and in confidence on His promises, to ask mercy for His sake; not by bare mentioning of His name, but by drawing our encouragement to pray, and our boldness, strength, and hope of acceptance in prayer, from Christ and His mediation.

Proof Texts: John 14:13–14, 16:24; Dan. 9:17; Matt. 7:21; Heb. 4:14–16; 1 John 5:13–15

The sinfulness of man, and his distance from God by reason thereof, being so great, as that we can have no access into His presence without a mediator; and there being none in heaven or earth appointed to, or fit for, that glorious work but Christ alone, we are to pray in no other name but His only.

Proof Texts: John 14:6; Isa. 59:2; Eph. 3:12; John 6:27; Heb. 7:25–27; 1 Tim. 2:5; Col. 3:17;

Heb. 13:15

We not knowing what to pray for as we ought, the Spirit helps our infirmities, by enabling us to understand both for whom, and what, and how prayer is to be made; and by working and quickening in our hearts (although not in all persons, nor at all times, in the same measure) those apprehensions, affections, and graces which are requisite for the right performance of that duty.

Proof Texts: Rom. 8:26–27; Ps. 10:17; Zech. 12:10

We are to pray for the whole church of Christ upon earth; for magistrates, and ministers; for ourselves, our brethren, yea, our enemies; and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter; but not for the dead, nor for those that are known to have sinned the sin unto death.

Proof Texts: Eph. 6:18; Ps. 28:9; 1 Tim. 2:1–2; Col. 4:3; Gen. 32:11; James 5:16; Matt. 5:44; 1 Tim. 2:1–2; John 17:20; 2 Sam. 7:29; 2 Sam. 12:21–23; 1 John 5:16

We are to pray for all things tending to the glory of God, the welfare of the church, our own or others good; but not for anything that is unlawful.

Proof Texts: Matt. 6:9; Ps. 51:18, 122:6; Matt. 7:11; Ps. 125:4; 1 John 5:14

We are to pray with an awful apprehension of the majesty of God, and deep sense of our own unworthiness, necessities, and sins; with penitent, thankful, and enlarged hearts; with understanding, faith, sincerity, fervency, love, and perseverance, waiting upon Him, with humble submission to His will.

Proof Texts: Eccl. 5:1; Gen. 18:27; 32:10; Luke 15:17–19; Luke 18:13–14; Ps. 51:17; Phil. 4:6; 1 Sam. 1:15, 2:1; 1 Cor. 14:15; Mark 11:24; James 1:6; Ps. 17:1; 145:18; James 5:16; 1 Tim. 2:8; Eph. 6:18; Mic. 7:7; Matt. 26:39

The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in the duty of prayer; but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which our Savior Christ taught His disciples, commonly called the Lord’s Prayer.

Proof Texts: 1 John 5:14; Matt. 6:9–13;

Luke 11:2–4

The Lord’s Prayer is not only for direction, as a pattern, according to which we are to make other prayers; but may also be used as a prayer, so that it be done with understanding, faith, reverence, and other graces necessary to the right performance of the duty of prayer.

Proof Texts: Matt. 6:9; Luke 11:2

The Law of God

The duty which God requireth of man, is obedience to His revealed will.

Proof Text: Mic. 6:8

The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience, was the moral law.

Proof Text: Rom. 2:14–15

The moral law is the declaration of the will of God to mankind, directing and binding everyone to personal, perfect, and perpetual conformity and obedience thereunto, in the frame and disposition of the whole man, soul and body, and in performance of all those duties of holiness and righteousness which he owes to God and man: promising life upon the fulfilling, and threatening death upon the breach of it.

Proof Texts: Deut. 5:1–3, 31, 33; Luke 10:26–27; Gal. 3:10; 1 Thess. 5:23; Luke 1:75; Acts 14:16; Rom. 10:5; Gal. 3:10, 12

The moral law is summarily comprehended in the Ten Commandments, which were delivered by the voice of God upon Mount Sinai, and written by Him in two tables of stone; and are recorded in the twentieth chapter of Exodus. The four first commandments containing our duty to God, and the other six our duty to man.

Proof Texts: Deut. 10:4; Ex. 34:1–4; Matt. 22:37–38, 40

The sum of the Ten Commandments is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and our neighbor as ourselves.

Proof Text: Matt. 22:37–40

Although no man, since the fall, can attain to righteousness and life by the moral law; yet there is great use thereof, as well common to all men, as peculiar either to the unregenerate, or the regenerate.

Proof Texts: Rom. 8:3; Gal. 2:16; 1 Tim. 1:8

The moral law is of use to all men, to inform them of the holy nature and will of God, and of their duty, binding them to walk accordingly; to convince them of their disability to keep it, and of the sinful pollution of their nature, hearts, and lives; to humble them in the sense of their sin and misery, and thereby help them to a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ, and of the perfection of His obedience.

