Savoy Declaration

Section I

The covenant of works being broken by sin, and made unprofitable unto life, God was pleased to give forth the promise of Christ, the seed of the woman, as the means of calling the elect and begetting in them faith and repentance. In this promise the substance of the gospel was contained. (Gen. 3:15; Rev. 13:8)

Section II

This promise of Christ and salvation by him is revealed only by the Word of God; neither do the works of creation or providence, with the light of nature, make discovery of Christ, or of grace by him, so much as in a general or obscure way; much less that men destitute of the revelation of him by the promise or gospel should be enabled thereby to attain saving faith or repentance. (Rom. 10:13–15)

Section III

The revelation of the gospel unto sinners, made in divers times and by sundry parts, with the addition of promises and precepts for the obedience required therein, as to the nations and persons to whom it is granted, is merely of the sovereign will and good pleasure of God; not being annexed by virtue of any promise to the due improvement of men's natural abilities, by virtue of common light received without it, which none ever made, or can so do. And therefore the gospel and the saving grace of God thereby is not infallibly communicated unto all, but unto those only who are ordained unto eternal life. (Acts 13:48; John 6:37–45)

Section IV

Although the gospel be the only outward means of revealing Christ and saving grace, and is as such abundantly sufficient thereunto; yet that men who are dead in trespasses may be born again, quickened or regenerated, there is moreover necessary an effectual insuperable work of the Holy Spirit upon the whole soul, for the producing in them a new spiritual life; without which no other means will effect their conversion unto God. (John 6:44; Eph. 1:19–20; 1 Cor. 2:14)

Section I — The Universal and the Local Church

The catholic or universal Church which is invisible consists of the whole number of the elect that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all. (Eph. 1:22–23)

The whole body of men throughout the world professing the faith of the gospel and obedience unto God by Christ according thereunto, and not destroying their own profession by any errors everting the foundation or unholiness of conversation, are and may be called the visible catholic Church of Christ; although as such it is not entrusted with the execution of any ordinances, or has any officers to rule or govern in or over the whole body. (1 Cor. 1:2)

Section II — The Local Gathered Church

The members of these churches are saints by calling, visibly manifesting and evidencing in their profession and walking their obedience unto that call of Christ; and do willingly consent to walk together according to the appointment of Christ, giving up themselves to the Lord and one to another, by the will of God, in professed subjection to the ordinances of the gospel. (Rom. 1:7; Acts 2:41–42)

Section III — Independence of Congregations

Beside these particular churches, there is not instituted by Christ any church more extensive or catholic entrusted with power to the overruling of those particular churches as such; but on the contrary, to the determination of all ecclesiastical matters, each particular church hath received power from Jesus Christ for the exercising of all the ordinances of God. (Matt. 18:17–20; 1 Cor. 5:4–5)