1689 London Baptist Confession

With Additional Notes

Seeing that a Pilot steers the ship in which we sail, who will never allow us to perish even in the midst of shipwrecks, there is no reason why our minds should be overwhelmed with fear and overcome with weariness.

No man is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation is set open unto all men: neither is there any other thing which keepeth us back from entering in, save only our own unbelief.

John Calvin

PREFACE

For far too long, Baptists have sat in the pews praising God, singing songs, listening to sermons, and never really knowing what is behind their belief system. Certainly, being saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is the key element we must understand to get to heaven, but there is so much more to know and enjoy as a Christian–hence the present study.

The Elders have taken on a daunting task–that of trying to instruct, make sense of, encourage and challenge the members of our church. We have committed ourselves to the work; we can only hope that you will commit yourself to the process.

During this 32-week study, interruptions will no doubt arise. Sometimes God just shows up in a supernatural way and we change the schedule–not to mention holidays and other special events. But let us assure you that we will not let any of this deter us from covering, week-to-week, all thirty two sections of the London Baptist Confession.

Maybe a couple of questions come to your mind: “Why do this? and “Is this really that important?” We ought to do it for the simple reason outlined above: most Christians do not know the underlying reasons for their faith tradition. Answering the second question goes to the subject of relevance. You’ve probably heard that word used more than once in church circles. Some churches even have it in their advertising and on the sign outside their meeting places.

Knowing what you believe, how you should believe it, and why you should believe it is the only way your faith can be relevant. The more we know about our faith, the more satisfied we become with it. The more satisfied we become with our faith, the easier it gets to communicate that faith to others and show them what we believe really brings peace and satisfaction to our lives. Really, what more can we do for other people, especially those who are not part of the household of faith.

Paul said this to Timothy, You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. [2 Timothy 2:1-2, ESV]

Your elders want to entrust to you, the faithful, the deep and abiding truths outlined in this great study so that you will have a ready reference, a spiritual outline, and a deepening desire for the things of God.

In HIS Name, For HIS Glory,

The Elders

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION PAGE #

1. A brief History of the London Baptist Confession 4

2. Sources that produced the Confession 8

3. The Confession

Sections 1 through 8 [taught by David Fiveash]

Chapter 1 – The Holy Scriptures 12

Chapter 2 – God And The Holy Trinity 15

Chapter 3 – God’s Decree 17

Chapter 4 – Creation 19

Chapter 5 – Providence 20

Chapter 6 – The Fall, Sin And Its Punishment 22

Chapter 7 – God’s Covenant With The Human Race 23

Chapter 8 – Christ The Mediator 24

Sections 9 through 16 [taught by Larry Sykes]

Chapter 9 – Free Will 27

Chapter 10 – Effectual Calling 29

Chapter 11 – Justification 32

Chapter 12 – Adoption 35

Chapter 13 – Sanctification 36

Chapter 14 – Saving Faith 38

Chapter 15 – Repentance To Life And Salvation 40

Chapter 16 – Good Works 42

Sections 17 through 24 [taught by Brad Pounders]

Chapter 17 – The Perseverance Of Believers 45

Chapter 18 – Assurance Of Grace And Salvation 48

Chapter 19 – The Law Of God 52

Chapter 20 – The Gospel And Its Gracious Extent 56

Chapter 21 – Christian Liberty And Liberty Of Conscience 59

Chapter 22 – Worship And The Lord’s Day 62

Chapter 23 – Lawful Oaths And Vows 69

Chapter 24 – Civil Government 71

Sections 25 through 32 [taught by Mark Kaldahl]

Chapter 25 – Marriage 73

Chapter 26 – The Church 78

Chapter 27 – The Fellowship Of Believers 86

Chapter 28 – The Ordinances 90

Chapter 29 – Baptism 91

Chapter 30 – The Lord’s Supper 94

Chapter 31 – The State Of People After Death And

The Resurrection Of The Dead 100

Chapter 32 – The Last Judgment 104

A Baptist Catechism 107
A Question/Answer article by Tom Ascol & Tom Nettles 130
To The Judicious And Impartial Reader 134

History of the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession

1. Baptists and Congregationalist emerge from the English Reformation

In the 1630’s to the 1640’s Congregationalists and Baptists emerged from the Church of England.
They suffered from cycles of persecutions of as they were not apart of the official state Church of England.

2. The 1644 First London Confession

In 1644 the First London Confession was issued for the purpose of distinguishing these Calvinistic Baptists from General Baptists and from Anabaptists. This predates the Savoy Declaration and the Westminster Confession.

3. Parliament calls for an Assembly

In 1643 to 1648 The English Parliament called for the Assembly of English and Scottish Puritan Divines.

4. 1658 Savoy Declaration

It is based on the Westminster Confession.
It is a Congregationalist Confession.

5. 1660 Claredon Code

In the 1660’s the Claredon Code was a series of laws designed to crush all who were not of the Church of England. As a result, Presbyterians, Baptist and Congregationalists all suffered from persecution.

6. 1677 Second London Baptist Confession

In 1677 a Second London Baptist Confession was being circulated and it is possible that this is the year it was edited and formed from various confessions. It was edited primarily from the 1644 First London Baptist Confession, the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the Savoy Declaration, not to mention the orthodox creeds such as the Nicene Creed.
It was unable to be widely promoted or published due to the persecution Reformed Churches were suffering in England at that time.

7. 1689 Act of Tolerance

The Act of Tolerance was passed on May 24, 1689.
This act allowed those whose conscience demanded that they be independent of the Church of England to do so.

8. A 1689 Meeting of Pastors from London and Wales was Called

In 1689 the London General Assembly of the Particular Baptists adopted the 1677 Second London Baptist Confession.
It was “Intended as an apologetic and educative instrument, the Confession became on of the most important of all Baptist confessions.”[1]

Here are their Closing Statements & Signatories:

“We the MINISTERS, and MESSENGERS of, and concerned for upwards of, one hundred BAPTIZED CHURCHES, in England and Wales (denying Arminianism), being met together in London, from the third of the seventh month to the eleventh of the same, 1689, to consider of some things that might be for the glory of God, and the good of these congregations, have thought meet (for the satisfaction of all other Christians that differ from us in the point of Baptism) to recommend to their perusal the confession of our faith, which confession we own, as containing the doctrine of our faith and practice, and do desire that the members of our churches respectively do furnish themselves therewith.”

Hansard Knollys, Pastor, Broken Wharf, London
William Kiffin, Pastor, Devonshire-square, London
John Harris, Pastor, Joiner’s Hall, London
William Collins, Pastor, Petty France, London
Hurcules Collins, Pastor, Wapping, London
Robert Steed, Pastor, Broken Wharf, London
Leonard Harrison, Pastor, Limehouse, London
George Barret, Pastor, Mile End Green, London
Isaac Lamb, Pastor, Pennington-street, London
Richard Adams, Minister, Shad Thames, Southwark
Benjamin Keach, Pastor, Horse-lie-down, Southwark
Andrew Gifford, Pastor, Bristol, Frvars, Som. & Glouc.
Thomas Vaux, Pastor, Broadmead, Som. & Glouc.
Thomas Winnel, Pastor, Taunton, Som. & Glouc.
James Hitt, Preacher, Dalwood, Dorset
Richard Tidmarsh, Minister, Oxford City, Oxon
William Facey, Pastor, Reading, Berks
Samuel Buttall, Minister, Plymouth, Devon
Christopher Price, Minister, Abergayenny, Monmouth
Daniel Finch, Minister, Kingsworth, Herts
John Ball, Tiverton, Devon
Edmond White, Pastor, Evershall, Bedford
William Prichard, Pastor, Blaenau, Monmouth
Paul Fruin, Minister, Warwick, Warwick
Richard Ring, Pastor, Southhampton, Hants
John Tomkins, Minister, Abingdon, Berks
Toby Willes, Pastor, Bridgewater, Somerset
John Carter, Steventon, Bedford
James Webb, Devizes, Wilts
Richard Sutton, Pastor, Tring, Herts
Robert Knight, Pastor, Stukeley, Bucks
Edward Price, Pastor, Hereford City, Hereford
William Phipps, Pastor, Exon, Devon
William Hawkins, Pastor, Dimmock, Gloucester
Samuel Ewer, Pastor, Hemstead, Herts
Edward Man, Pastor, Houndsditch, London
Charles Archer, Pastor, Hock-Norton, Oxon

In the name of and on the behalf of the whole assembly.

9. The 1677 Second London Baptist Confession Adopted in 1689

It is called the Second London Baptist Confession as the previous London Confession of 1644 preceded it.
It is called the 1689 London Baptist Confession, because even though it was composed in 1677, the official adoption of it by the London General Assembly was not until 1689. The known dates of its publication are 1677, 1688, and 1699. Probably the more correct date associated with the “1689″ Confession should be the 1677, but at this point the 1689 date is what most associate with this confession.
It is the most popular confession of Calvinistic Baptists in English.
It has been slightly altered as time and different groups have adopted it.

Here are some examples:

The Philadelphia Confession of Faith

Late 1600’s Benjamin Keach and another minister added two short articles dealing with Laying on of Hands and the singing of Psalms.
Eventually this was adopted in 1744 by the Calvinistic Baptist Churches of North America, and called the Philadelphia Confession of Faith. This Philadelphia Confession of Faith was printed by Benjamin Franklin. This is the name of the confession in the Northern states. In the Southern states it is called the Charleston Confession.

This was the confession used throughout the Colonial and early United States period.

Associations in Virginia 1766
Rhode Island-1767,
S. Carolina – 1767
Kentucky-1785,
Tennessee-1788

It became known in America as The Baptist Confession.

Charles Spurgeon

1855 Charles Spurgeon reissued the 1689 Second London Confession shortly upon his starting the pastorate at New Park Street Chapel in London. He did so to strengthen doctrinal foundations.
Regarding his issuing of the 1689 Confession, Spurgeon wrote: ”I have thought it right to reprint… this excellent list of Doctrines, which were subscribed to by the Baptist Ministers in the year 1689. We need a banner because of the truth; it may be that this small volume may aid the cause of the glorious gospel by testifying plainly what are its leading doctrines.
This little volume is not issued as an authoritative rule, or code of faith, whereby you are to be fettered, but as an assistance to you in controversy, a confirmation in faith, and a means of edification in righteousness. Here the younger members of our church will have a body of divinity in small compass, and by means of the Scriptural proofs, will be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in them.
Be not ashamed of your faith; remember it is the ancient gospel of martyrs, confessors, Reformers, and saints. Above all, it is the truth of God against which the gates of hell cannot prevail.
Let your lives adorn your faith, let your example recommend your creed. Above all live in Christ Jesus, and walk in Him, giving credence to no teaching but that which is manifestly approved of Him and owned by the Holy Spirit. Cleave fast to the Word of God which is mapped out for you.”

The Declension of the 1689 Baptist Confession

Familiarity with the 1689 Second London Confession declined in the mid 1800’s to mid 1900’s.

The Resurgence of the 1689 Baptist Confession

Interest has since been revived. Many reprints have occurred:

1958, 1963, 1966, 1970, 1972, 1974 and even as late as May 2010 by ARBCA and Solid Ground Books.

In the words of Charles Spurgeon regarding the 1689 Confession :

“Cleave fast to the Word of God which is here mapped out for you.” AMEN

If they are Biblical, Creeds and Confessions map out the word of God for us.

This was just a brief sketch of the history of the 1689 Confession that I hope might be helpful to some.

As of February 2011, I have updated this history as my knowledge has grown. There are two main sources here for me: I took a Baptist history class with Dr. James Renihan at our church, I read the preface by Dr. Renihan of the recent May 2010 publication of the Baptist Confession of Faith.
[1]William L. Lumpkin, Baptist Confessions of Faith (Valley Forge, Judson Press), page 239.

Original Sources

It is helpful to be aware of the original sources of the 1677/1689 Confession as we go through it.

The 1677/1689 Second London Baptist Confession made use of sources, but it was not just a cut and paste job from other documents. The Elders, William Collins and probably Nehemiah Coxe (who died several months before the 1689 adoption of the 1677 Confession, and thus his name was not on the list of adoptors sadly), should be considered as having a significant contribution to the 1689 Confession. Although there are underlying sources, it is unique in some areas due to their work.

“Elder William Collins of the Petty France Church in London and perhaps others, including Nehemiah Coxe, his co-pastor, were responsible for combining extracts from each of the above documents [Westminster Confession, Savoy Declaration, 1644 London Confession] into a coherent statement of faith. (Elsewhere in this appendix this source will be called “Collins”.) Here and there in the 1689 Confession are words, phrases and sometimes paragraphs which are not derived from the above-mentioned documents. (Noteworthy is chapter 26, paragraph 10, dealing with the support of pastors.) These items must have come from Collins or from some other source.[1]

“Dr. James Renihan writes: What documents were used in editing the Confession? I imagine a scene like this: on the table is placed an English Bible, a Hebrew Old Testament, A Greek New Testament, copies of the Confession of Faith as well as the Larger and Shorter Catechisms of the Presbyterian Westminster Assembly of 1643-1648, the Savoy Declaration and Platform of Polity produced by the Congregationalists who met at the Savoy in London in 1658, and a copy of the First London Baptist Confession of 1646. Perhaps there were other books on the table also. But certainly, the editors employed each of these in thinking through and expressing the system of Christian theology they bequethed us.”

In Samuel Waldron’s book, A Modern Exposition of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, his studies and that of others has led him to believe that although the majority of the text of the 1689 Confession is from the Westminster Confession, this was not the “direct and immediate” document which the 1677 general meeting and Collins used. Actually evidence shows that the Savoy Declaration was the primary source Confession for which the general meeting used to form the 1689 Confession. In my use of the parallel texts from these documents I can see this appears to be the case as well. So the Westminster Confession was used indirectly through the Savoy Declaration to form a majority of the 1689 Confessions.(*)

While a majority of the text of the 1689 parallels the Westminster Confession and the Savoy Declaration, there is a fair amount of variance. The major variances mostly follow the 1644 First London Baptist Confession. When I started my study I was under the impression that the 1689 Confession had little variance from the Westminster Confession of Faith; when one looks at a distance one would reach the same conclusion, but when looking closely the differences are significant in places. With those differences in mind this quote from Samuel Waldron is important: “But while the admiration of the Baptists for the Savoy Declaration and the Westminster is patent, there is also sufficient evidence that there was no slavish dependence upon these documents.”[2]

In order of the primary sources for the 1689 Confession by usage:[3]

1. The Westminster Confession
2. The Savoy Declaration
3. The First London Baptist Confession of 1644

The First London Baptist Confession of 1644

This is the one confession that I have not posted about. This was prepared by seven particular Baptist churches which contained 52 articles of a Calvinistic faith by theses churches. It strongly refuted some of the beliefs of the Anabaptists of the Netherlands and Germany. The title of the Confession shows this focus or purpose:

A Confession of Faith of Seven Congregations or Churches of Christ, which are commonly (but unjustly) Called Anabaptists.

As I go through the sections of the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession I will attempt to make note of where the 1689 Confession varies from the Westminster Confession and the Savoy Declaration with notations of the sources for these variances.

[1]As quoted from Samuel Waldron, A Modern Exposition of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith (Faverdale North, Darlington, England, Evangelical Press), Appendix A, pg. 428; he cites as a source for this Alan Dunn, The London Baptist Confession of 1689 with a Key to its Sources, (unpublished 1988).
(*) James Renihan, Preface to The Baptist Confession of Faith and The Baptist Catechism (ARBCA, Solid Ground Books: 2010).
[2]Samuel Waldron, A Modern Exposition of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith (Faverdale North, Darlington, England, Evangelical Press), Appendix A, pg. 429. He goes on to cite evidence for this.
[3] In Samuel Waldron’s book A Modern Exposition of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, he provides in his Appendix A, on page 429 to 432 a section entitled Their Significance; he makes an important point that even though the Baptist brethren has suffered some persecution even from the Puritans of the Presbyterians, they still did not feel the need to be innovative. They rather valued unity and “the well-tried paths of doctrine.” He makes some important application from this to present Reformed Baptists and ways that they have sometimes lost their effectiveness through “peculiarities and eccentricities.”

The London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689)

Rewritten in modern English by Andrew Kerkham, 1st ed. 1999, revised ed. 2001, Andrew Kerkham

The Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 has its roots firmly in the Westminster Confession of Faith of 1647. It differs from the Westminster Confession in adding Chapter 20 (The Gospel and its Gracious Extent), and in its understanding of the Church and Baptism. Chapter 20 is identical to the same chapter in the Congregationalists’ Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order of 1658, and where the Baptist Confession differs in minor points from the Westminster Confession it usually follows the Savoy Declaration.

This revision seeks to follow the original text as closely as possible, yet at the same time to make it readable and understandable for people today. This has been achieved mainly through breaking up longer sentences, substitution of present-day words for words that have become archaic, and keeping transposition of phrases to an absolute minimum. It is important to note that this revision does not seek to alter the truths of the original 1689 Baptist Confession in any way whatever; rather, the intention is to make those same truths more readily understandable to the present generation. Note: the abbreviation WCF refers to the Westminster Confession of Faith, 1647.

