baptist christian statement of faith
We believe God the Father is an infinite, eternal, sovereignSpirit Who is absolutely holy and self-existent. He was raised from the dead with a glorified body and appeared to His disciples as the person who was with them before His crucifixion. The Scriptures The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God's revelation of Himself to man. STATEMENT OF FAITH. Mr. Biden, perhaps the most religiously observant commander in chief in half a century, regularly attends Mass and speaks of how his Catholic faith grounds his life and his policies. The Churchs purpose of existence is to evangelize the world and complete itself through the winning of lost souls to Christ. Each church, however, is to depend solely upon the Holy Bible for Faith and Practice. It summarizes key Southern Baptist thought in the areas of the Bible and its authority, the nature of God as expressed by the Trinity, the spiritual condition of man, God's plan of grace and salvation, the purpose of the local church, ordinances, evangelism, Christian education, interaction with society, religious liberty, and the family. An independent, fundamental church in Royal Center, Indiana Joel Sharp, Pastor, Prayer Meeting & Bible Study Baptist Faith and Message I. When you ask them for their statement, they tell you, "The Bible is our statement of faith." That's it; you won't get any more out of them unless you sit them down and drill them. In this Statement of Faith, our Constitution, and all other documents, policies, and ministries of Baptist Christian Church, wherever the word man/men appears, it shall always mean a person who is born, according to Gods sovereign plan and design, male; and wherever the word woman/women appears, it shall always mean a person who is born, according to Gods sovereign plan and design, female. Article VI. We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person, equal with God the Father and God the Son in every way. 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 . 13. He ascended into heaven and is now exalted at the right hand of God where He is the One Mediator, fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man. He calls men to the Saviour, and effects regeneration. Hindi (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19-20; Mark 12:29; 1 Peter 1:2). How are you different from a Methodist, a Presbyterian, an Episcopal, a Pentecostal, or a Catholic? The Holy Spirit conceived His incarnationin a miraculous manner. 6. We believe that the New Testament church is a local assembly of baptized believers who have voluntarily joined themselves together to carry out the Great Commission. The freedom of a teacher in a Christian school, college, or seminary is limited by the pre-eminence of Jesus Christ, by the authoritative nature of the Scriptures, and by the distinct purpose for which the school exists. We believe that justification is the judicial act of God declaring us to be righteous through faith in Christ Jesus. Our statement of faith stands firmly within historic Christian orthodoxy, confessing the great doctrines of the Trinity and the incarnation of Christ as set forth in the Nicene and Chalcedonian creeds. (Luke 24:36-42; John 20:24-29). According to Bruce Gourley, who served as executive director of the Baptist History & Heritage Society, there are four prominent opinions on how Baptists originated. In the beginning man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice. 15. Isaiah 2:4; Matthew 5:9, 3848; 6:33; 26:52; Luke 22:36, 38; Romans 12:1819; 13:17; 14:19; Hebrews 12:14; James 4:12. To work for the betterment of the institution as a whole and to strive to personal excellence and development as a means to that end. We believe that God instituted the family for the well-being of mankind and designed it to be a unit of order and blessing. (1) The Holy Scriptures We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God. ; Acts 1:1314; 2:1ff. (Genesis 1 and 2; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16.). Being one body unites believers to each other and to Christ. We hold him to be man's great tempter, the enemy of God and His Christ, the accuser of the saints, the author of all false religion, the chief power behind the present apostasy, the lord of the antichrist, and the author of all powers of darkness-destined, however, to final defeat at the hands of God's own Son, and the judgment of an eternal justice in hell, a place prepared for him and his angels. What makes us different from the others can be easily discussed by considering the Baptist Distinctives. We believe they each have precisely the same nature, attributes, and perfections. After one is saved, water baptism shows our faith and union in Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection to a new life that exalts and glorifies Christ. John Newton Brown, D. D., of New Hampshire (b. In its broadest sense salvation includes regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification. Office Hours: 9:00am - 3:00pm Phone: (518) 399-2220 Fax: (518) 399-2580 office@faithcrossroads.org. (John 3:15; Acts 4:12; 16:31; Romans 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:8-9), Section 13: Separation and Sanctification, We believe that sanctificationis the divine setting apart of the believer unto God, and that the Scriptures clearly teach non-conformity to the world for every believer. