Obadiah Dolbey’s Articles Of Faith

Earthen Vessel 1887:

A Summary Of Gospel Truths Mr. Dolbey Intends To Preach

I accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as a revelation from God concerning Himself, His works, His ways, and as our only infallible rule.

That according to the Scriptures, I believe there is only one living and true God, who is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, independent, and immutable; and that of this one God there are three co-equal and co-eternal Persons—Father, Word, and Holy Ghost.

I believe that all created intelligences, and all things whatsoever, are the joint work of this Three-One God, and for His pleasure they were and are created.

Concerning mankind, I believe Adam was created in the image of God, holy and upright; but that he wilfully sinned against his Maker, and thereby brought himself and all his posterity (to whom he stood in the relation of federal head) under the just condemnation of God’s holy law, and that now by reason of the corruption of nature, those that are in the flesh cannot please God, being totally and universally depraved.

I believe that from eternity God had a purpose of grace and mercy towards a portion of the human family, and in pursuance of that purpose did set up from everlasting His Son Jesus Christ as their covenant head; and that their persons were graciously chosen by the Father in Christ unto salvation. This choice was irrespective of anything good or bad done by them, either before or after their regeneration. But seeing they, as well as all other men, were, by reason of the fall, “Children of wrath,” and therefore justly exposed to eternal death, God did enter into covenant engagement with His Son on their behalf, promising in that covenant to be their God, and engaging that they should be His people. Moreover, I believe that Christ was appointed and engaged to be the Surety of His people, thereby taking upon Himself all their liabilities, and promised to bear all their sins, and the punishment due thereto; so that their salvation is as equitable as it is merciful.

I believe that in the fulness of time God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons; and that this redemption is special, particular, and eternal (that is to say) it is of those, and those only, whom the Father had chosen in Christ unto salvation, and, therefore, it is impossible that any of these can be finally lost, seeing that all their sins are put away, and a sufficient atonement made for them to God. Concerning this atonement, I believe it is co-extensive with the Saviour’s representation, and provided and intended for the elect of God only, and therefore is not of universal sufficiency.

I believe that all those who are redeemed by the blood of Christ are, in due time, called by the Holy Ghost to a saving knowledge of the truth, and that this call is special, personal, and invincible, whereby they are brought from death to life, darkness to light, and Satan to God. Connected with this call, there is that faith given which is unto salvation, and that repentance which is unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I believe that all those who are effectually called by grace are justified by God from all things by the blood and obedience of Christ, and that neither their faith nor their good works are the cause, but the evidence of their justification.

I believe in the final perseverance of all God’s people—that is to say, all such do and shall continue to possess the grace of God, and walk in His ways; and, not- withstanding their imperfections, the incorruptible seed remains in them, so that they do not, nor ever can, finally depart from God, neither doth God depart from them.

I believe that baptism by immersion in water is a divinely-appointed ordinance, and that they only who have given evidence of being believers in Christ are fit and proper subjects to be baptized by a minister of the Gospel in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

I believe also that the Lord’s Supper is a divine ordinance, that the elements to be received are bread and wine, and that those only have Scriptural authority to partake who have previously been immersed in water or baptized.

I believe that the preaching of the Gospel is ordained of God for the ingathering of His people, and the instruction and edification of the body of Christ until they all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Concerning the promises, invitations, and precepts of the Gospel, I believe they are made and given to the people of God, and not to be indiscriminately applied to men in general. Respecting our addresses to the unregenerate, they ought ever to be in harmony with their relationship to their Maker, and the fundamental principles of divine truth, so that they may be convinced of their sin and led to feel their need of divine grace according to the will of God.

Death, Resurrection, and Judgment.—Sin having entered into the world, I believe it is appointed unto all men once to die; but that the death of the godly is not a penal evil, but a blessing, whereby they are released from that tabernacle in which they have been burdened. The death of the wicked is a part of that awful sentence which will receive its full accomplishment at the judgment day. That there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust, I believe is clearly taught in the Scriptures, and that it will take place when Christ comes the second time. The righteous will be raised up in the likeness of their glorious Head, and be with. Him for ever; and the wicked, with such constituted bodies as shall fit them to bear that punishment, which is described as everlasting punishment and destruction from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power. So I believe, and so I hope to be able to preach.