The expanded system of scripture references is that found in Samuel E. Waldron’s valuable work, A modern exposition of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith (2nd ed., Evangelical Press, 1995), and used with permission.

Chapter 1 THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

1.1 The Holy Scriptures are the only sufficient, certain and infallible rule¹ for saving knowledge, faith, and obedience.²

Although the light of nature and the works of creation and providence give such clear testimony to the goodness, wisdom and power of God that they leave people without excuse,³ yet they are not sufficient to give the knowledge of God and his will that is necessary for salvation.⁴ Therefore it pleased the Lord to reveal himself at various times and in different ways, and to declare his will to his church.⁵ To ensure the preservation and propagation of the truth, and to establish and support the church against human corruption, the malice of Satan, and the world, he committed his complete revelation to writing. The Holy Scriptures are therefore absolutely indispensable,⁶ for God’s former ways of revealing his will to his people have now ceased.⁷

(1) Or, standard
(2) Isa 8:20; Luk 16:29; Eph 2:20; 2Ti 3:15-17
(3) Psa 19:1-3; Rom 1:19-21,32; 2:12a,14-15
(4) Psa 19:1-3 with 7-11; Rom 1:19-21; 2:12a,14-15 with 1:16-17 and 3:21
(5) Heb 1:1-2a
(6) Pro 22:19-21; Luk 1:1-4; 2Pe 1:12-15; 3:1; Deu 17:18ff; 31:9ff,19ff; 1Co 15:1; 2Th 2:1-2,15; 3:17; Rom 1:8-15; Gal 4:20; 6:11; 1Ti 3:14ff; Rev 1:9,19; 2:1, etc.; Rom 15:4; 2Pe 1:19-21
(7) Heb 1:1-2a; Act 1:21-22; 1Co 9:1; 15:7-8; Eph 2:20

1.2 The Holy Scriptures, or the Word of God written, consist of all the books of the Old and New Testament. These are:

The Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

The New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation

All of these are given by the inspiration of God to be the rule¹ of faith and life.²

(1) Or, standard
(2) 2Ti 3:16 with 1Ti 5:17-18; 2Pe 3:16

1.3 The books commonly called the Apocrypha were not given by divine inspiration, and are not part of the canon or rule of Scripture. Therefore they have no authority in the church of God, nor are they to be accepted or made use of in any way different from other human writings.¹

(1) Luk 24:27,44; Rom 3:2

1.4 Holy Scripture demands belief, yet its authority does not depend on the testimony of any person or church,¹ but entirely on God its author, who is truth itself. Therefore it is to be received because it is the Word of God.²

(1) Luk 16:27-31; Gal 1:8-9; Eph 2:20
(2) 2Ti 3:15; Rom 1:2; 3:2; Act 2:16; 4:25; Mat 13:35; Rom 9:17; Gal 3:8; Rom 15:4; 1Co 10:11; Mat 22:32; Luk 16:17; Mat 22:41ff; Joh 10:35; Gal 3:16; Act 1:16; 2:24ff; 13:34-35; Joh 19:34-36; 19:24; Luk 22:37; Mat 26:54; Joh 13:18; 2Ti 3:16; 2Pe 1:19-21; Mat 5:17-18; 4:1-11

1.5 We may be influenced and persuaded by the testimony of the church of God to hold a high and reverent regard for the Holy Scriptures.¹ Moreover the glory of its contents, the efficacy of its doctrine, the majesty of its style, the agreement among all its parts, the expanse of the whole (which is to give all glory to God), the full revelation it gives of the only way for human salvation, together with many other incomparable characteristics and its complete perfection—all these arguments provide abundant evidence that it is indeed the Word of God.² Yet, not withstanding this, our full persuasion and assurance of its infallible truth and divine authority comes from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with the Word in our hearts.³

(1) 2Ti 3:14-15
(2) Jer 23:28-29; Luk 16:27-31; Joh 6:63; 1Pe 1:23-25; Heb 4:12-13; Deu 31:11-13; Joh 20:31; Gal 1:8-9; Mar 16:15-16
(3) Mat 16:17; 1Co 2:14ff; Joh 3:3; 1Co 2:4-5; 1Th 1:5-6; 1Jo 2:20-21 with 27

1.6 The whole revelation of God concerning all things essential for his own glory, human salvation, faith and life, is either explicitly set down or implicitly contained in the Holy Scriptures. Nothing is ever to be added, whether by a new revelation of the Spirit, or by human traditions.¹ Nevertheless, we acknowledge that the inward enlightenment of the Spirit of God is necessary for the saving understanding of the things revealed in the Word.² There are also some aspects of the worship of God and of church government common to human activities and organizations which may be determined by the light of nature and Christian common-sense, but in accordance with the general rules of the Word which must always be observed.³

(1) 2Ti 3:15-17; Deu 4:2; Act 20:20,27; Psa 19:7; 119:6,9,104,128
(2) Joh 6:45; 1Co 2:9-14
3) 1Co 14:26,40

1.7 Not all things in Scripture are equally plain in themselves,¹ nor equally clear to everyone.² Yet those things that are essential to be known, believed and obeyed for salvation are so clearly set forth and explained in one place of Scripture or another, that not only the educated but also the uneducated may attain a satisfactory understanding of them by using ordinary means.³

(1) 2Pe 3:16
(2) 2Ti 3:15-17
(3) 2Ti 3:14-17; Psa 19:7-8; 119:105; 2Pe 1:19; Pro 6:22-23; Deu 30:11-14

1.8 The Old Testament in Hebrew (the national language of the people of God of ancient Israel)¹ and the New Testament in Greek (the common language of that time) were inspired directly by God, and were kept pure throughout the ages by his particular care and providence. They are therefore authentic,² so that in all religious controversies the church must appeal to them as final.³ But these original languages are not known to all the people of God, who have a right to and an interest in the Scriptures, and who are commanded in the fear of God to read and search them.⁴ They are therefore to be translated into the common language of every nation to which they come,⁵ so that (with the Word of God living richly in all) people may worship God in an acceptable manner, and through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope.⁶

(1) Rom 3:2
(2) Mat 5:18
(3) Isa 8:20; Act 15:15; 2Ti 3:16-17; Joh 10:34-36
(4) Deu 17:18-20; Pro 2:1-5; 8:34; Joh 5:39,46
(5) 1Co 14:6,9,11,12,24,28
(6) Rom 15:4; Col 3:16

1.9 The infallible rule for the interpretation of Scripture is Scripture itself. Therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any [part of] Scripture (which is not a miscellany, but a unity) it must be understood in the light of other passages that speak more clearly.¹

(1) Isa 8:20; Joh 10:34-36; Act 15:15-16

1.10 The supreme judge by which all religious controversies are to be settled, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, human doctrines and individual thinkers are to be examined, can be none other than the Holy Scriptures delivered by the Spirit. In the verdict of Scripture our faith is finally determined.¹

Mat 22:29,31-32; Act 28:23-25; Eph 2:20Chapter 2 GOD AND THE HOLY TRINITY

2.1 The Lord our God is the one and only living and true God.¹

His substance is in and of himself, he is infinite in being and perfection.² His essence cannot be understood by any but himself.³ He is an absolutely pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts or passions. He alone has immortality, living in light which no one can approach.⁴ He is immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, in every way infinite, perfectly holy, perfectly wise, absolutely free, completely absolute.⁵ He works all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and entirely righteous will for his own glory.⁶

He is perfectly loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth; he forgives iniquity, transgression and sin.⁷ He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek him, yet at the same time he is entirely just and terrible in his judgments, hating all sin, and he will by no means clear the guilty.⁸

(1) Deu 6:4; Jer 10:10; 1Co 8:4,6; 1Th 1:9
(2) Isa 48:12
(3) Exo 3:14; Job 11:7-8; 26:14; Psa 145:3; Rom 11:33-34
(4) Joh 4:24;1Ti 1:17; Deu 4:15-16; Luk 24:39; Act 14:11,15; Jas 5:17
(5) Mal 3:6; Jas 1:17; 1Ki 8:27; Jer 23:23-24; Psa 90:2; 1Ti 1:17; Gen 17:1; Rev 4:8; Isa 6:3; Rom 16:27; Psa 115:3; Ex 3:14
(6) Eph 1:11; Isa 46:10; Pro 16:4; Rom 11:36
(7) Exo 34:6-7; 1Jo 4:8
(8) Heb 11:6; Neh 9:32-33; Psa 5:4-6; Nah 1:2-3; Exo 34:7

2.2 God has all life, glory, goodness, blessedness in and of himself; he is unique in being, all-sufficient in and to himself, not standing in need of any creature which he has made, nor deriving any glory from them, but rather demonstrating his own glory in them, through them, to them, and upon them.¹

He alone is the source of all being, from whom, through whom, and to whom are all things;

He has absolute sovereign dominion over all creatures, to do through them, for them, or to them whatever he pleases.²

In his sight all things are open and plain, his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent of created beings, so for him nothing is contingent or uncertain.³

He is perfectly holy in all his plans, in all his works, and in all his commands.⁴

Angels and human beings owe him, as creatures to the Creator, worship, service, and obedience, and whatever else he is pleased to require of them.⁵

(1) Joh 5:26; Act 7:2; Psa 148:13; 119:68; 1Ti 6:15; Job 22:2-3; Act 17:24-25
(2) Rev 4:11; 1Ti 6:15; Rom 11:34-36; Dan 4:25,34-35
(3) Heb 4:13; Rom 11:33-34; Psa 147:5; Act 15:18; Eze 11:5
(4) Psa 145:17; Rom 7:12
(5) Rev 5:12-14

2.3 In this divine and infinite Being there are three persons, the Father, the Son (or the Word) and the Holy Spirit.¹ They are one in substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence, yet this essence is undivided.²

The Father is not derived from anyone, he is neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.³ All three are infinite, without beginning, and therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and being. Yet they are distinguished by several distinctive characteristics and personal relations.

This doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our fellowship with God, and of the comfort of our dependence on him.

Mat 3:16-17; 28:19; 2Co 13:14
(2) Exo 3:14; Joh 14:11; 1Co 8:4-6
(3) Pro 8:22-31; Joh 1:1-3,14,18; 3:16; 10:36; 15:26; 16:28; Heb 1:2; 1Jo 4:14; Gal 4:4-6

Chapter 3 GOD’S DECREE

3.1 God has decreed all things that occur,¹ and this he has done in himself, from all eternity, by the perfectly wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably.²

Yet he has done this in such a way that God is neither the author of sin, nor does he share with anyone in sinning,³ nor does this violate the will of the creature, nor is the free working or contingency of second causes taken away but rather established.⁴

In all this, God’s wisdom is displayed in directing all things, as is his power and faithfulness in accomplishing his decree.⁵

(1) Dan 4:34-35; Rom 8:28; 11:36; Eph 1:11
(2) Pro 19:21; Isa 14:24-27; 46:10-11; Psa 115:3; 135:6; Rom 9:19
(3) Gen 18:25; Jas 1:13; 1Jo 1:5
(4) Gen 50:20; 2Sa 24:1; Isa 10:5-7; Mat 17:12; Joh 19:11; Act 2:23; 4:27-28
(5) Num 23:19; Eph 1:3-5

3.2 Although God knows everything which may or can come to pass under all imaginable conditions,¹ yet he has not decreed anything because he foresaw it in the future, or because it would come to pass [anyway] under certain conditions.²

(1) 1Sa 23:11-12; Mat 11:21,23; Act 15:18
(2) Isa 40:13-14; Rom 9:11-18; 11:34; 1Co 2:16

3.3 By God’s decree, and for the demonstration of his glory, certain human beings and angels are predestined (or foreordained) to eternal life through Jesus Christ, to the praise of his glorious grace.¹ Others are left to continue in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of his glorious justice.²

(1) Mat 25:34; 1Ti 5:21
(2) Joh 12:37-40; Rom 9:6-24; 1Pe 2:8-10; Jude 1:4

3.4 Those angels and human beings who are predestined and foreordained to eternal life, are specifically and irreversibly designated, and their number is so certain and definite that it cannot be either increased or diminished.¹

(1) Mat 22:1-14; Joh 13:18; Rom 11:5-6; 1Co 7:20-22; 2Ti 2:19

3.5 God chose those human beings who are predestined to life before the foundation of the world, in accordance with his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will. God chose them in Christ for eternal glory, solely out of his free grace and love,¹ without anything in the creature as a condition or cause moving him to choose them.²

(1) Rom 8:30; Eph 1:4-6,9; 2Ti 1:9
(2) Rom 9:11-16; 11:5-6

3.6 As God has appointed the elect to glory, so he has by the eternal and completely free purpose of his will foreordained all the means.¹ Therefore those who are elected (being fallen in Adam) are redeemed by Christ,² effectually called to faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season, justified, adopted, sanctified,³ and kept by his power through faith to salvation.⁴ None but the elect are redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved.⁵

(1) Eph 1:4; 2:10; 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2
(2) 1Th 5:9-10; Tit 2:14
(3) Rom 8:30; Eph 1:5; 2Th 2:13
(4) 1Pe 1:5
(5) Joh 6:64-65; 8:47; 10:26; 17:9; Rom 8:28; 1Jo 2:19

3.7 The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care,¹ so that those who are heeding the will of God revealed in his Word, and who are obeying it, may be assured of their eternal election from the certainty of their effectual calling.² So shall this doctrine promote the praise, reverence, and admiration of God,³ and encourage humility⁴ and diligence,⁵ and bring much comfort⁶ to all who sincerely obey the Gospel.

(1) Deu 29:29; Rom 9:20; 11:33
(2) 1Th 1:4-5; 2Pe 1:10
(3) Eph 1:6; Rom 11:33
(4) Rom 11:5,6,20; Col 3:12
(5) 2Pe 1:10
(6) Luk 10:20

Chapter 4 CREATION

4.1 In the beginning it pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,¹ to create the world and all things in it, both visible and invisible,² in six days,³ and all very good.⁴ This was a demonstration of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness.⁵

(1) Heb 1:2; Joh 1:2-3; Gen 1:2; Job 26:13; 33:4
(2) Gen 1:1; Joh 1:2; Col 1:16
(3) Gen 2:1-3; Exo 20:8-11
(4) Gen 1:31; Ecc 7:29; Rom 5:12
(5) Rom 1:20; Jer 10:12; Psa 104:24; 33:5-6; Pro 3:19; Act 14:15-16

4.2 After God had made all other creatures, he created human beings, male and female, with reasoning and immortal souls, making them fitted for that life for God for which they were created.¹ They were made in the image of God, with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness.² They had the law of God written in their hearts, and the power to fulfil it; yet they also had the possibility of transgressing, and were left to the liberty of their own changeable wills.³

(1) Gen 1:27; 2:7; Jas 2:26; Mat 10:28; Ecc 12:7
(2) Gen 1:26-27; 5:1-3; 9:6; Ecc 7:29; 1Co 11:7; Jas 3:9; Col 3:10; Eph 4:24
(3) Rom 1:32; 2:12a,14-15; Gen 3:6; Ecc 7:29; Rom 5:12

4.3 Apart from the law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. While they kept this commandment they were happy in their fellowship with God, and had dominion over all other creatures.¹

(1) Gen 1:26,28; 2:17

Chapter 5 PROVIDENCE

5.1 God, the good Creator of all things,¹ in his infinite power and wisdom,² upholds, directs, organizes and governs³ all creatures and things, from the greatest to the least,⁴ by his perfectly wise and holy providence,⁵ to the end for which they were created.⁶ He governs in accordance with his infallible foreknowledge and the free and immutable counsel of his own will,⁷ to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, infinite goodness and mercy.⁸

(1) Gen 1:31; 2:18; Psa 119:68
(2) Psa 145:11; Pro 3:19; Psa 66:7
(3) Heb 1:3; Isa 46:10-11; Dan 4:34-35; Psa 135:6; Act 17:25-28; Job 38-41
(4) Mat 10:29-31
(5) Pro 15:3; Psa 104:24; 145:17
(6) Col 1:16-17; Act 17:24-28
(7) Psa 33:8-11; Eph 1:11
(8) Isa 63:14; Eph 3:10; Rom 9:17; Gen 45:7; Psa 145:7

5.2 Although, in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God who is the first cause, all things occur immutably and infallibly, so that nothing happens to anyone by chance, or outside his providence.¹ Yet by his providence he arranges them to occur according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.²

(1) Act 2:23; Pro 16:33
(2) Gen 8:22; Jer 31:35; Exo 21:13; Deu 19:5; Isa 10:6-7; Luk 13:3,5; Act 27:31; Mat 5:20-21; Phi 1:19; Pro 20:18; Luk 14:25ff; Pro 21:31; 1Ki 22:28,34; Rut 2:3

5.3 God in his ordinary providence makes use of means,¹ yet is free to work outside,² above³ and against⁴ them at his pleasure.

