Abstract of Principles of the Georgia Baptist Association

The Abstract of Principles of the Georgia Baptist Association, as recorded in History of the Georgia Baptist Association, Jesse Mercer, Washington, GA: 1838, pp. 29-31.

1st. We believe in one only true and living God; and that there is a trinity of persons in the Godhead—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and yet, there are not three Gods, but one God.

2d. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice.

3d. We believe in the fall of Adam, and the imputation of his sin to his posterity. In the corruption of human nature, and the impotency of man to recover himself by his own free will—ability.

4th. We believe in the everlasting love of God to his people, and the eternal election of a definite number of the human race, to grace and glory: And that there was a covenant of grace or redemption made between the Father and the Son, before the world began, in which their salvation is secure, and that they in particular are redeemed.

5th. We believe that sinners are justified in the sight of God, only by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them.

6th. We believe that all those who were chosen in Christ, will be effectually called, regenerated, converted, sanctified, and supported by the spirit and power of God, so that they shall persevere in grace, and not one of them be finally lost.

7th. We believe that good works are the fruits of faith, and follow after justification, and that they only justify us in the sight of men and angels, and are evidences of our gracious state.

8th. We believe that there will be a resurrection of the dead, and a general judgement; and the happiness of the righteous, and the punishment of the wicked will be eternal.

And as for Gospel order:

1st. We believe that the visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful persons, who have gained christian fellowship with each other, and have given themselves up to the Lord, and to one another, and have agreed to keep up a Godly discipline, agreeably to the rules of the Gospel.

2nd. We believe that Jesus Christ is the great head of his Church, and only law giver, and that the government is with the body, and is the privilege of each individual; and that the discipline of the church is intended for the reclaiming of those christians, who may be disorderly, either in principle or practice; and must be faithfully kept up, for God’s glory, and the peace and unity of the churches.

3rd. We believe that water baptism and the Lord’s supper, are ordinances of the Lord, and are to be continued till his second coming.

4th. We believe that true believers in Jesus Christ are the only subjects of baptism, and that dipping is the mode.

5th. We believe that none but regular baptized church members have a right to communion at the Lord’s table.

6th. We believe that it is the duty of every heaven-born soul to become a member of the visible Church, to make a public profession of his faith, to be legally baptized, so as to have a right to, and to partake of the Lord’s Supper at every legal opportunity, through the whole course of his life.