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. There is one and only one living and true God. God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. We believe the Bible to be the center of true Christian unity and the supreme and final authority against which all matters of doctrine, faith, human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tested. ; Mark 2:2728; 16:17; Luke 24:13, 3336; John 4:2124; 20:1, 1928; Acts 20:7; Romans 14:510; I Corinthians 16:12; Colossians 2:16; 3:16; Revelation 1:10. We have multiple campuses serving the specific needs of the areas in which they are located, while receiving centralized teaching from the Blankenbaker Campus in Louisville, KY. ; 2 Thessalonians 1:7ff. His presence in the Christian is the guarantee that God will bring the believer into the fullness of the stature of Christ. STATEMENT OF FAITH. They are each worthy of precisely the same honor, confidence, and obedience. The new birth of the one who was dead in trespasses and sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God. Jesus perfectly revealed and did the will of God, taking upon Himself human nature with its demands and necessities and identifying Himself completely with mankind yet without sin. Genesis 1:27; 2:7; Matthew 6:67, 24; 16:26; 22:21; John 8:36; Acts 4:1920; Romans 6:12; 13:17; Galatians 5:1, 13; Philippians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:12; James 4:12; 1 Peter 2:1217; 3:1117; 4:1219. The new birth opens all human faculties and creates a thirst for knowledge. Statement of Faith This doctrinal statement reflects the broad, mainstream, conservative evangelical tradition which is consistent with the teachings of the Bible and which has stood the test of history and experience. The eternal triune God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being. Editorial changes, such as the use of gender-inclusive language, considered improvements of the form of the statement. (Ezekiel 28:13-19; Matthew 25:41; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 2:13; Luke 9:26; Luke 10:18; Luke 15:10), We believe that civil government is of divine appointment for the interests and good order of human society. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life, and is expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. (1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 3:10), Section 23: The Eternal State of the Saved and The Lost, We believe in the bodily resurrection of all men: the saved to eternal life and the unsaved to judgment and everlasting punishment. Christ, the Lord, bore our sin in His own body on the crossthe just dying for the unjust. By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. It is Gods revelation to man, inerrantas originally written by Spirit-controlled men. (Romans 8:14-17; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Galatians 4:4-7; Ephesians 1:5; 1 John 3:1-2), We believe that all who are truly born again are eternally kept by God the Father for Jesus Christ. Baptist Deacon, there are some churches that have no statement of faith. He convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience. We believe that the command to give the Gospel to the world is clear and unmistakable, and this commission was given to the churches. (John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-5), We believe in the bodily resurrection of our Lord Who ascended into Heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father. This is the Blessed Hope. Thurs. ; Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 53:112; Matthew 1:1823; 3:17; 8:29; 11:27; 14:33; 16:16, 27; 17:5; 27; 28:16, 19; Mark 1:1; 3:11; Luke 1:35; 4:41; 22:70; 24:46; John 1:118, 29; 10:30, 38; 11:2527; 12:4450; 14:711; 16:1516, 28; 17:15, 2122; 20:120, 28; Acts 1:9; 2:2224; 7:5556; 9:45, 20; Romans 1:34; 3:2326; 5:621; 8:13, 34; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 2:2; 8:6; 15:18, 2428; 2 Corinthians 5:1921; 8:9; Galatians 4:45; Ephesians 1:20; 3:11; 4:710; Philippians 2:511; Colossians 1:1322; 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1418; 1 Timothy 2:56; 3:16; Titus 2:1314; Hebrews 1:13; 4:1415; 7:1428; 9:1215, 2428; 12:2; 13:8; 1 Peter 2:2125; 3:22; 1 John 1:79; 3:2; 4:1415; 5:9; 2 John 79; Revelation 1:1316; 5:914; 12:1011; 13:8; 19:16. by which to know the Father, than through the Son (John 14:6). Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. We believe that a Baptist church is a congregation of baptized believers associated by a covenant of 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 officers of ordination are pastors or elders, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are clearly defined in the Scriptures. To respect the appropriate ethical and Spiritual guidelines for personal interaction including the respect for the property of both the institution as well as the personal property of others. Such organizations have no authority over one another or over the churches. