CONFESSION OF FAITH
(taken from the 1835 minutes of Plain Church)

Article 1: I believe in one God; the Creator, Preserver, and Governor of the universe; that He is Self-Existent, Independent, Unchangeable, Infinite in Mercy, Wisdom, Power, Holiness, Justice, Goodness, and Truth.

Article 2: I believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are given by inspiration of God; they are infallible in what they teach; are inerrant in what they say; and contain a complete and harmonious system of Divine Truth, the only rule of religious faith and practice.

Article 3: I believe there are three Persons in the Godhead: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost. These Three are One, and in all Divine Perfections equal.

Article 4: I believe God governs all things according to His infinitely wise purpose.

Article 5: I believe God, at first, created man in His own image of righteousness and true holiness. He fell from that holy and happy state by sinning against God. Since the fall of Adam, mankind came into the world with a disposition entirely sinful.

Article 6: I believe in reference to the fall of man, God did, from eternity, appoint the Lord Jesus Christ, His only and well-beloved Son, Mediator, Who assumed our nature, and made atonement for sin. He can now consistently exercise mercy toward sinners, and will pardon all those who repent and believe in the Gospel.

Article 7: I believe all men in their natural state reject Christ. God did, from eternity, choose some of the human race to salvation. Through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth, all those thus chosen will be renewed and sanctified in this life and kept by His power through faith unto salvation. All those who will not repent are left to pursue their own chosen way and suffer the punishment due to their sins.

Article 8: I believe Christians are justified by grace through faith. Although they are freely justified, the Law of God as a rule of duty remains in full force and all men are under obligation to obey it perfectly.

Article 9: I believe personal holiness is an effect of the renewing operation of the Holy Spirit. It affords to Christians Scriptural evidence of their justification and title to heavenly inheritance. Being thus renewed, faith in Christ is exercised.

Article 10: I believe all men are free and voluntary in their conduct. The requirements of God are perfectly reasonable and sinners are inexcusable for impenitence and unbelief.

Article 11: I believe the visible Church of Christ consists of visible saints who publicly profess their faith in Him. Baptized/dedicated children of believers so belong to the church as to be under its care and instruction.

Article 12: I believe the Christian Sabbath is a Divine appointment. The Sacraments of the New Testament are baptism and the Lord's Supper, which all believers are under obligation to observe in the exercise of faith. It is the duty of parents to dedicate their children to God and train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Article13: I believe the soul is immortal and at the last day Christ will raise the dead and judge the world in righteousness. All who die impenitent will go away into everlasting punishment and the Righteous be received into eternal bliss.