(1) Act 27:22,31,44; Isa 55:10-11; Hos 2:21-22
(2) Hos 1:7; Luk 1:34-35
(3) Rom 4:19-21
(4) Exo 3:2-3; 2Ki 6:6; Dan 3:27

5.4 The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God, are so far expressed in his providence, that his sovereign purposes extend even to the first fall and all other sinful actions of angels and human beings.¹ This is not merely by a bare permission, for he most wisely and powerfully limits and by other means arranges and governs sinful actions, so that they bring about his own holy purposes.² Yet [in all this] the sinfulness of these actions comes entirely from the creature, and not from God, who is altogether holy and righteous neither is he nor can he be the author or approver of sin.³

(1) Rom 11:32-34; 2Sa 24:1; 1Ch 21:1; 1Ki 22:22-23; 2Sa 16:10; Act 2:23; 4:27-28
(2) Act 14:16; 2Ki 19:28; Gen 50:20; Isa 10:6,7,12
(3) Jas 1:13,14,17; 1Jo 2:16; Psa 50:21

5.5 The perfectly wise, righteous, and gracious God often leaves for a time [even] his own children to various temptations, and to the corruption of their own hearts. He does this to chastise them for their former sins, or to show them the hidden strength of the corruption and deceitfulness still in their hearts so that they may be humbled, and to bring them to a closer and more constant dependence on him for their support, and to make them more watchful against future occasions of sin, and for various other just and holy ends.¹ So whatever happens to any of his elect it is by his appointment, for his glory and for their good.²

(1) 2Ch 32:25,26,31; 2Sa 24:1; Luk 22:34-35; Mar 14:66f; Joh 21:15-17
(2) Rom 8:28

5.6 As for those evil and ungodly people whom God as a righteous judge blinds and hardens¹ because of their sins, he not only withholds his grace from them by which they might have been enlightened in their understanding and affected in their hearts,² but sometimes he also withdraws the gifts which they had,³ and exposes them to situations which their corruption makes an occasion for sin.⁴ Moreover, God gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan,⁵ so that eventually they harden themselves by the very means which God uses for the softening of others.⁶

(1) Rom 1:24-26,28; 11:7-8
(2) Deu 29:4
(3) Mat 13:12; 25:19
(4) Deu 2:30; 2Ki 8:12-13
(5) Psa 81:11-12; 2Th 2:10-12
(6) Exo 7:3; 8:15,32; 2Co 2:15-16; Isa 6:9-10; 8:14; 1Pe 2:7; Act 28:26-27; Joh 12:39-40

5.7 As the providence of God reaches out in a general way to all creatures, so, in a very special way, it takes care of his church and controls all things for the good of his church.¹

(1) Pro 2:7-8; Isa 43:3-5,14; Amo 9:8-9; Rom 8:28; Eph 1:11,22; 3:10-11,21; 1Ti 4:10

Chapter 6 THE FALL, SIN AND ITS PUNISHMENT

6.1 God created Adam upright and perfect, and gave him a righteous law which secured life for him while he kept it, but threatened death if he broke it. Yet Adam did not live long in this position of honour.¹ Satan used the subtlety of the serpent to subdue Eve, she seduced Adam, and Adam (without any compulsion) willfully transgressed the law of their creation and the command given to them by eating the forbidden fruit.² God was pleased to permit this act, according to his wise and holy counsel, as it was his purpose to direct it toward his own glory.³

(1) Ecc 7:29; Rom 5:12a,14-15; Gen 2:17; 4:25-5:3
(2) Gen 3:1-7; 2Co 11:3; 1Ti 2:14
(3) Rom 11:32-34; 2Sa 24:1; 1Ch 21:1; 1Ki 22:22-23; 2Sa 16:10; Act 2:23; 4:27-28

6.2 By this sin our first parents fell from their original righteousness and communion with God. We fell in them, for by it death came upon all;¹ all became dead in sin and totally defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body.²

(1) Gen 3:22-24; Rom 5:12ff; 1Co 15:20-22; Psa 51:4-5; 58:3; Eph 2:1-3; Gen 8:21; Pro 22:15
(2) Gen 2:17; Eph 2:1; Tit 1:15; Gen 6:5; Jer 17:9; Rom 3:10-18; 1:21; Eph 4:17-19; Joh 5:40; Rom 8:7

6.3 By God’s appointment, they were the root, standing in the place of the whole human race. The guilt of this sin was imputed to, and their corrupted nature passed on to all their posterity by ordinary birth. Their descendants are therefore conceived in sin, and are by nature children of wrath, the servants of sin, the subjects of death and all other miseries—spiritual, temporal, and eternal—unless the Lord Jesus sets them free.¹

(1) Gen 5:12ff, 1Co 15:20-22; Psa 51:4-5; 58:3; Eph 2:1-3; Gen 8:21; Pro 22:15; Job 14:4; 15:14

6.4 All actual transgressions proceed from this original corruption.¹ By it we are completely incapacitated and disabled, antagonistic to all good and entirely biased towards evil.²

(1) Mat 7:17-20; 12:33-35; 15:18-20
(2) Mat 7:17-18; 12:33-35; Luk 6:43-45; Joh 3:3,5; 6:37,39,40,44,45,65; Rom 3:10-12; 5:6; 7:18; 8:7-8; 1Co 2:14

6.5 During this life, this corruption of nature remains in those who are regenerated.¹ Although it is pardoned and put to death through Christ, yet both this corrupt nature and all its actions are truly and actually sin.²

(1) 1Jo 1:8-10; 1Ki 8:46; Psa 130:3; 143:2; Pro 20:9; Ecc 7:20; Rom 7:14-25; Jas 3:2
(2) Psa 51:4-5; Pro 22:15; Eph 2:3; Rom 7:5,7-8,17-18,25; 8:3-13; Gal 5:17-24; Gen 8:21; Pro 15:26; 21:4; Gen 8:21; Mat 5:27-28

Chapter 7 GOD’S COVENANT WITH THE HUMAN RACE

7.1 The distance between God and the creature is so great, that (although reasonable creatures owe obedience to him as their Creator) they could never have attained the reward of life except by an act of voluntary condescension on God’s part. This he has been pleased to express by way of a covenant.¹

(1) Job 35:7-8; Psa 113:5-6; Isa 40:13-16; Luk 17:5-10; Act 17:24-25

7.2 Moreover, as Adam had brought himself and his posterity under the curse of the law by his fall, it pleased the Lord to make a covenant of grace.¹ In this covenant he freely offers to sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring from them faith in him that they may be saved,² and promising to give his Holy Spirit to all who are elected to eternal life, to make them willing and able to believe.³

(1) Gen 3:15; Psa 110:4 with Heb 7:18-22 and 10:12-18; Eph 2:12 with Rom 4:13-17 and Gal 3:18-22; Heb 9:15
(2) Joh 3:16; Rom 10:6,9; Gal 3:11
(3) Eze 36:26-27; Joh 6:44-45

7.3 This covenant is revealed through the Gospel; first of all to Adam in the promise of salvation by the seed of the woman, and afterwards step by step until the full revelation of it was completed in the New Testament.¹ This salvation rests on that eternal covenant transaction between the Father and the Son which concerns the redemption of the elect.² It is by the grace of this covenant alone that all the descendants of fallen Adam who have ever been saved have obtained life and blessed immortality. Human beings are now utterly incapable of gaining acceptance with God on those terms by which Adam stood in his state of innocency.³

(1) Gen 3:15; Rom 16:25-27; Eph 3:5; Tit 1:2; Heb 1:1-2
(2) Psa 110:4; Eph 1:3-11; 2Ti 1:9
(3) Joh 8:56; Rom 4:1-25; Gal 3:18-22; Heb 11:6,13,39-40

Chapter 8 CHRIST THE MEDIATOR

8.1 It pleased God,¹ in his eternal purpose,² to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, his only Son, in accordance with the covenant made between them both,³ to be the Mediator between God and the human race; to be prophet, priest, and king; to be the head and savior of his church, the heir of all things, and judge of the world.⁴ From all eternity he gave to him a people to be his progeny. In time these would be redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified by him.⁵

(1) Isa 42:1; Joh 3:16
(2) 1Pe 1:19
(3) Psa 110:4; Heb 7:21-22
(4) 1Ti 2:5; Act 3:22; Heb 5:5-6; Psa 2:6; Luk 1:33; Eph 1:22-23; 5:23; Heb 1:2; Act 17:31
(5) Rom 8:30; Joh 17:6; Isa 53:10; Psa 22:30; 1Ti 2:6; Isa 55:4-5; 1Co 1:30

8.2 The Son of God, the second person in the Holy Trinity, is truly and eternally God. He is the brightness of the Father’s glory, of the same substance¹ and equal with him who made the world, who upholds and governs all things he has made.²

When the fullness of time was come,³ he took upon himself human nature, with all its essential properties⁴ and common infirmities,⁵ yet without sin.⁶ He was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary. The Holy Spirit came down upon her and the power of the Most High overshadowed her, so that he was born to a woman from the tribe of Judah, a descendant of Abraham and David, in accordance with the Scriptures.⁷

So two whole, perfect, and distinct natures were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, mixing, or confusion. This person is therefore truly God⁸ and truly human,⁹ yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and the human race.¹⁰

(1) Or, essence
(2) Joh 8:58; Joe 2:32 with Rom 10:13; Psa 102:25 with Heb 1:10; 1Pe 2:3 with Psa 34:8; Isa 8:12-13 with 3:15; Joh 1:1; 5:18; 20:28; Rom 9:5; Tit 2:13; Heb 1:8-9; Phi 2:5-6; 2Pe 1:1; 1Jo 5:20
(3) Gal 4:4
(4) Heb 10:5; Mar 14:8; Mat 26:12,26; Luk 7:44-46; Joh 13:23; Mat 9:10-13; 11:19; Luk 22:44; Heb 2:10; 5:8; 1Pe 3:18; 4:1; Joh 19:32-35; Mat 26:36-44; Jas 2:26; Joh 19:30; Luk 23:46; Mat 26:39; 9:36; Mar 3:5; 10:14; Joh 11:35; Luk 19:41-44; 10:21; Mat 4:1-11; Heb 4:15 with Jas 1:13; Luk 5:16; 6:12; 9:18,28; 2:40,52; Heb 5:8-9
(5) Mat 4:2; Mar 11:12; Mat 21:18; Joh 4:7; 19:28; Joh 4:6; Mat 8:24; Rom 8:3; Heb 5:8; 2:10,18; Gal 4:4
(6) Isa 53:9; Luk 1:35; Joh 8:46; 14:30; Rom 8:3; 2Co 5:21; Heb 4:15; 7:26; 9:14; 1Pe 1:19; 2:22; 1Jo 3:5
(7) Rom 1:3-4; 9:5
(8) See ref.1 above
(9) Act 2:22; 13:38; 17:31; 1Co 15:21; 1Ti 2:5
(10) Rom 1:3-4; Gal 4:4-5; Phi 2:5-11

8.3 The Lord Jesus, his human nature thus united to the divine in the person of the Son, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit without limit, so in him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. It pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell in him, so that being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and truth, he might be perfectly qualified to execute the office of a mediator and surety.¹ He did not take this office upon himself, but was called to it by his Father, who also put all power and judgment in his hands, and commanded him to execute these.²

(1) Psa 45:7; Col 1:19; 2:3; Heb 7:26; Joh 1:14; Act 10:38; Heb 7:22
(2) Heb 5:5; Joh 5:22,27; Mat 28:18; Act 2:36

8.4 The Lord Jesus undertook this office entirely willingly.¹ To discharge it he was subject to the law² and perfectly fulfilled it. He also underwent the punishment due to us which we should have borne and suffered.³ He was made sin and was accursed for us;⁴ he endured the extremities of agonizing distress in his soul and painful suffering in his body.⁵ He was crucified, and died,⁶ and remained in the state of the dead, yet his body did not decay.⁷ On the third day he rose from the dead with the same body in which he had suffered,⁸ with which he also ascended into heaven,⁹ where he sits at the right hand of his Father making intercession [for his people].¹⁰ At the end of the world he will return to judge human beings and angels.¹¹

(1) Psa 40:7-8 with Heb 10:5-10; Joh 10:18; Phi 2:8
(2) Gal 4:4
(3) Mat 3:15; 5:17
(4) Mat 26:37-38; Luk 22:44; Mat 27:46
(5) Mat 26-27
(6) WCF adds: was buried
(7) Phi 2:8; Act 13:37
(8) Joh 20:25,27
(9) Act 1:9-11
(10) Rom 8:34; Heb 9:24
(11) Act 10:42; Rom 14:9-10; Act 1:11; Mat 13:40-42; 2Pe 2:4; Jude 1:6

8.5 The Lord Jesus has fully satisfied the justice of God¹ by his perfect obedience and his once-for-all sacrifice² which he offered up to God through the eternal Spirit.³ He has procured reconciliation,⁴ and has purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven⁵ for all those whom the Father has given to him.⁶

(1) Rom 3:25-26; Heb 2:17; 1Jo 2:2; 4:10
(2) Rom 5:19 Eph 5:2
(3) Heb 9:14,16; 10:10,14
(4) 2Co 5:18-19; Col 1:20-23
(5) Heb 9:15; Rev 5:9-10
(6) Joh 17:2

8.6 Although the price¹ of redemption was not actually paid² by Christ till after his incarnation, yet its value, efficacy, and benefits were communicated to the elect in all ages from the beginning of the world.³ This was accomplished through those promises, types, and sacrifices in which he was revealed and represented as the seed of the woman who should bruise the serpent’s head,⁴ and the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world,⁵ for he is the same, yesterday and today and for ever.⁶

(1) WCF: work
(2) WCF: wrought
(3)Gal 4:4-5; Rom 4:1-9
(4) Gen 3:15; 1Pe 1:10-11
(5) Rev 13:8
(6) Heb 13:8

8.7 In his work of mediation, Christ acts according to both natures, in each nature doing that which is appropriate to itself. Yet, because of the unity of his person, that which is appropriate to one nature is sometimes in Scripture attributed to the person indicated by the other nature.¹

(1) Act 20:28; Joh 3:13

8.8 To all those for whom Christ has obtained¹ eternal redemption, he certainly and effectually applies and communicates this redemption,² making intercession for them.³ He unites them to himself by his Spirit,⁴ he reveals to them the mystery of salvation in and by the Word,⁵ he persuades them to believe and obey⁶ controlling their hearts by his Word and Spirit,⁷ and he overcomes all their enemies by his almighty power and wisdom⁸ using methods and ways which are perfectly consistent with his wonderful and unsearchable providence.⁹ All this is by free and absolute grace, without any foreseen condition in them to obtain it.¹⁰

(1) WCF: purchased
(2) Joh 6:37,39; 10:15-16; 17:9
(3) 1Jo 2:1-2; Rom 8:34
(4) Rom 8:1-2
(5) Joh 15:13,15; 17:6; Eph 1:7-9
(6) 1Jo 5:20
(7) Joh 14:6; Heb 12:2; Rom 8:9,14; 2Co 4:13; Rom 15:18-19; Joh 17:17
(8) Psa 110:1; 1Co 15:25-26; Col 2:15
(9) Eph 1:9-11
(10) 1Jo 3:8; Eph 1:8

8.9 This office of Mediator between God and the human race belongs exclusively to Christ, who is the Prophet, Priest, and King of the Church of God. This office may not be transferred from him to any other, either in whole or in part.¹

(1) 1Ti 2:5

8.10 The number and order of offices is essential. Because of our ignorance we need his prophetic office.¹ Because of our alienation from God and the imperfection of the best of our service we need his priestly office to reconcile us and present us to God as acceptable.² Because of our antagonism and our utter inability to return to God, and because we need to be rescued and kept from spiritual enemies, we need his kingly office to convince, subdue, draw, sustain, deliver, and preserve us for his heavenly kingdom.³

(1) Joh 1:18
(2) Col 1:21; Gal 5:17; Heb 10:19-21
(3) Joh 16:8; Psa 110:3; Luk 1:74-75

Chapter 9 FREE WILL

9.1 God has provided the human will by nature with liberty and power to act upon choice; it is neither forced, nor determined by any intrinsic necessity to do good or evil.¹

(1) Mat 17:12; Jas 1:14; Deu 30:19

Matthew 17:12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands. [ESV]

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live [ESV]

9.2 In his state of innocence, Adam had freedom and power to will and to do what was good and well-pleasing to God;¹ but he was unstable so that he might fall from this condition.²

(1) Ecc 7:29
(2) Gen 3:6

Ecclesiates 7:29 See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes. [ESV]

Genesis 3:6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. [ESV]

9.3 The human race through the fall into a state of sin, has completely lost all ability of will to perform any spiritual good accompanying salvation. In our natural state we are altogether opposed to spiritual good and dead in sin; we are not able, by our own strength, to convert ourselves, or even to prepare ourselves for conversion.¹

(1) Rom 6:16,20; Joh 8:31-34; Eph 2:1; 2Co 3:14; 4:3-4; Joh 3:3; Rom 7:18; 8:7; 1Co 2:14; Mat 7:17-18; 12:33-37; Luk 6:43-45; Joh 6:44; Jer 13:23; Joh 3:3,5; 5:40, 6:37,39,40,44,45,65; Act 7:51; Rom 3:10-12; Jas 1:18; Rom 9:16-18; Joh 1:12-13; Act 11:18; Phi 1:29; Eph 2:8-9

Romans 6:16-21 ¹⁶Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? ¹⁷But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, ¹⁸and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. ¹⁹I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. ²⁰When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. ²¹But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The end of those things is death.

