Bible Study: The 18th Tenets of Baptist Faith

18 Tenets (Statements of Beliefs) of  Baptists

In this Bible study lesson, we will examine the 18 Tenets (statements of beliefs) of Missionary Baptists. I was led to do this lesson after receiving feedback from the last sermon I delivered in December. Many people who heard that sermon, both here in the Church and online, shared that they were not aware of these tenets even though they are the statements of beliefs that Baptist attest to. My goal in teaching this lesson is to help you understand what they are and if they are in line with what God’s word says. As we go through each tenet, I will share a few Scriptures that the tenets are based on, and where applicable, I will share additional Scriptures that will offer a different view of the expressed tenet. In the end, each of you must decide based on what you read what you will belief and act on.

These tenets are based on the “New Hampshire Confession of Faith” which was published in 1833. We will begin with the first tenet – the Scriptures.

1.   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 end, 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.” This tenet is based on the following Scriptures (not all Scriptures are listed):

Second Timothy 3:16-17: “(15) And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Proverbs 30:5-6: “(5) Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. (6) Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”

Second Peter 1:20-21: “(20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, (21) for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

I believe the entire Bible, from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 comes directly from God and given to man through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. We cannot grow in faith and in our relationship with God without His word. It is ‘His” word and therefore our guiding light through this darkness we face daily in this world. I also believe the writers were like the secretaries in the old black and white movies who took dictation based on Second Peter 1:20-21. They wrote as they were led by the Spirit of God and not of themselves.

2.  The True God

The second tenet pertaining to God says, “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.” This tenet is based on the following Scriptures (not all Scriptures are listed):

John 4:24: “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

John 14:6: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

John 16:13-14: “(13) However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. (14) He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.”

I believe the Godhead is comprised of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit and each has distinct roles in our lives as Christians. God the Father is the giver of life as we see in John 3:16. God the Son, Jesus, is the way – the only way – in which God the Father was able to give a sinful world access to eternal life and we see this in John 14:6. Finally, God the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Truth, leads and guides us into truth based on John 16:13-14.

3.  The Fall of Man

The third tenet pertains to the fall of man and says, “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.” This tenet is based on the following Scriptures (not all Scriptures are listed):

Genesis 1:27:  “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

Genesis 2:16-17: “(16) And the Lord God’s commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; (17) but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’”

Genesis 3:24: “So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.”

Romans 5:12-14: “(12) Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. (13) (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. (14) Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.”

I believe that each and every person who is born into this world is born with a sin nature passed down to them through no choice of their own because of Adam’s disobedience to God’s commandment not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

4.  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 for our sins; that having risen from the dead, He is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in His wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, He is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.

Matthew 18:11:  “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.”

John 14:6: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

First John 4:10: “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

Acts 15:11: “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

Romans 10:9-10: “(9) That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

I believe that there is only one way to salvation and that’s through putting your faith in the completed work of Jesus Christ. And we “go through” Jesus when we follow the instructions given to us in

5.  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 in 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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We are justified – made righteous, pardoned from sin, made innocent – without doing anything to earn it through grace as seen in Romans 3:21-24: “(21) But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, (22) even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; (23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (24) being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

6.  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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Salvation is free and is a gift of grace and is received through faith and we see this in Ephesians 2:8-9 which states “(8) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (9) not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

7.  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 appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith, and newness of life.

I believe that it is through the ministry of the Holy Spirit that we are regenerated or reborn. Titus 3:4-5 state “(4) But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, (5) not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”

8.  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 being 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 Savior.

I believe that when we commit sin we are at odds with God and the only way to once again be in harmony with Him is to repent by turning away from the sin and turning back to God. This is not a temporary decision, as true repentance means we stop doing the sin that we are repenting from – not “pausing” from it.

For example, in Acts 8, Simon the sorcerer asked Peter if he could purchase the ability to lay hands on people to receive the Holy Spirit and Peter responded “(20) But Peter said to him, ‘Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! (21) You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. (22) Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.”

