Christ Redeemer Church subscribes to a revised version of the New Hampshire Confession of Faith of 1853.
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 for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter. It reveals the principles by which God will judge us, and therefore is, and will 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. We therefore believe that all Scripture is authoritative, infallible, inerrant1 and completely trustworthy in all it teaches.
Proverbs 30:5-6; Romans 2:12; Philippians 3:16; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 John 4:1
II. Of The True God
We believe there is one, and only one, living and true God whose name is YAHWEH. He is an infinite, intelligent Spirit who created and sovereignly rules over 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. Each person is equal in essence and every divine perfection, executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
Exodus 15:11; Psalm 147:5; 83:18; Isaiah 6:3; Jeremiah 2:12-13; 10:10; Matthew 10:37; 28:19; Mark 12:30; John 4:24; 5:17; 10:30; 14:23; 15:26; 17:5, 10; Acts 5:3-4; Romans 1:20; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; 12:4-6; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18; Philippians 2:5-6; Hebrews 3:4; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 John 5:7; Revelation 1:4-5; 4:6-8, 11
III. Of The Fall Of Man
We believe that man was created in holiness under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state. In consequence, all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice, being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God and positively inclined to evil. He is, therefore, under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
Genesis 1:27, 31; 2:16-17; 3:6-24; 6:12; Psalm 51:5; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Isaiah 53:6; Ezekiel 18:19-20; Matthew 20:15; Acts 17:26-29; Romans 1:20; 2:1-16; 3:9-19; 5:12; 15-19; 8:7; Galatians 3:10, 22; Ephesians 2:1-3
IV. Of The Way Of Salvation
We believe 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. Jesus honored the divine law by his personal obedience and, by His death, made a full atonement for our sins. Having risen from the dead He is now enthroned in heaven, uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections. He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, compassionate, and all-sufficient Savior.
Psalm 34:1-22; 89:19; Isaiah 42:21; 53:4-5; Matthew 18:11; 20:28; John 1:1-14; 3:16; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:21-26; 4:25, 1 Corinthians 3:5-7; 15:1-3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 2:3; Philippians 2:8-9, 14; Colossians 2:18; 3:1-4; Hebrews 1:3, 8, 4:14; 7:26; 9:13-15;1 John 2:3; 4:10
V. Of Justification
We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to those who believe in Him is Justification. Justification includes the divine declaration of the pardon of sin and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness. It is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the finished work of Christ. By virtue of this faith, His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us by God and brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, securing every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
Isaiah 53:11-12; Zechariah 13:1; Matthew 6:33; 9:6; John 1:16; Acts 10:43; 13:39; Romans 3:24-26; 4:4-5, 23-25; 5:1-3, 9-11, 17, 19; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31; Ephesians 3:8; Philippians 3:7-9; 1 Timothy 4:8; Titus 3:5-7; 1 Peter 3:7; 1 John 2:12, 25
VI. Of The Freeness Of Salvation
We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel and that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a sincere, penitent, 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 involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
Proverbs 1:24; Isaiah 55:1; Mark 1:15; 11:20; Luke 10:27; John 3:19; 5:40; Acts 13:46; Romans 1:15-17; 9:32; 16:25-26; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; Revelation 22:17
VII. Of Grace In Regeneration
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated. Regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind. 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. Its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, faith, and newness of life.
Deuteronomy 30:6; Ezekiel 36:26; Matthew 3:8-10; 7:20; John 1:13; 3:3, 6-8; 4:7; Romans 2:28-29; 5:5; 8:9; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 3:14; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:16-23; Ephesians 3:14-21; 4:20-24; 5:9; Colossians 3:9-11; Philippians 2:13; James 1:16-18; 1 Peter 1:22-25; 1 John 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18; Revelation 14:3; 21:27
VIII. Of Repentance And Faith
We believe that repentance and faith are sacred duties and also inseparable graces wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God. Being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger, 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 we heartily receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, relying on Him alone as the only and all sufficient Savior.
