Faith of Universalists

From: Utica Evangelical Magazine - April 5, 1828

  1. We believe in one supreme, eternal self existent God, infinite in wisdom, power and goodness, possessed of every possible perfection which can render His character amiable, reverend, exalted and glorious; Whose name and Whose nature are love; that He is the creator of all worlds and beings, "good unto all, and his tender mercies over all his works." (1 Cor. 8:6; Ps. 145:9).

  2. We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ -- that he is the "mediator between God and men, who gave himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time" -- that "the Father sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world;" and to this end Christ "was crucified upon the cross -- arose from the dead on the third day -- ascended on high" -- and will, eventually, "see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied," when He shall have "reconciled all things unto himself, throught the blood of his cross, whether they be things in heaven or things on earth; and deliver up the kingdom to God the Father, that God may be all in all." (1 Tim 2:5-6; 1 John 4:14; Rom. 14:9; Isa 53:11; Col 1:20; 1 Cor 8:6; 1 Cor 15:24, 28).

  3. We believe in the divine authenticity of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments -- that they are given by inspiration of God, and are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the servants of GOd may be throroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Tim 3:16-17).

  4. We believe that God, as the moral governor of the universe, will bestow righteous and equitable rewards and punishments upon all mankind, according to their several characters or deserts; but that all punishment will be remedial, and consequently linited. (2 Cor 5:10; Col 3:25; 1 Pet 4:5; Rev 20:12-13; Psa 89:30, 33; Heb 12:5, 11).

  5. We believe, according to the divine doctrine and preaching of Christ and His apostles, that repentance toward God for our sins, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and love to God and our fellow creatures, are means of grace appointed by God, and essential to our salvation, happiness, and glory. (Matt 4:17; Matt 22:37, 40; Mark 1:15; Acts 3:19; Heb 11:6).

  6. In regard to baptism, we believe it the duty of every one to follow the dictates of his or her conscience, leaving each to judge, both of the subject and mode of baptism, as shall seem most consistent with Scripture and reason.

  7. We believe that "the grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men, teacheth us, that denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly, righteously and religiously in this present world" -- that we should "deal justly, love mercy, and walk humbly," doing good to all men as we have opportunity, and practicing all those duties and virtues recommended and inculcated in the Gospel: that we may thus be made meet for the inheritance of the saints in glory, and prepared to sing the praises of Immanuel in the midst of the paradise of God. (Tit 2:11, 12; Mic 4:8).