9.  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 consistent 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 truly 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.

I believe that once we are saved through grace, God’s grace takes on a new responsibility in our lives. Once we are saved, grace purpose shifts to teaching us how to live godly and above sin. We see this in Titus 2:11-12 from the Amplified Bible states, “(11)For the [remarkable, undeserved] grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. (12) It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives [lives with a purpose that reflect spiritual maturity] in this present age.” 

I believe that grace ensures that we have everything we need to do God’s work here on earth. Second Corinthians 9:8 from the Amplified Bibles states, “And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity.” 

10.  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 a 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.

I believe that the moment we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are made sanctified. First Corinthians 6:9-11 states, “(9) Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, (10) nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. (11) And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”

11.  Perseverance of the 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.

I believe that when we go through trials and temptations, it’s an opportunity for the Lord to chasten us – to give us instructions like a tutor – on how to deal with the situation. But we must be willing to endure the chastening in order to mature into the person the Lord wants us to be. Hebrews 12:6-11 states, “(6) For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. (7) If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? (8) But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. (9) Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? (10) For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. (11) Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

12. 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 the visible church.

I believe that Jesus fulfilled the Law and that Christians are to live by the Spirit of Life. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus states, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”

Paul writes in Romans 8:1-4 the following: “(1) There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. (3) For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, (4) that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

13.  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, and Deacons whose Qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.

I believe the Church is supposed to model the behavior of the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:23). Before He returned to Heaven, Jesus gave the apostles their assignment – their mission statement. He said in Matthew 28:19-20, “(19) Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Jesus told the disciples to go out and teach people the same doctrine and truths that He taught them. We have His doctrine and His teachings in the Gospels and the Pauline epistles. The Head of the Church wants His Church to do what He did when He was here on earth – get people born again and then teach them how to be His disciples.

  14.  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 Savior, with its effect, in our death 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.

I believe that Jesus, by His own baptism, defined what is true baptism for His Church. The word “baptized” means “to be fully immersed in water and we see Jesus fulfilling this in Matthew 3:16-17. “(16) When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. (17) And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”

I believe that the Lord’s Supper, based on what we read in First Corinthians 11:17-34, is designed to remind us that Jesus died for our sins, that His body was broken and His blood was shed for us. This specific meal is meant to commemorate what He did for us. Each person should examine themselves – not pertaining to past sins that have been forgiven, but for anything currently hindering them – unforgiveness, unrepentant sins, unbelief in Christ as Lord and Savior, etc. This is what is meant by taking it unworthily. 

15.  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.

In his letter to the Church at Colosse, the Apostle Paul writes, “(16) So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, (17) which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” (Colossians 2:16-17)  The Body of Christ, as a whole, has adopted the tradition of calling Sunday the Sabbath Day for the local church to gather together each week, which we are encouraged to do in Hebrews 10:24-25 – “(24) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, (25) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

16.  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 Prince of the Kings of the earth.

I believe that God established governmental authority, but He does not determine the people put into positions authority. Romans 13:1-2 state “(1) Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. (2) Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”

I also believe that it is our Christian duty to pray for those who occupy positions of authority. First Timothy 2:1-4 states “(1) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, (2) for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. (3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, (4) who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

I also believe that God established governmental authority for the primary purpose of keeping those with a sin nature from wreaking havoc in society. First Timothy 1:9-10 states, “(8) But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, (9) knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, (10) for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.

17.  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.

I believe based on what Jesus said in Matthew 9, the righteous belong to Him and the wicked (sinners) do not. “(11) And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, ‘Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ (12) When Jesus heard that, He said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. (13) But go and learn what this means’: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

18. 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. 

I believe that there will be a new heaven and a new earth when Christ returns.

Revelation 21:1-5 state “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. (2) Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (3) And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. (4) And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’ (5) Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’”