Ephesisans 2:8-9 ⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹not a result of works, so that no one may boast. [ESV]

9.4 When God converts sinners and transfers them into the state of grace, he frees them from their natural bondage to sin, and by his grace alone he enables them freely to will and to do what is spiritually good.¹ Nevertheless, because of their remaining corruption, they do not perfectly nor exclusively will what is good, but also will what is evil.²

(1) Col 1:13; Joh 8:36; Phi 2:13
(3) Rom 7:14-25; Gal 5:17

Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, ¹⁴in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. [ESV[

Philippians 2:12-13 ¹²Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, ¹³for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. [ESV]

9.5 Only in the state of glory will our wills be made perfectly and permanently free to do good alone.¹

(1) Eph 4:13; Heb 12:23

Ephesians 4:13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ [ESV]

Hebrews 12:23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect [ESV]

Chapter 10 EFFECTUAL CALLING

10.1 Those whom God¹ has predestined to life,² he is pleased (in his appointed and accepted time)³ to effectually call⁴ by his Word⁵ and Spirit.⁶ He calls them out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ.⁷ He enlightens their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God.⁸ He takes away their heart of stone, and gives to them a heart of flesh.⁹ He renews their wills, and by his almighty power causes them to do what is good.¹⁰ He effectually draws them to Jesus Christ,¹¹ yet in such a way that they come completely freely, for they are made willing by his grace.¹²

(1) Rom 8:28-29
(2) Rom 8:29-30; 9:22-24; 1Co 1:26-28; 2Th 2:13-14; 2Ti 1:9
(3) Joh 3:8; Eph 1:11
(4) Mat 22:14; 1Cor 1:23-24; Rom 1:6; 8:28; Jude 1:1; Psa 29; Joh 5:25; Rom 4:17
(5) 2Th 2:14; 1Pe 1:23-25; Jas 1:17-25; 1Jo 5:1-5; Rom 1:16-17; 10:14; Heb 4:12
(6) Joh 3:3,5-6,8; 2Co 3:3,6
(7) Rom 8:2; 1Co 1:9; Eph 2:1-6; 2Ti 1:9-10
(8) Act 26:18; 1Co 2:10,12; Eph 1:17-18
(9) Eze 36:26
(10) Deu 30:6; Eze 36:27;
(11) Joh 6:44-45; Eph 1:19; Phi 2:13
(12) Psa 110:3; Joh 6:37; Rom 6:16-18

Romans 8:28-30 ²⁸And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. [ESV]

1 Corinthians 1:23-24 ²³but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, ²⁴but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Ephesians 2:1-6 ¹And you were dead in the trespasses and sins ²in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— ³among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. ⁴But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus [ESV]

10.2 This effectual call is of God’s free and special grace alone, not on account of anything at all foreseen in us. It is not made because of any power or action in us,¹ for we are altogether passive in it, we are dead in sins and trespasses until we are made alive and renewed by the Holy Spirit.² By this [regeneration] we are enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the grace offered and conveyed in it, this power being none other than that which raised up Christ from the dead.³

(1) 2Ti 1:9; Tit 3:4-5; Eph 2:4-5,8-9; Rom 9:11
(2) 1Co 2:14; Rom 8:7; Eph 2:5
(3) Joh 6:37; Eze 36:27; Joh 5:25; Eph 1:19-20

Titus 3:4-5 ⁴But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, ⁵he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 1:15-20 ¹⁵For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, ¹⁶I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, ¹⁷that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, ¹⁸having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might ²⁰that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places

10.3 Infants¹ dying in infancy are regenerated and saved by Christ through the Spirit who works when and where and how he pleases.² So also are all elect persons regenerated who are incapable of being outwardly called by the ministry of the word.

(1) WCF: Elect infants
(2) Joh 3:8

John 3:8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.

10.4 Those who are not elected, even though they may be called by the ministry of the Word and may experience some common operations of the Spirit,¹ cannot be saved because they are not effectually drawn by the Father, therefore they will not and cannot truly come to Christ. Much less can those who do not profess the Christian religion be saved,² no matter how diligently they order their lives according to the light of nature and the teachings of the religion they profess.³

(1) Mat 13:20-21; 22:14; Heb 6:4-5; Mat 7:22
(2) Joh 6:44-45,64-66; 8:24
(3) Act 4:12; Joh 4:22; 17:3

Matthew 13:20-21 ²⁰As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, ²¹yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.

Hebrews 6:4-6 ⁴For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, ⁵and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, ⁶if they then fall away, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

John 6:44-45 ⁴⁴No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. ⁴⁵It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me

Chapter 11 JUSTIFICATION

11.1 Those whom God effectually calls he also freely justifies.¹ He does this, not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting them as righteous,² not for anything done in them or by them, but for Christ’s sake alone.³ They are not justified because God imputes⁴ as their righteousness either their faith itself, or the act of believing, or any other act of obedience to the gospel. They are justified by God imputing Christ’s active obedience to the whole law and his passive obedience in death. By faith they receive and rest on his righteousness, and this faith they do no have of themselves for it is the gift of God.⁵

(1) Rom 8:30; 3:24
(2) Rom 4:5-8; Eph 1:7
(3) 1Co 1:30-31; Rom 5:17-19
(4) i.e. accounts or reckons
(5) 2Co 5:19-21; Tit 3:5,7; Rom 3:22-28; Jer 23:6; Phi 3:9; Act 13:38-39; Eph 2:7-8

Romans 3:21-25, ²¹But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— ²²the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: ²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

11.2 Faith which receives and rests on Christ and his righteousness is the sole instrument of justification.¹ Yet it is never alone in the person justified, but is always accompanied by all the other saving graces; it is not a dead faith, for it functions by love.²[ESV]

Romans 4:5-8, ⁵And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, ⁶just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: ⁷“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; ⁸blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” [ESV]

Romans 5:17-19, ¹⁷If, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. ¹⁸Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. ¹⁹For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. [ESV]

(1) Rom 1:17; 3:27-31; Phi 3:9; Gal 3:5
(2) Gal 5:6; Jas 2:17,22,26

11.3 By his obedience and death, Christ fully discharged the debt of all those who are justified. By his sacrifice in the blood of his cross, he underwent in their place the penalty due to them, so making an appropriate, real, and full satisfaction of God’s justice on their behalf.¹ Yet their justification is entirely of free grace, because he was given by the Father for them,² and his obedience and satisfaction was accepted in their place,³ both actions being done freely, and not because of anything in them.⁴ So both the exact justice and the rich grace of God are glorified in the justification of sinners.⁵

(1) Rom 5:8-10,19; 1Ti 2:5-6; Heb 10:10,14; Isa 53:4-6,10-12
(2) Rom 8:32
(3) 2Co 5:21; Mat 3:17; Eph 5:2
(4) Rom 3:24; Eph 1:7
(5) Rom 3:26; Eph 2:7

Romans 5:8-11, ⁸but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. ¹⁰For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. ¹¹More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. [ESV]

Ephesians 1:7, ⁷In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace [ESV]

11.4 From all eternity God decreed to justify all the elect,¹ and Christ in the fullness of time died for their sins, and rose again for their justification.² Nevertheless they are not justified personally until the Holy Spirit in due time actually applies Christ to them.³

(1) Gal 3:8; 1Pe 1:2,19-20; Rom 8:30
(2) Gal 4:4; 1Ti 2:6; Rom 4:25
(3) Col 1:21-22; Gal 2:16; Tit 3:4-7; Eph 2:1-3

Galatians 3:8, And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying,“In you shall all the nations be blessed.”

Galatians 4:4, ⁴But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, ⁵to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Colossians 1:21-22, ²¹And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, ²²he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him

11.5 God continues to forgive the sins of those who are justified;¹ and although they can never fall from the state of justification,² yet they may fall under God’s fatherly displeasure because of their sins. In that condition they will not usually have fellowship with God³ restored to them until they humble themselves, confess their sins, ask for pardon, and renew their faith and repentance.

(1) Mat 6:12; 1Jo 1:7-2:2; Joh 13:3-11
(2) Luk 22:32; Joh 10:28; Heb 10:14
(3) Literally, the light of his countenance
(4) Psa 32:5; 51:7-12; Mat 26:75; Luk 1:20

1 John 1:7-2:2, ⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. ¹My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. ²He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

11.6 The justification of believers under the Old Testament was in all these respects exactly the same as the justification of believers under the New Testament.¹

(1) Gal 3:9; Rom 4:22-24

²²That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” ²³But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, ²⁴but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, ²⁵who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Chapter 12 ADOPTION

12.1 God has granted¹ that, in and for his only Son Jesus Christ,³ all those who are justified³ share in the grace of adoption. By this they are numbered with and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God. They have his name put upon them,⁴ and receive the Spirit of adoption. They have access to the throne of grace with boldness, and are able to cry, ‘Abba, Father!’⁵ They are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by him as by a father, yet they are never cast off, but are sealed to the day of redemption,⁶ and inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting salvation.⁷

(1) 1Jo 3:1-3
(2) Eph 1:5; Gal 4:4-5; Rom 8:17,29
(3) Gal 3:24-26
(4) Rom 8:17; Joh 1:12; 2Co 6:18; Rev 3:12
(5) Rom 8:15; Eph 3:12; Rom 5:2; Gal 4:6; Eph 2:18
(6) Psa 103:13; Pro 14:26; Mat 6:30,32; 1Pe 5:7; Heb 12:6; Isa 54:8-9; Lam 3:31; Eph 4:30
(7) Rom 8:17; Heb 1:14; 9:15

1 John 3:1-3, ¹See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ²Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appearswe shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. ³And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Ephesians 1:15, ⁵he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will

Galatians 3:24-26, ²⁴So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, ²⁶for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

Chapter 13 SANCTIFICATION

13.1 Those who are united to Christ, effectually called and regenerated, have a new heart and a new spirit created in them through the efficacy of Christ’s death and resurrection.¹ Furthermore, they are also really and personally sanctified² through the same means,³ by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them.⁴ The power of every part of the body of sin is destroyed, and its various lusts are increasingly weakened and put to death, and saving graces are increasingly brought to life and strengthened in them so that they practice true holiness⁵ without which no one shall see the Lord.⁶

(1) Joh 3:3-8; 1Jo 2:29; 3:9-10; Rom 1:7; 2Co 1:1; Eph 1:1; Phi 1:1; Col 3:12; Act 20:32; 26:18; Rom 15:16; 1Co 1:2; 6:11; Rom 6:1-11
(2) 1Th 5:23; Rom 6:19,22
(3) 1Co 6:11; Act 20:32; Phi 3:10; Rom 6:5-6
(4) Joh 17:17; Eph 5:26; 3:16-19; Rom 8:13
(5) Rom 6:14; Gal 5:24; Rom 8:13; Col 1:11; Eph 3:16-19; 2Co 7:1; Rom 6:13; Eph 4:22-25; Gal 5:17
(6) Heb 12:14

John 3:3-8, ³Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ⁴Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” ⁵Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ⁶That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.⁷Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ ⁸The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

13.2 This sanctification extends throughout the whole person, yet it remains incomplete in this life. Some remnants of corruption still remain in every part,¹ from which arise a continual and irreconcilable war,² the flesh desiring what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.³

(1) 1Th 5:23; 1Jo 1:8,10; Rom 7:18,23; Phi 3:12
(2) 1Co 9:24-27; 1Ti 1:18; 6:12; 2Ti 4:7
(3) Gal 5:17; 1Pe 2:11

1 Corinthians 9:24-27, ²⁴Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. ²⁵Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. ²⁶So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. ²⁷But I discipline my body and keep it under control,lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

13.3 In this war, the remaining corruption may often predominate for a time,¹ yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part gains the victory.² So believers grow in grace, moving towards mature holiness in the fear of God, pressing on towards the heavenly life in gospel obedience to all the commands which Christ as Head and King has prescribed for them in his Word.³

(1) Rom 7:23
(2) Rom 6:14; 1Jo 5:4; Eph 4:15-16
(3) 2Pe 3:18; 2Co 7:1; 3:18; Mat 28:20

Ephesians 4:15-16, ¹⁵Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ¹⁶from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Chapter 14 SAVING FAITH

14.1 The grace of faith (by which the elect are enabled to believe to the saving of their souls) is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts. It is normally brought into being by the ministry of the Word.¹ It is increased and strengthened by the ministry of the Word, and by the administration of baptism and the Lord’s supper, prayer, and other means appointed by God.²

(1) Joh 6:37,44; Act 11:21,24; 13:48; 14:27; 15:9; 2Co 4:13; Eph 2:8; Phi 1:29; 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2
(2) Rom 10:14,17; Luk 17:5; Act 20:32; Rom 4:11; 1Pe 2:2

John 6:37, 44, ³⁷All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. ⁴⁴No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

Ephesians 2:8-10, ⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

14.2 By this faith, a Christian believes to be true whatever is revealed in the Word for it is the authority of God himself. We also perceive an excellency in the Word above all other writings and everything else in the world, because it shows forth the glory of God and his attributes, the excellency of Christ and his nature and offices, and the power and fullness of the Holy Spirit in his works and operations.

So believers are enabled to trust implicitly the truth they have believed,¹ and to respond appropriately to each particular passage in Scripture, yielding obedience to the commands,² trembling at the threatenings,³ and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come.⁴

But the principal acts of saving faith are those directly to do with Christ—accepting, receiving, and resting on him alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.⁵

(1) Act 24:14; 1Th 2:13; Psa 19:7-10; 119:72
(2) Joh 15:14; Rom 16:26
(3) Isa 66:2
(4) 1Ti 4:8; Heb 11:13
(5) Joh 1:12; Act 15:11; 16:31; Gal 2:20

Acts 16:31, ³¹And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

14.3 This faith may differ in degree, and may be weak or strong,¹ yet even at its weakest it is different in kind and nature (as is all saving grace) from the faith and common grace of temporary believers.² Therefore, though it may be frequently attacked and weakened, it gains the victory,³ and develops in many until they attain full assurance⁴ through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of our faith.⁵

(1) Mat 6:30; 8:10,26; 14:31; 16:8; 17:20; Heb 5:13-14; Rom 4:19-20
(2) Jas 2:14; 2Pe 1:1; 1Jo 5:4
(3) Luk 22:31-32; Eph 6:16; 1Jo 5:4-5
(4) Psa 119:114; Heb 6:11-12; 10:22-23
(5) Heb 12:2

Romans 4:19-20, ³¹And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

1 John 5:4, ⁴For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Hebrews 6:11-12, ¹¹And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, ¹²so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Chapter 15 REPENTANCE TO LIFE AND SALVATION

15.1 Some of the elect are converted in later years, having lived for some time in their natural state¹ in which they have served various lusts and pleasures. Then God gives them repentance to life by effectually calling them.²

(1) Tit 3:2-5
(2) 2Ch 33:10-20; Act 9:1-19; 16:29-30

Titus 3:3-5, ³For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. ⁴But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, ⁵he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

15.2 There is no one who does good and does not sin,¹ and the best of people may fall into great sins and provocations [against God] through the power and deceitfulness of their indwelling corruption and the strength of temptation.² Therefore God has mercifully provided in the covenant of grace that when believers sin and fall they shall be restored to salvation through repentance.³

(1) Psa 130:3; 143:2; Pro 20:9; Ecc 7:20
(2) 2Sa 11:1-27; Luk 22:54-62
(3) Jer 32:40; Luk 22:31-32; 1Jo 1:9

Luke 22:54-62, ⁵⁴Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. ⁵⁵And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. ⁵⁶Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” ⁵⁷But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” ⁵⁸And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” ⁵⁹And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” ⁶⁰But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. ⁶¹And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” ⁶²And he went out and wept bitterly.