Proof Texts: Lev. 11:44–45; 20:7–8; Rom. 7:12; Mic. 6:8; James 2:10–11; Ps. 19:11–12; Rom. 3:20; 7:7; Rom. 3:9, 23; Gal. 3:21–22; Rom. 10:4

The moral law is of use to unregenerate men, to awaken their consciences to flee from wrath to come, and to drive them to Christ; or, upon their continuance in the estate and way of sin, to leave them inexcusable, and under the curse thereof.

Proof Texts: 1 Tim. 1:9–10; Gal. 3:24; Rom. 1:20; 2:15; Gal. 3:10

Although they that are regenerate, and believe in Christ, be delivered from the moral law as a covenant of works, so as thereby they are neither justified nor condemned; yet, besides the general uses thereof common to them with all men, it is of special use, to show them how much they are bound to Christ for His fulfilling it, and enduring the curse thereof in their stead, and for their good; and thereby to provoke them to more thankfulness, and to express the same in their greater care to conform themselves thereunto as the rule of their obedience.

Proof Texts: Rom. 6:14; 7:4, 6; Gal. 4:4–5; Rom. 3:20; Gal. 5:23; Rom. 8:1; Rom. 7:24–25; 8:3–4; Gal. 3:13–14; Luke 1:68–69, 74–75; Col. 1:12–14; Rom. 7:22; 12:2; Titus 2:11–14

The Last Things

God hath appointed a day, wherein He will judge the world, in righteousness, by Jesus Christ, to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father. In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged, but likewise all persons that have lived upon earth shall appear before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds; and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.

Proof Texts: Acts 17:31; John 5:27; 1 Cor. 6:3; Jude 6; 2 Peter 2:4; 2 Cor. 5:10; Eccl. 12:14; Rom. 2:16; 14:10, 12; Matt. 12:36–37

Christ is to be exalted in His coming again to judge the world, in that He, who was unjustly judged and condemned by wicked men, shall come again at the last day in great power, and in the full manifestation of His own glory, and of His Father’s, with all His holy angels, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, to judge the world in righteousness.

Proof Texts: Acts 3:14–15; Matt. 24:30; Luke 9:26; Matt. 25:31; 1 Thess. 4:16; Acts 17:31

Both of the Following Positions Are Allowed in Our Denomination

(An amillennial or postmillennial position on the resurrection):

We are to believe, that at the last day there shall be a general resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust:1 when they that are then found alive shall in a moment be changed; and the selfsame bodies of the dead which were laid in the grave, being then again united to their souls forever, shall be raised up by the power of Christ. The bodies of the just, by the Spirit of Christ, and by virtue of His resurrection as their head, shall be raised in power, spiritual, incorruptible, and made like to His glorious body; and the bodies of the wicked shall be raised up in dishonor by Him, as an offended judge.

(A premillennial position on the resurrection):

We are to believe, that at the last day there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust: when they that are then found alive shall in a moment be changed; and the selfsame bodies of the dead which were laid in the grave, being then again united to their souls forever, shall be raised up by the power of Christ. The bodies of the just, by the Spirit of Christ, and by virtue of His resurrection as their head, shall be raised in power, spiritual, incorruptible, and made like to His glorious body.

Immediately after the resurrection shall follow the final judgment of angels and men; the day and hour whereof no man knoweth, that all may watch and pray, and be ever ready for the coming of the Lord.

Proof Texts: 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6–7, 14–15; Matt. 25:46; Matt. 24:36, 42, 44; Luke 21:35–36

At the day of judgment, the wicked shall be set on Christ’s left hand, and, upon clear evidence, and full conviction of their own consciences, shall have the fearful but just sentence of condemnation pronounced against them; and thereupon shall be cast out from the favorable presence of God, and the glorious fellowship with Christ, His saints, and all His holy angels, into hell, to be punished with unspeakable torments, both of body and soul, with the devil and His angels forever.

Proof Texts: Matt. 25:33; Rom. 2:15–16; Matt. 25:41–43; Luke 16:26; 2 Thess. 1:8–9

At the day of judgment, the righteous, being caught up to Christ in the clouds, shall be set on His right hand, and there openly acknowledged and acquitted, shall join with Him in the judging of reprobate angels and men, and shall be received into heaven, where they shall be fully and forever freed from all sin and misery; filled with inconceivable joys, made perfectly holy and happy both in body and soul, in the company of innumerable saints and holy angels, but especially in the immediate vision and fruition of God the Father, of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, to all eternity. And this is the perfect and full communion, which the members of the invisible church shall enjoy with Christ in glory, at the resurrection and day of judgment.

Proof Texts: 1 Thess. 4:17; Matt. 10:32, 25:33; 1 Cor. 6:2–3; Matt. 25:34, 46; Eph. 5:27; Rev. 14:13; Ps. 16:11; Heb. 12:22–23; 1 John 3:2; 1 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 4:17–18

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