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by His Spirit, will never fall away from the state of grace, but shall persevere to the end. Faith Church 11 Glenridge Road Rexford, NY 12148. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believers faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believers death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. Watch Live Here : https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&q=http://bit.ly/3J5mjB4The Faith Baptist (Davison, MI) varsity basketball team has. Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. Statement of Faith The sole basis of our beliefs is the Bible, God's infallible written Word, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. (John 10:28-29; Romans 8:35-39; Philippians 1:6; Jude 1). We believe He arose bodily from the dead on the third day in the same body in which He suffered and died. In His incarnation He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. Boston Baptist College teaches and practices the ministry of the Holy Spirit from a textual and historical position rather than that which is espoused by the modern Charismatic interpretation. (All matters of finance, of student or staff performance are to be discussed only with the appropriate parties within secured office space not in the hallways, cafeteria, or areas where confidential information could be overheard even inadvertently.). We believe that repentance and faith are solemn obligations, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the quickening Spirit of God. There is no other "way" (religion, etc.) The college desires to help students who face all types of sexual temptation, encouraging single students to live chaste, celibate lives and married students to live together as God intends. Spanish Christs people should, as occasion requires, organize such associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objects of the Kingdom of God. Monique Moultrie, an associate professor of religious studies at Georgia State University, told NPR, "I think it is interesting that more swift movement was made towards removing these churches . We believe that the Bible is, in its entirety, the verballyinspiredWord of God. Genesis 12:13; Exodus 19:58; 1 Samuel 8:47, 1922; Isaiah 5:17; Jeremiah 31:31ff. Chinese 1:2627). Our statement of faith is adapted from the New Hampshire Confession of Faith which in turn derives in faithful adherence to the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. We join thousands of Baptist churches, associations, and ministries thathave adopted the Baptist Faith and Message as our confession of faith. Watch Live Here : https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&q=https://bit.ly/Highschoolbasketball_BoysThe Faith Baptist (Davison, MI) varsity . To respect leadership and support harmony that is compatible with biblical truth, understanding that insubordination in any form incompatible with any professional relationship with Boston Baptist College. In accordance with the spirit and teachings of Christ they should do all in their power to put an end to war. There was both praise and criticism for the significant changes to the BF&M in the 2000 revision. He regeneratesthe sinner by the Word of God. To display respect for Gods creation and His provisions and to specifically practice respect for and courtesy to all persons equally. Therefore, we believe creation to be approximately 6000 years old. By "Inspiration" we mean that the books of the Bible were written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, in such a definite way that their writings were supernaturally and verbally inspired and free from error, as no other writings have ever been or ever will be inspired. Leadership We believe that the term marriage has only one meaning: A life-long covenant, sanctioned by God, that joins one man and one woman, who were each born as a man and a woman, in a single, exclusive union, as spoken and described by God in Scripture. We believe that it was uniquely, verbally and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and that it was written without error (that is, it is inerrant) in the original manuscripts. 6:1820; Gal. He now dwells in all believers as the living and ever-present Lord. Examples of such work would include course material, books or articles written, video presentation, online courses, or software developed. (Luke 13:1-3; Luke 15:7; Acts 8:22; Acts 20:21; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10), We believe that faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the only condition for salvation. Statement of Faith. It reveals the principles by which God judges 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 religious opinions should be tried. Knowing who we are is one thing, but knowing WHAT we are is completely another. The Holy Spirit on earth is the active agent of the God-head, who constantly seeks within its ranks to bring about conformity and obedience to the Word of God and the will of God. God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections. God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of marriage. Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. In Christian education there should be a proper balance between academic freedom and academic responsibility. Korean We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be born again, that the new birth is a new creation in Jesus Christ; that it is instantaneous and not a process; that in the new birth the one dead in trespasses and in sins is made a partaker of the divine nature and receives eternal life, the free gift of God; that the new creation is brought about in a manner above our comprehension, not by culture, not by character, nor by the will of man, but wholly and solely by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith and newness of life. Immersion of believers and the Lords Supper the only two ordinances. He never casts us off, but, as we remain sealed to the day of redemption, we inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting salvation. The Church. Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:4 God gives all believers spiritual gifts. 3. It commemorates the resurrection of Christ from the dead and should include exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and private. ; 5:810; 6:123; 8:118, 2939; 10:910, 13; 13:1114; 1 Corinthians 1:18, 30; 6:1920; 15:10; 2 Corinthians 5:1720; Galatians 2:20; 3:13; 5:2225; 6:15; Ephesians 1:7; 2:822; 4:1116; Philippians 2:1213; Colossians 1:922; 3:1ff. His righteousness is imputed unto us. The canon of Scripture clearly declares that Gods design at Creation for sexual desire, orientation and identity is within the bounds of the marital union of one natural-born man and one natural-born woman (Gen. 1:2628; Gen. 2:2225; Rom. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. Why are we Baptists? 4. The marriage relationship models the way God relates to his people. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lords Supper. ; 20:1ff. Through illumination He enables men to understand truth. The new birth is a new creation in Christ Jesus. (Isaiah 53:11; Acts 13:39; Romans 3:22-24; Romans 5:1-21; Romans 8:1; Ephesians 2:8-9), We believe that repentanceis a change of mind and purpose toward God brought about by the Holy Spirit. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. Smith, James A., Sr. "A confession of faith worthy of support." Each church, however, is to depend solely upon the Holy Bible for Faith and Practice. Pre-Millennial, KJV Baptist Church. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, with authority of the local church, 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 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. The Holy Bible is absolutely inerrant, unadulterated, and authoritative in its . When He returns to the earth with His saints, we believe that Jesus Christ will establish His millennial Kingdomand will reign for one thousand years. Those who have gone before us have been bloody martyrs, powerful prophets, fiery preachers, meek grandmothers, kindly gentlemen, and on and on. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. (Matthew 28:6; Mark 16:6; Luke 24:2-6; Luke 24:39; Luke 24:51; John 20:27; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:4; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 5:9-10; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 12:2; 1 John 2:1). True repentance is inseparably related to true faith causing one to purposely turn away from sin and move instead toward God as an act of faith. Insults, slurs and other forms of derogatory speech or actions have no place in a Christian community or thoughtful dialogue, and will be worthy of disciplinary action. To limit any personal matters to momentary attention while on the job, including but not limited to - phone calls, personal visits or conversations or computer use. But some of us take it too far to the place of sin. Each local church is the sole judge of the measure and method of its cooperation. Services. At that moment, the dead in Christ shall be raised in glorified bodies. I. 