15.3 Saving repentance is a gospel grace¹ by which we are made aware of the many evils of our sin by the Holy Spirit.² By faith in Christ³ we humble ourselves over our sin with godly sorrow, hatred of it, and self-loathing. We pray for pardon and strength of grace,⁴ and determine and endeavour, by [the power] supplied by the Spirit, to walk before God and to please him in all things.⁵

(1) Act 5:31; 11:18; 2Ti 2:25
(2) Psa 51:1-6; 130:1-3; Luk 15:17-20; Act 2:37-38
(3) Psa 130:4; Mat 27:3-5; Mar 1:15
(4) Eze 16:60-63; 36:31-32; Zec 12:10; Mat 21:29; Act 15:19; 20:21; 26:20; 2Co 7:10-11; 1Th 1:9
(5) Pro 28:13; Eze 36:25; 18:30-31; Psa 119:59,104,128; Mat 3:8; Luk 3:8; Act 26:20; 1Th 1:9

2 Timothy 2:22-25, ²²So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. ²³Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. ²⁴And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, ²⁵correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,

15.4 Repentance is to continue through the whole course of our lives because of our ‘body of death’ and its activities.¹ So it is everyone’s duty to repent of particular known sins with particular care.²

(1) Eze 16:60; Mat 5:4; 1Jo 1:9
(2) Luk 19:8; 1Ti 1:13,15

1 John 1:9-10, ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

15.5 In the covenant of grace God has made full provision through Christ for the preservation of believers in their salvation, so, although even the smallest sin deserves damnation,¹ yet there is no sin great enough to bring damnation on those who repent. This makes the constant preaching of repentance essential.²

(1) Psa 130:3; 143:2; Rom 6:23
(2) Isa 1:16-18; 55:7; Act 2:36-38

Romans 6:23, ²³For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Chapter 16 GOOD WORKS

16.1 Good works are only those which God has commanded in his holy Word.¹ Works which do not have such warrant, and are invented by people out of blind zeal or on pretence of good intentions, are not good works.²

(1) Mic 6:8; Rom 12:2; Heb 13:21; Col 2:3; 2Ti 3:16-17
(2) Mat 15:9 with Isa 29:13; 1Pe 1:18; Rom 10:2; Joh 16:2; 1Sa 15:21-23; 1Co 7:23; Gal 5:1; Col 2:8,16-23

Romans 12:1-2, ¹I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.²Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Galatians 5:1, ¹For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

16.2 These good works, done in obedience to God’s commandments, are the fruits and evidence of a true and living faith.¹ By them believers express their thankfulness,² strengthen their assurance,³ edify their brethren,⁴ enhance their profession of the Gospel,⁵ and silence the opponents [of the Gospel].⁶ So they glorify God whose workmanship they are, created in Christ Jesus to do good works⁷ and to produce the fruits of holiness which lead to eternal life.⁸

(1) Jas 2:18,22; Gal 5:6; 1Ti 1:5
(2) Psa 116:12-14; 1Pe 2:9,12; Luk 7:36-50 with Mat 26:1-11
(3) 1Jo 2:3,5; 3:18-19; 2Pe 1:5-11
(4) 2Co 9:2; Mat 5:16
(5) Mat 5:16; Tit 2:5,9-12; 1Ti 6:1; 1Pe 2:12
(6) 1Pe 2:12,15; Tit 2:5; 1Ti 6:1
(7) Eph 2:10; Phi 1:11; 1Ti 6:1; 1Pe 2:12; Mat 5:16
(8) Rom 6:22; Mat 7:13-14,21-23

James 2:18-23, ¹⁸But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. ¹⁹You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! ²⁰Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? ²¹Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? ²²You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; ²³and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

16.3 Their ability to do these good works does not in any way come from themselves, but entirely from the Spirit of Christ. To enable them to do good works (besides the graces they have already received) they require the actual influence of the Holy Spirit to cause them to will and to do his good pleasure.¹ Yet are they not on this account to become negligent, nor to think that they are not required to perform a duty unless given a special impulse of the Spirit; rather, they ought to be diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.²

(1) Eze 36:26-27; Joh 15:4-6; 2Co 3:5; Phi 2:12-13; Eph 2:10
(2) Rom 8:14; Joh 3:8; Phi 2:12-13; 2Pe 1:10; Heb 6:12; 2Ti 1:6; Jude 1:20-21

16.4 Those who in their obedience [to God] attain the greatest height possible in this life, are still far from being able to perform works of supererogation (that is, to do more than God requires) since they fall short of much which, as their duty, they are required to do.¹

(1) 1Ki 8:46; 2Ch 6:36; Psa 130:3; 143:2; Pro 20:9; Ecc 7:20; Rom 3:9,23; 7:14-15; Gal 5:17; 1Jo 1:6-10; Luk 17:10

Romans 7:14-15, ¹⁴For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. ¹⁵I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

16.5 We cannot, even by our best works, merit pardon of sin or eternal life from the hand of God, for those works are out of all proportion to the glory to come.¹ Moreover, because of the infinite distance that is between us and God, our works can neither benefit God nor satisfy the debt of our former sins. When we have done all we can, we have only done our duty, and are still unprofitable servants.² Besides, if our works are good they originate from the Spirit,³ and whatever we do is defiled and mixed with so much weakness and imperfection that it cannot endure the severity of God’s judgment.⁴

(1) Rom 8:18
(2) Job 22:3; 35:7; Luk 17:10; Rom 4:3; 11:3
(3) Gal 5:22-23
(4) 1Ki 8:46; 2Ch 6:36; Psa 130:3; 143:2; Pro 20:9; Ecc 7:20; Rom 3:9,23; 7:14-15; Gal 5:17; 1Jo 1:6-10

16.6 Yet, although believers are accepted as individual people through Christ, their good works also are accepted in Christ.¹ It is not as though in this life they were entirely blameless and beyond censure in God’s sight,² but that he looks upon them in his Son, and is pleased to accept and reward what is sincere, even though it is accompanied by many weaknesses and imperfections.³

(1) Exo 28:38; Eph 1:6-7; 1Pe 2:5
(2) 1Ki 8:46; 2Ch 6:36; Psa 130:3; 143:2; Pro 20:9; Ecc 7:20; Rom 3:9,23; 7:14-15; Gal 5:17; 1Jo 1:6-10
(3) Heb 6:10; Mat 25:21,23

16.7 As for works done by the unregenerate, even though in essence they may be things which God commands, and may be beneficial both to themselves and others,¹ yet they remain sinful works because they do not proceed from a heart purified by faith,² nor are they done in a right manner according to the Word,³ nor is their purpose the glory of God.⁴ Therefore such works cannot please God nor make a person acceptable to receive grace from God.⁵ Yet the neglect of such works is even more sinful and displeasing to God.⁶

(1) 1Ki 21:27-29; 2Ki 10:30-31; Rom 2:14; Phi 1:15-18
(2) Gen 4:5 with Heb 11:4-6; 1Ti 1:5; Rom 14:23; Gal 5:6
(3) 1Co 13:3; Isa 1:12
(4) Mat 6:2,5-6; 1Co 10:31
(5) Rom 9:16; Tit 1:15; 3:5
(6) 1Ki 21:27-29; 2Ki 10:30-31; Psa 14:4; 36:3

Philippians 1:15-18, ¹⁵Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. ¹⁶The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁷The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. ¹⁸What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Chapter 17 THE PERSEVERANCE OF BELIEVERS

17.1. Those whom God hath accepted in the beloved, effectually called and Sanctified by his Spirit, and given the precious faith of his Elect unto, can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace; (a) but shall certainly persevere therein to the end and be eternally saved, seeing the gifts and callings of God are without Repentance, (whence he still begets and nourisheth in them Faith, Repentance, Love, Joy, Hope, and all the graces of the Spirit unto immortality) and though many storms and floods arise and beat against them, yet they shall never be able to take them off that foundation and rock which by faith they are fastned upon: notwithstanding through unbelief and the temptations of Satan the sensible sight of the light and love of God, may for a time be clouded, and obscured from (b) them, yet he is still the same (c) and they shall be sure to be kept by the power of God unto Salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession, they being engraven upon the palm of his hands, and their names having been written in the book of life from all Eternity.

Scripture Reference(s) a

John 10:28-29: 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father’s hand.

Philippians 1:6: 6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform [it] until the day of Jesus Christ:

2 Timothy 2:19: 19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

1 John 2:19: 19They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

Scripture Reference(s) b

Psalm 89:31-32: 31If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; 32Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.

1 Corinthians 11:32: 32But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Scripture Reference(s) c

Malachi 3:6: 6For I [am] the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

17.2. This perseverance of the Saints depends not upon their own free will; but upon the immutability of the decree of (d) Election flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ (e) and Union with him, the (f) oath of God, the abiding of his Spirit & the (g) seed of God within them, and the nature of the (h) Covenant of Grace from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.

Scripture Reference(s) d

Romans 8:30: 30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Romans 9:11,16: 11(For [the children] being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) ..16So then [it is] not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

Scripture Reference(s) e

Romans 5:9-10: 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

John 14:19: 19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

Scripture Reference(s) f

Hebrews 6:17-18: 17Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed [it] by an oath: 18That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Scripture Reference(s) g

1 John 3:9: 9Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

Scripture Reference(s) h

Jeremiah 32:40: 40And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.

17.3. And though they may through the temptation of Satan and of the world, the prevalency of corruption remaining in them, and the neglect of means of their preservation fall into grievous (i) sins, and for a time continue therein; whereby they incur (k) Gods displeasure, and grieve his holy Spirit, come to have their graces and (l) comforts impaired have their hearts hardened, and their Consciences wounded, (m) hurt, and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgements (n) upon themselves: yet they shall renew their (o) repentance and be preserved through faith in Christ Jesus to the end.

Scripture Reference(s) i

Matthew 26:70,72,74: 70But he denied before [them] all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. ..72And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. ..74Then began he to curse and to swear, [saying], I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

Scripture Reference(s) k

Isaiah 64:5,9: 5Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, [those that] remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved. ..9Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we [are] all thy people.

Ephesians 4:30: 30And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Scripture Reference(s) l

Psalm 51:10,12: 10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. ..12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit.

Scripture Reference(s) m

Psalm 32:3-4: 3When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

Scripture Reference(s) n

2 Samuel 12:14: 14Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also [that is] born unto thee shall surely die.

Scripture Reference(s) o

Luke 22:32,61-62: 32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. ..61And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. 62And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

Chapter 18 ASSURANCE OF GRACE AND SALVATION

18.1. Although temporary Believers, and other unregenerate men, may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes, and carnal presumptions, of being in the favour of God, and state of salvation, (a) which hope of theirs shall perish; yet such as truely believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavouring to walk in all good Conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured (b) that they are in the state of Grace; and may rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God which hope shall never make them (c) ashamed.

Scripture Reference(s) a

Job 8:13-14: 13So [are] the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish: 14Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust [shall be] a spider’s web.

Matthew 7:22-23: 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Scripture Reference(s) b

1 John 2:3: 3And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

1 John 3:14,18-19,21,24: 14We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death. ..18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. ..21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, [then] have we confidence toward God. ..24And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

1 John 5:13: 13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Scripture Reference(s) c

Romans 5:2,5: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ..5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

18.2. This certainty is not a bare conjectural, and probable perswasion, grounded upon (d) a fallible hope; but an infallible assurance of faith founded on the Blood and Righteousness of Christ (e) revealed in the Gospel; and also upon the inward (f) evidence of those graces of the Spirit unto which promises are made, and on the testimony of the (g) Spirit of adoption, witnessing with our Spirits that we are the children of God; and as a fruit thereof keeping the heart both (h) humble and holy.

Scripture Reference(s) d

Hebrews 6:11,19: 11And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: ..19Which [hope] we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

Scripture Reference(s) e

Scripture Reference(s) f

2 Peter 1:4-5,10-11: 4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; ..10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Scripture Reference(s) g

Romans 8:15-16: 15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Scripture Reference(s) h

1 John 3:1-3: 1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

18.3. This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true Believer, may wait long and conflict with many difficulties before he be (i) partaker of it; yet being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may without extraordinary revelation in the right use of means (k) attain thereunto: and therefore it is the duty of every one, to give all diligence to make their Calling and Election sure, that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and chearfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper (l) fruits of this Assurance; so far is it (m) from inclining men to looseness.

Scripture Reference(s) i

Isaiah 50:10: 10Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

Psalm 88:1-18: 1O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day [and] night before thee: 2Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry; 3For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. 4I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man [that hath] no strength: 5Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand. 6Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. 7Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and thou hast afflicted [me] with all thy waves. Selah. 8Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me; thou hast made me an abomination unto them: [I am] shut up, and I cannot come forth. 9Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction: LORD, I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands unto thee. 10Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise [and] praise thee? Selah. 11Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? [or] thy faithfulness in destruction? 12Shall thy wonders be known in the dark? and thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? 13But unto thee have I cried, O LORD; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee. 14LORD, why castest thou off my soul? [why] hidest thou thy face from me? 15I [am] afflicted and ready to die from [my] youth up: [while] I suffer thy terrors I am distracted. 16Thy fierce wrath goeth over me; thy terrors have cut me off. 17They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together. 18Lover and friend hast thou put far from me, [and] mine acquaintance into darkness.

Psalm 77:1-12: 1I cried unto God with my voice, [even] unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. 2In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. 3I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. 4Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak. 5I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 6I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. 7Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? 8Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth [his] promise fail for evermore? 9Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. 10And I said, This [is] my infirmity: [but I will remember] the years of the right hand of the most High. 11I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. 12I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

Scripture Reference(s) k

1 John 4:13: 13Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

Hebrews 6:11-12: 11And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Scripture Reference(s) l

Romans 5:1-2,5: 1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ..5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 14:17: 17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Psalm 119:32: 32I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

Scripture Reference(s) m

Romans 6:1-2: 1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

. Titus 2:11-12,14: 11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; ..14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

18.4. True Believers may have the assurance of their Salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as (n) by negligence in preserving of it, by (o) falling into som special Sin, which woundeth the Conscience, and grieveth the Spirit, by some sudden or (p) vehement temptation, by Gods withdrawing the (q) light of his countenance and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light; yet are they never destitute of the (r) seed of God, and Life (s) of Faith, that Love of Christ, and the brethren, that sincerity of Heart, and Conscience of duty, out of which by the operation of the Spirit, this Assurance may in due time be (t) revived: and by the which in the mean time they are (u) preserved from utter despair.

Scripture Reference(s) n

Canticles 5:2-3,6: 2I sleep, but my heart waketh: [it is] the voice of my beloved that knocketh, [saying], Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, [and] my locks with the drops of the night. 3I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them? ..6I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, [and] was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

Scripture Reference(s) o

Psalm 51:8,12,14: 8Make me to hear joy and gladness; [that] the bones [which] thou hast broken may rejoice. ..12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit. ..14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: [and] my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

Scripture Reference(s) p

Psalm 116:11: 11I said in my haste, All men [are] liars.

Psalm 77:7-8: 7Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? 8Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth [his] promise fail for evermore?

Psalm 31:22: 22For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.

Scripture Reference(s) q

Psalm 30:7: 7LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, [and] I was troubled.

Scripture Reference(s) r

1 John 3:9: 9Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

Scripture Reference(s) s

Luke 22:32: 32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Scripture Reference(s) t

Psalm 42:5,11: 5Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and [why] art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him [for] the help of his countenance. ..11Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God.

Scripture Reference(s) u

Lamentations 3:26-31: 26[It is] good that [a man] should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. 27[It is] good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. 28He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne [it] upon him. 29He putteth his mouth in the dust; if so be there may be hope. 30He giveth [his] cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach. 31For the Lord will not cast off for ever:

Chapter 19 THE LAW OF GOD

19.1. God gave to Adam a Law of universal obedience, (a) written in his Heart, and a particular precept of not eating the Fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil; by which he bound him, and all his posterity to personal entire exact and perpetual (b) obedience; promised life upon the fulfilling, and (c) threatned death upon the breach of it; and indued him with power and ability to keep it.

Scripture Reference(s) a

Genesis 1:27: 27So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Ecclesiastes 7:29: 29Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

Scripture Reference(s) b

Romans 10:5: 5For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

Scripture Reference(s) c

Galatians 3:10,12: 10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. ..12And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.

19.2. The same Law that was first written in the heart of man, (d) continued to be a perfect rule of Righteousness after the fall; & was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in (e) Ten Commandments and written in two Tables; the four first containing our duty towards God, and the other six our duty to man.

Scripture Reference(s) d

Romans 2:14-15: 14For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and [their] thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

Scripture Reference(s) e

Deuteronomy 10:4: 4And he wrote on the tables, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spake unto you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly: and the LORD gave them unto me.

19.3. Besides this Law commonly called moral, God was pleased to give to the people of Israel Ceremonial Laws, containing several typical ordinances, partly of worship, (f) prefiguring Christ, his graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits; and partly holding forth divers instructions (g) of moral duties, all which Ceremonial Laws being appointed only to the time of reformation, are by Jesus Christ the true Messiah and only Law-giver who was furnished with power from the Father, for that end, (h) abrogated and taken away.

Scripture Reference(s) f

Hebrews 10:1: 1For the law having a shadow of good things to come, [and] not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

Colossians 2:17: 17Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [is] of Christ.

Scripture Reference(s) g

1 Corinthians 5:7: 7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Scripture Reference(s) h

Colossians 2:14,16-17: 14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; ..16Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]: 17Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [is] of Christ.

Ephesians 2:14,16: 14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us]; ..16And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

19.4. To them also he gave sundry judicial Laws, which expired together with the state of that people, not obliging any now by vertue of that institution; their general (i) equity onely, being of moral use.

Scripture Reference(s) i

1 Corinthians 9:8-10: 8Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10Or saith he [it] altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, [this] is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

19.5. The moral Law doth for ever bind all, (k) as well justified persons as others, to the obedience thereof, and that not only in regard of the matter contained in it, but also in respect of the (l) authority of God the Creator; who gave it: Neither doth Christ in the Gospel any way dissolve, (m) but much strengthen this obligation.

Scripture Reference(s) k

Romans 13:8-10: 8Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 9For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love [is] the fulfilling of the law.

