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The Scriptures
The True God
The Fall of Man
The Way of Salvation
Justification
The Freeness of Salvation
Regeneration
Repentance and Faith
God's Purpose of Grace
Sanctification
Perservance of Saints
The Law and the Gospel
A Gospel Church
Baptism and the Last Supper
The Christian Sabbath
Civil Government
Righteous and Wicked
The World to Come
The Articles of Faith are the Biblical basis on which the Mitchell Grove Baptist
Church stand. Basically this is the foundation of the Baptist Faith. We encourage you to read and familiarize yourself with
them.
I. 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 ends, 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
shall be tried.
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II. THE TRUE GOD.
We believe the Scriptures teach 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 Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in
the great work of redemption.
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III. THE FALL OF MAN.
We believe the Scriptures teach that Man was created in holiness, under the law of
his Maker; but by voluntary transgressions 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.
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IV. THE WAY OF SALVATION.
We believe that the Scriptures teach 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 of our sins; that
having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with
his divine perfection, he is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.
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V. JUSTIFICATION.
We believe the Scriptures teach 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 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.
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VI. THE FREENESS OF SALVATION.
We believe that the Scriptures teach 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 cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that
nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own determined depravity and voluntary rejection of
the Gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
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VII. REGENERATION.
We believe that the Scriptures teach 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 it 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 appear in the holy fruits of repentance and faith, and newness of life.
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VIII. REPENTANCE AND FAITH.
We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also
inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby 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 Saviour.
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IX. GOD'S PURPOSE OF GRACE.
We believe the Scriptures teach that election is the eternal purpose of God, according
to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly con-sistent 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 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
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X. SANCTIFICATION.
We believe the Scriptures teach that Sanctification is the process by which, according
to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is 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.
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XI. PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS.
We believe the Scriptures teach that such only are real believers as endure to 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 they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
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XII. THE LAW AND GOSPEL.
We believe the Scriptures teach 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, arise 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 visible church.
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XIII. A GOSPEL CHURCH.
We believe the Scriptures teach 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 Bishops or Pastors, Deacons whose Qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and
Titus.
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XIV. BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER.
We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of
a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith
in the crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, with its effect, in our dearth 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.
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XV. THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH.
We believe the Scriptures teach 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.
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XVI. CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
We believe the Scriptures teach that civil government is of divine appointment, for
the interest 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 Price
of the Kings of the earth.
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XVII. RIGHTEOUS AND WICKED.
We believe the Scriptures teach 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.
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XVIII. THE WORLD TO COME.
We believe the scriptures teach 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 for 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.
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