ARTICLES OF FAITH
Mt. Zion Primitive Baptist Church
(as adopted in 1927)
1. We believe in one true and living God; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; that these Three are One; and are harmoniously equal, in infinite power, wisdom, justice, holiness, mercy, love and truth. ( Deuteronomy 6:4 Matthew 28:19 James 2:19 1John 5:7)
2. We believe that the Scriptures, comprising the Old and New Testaments, (of which we consider the King James Translation to be best), are of full and Divine Authority, and is to be accepted as the only rule of faith and practice. ( 2Timothy 3:16 2 Peter 1:21)
3. We believe that Adam in his first transgression, fell under the just and full condemnation of God’s holy law; that each and all of his posterity were then represented by him as their earthly head, and consequently in their descent from him have inherited his very same fallen nature and condition of guilt and depravity; so are by nature (or their earthly birth) corrupted and defiled (in body, soul, intellect, will, and affections), and justly condemned under the great penalty of the Adamic-sin; subject to all the sorrowful and many resulting consequences, both temporal and eternal; and that they have neither will nor power to deliver themselves from this awful curse of their lost and ruined state. ( Psalm 14:1-3 Romans 3:23 Romans 5:12 1Corinthians 15:21-22)
4. We believe that the doctrine of unconditional election is a very precious Bible truth; that God for His own glory and praise, has most sovereignly and graciously chose a certain and definite number of the descendants of Adam, in Jesus Christ before the foundation of the world, and has positively ordained them to eternal life and glory. (Ephesians 1:3-5 2Timothy 2:19)
5. We believe that God has predestinated all these elect subjects unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ, which was wholly according to the good pleasure of His own will, and for the praise of His marvelous grace. (Romans 8:29-30 Ephesians 1:11-12)
6. We believe that Jesus Christ was set up from everlasting as the great Mediator and heavenly Representative of His elect people; and that in the fullness of time He took unto Himself a holy and undefiled body, soul and nature; and suffered and died in the law-place of His elect only, thereby obtaining eternal redemption for them. (1Timothy 2:5 Hebrews 8:6 & 9:15)
7. We believe that sinners are justified before God only through the gracious imputation of the righteousness of Jesus Christ. (Ecclesiastes 7:20 Romans 3:26 & 4:6-8 2Corinthians 5:21)
8. We believe that God’s elect are born again, or regenerated, while dead in trespasses and sins (or their spiritually lifeless state by nature) by the Holy Spirit, and that they all shall persevere through grace unto eternal glory. (John 3:3-7 2Timothy 1:9 Titus 3:5 1Peter 1:2 & 23)
9. We believe that there will be a resurrection of all the dead; and that the joys of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked, shall be eternal.
(John 5:28-29 John 11:24-25 1Corinthians 15:1-58 1Peter 1:3)
10. We believe that the Gospel is to be preached publicly as a statement of Bible truth, and as a witness of Jesus Christ and for His praise, and for the comfort and instruction of regenerated persons; but deny that it is an offer of salvation to anyone, or contains any commands or obligations for the unregenerate to believe that Jesus is their Saviour. ( Romans 1:15-17 2Corinthians 4:3-4)
11. We believe that good works, obedience to the commands of God, are well pleasing in His sight and should be maintained; but they are to be considered only as evidence of a gracious state and not as a condition of salvation. ( Isaiah 1:16-20 Galatians 6:9-10 Titus 3:8)
12. We believe that Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are Ordinances in the Church of Jesus Christ. True believers are the only proper subjects for Baptism, and immersion the only proper mode; while baptized believers, in good standing and of our same Faith and Order, only are entitled to partake of the Supper with us. ( Baptism: Matthew 3:5-6 Acts 8:36-38 1Peter 3:21) ( Lord’s Supper: John 13:13-15 1Corinthians 11:23-26)
13. We believe that only regularly ordained Primitive Baptist Elders in good standing have the right to administer Gospel Ordinances. ( Luke 6:13 1Timothy 1:12 1Timohty 4:14 1Timothy 6:20-21)
14. We believe that the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, which we call Primitive Baptist, is the only divinely recognized religious institution in the world, and that all our members should highly prize her solemn feasts, and with love and reverence, honor her far above all the institutions of man, and consider her as being entirely disconnected therewith. ( Matthew 16:18 Ephesians 5:23-32)