James 2:8,10-12: 8If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: ..10For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all. 11For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

Scripture Reference(s) l

James 2:10-11: 10For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all. 11For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

Scripture Reference(s) m

Matthew 5:17-19: 17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach [them], the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Romans 3:31: 31Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

19.6. Although true Believers be not under the Law, as a Covenant of Works, (n) to be thereby Justified or condemned; yet it is of great use to them as well as to others: in that, as a Rule of Life, informing them of the Will of God, and their Duty, it directs and binds them, to walk accordingly; (o) discovering also the sinfull pollutions of their Natures, Hearts and Lives; so as Examining themselves thereby, they may come to further Conviction of, Humiliation for, and Hatred against Sin; together with a clearer sight of the need they have of Christ and the perfection of his Obedience: It is likewise of use to the Regenerate to restrain their Corruptions, in that it forbids Sin; and the Threatnings of it serve to shew what even their Sins deserve; and what afflictions in this Life they may expect for them, although free’d from the Curse and unallayed Rigor thereof. The Promises of it likewise shew them Gods approbation of Obedience, and what blessings they may expect upon the performance thereof, though not as due to them by the Law as a Covenant of Works; so as mans doing Good and refraining from Evil, because the Law incourageth to the one and deterreth from the other, is no Evidence of his being (p) under the Law and not under Grace.

Scripture Reference(s) n

Romans 6:14:14For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Galatians 2:16: 16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Romans 8:1: 1[There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 10:4: 4For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Scripture Reference(s) o

Romans 3:20: 20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.

Romans 7:7-25: 7What shall we say then? [Is] the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. 8But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin [was] dead. 9For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. 10And the commandment, which [was ordained] to life, I found [to be] unto death. 11For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew [me]. 12Wherefore the law [is] holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 13Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. 14For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is] good. 17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not. 19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Scripture Reference(s) p

Romans 6:12-14: 12Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13Neither yield ye your members [as] instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness unto God. 14For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

1 Peter 3:8-13: 8Finally, [be ye] all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be] courteous: 9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil. 13And who [is] he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

19.7. Neither are the forementioned uses of the Law (q) contrary to the Grace of the Gospel; but do sweetly comply with it; the Spirit of Christ subduing (r) and inabling the Will of man, to do that freely and chearfully, which the will of God revealed in the Law, requireth to be done.

Scripture Reference(s) q

Galatians 3:21: 21[Is] the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

Scripture Reference(s) r

Ezekiel 36:27: 27And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them].

Chapter 20 THE GOSPEL AND ITS GRACIOUS EXTENT

20.1. The Covenant of Works being broken by Sin, and made unprofitable unto Life; God was pleased to give forth the promise of Christ, (a) the Seed of the Woman, as the means of calling the Elect, and begetting in them Faith and Repentance; in this Promise, the (b) Gospel, as to the substance of it, was revealed, and therein Effectual, for the Conversion and Salvation of Sinners.

Scripture Reference(s) a

Genesis 3:15: 15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Scripture Reference(s) b

Revelation 13:8: 8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

20.2. This Promise of Christ, and Salvation by him, is revealed only by (c) the Word of God; neither do the Works of Creation, or Providence, with the light of Nature, (d) 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; (e) should be enabled thereby, to attain saving Faith, or Repentance.

Scripture Reference(s) c

Romans 1:17: 17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Scripture Reference(s) d

Romans 10:14-15,17: 14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! ..17So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Scripture Reference(s) e

Proverbs 29:18: 18Where [there is] no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy [is] he.

Isaiah 25:7: 7And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.

Isaiah 60:2-3: 2For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

20.3. 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 meerly of the (f) Soveraign Will and good Pleasure of God; not being annexed by vertue of any Promise, to the due improvement of mens natural abilities, by vertue of Common light received, without it; which none ever did (g) make, or can so do: And therefore in all Ages the preaching of the Gospel hath been granted unto persons and Nations, as to the extent, or streightning of it, in great variety, according to the Councell of the Will of God.

Scripture Reference(s) f

Psalm 147:20: 20He hath not dealt so with any nation: and [as for his] judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.

Acts 16:7: 7After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

Scripture Reference(s) g

Romans 1:18-32: 18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

20.4. 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, Quickned or Regenerated; there is moreover necessary, an effectual, insuperable (h) 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 (i) their Conversion unto God.

Scripture Reference(s) h

Psalm 110:3: 3Thy people [shall be] willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

1 Corinthians 2:14: 14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

Ephesians 1:19-20: 19And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places],

Scripture Reference(s) i

John 6:44: 44No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

2 Corinthians 4:4,6: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. ..6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to [give] the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Chapter 21 CHRISTIAN LIBERTY AND LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE

21.1. The Liberty which Christ hath purchased for Believers under the Gospel, consists in their freedom from the guilt of Sin, the condemning wrath of God, the Rigour and (a) Curse of the Law; and in their being delivered from this present evil (b) World, Bondage to (c) Satan, and Dominion (d) of Sin; from the (e) Evil of Afflictions; the Fear, and Sting (f) of Death, the Victory of the Grave, and (g) Everlasting Damnation; as also in their (h) free access to God; and their yielding Obedience unto him not out of a slavish fear, (i) but a Child-like love, and willing mind.

All which were common also to Believers under the Law (k) for the substance of them; but under the new Testament, the Liberty of Christians is further enlarged in their freedom from the yoke of the Ceremonial Law, to which the Jewish Church was subjected; and in greater boldness of access to the Throne of Grace; and in fuller Communications of the (l) Free Spirit of God, then Believers under the Law did ordinarily partake of.

Scripture Reference(s) a

Galatians 3:13: 13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that hangeth on a tree:

Scripture Reference(s) b

Galatians 1:4: 4Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

Scripture Reference(s) c

Acts 26:18: 18To open their eyes, [and] to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Scripture Reference(s) d

Romans 8:3: 3For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Scripture Reference(s) e

Romans 8:28: 28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

Scripture Reference(s) f

1 Corinthians 15:54-57: 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory? 56The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law. 57But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Scripture Reference(s) g

2 Thessalonians 1:10: 10When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Scripture Reference(s) h

Romans 8:15: 15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

Scripture Reference(s) i

Luke 1:74-75: 74That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

1 John 4:18: 18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Scripture Reference(s) k

Galatians 3:9,14: 9So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. ..14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Scripture Reference(s) l

John 7:38-39: 38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet [given]; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Hebrews 10:19-21: 19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21And [having] an high priest over the house of God;

21.2. God alone is (m) Lord of the Conscience, and hath left it free from the Doctrines and Commandments of men, (n) which are in any thing contrary to his Word, or not contained in it. So that to Believe such Doctrines, or obey such Commands out of Conscience, (o) is to betray true liberty of Conscience; and the requiring of an (p) implicit Faith, and absolute and blind Obedience, is to destroy Liberty of Conscience, and Reason also.

Scripture Reference(s) m

James 4:12: 12There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

Romans 14:4: 4Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.

Scripture Reference(s) n

Acts 4:19,29: 19But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

Acts 5:29: 29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

1 Corinthians 7:23: 23Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

Matthew 15:9: 9But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.

Scripture Reference(s) o

Colossians 2:20,22-23: 20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, ..22Which all are to perish with the using; after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Scripture Reference(s) p

1 Corinthians 3:5: 5Who then is Paul, and who [is] Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

2 Corinthians 1:24: 24Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.

21.3. They who upon pretence of Christian Liberty do practice any sin, or cherish any sinfull lust; as they do thereby pervert the main design of the Grace of the Gospel, (q) to their own Destruction; so they wholy destroy (r) the end of Christian Liberty, which is, that being delivered out of the hands of all our Enemies we might serve the Lord without fear in Holiness, and Righteousness before him, all the days of our Life.

Scripture Reference(s) q

Romans 6:1-2: 1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Scripture Reference(s) r

Galatians 5:13: 13For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

2 Peter 2:18-21: 18For when they speak great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangle therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known [it], to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

Chapter 22 WORSHIP AND THE LORD’S DAY

22.1. The light of Nature shews that there is a God, who hath Lordship, and Soveraigntye over all; is just, good, and doth good unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the Heart, and all the Soul, (a) and with all the Might. But the acceptable way of Worshipping the true God, is (b) instituted by himself; and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be Worshipped according to the imaginations, and devices of Men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representations, or (c) any other way, not prescribed in the Holy Scriptures.

Scripture Reference(s) a

Jeremiah 10:7: 7Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise [men] of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, [there is] none like unto thee.

Mark 12:33: 33And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love [his] neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

Scripture Reference(s) b

Deuteronomy 12:32: 32What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Scripture Reference(s) c

Exodus 20:4-6: 4Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth: 5Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me; 6And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

22.2. Religious Worship is to be given to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to him (d) alone; not to Angels, Saints, or any other (e) Creatures; and since the fall, not without a (f) Mediator, nor in the Mediation of any other but (g) Christ alone.

Scripture Reference(s) d

Matthew 4:9-10: 9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

John 6:23: 23(Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)

Matthew 28:19: 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Scripture Reference(s) e

Romans 1:25: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Colossians 2:18: 18Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

Revelation 19:10: 10And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See [thou do it] not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Scripture Reference(s) f

John 14:6: 6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Scripture Reference(s) g

1 Timothy 2:5: 5For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

22.3. Prayer with thanksgiving, being one special part of natural worship, is by God required of (h) all men. But that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the (i) Name of the Son, by the help (k) of the Spirit, according to (l) his Will; with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and perseverance; and when with others, in a (m) known tongue.

Scripture Reference(s) h

Psalm 95:1-7: 1O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. 2Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. 3For the LORD [is] a great God, and a great King above all gods. 4In his hand [are] the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills [is] his also. 5The sea [is] his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry [land]. 6O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. 7For he [is] our God; and we [are] the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,

Psalm 65:2: 2O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

Scripture Reference(s) i

John 14:13-14: 13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it].

Scripture Reference(s) k

Romans 8:26: 26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Scripture Reference(s) l

1 John 5:14: 14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

Scripture Reference(s) m

1 Corinthians 14:16-17: 16Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 17For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

22.4. Prayer is to be made for things lawful, and for all sorts of men living, (n) or that shall live hereafter; but not (o) for the dead, nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned (p) the sin unto death.

Scripture Reference(s) n

1 Timothy 2:1-2: 1I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

2 Samuel 7:29: 29Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken [it]: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.

Scripture Reference(s) o

2 Samuel 12:21-23: 21Then said his servants unto him, What thing [is] this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, [while it was] alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. 22And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell [whether] GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? 23But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

Scripture Reference(s) p

1 John 5:16: 16If any man see his brother sin a sin [which is] not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

22.5. The (q) reading of the Scriptures, Preaching, and (r) hearing the word of God, teaching and admonishing one another in Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual songs, singing with grace in our Hearts to (s) the Lord; as also the Administration (t) of Baptism, and (u) the Lords Supper are all parts of Religious worship of God, to be performed in obedience to him, with understanding, faith, reverence, and godly fear; moreover solemn humiliation (x) with fastings; and thanksgiving upon (y) special occasions, ought to be used in an holy and religious manner.

Scripture Reference(s) q

1 Timothy 4:13: 13Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Scripture Reference(s) r

2 Timothy 4:2: 2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

Luke 8:18: 18Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

Scripture Reference(s) s

Colossians 3:16: 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:19: 19Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Scripture Reference(s) t

Matthew 28:19-20: 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

Scripture Reference(s) u

1 Corinthians 11:26: 26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

Scripture Reference(s) x

Esther 4:16: 16Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which [is] not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

Joel 2:12: 12Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye [even] to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

Scripture Reference(s) y

Exodus 15:1-19: 1Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. 2The LORD [is] my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he [is] my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. 3The LORD [is] a man of war: the LORD [is] his name. 4Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea. 5The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone. 6Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy. 7And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, [which] consumed them as stubble. 8And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, [and] the depths were congealed in the heart of the sea. 9The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them. 10Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters. 11Who [is] like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who [is] like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful [in] praises, doing wonders? 12Thou stretchedst out thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. 13Thou in thy mercy hast led forth the people [which] thou hast redeemed: thou hast guided [them] in thy strength unto thy holy habitation. 14The people shall hear, [and] be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. 15Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away. 16Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be [as] still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, [which] thou hast purchased. 17Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, [in] the place, O LORD, [which] thou hast made for thee to dwell in, [in] the Sanctuary, O Lord, [which] thy hands have established. 18The LORD shall reign for ever and ever. 19For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry [land] in the midst of the sea.

Psalm 107:1-43: 1O give thanks unto the LORD, for [he is] good: for his mercy [endureth] for ever. 2Let the redeemed of the LORD say [so], whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; 3And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. 4They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. 5Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. 6Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, [and] he delivered them out of their distresses. 7And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. 8Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men! 9For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. 10Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, [being] bound in affliction and iron; 11Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: 12Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and [there was] none to help. 13Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, [and] he saved them out of their distresses. 14He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. 15Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men! 16For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder. 17Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted. 18Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. 19Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, [and] he saveth them out of their distresses. 20He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered [them] from their destructions. 21Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men! 22And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and decllare his works with rejoicing 23They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; 24These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. 25For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. 26They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. 27They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. 28Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. 29He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. 30Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. 31Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men! 32Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. 33He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground; 34A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. 35He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings. 36And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation; 37And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase. 38He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease. 39Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow. 40He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, [where there is] no way. 41Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh [him] families like a flock. 42The righteous shall see [it], and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth. 43Whoso [is] wise, and will observe these [things], even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD

22.6. Neither Prayer, nor any other part of Religious worship, is now under the Gospel tied unto, or made more acceptable by, any place in which it is (z) performed, or towards which it is directed; but God is to be worshipped every where in Spirit, and in truth; as in (a) private families (b) daily, and (c) in secret each one by himself, so more solemnly in the publick Assemblies, which are not carelessely, nor wilfuly, to be (d) neglected, or forsaken, when God by his word, or providence calleth thereunto.

Scripture Reference(s) z

John 4:21: 21Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

Malachi 1:11: 11For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name [shall be] great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense [shall be] offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name [shall be] great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

1 Timothy 2:8: 8I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Scripture Reference(s) a

Acts 10:2: 2[A] devout [man], and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

Scripture Reference(s) b

Matthew 6:11: 11Give us this day our daily bread.

Psalm 55:17: 17Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Scripture Reference(s) c

Matthew 6:6: 6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Scripture Reference(s) d

Hebrews 10:25: 25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Acts 2:42: 42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

22.7. As it is of the Law of nature, that in general a proportion of time by Gods appointment, be set a part for the Worship of God; so by his Word in a positive-moral, and perpetual Commandement, binding all men, in all Ages, he hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a (e) Sabbath to be kept holy unto him, which from the beginning of the World to the Resurrection of Christ, was the last day of the week; and from the resurrection of Christ, was changed into the first day of the week (f) which is called the Lords day; and is to be continued to the end of the World, as the Christian Sabbath; the observation of the last day of the week being abolished.

Scripture Reference(s) e

Exodus 20:8: 8Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Scripture Reference(s) f

1 Corinthians 16:1-2: 1Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2Upon the first [day] of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as [God] hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

Acts 20:7: 7And upon the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

Revelation 1:10: 10I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

22.8. The Sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering their common affairs aforehand, do not only observe an holy (g) rest all the day, from their own works, words, and thoughts, about their worldly employment, and recreations, but also are taken up the whole time in the publick and private exercises of his worship, and in the duties (h) of necessity and mercy.

Scripture Reference(s) g

Isaiah 58:13: 13If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, [from] doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking [thine own] words:

Nehemiah 13:15-23: 15In those days saw I in Judah [some] treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all [manner of] burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified [against them] in the day wherein they sold victuals. 16There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing [is] this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day? 18Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the sabbath. 19And it came to pass, that when the gates of Jerusalem began to be dark before the sabbath, I commanded that the gates should be shut, and charged that they should not be opened till after the sabbath: and [some] of my servants set I at the gates, [that] there should no burden be brought in on the sabbath day. 20So the merchants and sellers of all kind of ware lodged without Jerusalem once or twice. 21Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do [so] again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no [more] on the sabbath. 22And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and [that] they should come [and] keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, [concerning] this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy. 23In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab:

Scripture Reference(s) h

Matthew 12:1-13: 1At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. 2But when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. 3But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; 4How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? 5Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? 6But I say unto you, That in this place is [one] greater than the temple. 7But if ye had known what [this] meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. 8For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. 9And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: 10And, behold, there was a man which had [his] hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. 11And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift [it] out? 12How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. 13Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched [it] forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.

Chapter 23 LAWFUL OATHS AND VOWS

23.1. A lawful Oath is a part of religious worship, (a) wherein the person swearing in Truth, Righteousness, and Judgement, solemnly calleth God to witness what he sweareth; (b) and to judge him according to the Truth or falseness thereof.

Scripture Reference(s) a

Exodus 20:7: 7Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Deuteronomy 10:20: 20Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.

Jeremiah 4:2: 2And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.

Scripture Reference(s) b

2 Chronicles 6:22-23: 22If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house; 23Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.

23.2. The Name of God only is that by which men ought to swear; and therein it is to be used, with all Holy Fear and reverence, therefore to swear vainly or rashly by that glorious, and dreadful name; or to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful and to be (c) abhorred; yet as in matter of weight and moment for confirmation of truth, (d) and ending all strife, an Oath is warranted by the Word of God; so a lawful Oath being imposed, (e) by lawful Authority, in such matters, ought to be taken.

Scripture Reference(s) c

Matthew 5:34,37: 34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: ..37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

James 5:12: 12But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and [your] nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

Scripture Reference(s) d

Hebrews 6:16: 16For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation [is] to them an end of all strife.