Psalm 2:6; 51:1-19; Mark 1:15; Luke 15:18-21; 18:13; John 16:8; Acts 2:37-38; 3:22-23; 11:18; 16:30-31; Romans 10:9-11; 2 Corinthians 7:11; Ephesians 2:8; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 1:8; 4:14; 7:25; James 4:7-10; 1 John 5:1
IX. Of God’s Purpose Of Grace
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, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end. Election is a most glorious display of our infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable God’s sovereign goodness. It utterly excludes boasting but promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God and active imitation of his free mercy. It encourages the use of means in the highest degree and may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel. It is the foundation of Christian assurance and to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
Exodus 33:18-19; Isaiah 42:16; Jeremiah 31:3; Matthew 20:15-16; Luke 18:7; John 6:37-40; 10:1;; 15:16; Acts 1:24; 13:48, 15:14; Romans 3:27; 4:16; 8:28-30; 9:23-24; 11:28-29, 32-36; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; 3:5-7; 9:22; 15:10; Ephesians 1:3-14; Philippians 3:12; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10; 2:12-13; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; 2 Timothy 1:8-9; 2:10; Hebrews 6:11; James 1:17-18; 1 Peter 1:1-2; 2:9; 5:10; 2 Peter 1:10-11; 1 John 4:19
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. It is a progressive work that it is begun in regeneration and carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the continual use of the appointed means, especially, the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayer.
Proverbs 4:18; Matthew 26:41; Luke 9:23; 11:35; John 3:6; Romans 8:5; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 7:1; 13:5-10; Ephesians 1:4, 13-14; 4:11-12, 30; 6:18; Philippians 1:9-11; 2:12-13; 3:12-16; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 5:23; Hebrews 6:1; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 1:5-8; 3:18; 1 John 2:29
XI. Of The Perseverance Of Saints
We believe that all true believers persevere to the end and that their enduring attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors. A special providence watches over their welfare and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
2 Kings 6:16; Job 17:9; Psalm 91:11-12; 121:3; Jeremiah 32:40; Matthew 6:30-33; 13:20-21; John 6:66-69; 8:31; 13:18; Romans 8:28; Philippians 1:6; 2:13; Hebrews 1:14; 13:5; 1 John 2:19, 27-28; 3:9; 4:4; 5:18; Jude 24-25
XII. Of The Kingdom
We believe that those who have been saved by the grace of God through union with Christ by faith and through regeneration by the Holy Spirit enter the kingdom of God and delight in the blessings of the new covenant: the forgiveness of sins, the inward transformation that awakens a desire to glorify, trust, and obey God, and the prospect of the glory yet to be revealed. Good works constitute indispensable evidence of saving grace. Living as salt in a world that is decaying and light in a world that is dark, believers should neither withdraw into seclusion from the world, nor become indistinguishable from it. Recognizing whose created order this is, and because we are citizens of God’s kingdom, we are to love our neighbors as ourselves, doing good to all, especially to those who belong to the household of God. The kingdom of God, already present but not fully realized, is the exercise of God’s sovereignty in the world toward the eventual redemption of all creation. The kingdom of God is an invasive power that plunders Satan’s dark kingdom and regenerates and renovates through repentance and faith the lives of individuals rescued from that kingdom. It therefore inevitably establishes a new community of human life together under God.
Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Matthew 3:2; 4:8-10, 23; 12:25-28; 13:1-52; 25:31-46; 26:29; Mark 1:14-15; 9:1; Luke 4:43; 8:1; 9:2; 12:31-32; 17:20-21; 23:42; John 3:3; 18:36; Acts 1:6-7; 17:22-31; Romans 5:17; 8:19; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 11:10, 16; 12:28; 1 Peter 2:4-10; 4:13; Revelation 1:6, 9; 5:10; 11:15; 21-22
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. It observes the ordinances of Christ, is governed by His laws, and exercises the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word. Its only scriptural officers are elders/pastors and deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the New Testament. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of elder is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.