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 We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men supernaturally inspired; that it has truth without any admixture of error for its matter; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the age, the only complete and final revelation of the will of God to man; the true center of Christian union and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. Statement of Faith. Many us of have good answers to these questions, but are they the right answers? through faith, plus nothing, and believers are eternally secure. Isaiah 2:4; 11:9; Matthew 16:27; 18:89; 19:28; 24:27, 30, 36, 44; 25:3146; 26:64; Mark 8:38; 9:4348; Luke 12:40, 48; 16:1926; 17:2237; 21:2728; John 14:13; Acts 1:11; 17:31; Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 15:2428, 3558; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Philippians 3:2021; Colossians 1:5; 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:1418; 5:1ff. 216 views, 5 likes, 5 loves, 3 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from New Hope Baptist Church, Marshville, NC: sunday service God is all powerful and all knowing; and His perfect knowledge extends to all things, past, present, and future, including the future decisions of His free creatures. Regarding marriage, the BF&M added Article XVIII to specify the husband is the head of the household (though it is to be understood in a complementarian role, not as an autocrat). Exodus 20:317; Leviticus 6:25; Deuteronomy 10:12; 27:17; Psalm 101:5; Micah 6:8; Zechariah 8:16; Matthew 5:1316, 4348; 22:3640; 25:35; Mark 1:2934; 2:3ff. Children are to honor and obey their parents. There is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord, and where there are no Christian works of obedience then faith is dead. Genesis 14:20; Leviticus 27:3032; Deuteronomy 8:18; Malachi 3:812; Matthew 6:14, 1921; 19:21; 23:23; 25:1429; Luke 12:1621, 42; 16:113; Acts 2:4447; 5:111; 17:2425; 20:35; Romans 6:622; 12:12; 1 Corinthians 4:12; 6:1920; 12; 16:14; 2 Corinthians 89; 12:15; Philippians 4:1019; 1 Peter 1:1819. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ provide for rescue and redemption from sin. Christianity is the faith of enlightenment and intelligence. The traditional SBC view is that all Scripture is equally inspired by God.[7]. He has the God-given responsibility to provide for, to protect, and to lead his family. To refrain from the violation of any civil or criminal law that could adversely affect Boston Baptist College or bring reproach upon the cause of Christ. Expressing our love in worship that is as sincere, vibrant, and artful as it is scriptural. 17. A. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of Gods grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. All believers from Pentecost to the Rapture are added to the Church by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of our people in the most effective manner. We believe that Gods design for the family is modeled in the leadership of the church. The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, equal with God the Father and God the Spirit and of the same nature. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. (I Corinthians 15:51-58; John 14:1-4; Titus 2:11-14). . We believe the Bible to be the center of true Christian unity and the supreme and final authority against which all matters of doctrine, faith, human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tested. The Confession of Faith, [1] [2] also called the Second London Baptist Confession, was written by Particular Baptists, who held to a Calvinistic soteriology in England to give a formal expression of their Christian faith from a Baptist perspective. We should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. Autonomy and independence of the Local Church. We believe in a pre-tribulation Rapture of believers, and a premillennial return of Christ to the earth to establish His Kingdom. Faith Baptist Academy is a ministry of Faith Baptist Church. Lets face it many Baptists are proud, and that is OK in a manner of speaking, because we have a rich heritage. We believe the true mission of the Church is the faithful witnessing of Christ to all men. The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in God's image. ; Judges 7:21; Ezra 1:34; 2:6869; 5:1415; Nehemiah 4; 8:15; Matthew 10:515; 20:116; 22:110; 28:1920; Mark 2:3; Luke 10:1ff. We believe 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 . In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. The performance of professional responsibilities in the context of this educational institution is consistent with this intent and with the standards found in Scripture. In fact, I can recall a time or two I have said that very thing myself. 2. Genesis 3:15; Exodus 3:1417; 6:28; Matthew 1:21; 4:17; 16:2126; 27:2228:6; Luke 1:6869; 2:2832; John 1:1114, 29; 3:321, 36; 5:24; 10:9, 2829; 15:116; 17:17; Acts 2:21; 4:12; 15:11; 16:3031; 17:3031; 20:32; Romans 1:1618; 2:4; 3:2325; 4:3ff. The denomination's statement of faith was revised in 2000 to state: "While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture." Addresses issues of contemporary concern soteriological inclusivism (Section IV), family (Section XVIII), gender (Section III), sexual immorality, adultery, homosexuality, pornography, and abortion (Section XV). If I were to ask you to defend your decision on being a Baptist, what would you say? It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord. We believe that man was created in innocence under the law of his Maker, but by voluntary transgression fell from his sinless and happy state.