2 Corinthians 1:23: 23Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.

Scripture Reference(s) e

Nehemiah 13:25: 25And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, [saying], Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.

23.3. Whosoever taketh an Oath warranted by the Word of God, ought duely to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act; and therein to avouch nothing, but what he knoweth to be the truth; for that by rash, false, and vain Oaths the (f) Lord is provoked, and for them this Land mournes.

Scripture Reference(s) f

Leviticus 19:12: 12And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I [am] the LORD.

Jeremiah 23:10: 10For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force [is] not right.

23.4. An Oath is to be taken in the plain, and (g) common sense of the words; without equivocation, or mental reservation.

Scripture Reference(s) g

Psalm 24:4: 4He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

23.5. A Vow which is not to be made to any Creature, but to God alone, (h) is to be made and performed with all Religious care, and faithfulness: But Popish Monastical Vows, (i) of perpetual single life, professed (k) poverty, and regular obedience, are so far from being degrees of higher perfection, that they are superstitious, (l) and sinful snares, in which no Christian may intangle himself.

Scripture Reference(s) h

Psalm 76:11: 11Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.

Genesis 28:20-22: 20And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: 22And this stone, which I have set [for] a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

Scripture Reference(s) i

1 Corinthians 7:2,9: 2Nevertheless, [to avoid] fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. ..9But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

Scripture Reference(s) k

Ephesians 4:28: 28Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with [his] hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Scripture Reference(s) l

Matthew 19:11: 11But he said unto them, All [men] cannot receive this saying, save [they] to whom it is given.

Chapter 24 CIVIL GOVERNMENT

24.1. God the supream Lord, and King of all the World, hath ordained Civil (a) Magistrates to be under him, over the people for his own glory, and the publick good; and to this end hath armed them with the power of the Sword, for defence and encouragement of them that do good, and for the punishment of evil doers.

Scripture Reference(s) a

Romans 13:1-4: 1Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil.

24.2. It is lawful for Christians to Accept, and Execute the Office of a Magistrate when called thereunto; in the management whereof, as they ought especially to maintain (b) Justice, and Peace, according to the wholsome Laws of each Kingdome, and Commonwealth: so for that end they may lawfully now under the New Testament (c) wage war upon just and necessary occasions.

Scripture Reference(s) b

2 Samuel 23:3: 3The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men [must be] just, ruling in the fear of God.

Psalm 82:3-4: 3Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. 4Deliver the poor and needy: rid [them] out of the hand of the wicked.

Scripture Reference(s) c

Luke 3:14: 14And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse [any] falsely; and be content with your wages.

24.3. Civil Magistrates being set up by God, for the ends aforesaid; subjection in all lawful things commanded by them, ought to be yeilded by us, in the Lord; not only for wrath (d) but for Conscience sake; and we ought to make supplications and prayers for Kings, and all that are in Authority, (e) that under them we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.

Scripture Reference(s) d

Romans 13:5:-7 5Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

1 Peter 2:17: 17Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Scripture Reference(s) e

Chapter 25 MARRIAGE

25.1 Marriage is to be between one man and one woman. It is not lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband at the same time.¹

Gen 2:24 with Mat 19:5-6; 1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:6

Genesis 2:24 (New Century Version) ²⁴ So a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one body.

Matthew 19:5-6 (New Century Version) ⁵ And God said, ‘So a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one body.’ ⁶ So there are not two, but one. God has joined the two together, so no one should separate them.”

1 Timothy 3:2 (New Living Translation) ² So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife.^[^a^] He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. Or must have only one wife, or must be married only once; Greek reads must be the husband of one wife

Titus 1:6 (New Living Translation) ⁶ An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious.

25.2 Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife,¹ for the increase of the human race with legitimate children,² and for preventing immorality.³

(1) Gen 2:18; Pro 2:17; Mal 2:14
(2) Gen 1:28; Psa 127:3-5; 128:3-4
(3) 1Co 7:2,9

Genesis 2:18 (New Living Translation) ¹⁸ Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

Proverbs 2:16-17 (New Living Translation) ¹⁶ Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman. ¹⁷ She has abandoned her husband and ignores the covenant she made before God.

Malachi 2:14 (New Living Translation) ¹⁴ You cry out, “Why doesn’t the Lord accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the Lord witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows.

Genesis 1:28 (New Century Version) ²⁸ God blessed them and said, “Have many children and grow in number. Fill the earth and be its master. Rule over the fish in the sea and over the birds in the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Psalm 127:3-5 (New Century Version) ³ Children are a gift from the Lord; babies are a reward.
⁴ Children who are born to a young man are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. ⁵ Happy is the man who has his bag full of arrows. They will not be defeated when they fight their enemies at the city gate.

Psalm 128:3-4 (New Century Version) ³ Your wife will give you many children, like a vine that produces much fruit. Your children will bring you much good, like olive branches that produce many olives. ⁴ This is how the man who respects the Lord will be blessed.

1 Corinthians 7:2, 8-9 (New Century Version) ² But because sexual sin is a danger, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband…. ⁸ Now for those who are not married and for the widows I say this: It is good for them to stay unmarried as I am.⁹ But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry. It is better to marry than to burn with sexual desire.

25.3 It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry who are able to give their rational consent,¹ yet it is the duty of Christians to marry only in the Lord. Therefore those who profess the true faith should not marry unbelievers or idolaters. Nor should the godly be unequally yoked by marrying those who lead evil lives, or who maintain heresy.

(1) 1Co 7:39; 2Co 6:14; 1Ti 4:3; Heb 13:4
(2) 1Co 7:39; 2Co 6:14

1 Corinthians 7:39 (New Century Version) ³⁹ A woman must stay with her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry any man she wants, but she must marry another believer.

2 Corinthians 6:14 (New Century Version) ¹⁴ You are not the same as those who do not believe. So do not join yourselves to them. Good and bad do not belong together. Light and darkness cannot share together.

1 Timothy 4:1-3 (Good News Translation) ¹ The Spirit says clearly that some people will abandon the faith in later times; they will obey lying spirits and follow the teachings of demons.² Such teachings are spread by deceitful liars, whose consciences are dead, as if burnt with a hot iron.³ Such people teach that it is wrong to marry and to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten, after a prayer of thanks, by those who are believers and have come to know the truth.

Hebrews 13:4 (New Century Version) ⁴ Marriage should be honored by everyone, and husband and wife should keep their marriage pure. God will judge as guilty those who take part in sexual sins.

Nehemiah 13:25-27 (New Century Version) ²⁵ I argued with those people, put curses on them, hit some of them, and pulled out their hair. I forced them to make a promise to God, saying, “Do not let your daughters marry the sons of foreigners, and do not take the daughters of foreigners as wives for your sons or yourselves.²⁶ Foreign women made King Solomon of Israel sin. There was never a king like him in any of the nations. God loved Solomon and made him king over all Israel, but foreign women made him sin.²⁷ And now you are not obedient when you do this evil thing. You are unfaithful to our God when you marry foreign wives.”

25.4 Marriage must not to be contracted within the degrees of blood relationship or kinship forbidden in the Word, nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made lawful by any human law or consent of parties so that such people may live together as man and wife.¹

(1) Lev 18:6-18; Amo 2:7; Mar 6:18; 1Co 5:1

Leviticus 18:6-18 (New Century Version) ⁶ ” ‘You must never have sexual relations with your close relatives. I am the Lord. ⁷ ” ‘You must not shame your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; do not have sexual relations with her.⁸ You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; that would shame your father. ⁹ ” ‘You must not have sexual relations with your sister, either the daughter of your father or your mother. It doesn’t matter if she was born in your house or somewhere else. ¹⁰ ” ‘You must not have sexual relations with your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter; that would bring shame on you. ¹¹ ” ‘If your father and his wife have a daughter, she is your sister. You must not have sexual relations with her. ¹² ” ‘You must not have sexual relations with your father’s sister; she is your father’s close relative.¹³ You must not have sexual relations with your mother’s sister; she is your mother’s close relative.¹⁴ You must not have sexual relations with the wife of your father’s brother, because this would shame him. She is your aunt. ¹⁵ ” ‘You must not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law; she is your son’s wife. Do not have sexual relations with her. ¹⁶ ” ‘You must not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife. That would shame your brother. ¹⁷ ” ‘You must not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. And do not have sexual relations with this woman’s granddaughter, either the daughter of her son or her daughter; they are her close relatives. It is evil to do this. ¹⁸ ” ‘While your wife is still living, you must not take her sister as another wife. Do not have sexual relations with her.

Amos 2:7 (New Century Version) ⁷ They walk on poor people as if they were dirt, and they refuse to be fair to those who are suffering. Fathers and sons have sexual relations with the same woman, and so they ruin my holy name.

Mark 6:18 (New Century Version) ¹⁸ John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to be married to your brother’s wife.”

1 Corinthians 5:1 (New Century Version) ¹ It is actually being said that there is sexual sin among you. And it is a kind that does not happen even among people who do not know God. A man there has his father’s wife.

[The following two paragraphs are in the Westminster Confession, but not in the Baptist Confession]

25.5 When adultery or fornication committed after an engagement contract is detected before marriage, there are just grounds for the innocent party to dissolve the contract.¹ In the case of adultery after marriage, it is lawful for the innocent party to sue for a divorce,² and after the divorce to marry another—it is as if the offending party were dead.³

(1) Mat 1:18-20
(2) Mat 5:31-32
(3) Mat 19:9; Rom 7:2-3

Matthew 1:18-20 (New Century Version) ¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. His mother Mary was engaged to marry Joseph, but before they married, she learned she was pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Because Mary’s husband, Joseph, was a good man, he did not want to disgrace her in public, so he planned to divorce her secretly. ²⁰ While Joseph thought about these things, an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream. The angel said, “Joseph, descendant of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the baby in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 5:31-32 (New Century Version) ³¹ “It was also said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a written divorce paper.’ ³² But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife forces her to be guilty of adultery. The only reason for a man to divorce his wife is if she has sexual relations with another man. And anyone who marries that divorced woman is guilty of adultery.

Matthew 19:9 (New Century Version) ⁹ I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman is guilty of adultery. The only reason for a man to divorce his wife is if his wife has sexual relations with another man.”

Romans 7:2-3 (New Century Version) ² For example, a woman must stay married to her husband as long as he is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from the law of marriage.³ But if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, the law says she is guilty of adultery. But if her husband dies, she is free from the law of marriage. Then if she marries another man, she is not guilty of adultery.

Human corruption is such that clever arguments will be brought to separate those whom God has joined together in marriage. Yet nothing but adultery, or willful desertion that cannot be healed by the church or civil authority, is sufficient cause for dissolving the bond of marriage.^aSuch dissolution is to be conducted in public and an orderly course of proceedings is to be observed; the persons concerned in it should not be left to their own wills and discretion.^b

Matthew 19:8-9 (New Century Version) ⁸ Jesus answered, “Moses allowed you to divorce your wives because you refused to accept God’s teaching, but divorce was not allowed in the beginning. ⁹ I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman is guilty of adultery. The only reason for a man to divorce his wife is if his wife has sexual relations with another man.”

25.6 Human corruption is such that clever arguments will be brought to separate those whom God has joined together in marriage. Yet nothing but adultery, or wilful desertion that cannot be healed by the church or civil authority, is sufficient cause for dissolving the bond of marriage.¹ Such dissolution is to be conducted in public and an orderly course of proceedings is to be observed; the persons concerned in it should not be left to their own wills and discretion.²

(1) Mat 19:8-9; Rom 7:2-3; 1Co 7:15; Mat 19:6
(2) Deu 24:1-4

1 Corinthians 7:12-16 (GOD’S WORD Translation) ¹²I (not the Lord) say to the rest of you: If any Christian man is married to a woman who is an unbeliever, and she is willing to live with him, he should not divorce her. ¹³If any Christian woman is married to a man who is an unbeliever, and he is willing to live with her, she should not divorce her husband. ¹⁴Actually, the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and an unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise, their children would be unacceptable to God, but now they are acceptable to him. ¹⁵But if the unbelieving partners leave, let them go. Under these circumstances a Christian man or Christian woman is not bound by a marriage vow. God has called you to live in peace. ¹⁶How do you as a wife know whether you will save your husband? How do you as a husband know whether you will save your wife?

Matthew 19:6 (New Century Version) ⁶ So there are not two, but one. God has joined the two together, so no one should separate them.”

Deuteronomy 24:1-4 (New Century Version) ¹ A man might marry a woman but later decide she doesn’t please him because he has found something bad about her. He writes out divorce papers for her, gives them to her, and sends her away from his house.² After she leaves his house, she goes and marries another man,³ but her second husband does not like her either. So he writes out divorce papers for her, gives them to her, and sends her away from his house. Or the second husband might die.⁴ In either case, her first husband who divorced her must not marry her again, because she has become unclean. The Lord would hate this. Don’t bring this sin into the land the Lord your God is giving you as your own.

Chapter 26 THE CHURCH

26.1 The universal church¹ (brought into being by the internal work of the Spirit and truth of grace) may be called the invisible church. It consists of the complete number of the elect who have been, who are, or who shall be gathered into one under Christ its Head. The church is the bride, the body, the fullness of Christ who fills all in all.²

(1) Mat 16:18; 1Co 12:28; Eph 1:22; 4:11-15; 5:23-25,27,29,32; Col 1:18,24; Heb 12:23
(2) Eph 1:22; 4:11-15; 5:23-25,27,29,32; Col 1:18,24; Rev 21:9-14

Matthew 16:15-18 (New Century Version) ¹⁵ Then Jesus asked them, “And who do you say I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ Jesus answered, “You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah, because no person taught you that. My Father in heaven showed you who I am. ¹⁸ So I tell you, you are Peter. On this rock I will build my church, and the power of death will not be able to defeat it.

Ephesians 1:22-23 (New Living Translation) ²² God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. ²³ And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

Ephesians 5:23-25 (New Living Translation) ²³ For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. ²⁴ As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husband in everything. ²⁵ For husbands, this means love your wife, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her.

Colossians 1:18 (New Living Translation) ¹⁸ Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.

26.2 All people throughout the world who profess the faith of the Gospel and render obedience to God by Christ according to the Gospel, and who do not destroy their own profession by any fundamental errors, or by unholy behavior, are and may be called visible saints.¹ All local² congregations ought to be constituted of such people.³

(1) 1Co 1:2; Rom 1:7-8; Act 11:26; Mat 16:18; 18:15-20; 1Co 5:1-9
(2) Original, particular
(3) Mat 18:15-20; Act 2:37-42; 4:4; Rom 1:7; 1Co 5:1-9

1 Corinthians 1:2 (New Living Translation) ² I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.

Romans 1:7 (New Living Translation) I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

1 Corinthians 5:1-5 (New Century Version) ¹ It is actually being said that there is sexual sin among you. And it is a kind that does not happen even among people who do not know God. A man there has his father’s wife.² And you are proud! You should have been filled with sadness so that the man who did this should be put out of your group.³ I am not there with you in person, but I am with you in spirit. And I have already judged the man who did that sin as if I were really there.⁴ When you meet together in the name of our Lord Jesus, and I meet with you in spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus,⁵ then hand this man over to Satan. So his sinful self will be destroyed, and his spirit will be saved on the day of the Lord.

Acts 2:42-47 (New Living Translation) ⁴² All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. ⁴³ A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. ⁴⁴ And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. ⁴⁵ They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. ⁴⁶ They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity ⁴⁷ all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

26.3 The purest churches under heaven are subject to mixture and error,¹ and some have degenerated so much that they have ceased to be churches of Christ and have become ‘synagogues of Satan’.² Nevertheless, Christ has always had, and always will have to the end of time a kingdom in this world, made up of those who believe in him and profess his name.³

(1) 1Co 1:11; 5:1; 6:6; 11:17-19; 3Jo 1:9-10; Rev 2:1-3:22
(2) Rev 2:5 with 1:20; 1Ti 3:14-15; Rev 18:2
(3) Mat 16:18; 24:14; 28:20; Mar 4:30-32; Psa 72:16-18; 102:28; Isa 9:6-7; Rev 12:17; 20:7-9

1 Corinthians 1:11 (New Living Translation) ¹¹ For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters.

1 Corinthians 11:18 (New Century Version) ¹⁸ First, I hear that when you meet together as a church you are divided, and I believe some of this.

Revelation 2:1-5 (New Century Version) ¹ “Write this to the angel of the church in Ephesus: “The One who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands says this: ² I know what you do, how you work hard and never give up. I know you do not put up with the false teachings of evil people. You have tested those who say they are apostles but really are not, and you found they are liars. ³ You have patience and have suffered troubles for my name and have not given up. ⁴ “But I have this against you: You have left the love you had in the beginning. ⁵ So remember where you were before you fell. Change your hearts and do what you did at first. If you do not change, I will come to you and will take away your lampstand from its place.

Psalm 102:28 (New International Version 1984) ²⁸ The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you.”

