Pastor Norman T. Umstead, Jr.

Mt. Moriah Baptist Church   213 Buckhorn Rd. Mebane, NC

The Baptist Covenant

Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ. We engage therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations. We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to religiously educate our children; to seek to salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our department; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to o abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drink as a beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour. We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Saviour, to secure it without delay. We moreover engage that, when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word

Articles of Faith

ARTICLES OF FAITH

I. 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.

II. THE TRUE GOD
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.

III. THE FALL OF MAN
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.

IV. 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 Saviour.

V. 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.

VI. 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.

VII. 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.

VIII. 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 Saviour.

IX. 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.

X. 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.

XI. PERSEVERANCE OF 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.

XII. 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.

XIII. 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.

XIV. 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 Saviour, 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.

XV. 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.

XVI. 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.

XVII. 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.

XVIII. 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.