Matthew 18:15-20; 28:20; John 14:15; 15:12; Acts 2:41-42, 47; 5:11; 8:1; 11:21-23; 14:23; 15:22; Romans 16:17-20; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; 4:7, 17; 5:6, 12-13; 11:2, 23-24; 14:12, 23; 15:12-13; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 8:5; Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 4:7; Philippians 1:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:2; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Titus 1:1-16; 1 John 14:21; 2 John 6; 3 John 9
XIV. Of Baptism And The Lord’s Supper
We believe that baptism is the immersion in water of a believer into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior. It symbolizes our death to sin and resurrection to a new life and is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord’s Supper. At the Lord’s table, 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.
Matthew 3:5-6; 26:26-29; 28:19-20; Mark 14:22-25; 16:16; Luke 22:14-20; John 3:22-23; 4:12; 6:26; Acts 2:38; 8:12, 36-39; 10:47-48; 16:32-34; 18:8; Romans 6:4; Galatians 3:26-28
XV. Of The Christian Lord’s Day
We believe that 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.
Exodus 20:8-11; Matthew 12:1-12; 28:1-15.; Mark 2:27-28; 16:1-7; Luke 24:1-3, 33-36; John 4:21-24; 20:1, 19-28; Acts 20:7; Romans 14:5-10; I Corinthians 16:1-2; Colossians 2:16; 3:16; Revelation 1:10
XVI. Of Civil Government
We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society and that civic leaders and elected officials are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed. The only exception is 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.
Exodus 18:23; Deuteronomy 16:18; 2 Samuel 23:3; Psalm 2:1-12; 72:11; Daniel 3:15-18; 6:7-10; Matthew 22:21; 23:10; Acts 4:18-20; 5:29; Romans 13:1-7; 14:4, 9-13; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13; Revelation 19:16
XVII. Of The Righteous And The Wicked
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked and that only those who are justified by faith in the Lord Jesus and sanctified by the Spirit of God are truly righteous in His esteem. All who continue in impenitence and unbelief are wicked in His sight and under the curse. This distinction holds among men, both in and after death.
Genesis 18:23; Psalm 10:4; Proverbs 10:24; 11:31; 12:26; 14:32; Ecclesiastes 3:17; Isaiah 5:20; 55:6-7; 57:21; Jeremiah 15:19; Malachi 3:18; Matthew 7:13-14; Luke 9:23-26; 12:4-5; 16:25; John 3:36; 8:21-24; Acts 10:34-35; Romans 1:17; 6:16, 18, 22; 7:6 1 Corinthians 11:32; Galatians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:17-18; 1 John 2:29; 3:7; 5:19
XVIII. Of The World To Come
We believe that at the last day Christ will return personally, gloriously, and bodily and raise the dead from the grave to final judgment. A solemn separation will then take place when the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment and the righteous to endless joy. This judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell on principles of righteousness.
Daniel 12:2; Matthew 13:37-43, 49; 24:30-31, 35; 25:31-46; 28:20; Mark 9:43-48; Luke 14:14; John 4:36; 5:28-29; 6:40; 11:25-26; Acts 1:11; 3:21; 10:42; 17:31; 24:15; Romans 2:2-16; 3:5-6; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 6:9-10, 23; 7:29-31; 15:12-58; 2 Corinthians 4:18; 5:10-11; Philippians 3:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:1-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12; 2 Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 1:10-12; 6:1-2; 9:28; 1 Peter 4:7; 2 Peter 2:9; 3:3-13; 1 John 2:17, 28; 4:17; Jude 7; Revelation 1:7; 20:11-12; 22:11
VXIV. Of Marriage and 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.
We believe that 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.
We believe that 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.
We believe that 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 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.
Genesis 1:26-28; 2:15-25; 3:1-20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Joshua 24:15; 1 Samuel 1:26-28; Psalm 51:5; 78:1-8; 127; 128; 139:13-16; Proverbs 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; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; 9:9; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:31-32; 18:2-5; 19:3-9; Mark 10:6-12; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 6:1-4; Colossians 3:18-21; 1 Timothy 5:8,14; 2 Timothy 1:3-5; Titus 2:3-5; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 3:1-7
Endnotes
- See the “Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy” for a fuller discussion of the inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility of the Scriptures.