Confession of Faith, According to the Holy Word of God.

Concerning this high, eternal birth, issue, and Godhead of the Son of God, read: “Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” Ps. 2:7. “For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son. And again, When he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world.” Heb. 1:5,6.

“So also Christ glorified not himself to be made a high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee.” Heb. 5:5.

“And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second Psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.” Acts 13:32,33. Observe, that this passage of Paul has reference not only to the raising up of Christ from the dead, but chiefly to his eternal birth from God his Father.

The prophet Micah, speaking of Bethlehem, says: “Out of thee shall he come forth that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Mic. 5:2; John 16:28,30.

Again, Paul says: “Who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born (mark, the first-born) of every creature.” Col. 1:15; Rev. 3:14.

Also John: “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son (mark, the only begotten Son) which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.” John 1:18 and 14.

Read also: Prov. 8:23; Dan. 2:34,45; Syr. 24:13; Rom. 8:29. Concerning the Godhead of Christ, read: Ps. 45:6; Heb. 1:8; John 1:1 and 20:28; Rom. 9:5; 1 John 5:20.

ARTICLE III.

Of the Holy Ghost we believe and confess: That there is a true, real Holy Ghost, also comprehended in the only, eternal, divine essence; who proceeds from the Father and the Son and is the power of the Most High, by whom the Father and the Son operate, and through whom heaven and earth, and all the heavenly host were made. Hence, the divine attributes are ascribed to him; as eternal, almighty, holy, omniscient; who searches the deep things of the Godhead, knows what is in God, and goes through and searches all spirits, however subtle they may be. He is therefore confessed as the true God with the Father and the Son. And he is the subtile breath of the power of God, who with his divine inspiration illuminates and enkindles the heart of man, and confirms and leads him into all truth. He is given by God unto all who obey him. All that are led by this Spirit, are the sons of God. He that has not this Spirit, does not belong to God. He is called the real and earnest of the inheritance of all true children of God. He who blasphemes this Spirit, must never expect forgiveness. Christ also commands to baptize believers in the name of the Holy Ghost.

Concerning this only Spirit of God, read: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Gen. 1:1,2.

Through Paul we are taught: “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” 1 Cor. 12:4. “But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 362 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” 1 Cor. 12:11,13. Read also: 2 Sam. 23:2; Eph. 4:4; Matt. 10:20; Luke 12:12; Matt. 3:16; John 1:32; Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16.

ARTICLE IV.

How Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are to be distinguished in certain attributes. Of this we confess: That in the only eternal Divine Being there are not three mere names; but that each name has its true signification and attributes; so that there is a true real Father, of whom all things are; and a true, real Son, by whom are all things; and a true, real Holy Ghost, through whom the Father and the Son operate. The Father is the true Father, who begat the Son before all time, and from whom the Son proceeded and came, and by whom he [the Father] created and made all things; and through whom the Son was sent to be the Savior of the world. The Son was born of, proceeded and came from the Father; by whom the Father created all things, and who was sent by the Father, and came into the world, and, through the effectual power of the Most High was conceived by Mary, and born as man. He suffered, was crucified, died, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of his Almighty Father in heaven. The Holy Ghost is he that proceeds from the Father and the Son, and is sent by them; through whom the Father and the Son operate and work. He speaks not of himself, but whatsoever he has heard from the Father; he takes of the things of Christ, to show them to his own.