15. We believe that the Church should be considered as an administrative body only, and we wish to fully acknowledge the Headship of Jesus Christ in all things pertaining thereto. (Ephesians 5:23-25 Colossians 1:17-18)
2. We believe that the Scriptures, comprising the Old and New Testaments, (of which we consider the King James Translation to be best), are of full and Divine Authority, and is to be accepted as the only rule of faith and practice. ( 2Timothy 3:16 2 Peter 1:21)
3. We believe that Adam in his first transgression, fell under the just and full condemnation of God’s holy law; that each and all of his posterity were then represented by him as their earthly head, and consequently in their descent from him have inherited his very same fallen nature and condition of guilt and depravity; so are by nature (or their earthly birth) corrupted and defiled (in body, soul, intellect, will, and affections), and justly condemned under the great penalty of the Adamic-sin; subject to all the sorrowful and many resulting consequences, both temporal and eternal; and that they have neither will nor power to deliver themselves from this awful curse of their lost and ruined state. ( Psalm 14:1-3 Romans 3:23 Romans 5:12 1Corinthians 15:21-22)
4. We believe that the doctrine of unconditional election is a very precious Bible truth; that God for His own glory and praise, has most sovereignly and graciously chose a certain and definite number of the descendants of Adam, in Jesus Christ before the foundation of the world, and has positively ordained them to eternal life and glory. (Ephesians 1:3-5 2Timothy 2:19)
5. We believe that God has predestinated all these elect subjects unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ, which was wholly according to the good pleasure of His own will, and for the praise of His marvelous grace. (Romans 8:29-30 Ephesians 1:11-12)
6. We believe that Jesus Christ was set up from everlasting as the great Mediator and heavenly Representative of His elect people; and that in the fullness of time He took unto Himself a holy and undefiled body, soul and nature; and suffered and died in the law-place of His elect only, thereby obtaining eternal redemption for them. (1Timothy 2:5 Hebrews 8:6 & 9:15)
7. We believe that sinners are justified before God only through the gracious imputation of the righteousness of Jesus Christ. (Ecclesiastes 7:20 Romans 3:26 & 4:6-8 2Corinthians 5:21)
8. We believe that God’s elect are born again, or regenerated, while dead in trespasses and sins (or their spiritually lifeless state by nature) by the Holy Spirit, and that they all shall persevere through grace unto eternal glory. (John 3:3-7 2Timothy 1:9 Titus 3:5 1Peter 1:2 & 23)
9. We believe that there will be a resurrection of all the dead; and that the joys of the righteous and the punishment of the wicked, shall be eternal.
(John 5:28-29 John 11:24-25 1Corinthians 15:1-58 1Peter 1:3)
10. We believe that the Gospel is to be preached publicly as a statement of Bible truth, and as a witness of Jesus Christ and for His praise, and for the comfort and instruction of regenerated persons; but deny that it is an offer of salvation to anyone, or contains any commands or obligations for the unregenerate to believe that Jesus is their Saviour. ( Romans 1:15-17 2Corinthians 4:3-4)
11. We believe that good works, obedience to the commands of God, are well pleasing in His sight and should be maintained; but they are to be considered only as evidence of a gracious state and not as a condition of salvation. ( Isaiah 1:16-20 Galatians 6:9-10 Titus 3:8)
12. We believe that Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are Ordinances in the Church of Jesus Christ. True believers are the only proper subjects for Baptism, and immersion the only proper mode; while baptized believers, in good standing and of our same Faith and Order, only are entitled to partake of the Supper with us. ( Baptism: Matthew 3:5-6 Acts 8:36-38 1Peter 3:21) ( Lord’s Supper: John 13:13-15 1Corinthians 11:23-26)
13. We believe that only regularly ordained Primitive Baptist Elders in good standing have the right to administer Gospel Ordinances. ( Luke 6:13 1Timothy 1:12 1Timohty 4:14 1Timothy 6:20-21)
14. We believe that the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, which we call Primitive Baptist, is the only divinely recognized religious institution in the world, and that all our members should highly prize her solemn feasts, and with love and reverence, honor her far above all the institutions of man, and consider her as being entirely disconnected therewith. ( Matthew 16:18 Ephesians 5:23-32)
15. We believe that the Church should be considered as an administrative body only, and we wish to fully acknowledge the Headship of Jesus Christ in all things pertaining thereto. (Ephesians 5:23-25 Colossians 1:17-18)