26.4 The Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the church. In him is vested, by the appointment of the Father in a supreme and sovereign manner, all authority for the calling, institution, order and government of the church.¹ The Pope of Rome cannot in any sense be the head of the church, but he is the antichrist, that ‘man of lawlessness’, and ‘son of destruction’, who exalts himself in the church against Christ and all that is called God, whom the Lord shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.²

(1) Col 1:18; Eph 4:11-16; 1:20-23; 5:23-32; 1Co 12:27-28; Joh 17:1-3; Mat 28:18-20; Act 5:31; Joh 10:14-16
(2) 2Th 2:2-9

Ephesians 1:20-23 (New Century Version) ²⁰ God used to raise Christ from the dead and put him at his right side in the heavenly world.²¹ God has put Christ over all rulers, authorities, powers, and kings, and every title that can be given, not only in this world but also in the next.²² God put everything under his power and made him the head over everything for the church,²³ which is Christ’s body. The church is filled with Christ, and Christ fills everything in every way.

Colossians 1:18 (New Century Version) ¹⁸ He is the head of the body, which is the church. Everything comes from him. He is the first one who was raised from the dead. So in all things Jesus has first place.

1 Timothy 2:5 (New Century Version) ⁵ There is one God and one mediator so that human beings can reach God. That way is through Christ Jesus, who is himself human.

26.5 In executing the authority entrusted to him, the Lord Jesus, through the ministry of his Word and by his Spirit, calls to himself out of the world those who are given to him by the Father.¹ They are called to walk before him in the ways of obedience which he prescribes for them in his Word.² He commands those who are so called to form local³ societies or churches for their mutual edification and to engage in the public worship which he requires of them while in the world.⁴

(1) Joh 10:16,23; 12:32; 17:2; Act 5:31-32
(2) Mat 28:20
(3) Original, particular
(4) Mat 18:15-20; Act 14:21-23; Tit 1:5; 1Ti 1:3; 3:14-16; 5:17-22

John 12:32 (New Living Translation) ³² And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.”

Matthew 28:20 (New Living Translation) ²⁰ Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Hebrews 10:25 (New Living Translation) ²⁵ And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.

Acts 14:21-23 (Common English Bible) ²¹ Paul and Barnabas proclaimed the good news to the people in Derbe and made many disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, where ²² they strengthened the disciples and urged them to remain firm in the faith. They told them, “If we are to enter God’s kingdom, we must pass through many troubles.” ²³ They appointed elders for each church. With prayer and fasting, they committed these elders to the Lord, in whom they had placed their trust.

26.6 The members of these churches are ‘saints’¹ by calling and they visibly demonstrate and give evidence of their obedience to the call of Christ by their profession and walk.² They willingly consent to walk together according to Christ’s instructions, giving themselves to the Lord and to one another by the will of God, affirming their subjection to the directives of the Gospel.³

(1) i.e. holy ones
(2) Mat 28:18-20; Act 14:22-23; Rom 1:7; 1Co 1:2 with 1:13-17; 1Th 1:1 with 1:2-10; Act 2:37-42; 4:4; 5:13-14
(3) Act 2:41-42; 5:13-14; 2Co 9:13

Acts 9:32 (New King James Version) ³² Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda.

Romans 15:25 (New King James Version) ²⁵ But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 (New Century Version) ² We always thank God for all of you and mention you when we pray.³ We continually recall before God our Father the things you have done because of your faith and the work you have done because of your love. And we thank him that you continue to be strong because of your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 2:41-42 (New Century Version) ⁴¹ Then those people who accepted what Peter said were baptized. About three thousand people were added to the number of believers that day. ⁴² They spent their time learning the apostles’ teaching, sharing, breaking bread, and praying together.

26.7 To each church so gathered according to the mind [of Christ] as declared in his Word, the Lord has given all the power and authority required to conduct the form of worship and discipline which he has appointed for them to observe. He has also given commands and rules for the right and proper use of that power.¹

(1) Mat 18:17-20; 1Co 5:4-5,13; 2Co 2:6-8

1 Corinthians 5:4-5 (New Century Version) ⁴ When you meet together in the name of our Lord Jesus, and I meet with you in spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus,⁵ then hand this man over to Satan. So his sinful self will be destroyed, and his spirit will be saved on the day of the Lord.

26.8 A local¹ Church, gathered and organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members. The officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church are bishops or elders, and deacons. They are appointed particularly to oversee what the Lord has ordained, and to execute the powers and duties which the Lord has entrusted to them or to which he calls them. This pattern is to be continued to the end of the world.²

(1) Original, particular
(2) Phi 1:1; 1Ti 3:1-13; Act 20:17,28; Tit 1:5-7; 1Pe 5:2

Philippians 1:1 (New King James Version) ¹ Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

1 Peter 5:1-2 (New Century Version) ¹ Now I have something to say to the elders in your group. I also am an elder. I have seen Christ’s sufferings, and I will share in the glory that will be shown to us. I beg you to² shepherd God’s flock, for whom you are responsible. Watch over them because you want to, not because you are forced. That is how God wants it. Do it because you are happy to serve, not because you want money.

26.9 The way appointed by Christ for calling any person qualified and gifted by the Holy Spirit¹ for the office of bishop or elder, is that he is to be chosen by the communal vote of the church itself.² He shall be solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer, with the laying on of hands by the elders of the church (if there are any previously appointed bishops or elders).³ Similarly, a deacon is also to be chosen by vote of the church and set apart by prayer, with the laying on of hands.⁴

(1) Eph 4:11; 1Ti 3:1-13
(2) Act 6:1-7; 14:23 with Mat 18:17-20; 1Co 5:1-13
(3) 1Ti 4:14; 5:22
(4) Act 6:1-7

Ephesians 4:11-12 (New King James Version) ¹¹ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

Acts 14:23 (New Century Version) ²³ They chose elders for each church, by praying and fastingfor a certain time. These elders had trusted the Lord, so Paul and Barnabas put them in the Lord’s care.

1 Timothy 4:14 (New Century Version) ¹⁴ Use the gift you have, which was given to you through prophecy when the group of elders laid their hands on you.

Acts 6:1-6 (New Century Version) ¹ The number of followers was growing. But during this same time, the Greek-speaking followers had an argument with the other followers. The Greek-speaking widows were not getting their share of the food that was given out every day.² The twelve apostles called the whole group of followers together and said, “It is not right for us to stop our work of teaching God’s word in order to serve tables.³ So, brothers and sisters, choose seven of your own men who are good, full of the Spirit and full of wisdom. We will put them in charge of this work.⁴ Then we can continue to pray and to teach the word of God.” ⁵ The whole group liked the idea, so they chose these seven men: Stephen (a man with great faith and full of the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (a man from Antioch who had become a follower of the Jewish religion).⁶ Then they put these men before the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

26.10 The work of pastors is to give constant attention to the service of Christ in his churches, in the ministry of the Word and prayer, and by watching over their [members’] souls as they must give an account to Christ.¹ Therefore the churches to which they minister have an obligation to give them all due respect, and also to provide ‘all good things’ according to their ability,² so that they may have a comfortable income without being entangled in secular affairs,³ and may also be able to exercise hospitality towards others.⁴ This is required by the law of nature and by the specific command of our Lord Jesus who has ordained that those who preach the Gospel should live by the Gospel.⁵

(1) Act 6:4; 1Ti 3:2; 5:17; Heb 13:17
(2) 1Ti 5:17-18; 1Co 9:14; Gal 6:6-7
(3) 2Ti 2:4
(4) 1Ti 3:2
(5) 1Co 9:6-14; 1Ti 5:18

Acts 6:4 (New King James Version) ⁴ but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

1 Timothy 5:17 (New Century Version) ¹⁷ The elders who lead the church well should receive double honor, especially those who work hard by speaking and teaching,

2 Timothy 2:4 (New King James Version) ⁴ No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

1 Timothy 3:2 (New Living Translation) ² So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.

1 Corinthians 9:14 (New King James Version) ¹⁴ Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

26.11 Although the bishops or pastors of the churches are obliged to regularly preach the Word as part of their office, yet the work of preaching the Word is not exclusively confined to them. Others who are also gifted and qualified by the Holy Spirit for the task, and who are approved and called by the church, may and ought to perform it.¹

(1) Act 8:5 11:19-21; 1Pe 4:10-11

1 Peter 4:10-11 (New Century Version) ¹⁰ Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God’s various gifts of grace.¹¹ Anyone who speaks should speak words from God. Anyone who serves should serve with the strength God gives so that in everything God will be praised through Jesus Christ. Power and glory belong to him forever and ever. Amen.

26.12 All believers are obliged to join themselves to local¹ churches when and where they have opportunity to do so, so that all who are admitted to the privileges of the church, are also subject to the correction and government of the church in accordance with the rule of Christ.²

(1) Original, particular
(2) 1Th 5:14; 2Th 3:6,14-15; 1Co 5:9-13; Heb 13:17

Acts 2:42, 44-46 (New Living Translation) ⁴² All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. ⁴⁴ And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. ⁴⁵ They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. ⁴⁶ They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 (New Century Version) ⁶ Brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ we command you to stay away from any believer who refuses to work and does not follow the teaching we gave you.

1 Corinthians 5:9-11 (New Century Version) ⁹ I wrote you in my earlier letter not to associate with those who sin sexually.¹⁰ But I did not mean you should not associate with those of this world who sin sexually, or with the greedy, or robbers, or those who worship idols. To get away from them you would have to leave this world.¹¹ I am writing to tell you that you must not associate with those who call themselves believers in Christ but who sin sexually, or are greedy, or worship idols, or abuse others with words, or get drunk, or cheat people. Do not even eat with people like that.

26.13 No church members who have been offended by a fellow member, and who have followed their prescribed duty towards the person they are offended at, may disturb church order in any way. Nor should they absent themselves from the meetings of the church or the administration of the ordinances because of the offence, rather, they should wait upon Christ and the further actions of the church.¹

(1) Mat 18:15-17; Eph 4:2-3; Col 3:12-15; 1Jo 2:7-11,18-19; Mat 28:15-17; Eph 4:2-3; Mat 28:20

Matthew 18:15-17 (New Century Version) ¹⁵ “If your fellow believer sins against you, go and tell him in private what he did wrong. If he listens to you, you have helped that person to be your brother or sister again. ¹⁶ But if he refuses to listen, go to him again and take one or two other people with you. ‘Every case may be proved by two or three witnesses.’ ¹⁷ If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen to the church, then treat him like a person who does not believe in God or like a tax collector.

Ephesians 4:2-3 (New Century Version) ² Always be humble, gentle, and patient, accepting each other in love.³ You are joined together with peace through the Spirit, so make every effort to continue together in this way.

26.14 Each church and all its members are obliged to pray continually for the good and prosperity of all Christ’s churches everywhere. At all times churches should assist all believers within the limits of their area and calling in exercising their gifts and graces.¹ Therefore, when churches have been planted by the providence of God so that they may enjoy the opportunity and advantage [of fellowship],² they should seek fellowship amongst themselves to promote peace, increase love, and mutual edification.³

(1) Joh 13:34-35; 17:11,21-23; Eph 4:11-16; 6:18; Psa 122:6; Rom 16:1-3; 3Jo 1:8-10 with 2Jo 1:5-11; Rom 15:26; 2Co 8:1-4,16-24; 9:12-15; Col 2:1 with 1:3,4,7 and 4:7,12
(2) Gal 1:2,22; Col 4:16; Rev 1:4; Rom 16:1-2; 3Jo 1:8-10
(3) 1Jo 4:1-3 with 2Jo and 3Jo; Rom 16:1-3; 2Co 9:12-15; Jos 22

John 13:34-35 (New Century Version) ³⁴ “I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other as I have loved you. ³⁵ All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.”

Ephesians 4:11-13 (New Century Version)

¹¹ And Christ gave gifts to people—he made some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to go and tell the Good News, and some to have the work of caring for and teaching God’s people.¹² Christ gave those gifts to prepare God’s holy people for the work of serving, to make the body of Christ stronger.¹³ This work must continue until we are all joined together in the same faith and in the same knowledge of the Son of God. We must become like a mature person, growing until we become like Christ and have his perfection.

Colossians 4:15 (New Century Version) ¹⁵ Greet the brothers and sisters in Laodicea. And greet Nympha and the church that meets in her house.

Romans 16:1-2 (New Century Version) ¹ I recommend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a helper in the church in Cenchrea.² I ask you to accept her in the Lord in the way God’s people should. Help her with anything she needs, because she has helped me and many other people also.

1 John 4:1-3 (New Century Version) ¹ My dear friends, many false prophets have gone out into the world. So do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God.² This is how you can know God’s Spirit: Every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ came to earth as a human is from God.³ And every spirit who refuses to say this about Jesus is not from God. It is the spirit of the enemy of Christ, which you have heard is coming, and now he is already in the world.

26.15 When difficulties or differences arise in points of doctrine or [church] administration which concern the peace unity and edification of churches in general or any single church, or when a member or members of a church are injured by disciplinary proceedings not consistent with truth [in the Word] and [church] order, it is according to the mind of Christ that a number of churches in fellowship together, through their representatives,¹ should meet to consider the matter in dispute, give their advice about it and report to all the churches concerned.² However, when these representatives¹ are assembled, they are not entrusted with any real church power nor with any jurisdiction over the churches themselves; they cannot exercise discipline over any churches or persons, nor impose their conclusions on the churches or officers.³

(1) Original, messengers
(2) Gal 2:2; Pro 3:5-7; 12:15; 13:10
(3) 1Co 7:25,36,40; 2Co 1:24; 1Jo 4:1

Acts 15:1-2, 4 (New Century Version) ¹ Then some people came to Antioch from Judea and began teaching the non-Jewish believers: “You cannot be saved if you are not circumcised as Moses taught us.”² Paul and Barnabas were against this teaching and argued with them about it. So the church decided to send Paul, Barnabas, and some others to Jerusalem where they could talk more about this with the apostles and elders…. ⁴ When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the apostles, the elders, and the church. Paul, Barnabas, and the others told about everything God had done with them.

Acts 15:6, 19-20 (New Century Version) ⁶ The apostles and the elders gathered to consider this problem…. ¹⁹ “So I think we should not bother the other people who are turning to God.²⁰ Instead, we should write a letter to them telling them these things: Stay away from food that has been offered to idols (which makes it unclean), any kind of sexual sin, eating animals that have been strangled, and blood.

2 Corinthians 1:24 (New Century Version) ²⁴ We are not trying to control your faith. You are strong in faith. But we are workers with you for your own joy.

Chapter 27 THE FELLOWSHIP OF BELIEVERS

27.1 All believers are united to Jesus Christ¹ their Head by his Spirit and by faith,² although this does not make them one person with him.³ Therefore they have fellowship in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory.⁴ Being united to one another in love, they have fellowship in each other’s gifts and graces,⁵ and are obliged to discharge their duties, both public and private, in an orderly way so as to ensure their mutual good in both spiritual and temporal matters.⁶

(1) Eph 1:4; Joh 17:2,6; 2Co 5:21; Rom 6:8; 8:17; 8:2; 1Co 6:17; 2Pe 1:4
(2) Eph 3:16-17; Gal 2:20; 2Co 3:17-18
(3) 1Co 8:6; Col 1:18-19; 1Ti 6:15-16; Isa 42:8; Psa 45:7; Heb 1:8-9
(4) 1Jo 1:3; Joh 1:16; 15:1-6; Eph 2:4-6; Rom 4:25; 6:1-6; Phi 3:10; Col 3:3-4
(5) Joh 13:34-35; 14:15; Eph 4:15; 1Pe 4:10; Rom 14:7-8; 1Co 3:21-23; 12:7,25-27
(6) Rom 1.12; 12:10-13; 1Th 5.11,14; 1Pe 3:8; 1Jo 3.17-18; Gal 6.10

Ephesians 1:4 (New Living Translation) ⁴ Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

John 17:6 (New Century Version) ⁶ “I showed what you are like to those you gave me from the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have obeyed your teaching.

1 Corinthians 6:17 (New Century Version) ¹⁷ But the one who joins with the Lord is one spirit with the Lord.

Ephesians 3:16-17 (New Century Version) ¹⁶ I ask the Father in his great glory to give you the power to be strong inwardly through his Spirit.¹⁷ I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and be built on love.

Galatians 2:20 (New Century Version) ²⁰ I was put to death on the cross with Christ, and I do not live anymore—it is Christ who lives in me. I still live in my body, but I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself to save me.

1 Corinthians 8:6 (New Century Version) ⁶ for us there is only one God—our Father. All things came from him, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord—Jesus Christ. All things were made through him, and we also were made through him.

1 Timothy 6:15-16 (New Century Version) ¹⁵ God will make that happen at the right time. He is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords.¹⁶ He is the only One who never dies. He lives in light so bright no one can go near it. No one has ever seen God, or can see him. May honor and power belong to God forever. Amen.

Isaiah 42:8 (New Century Version) ⁸ “I am the Lord. That is my name. I will not give my glory to another; I will not let idols take the praise that should be mine.

Hebrews 1:8-9 (Worldwide English (New Testament)) ⁸But here is what God says about his Son: `O God, you will sit and rule for ever. You will rule in the right way. ⁹You have loved what is good and you have hated what is wrong. That is why God has poured out happiness on you, more than on those who are with you.’

1 John 1:3 (New Century Version) ³ We announce to you what we have seen and heard, because we want you also to have fellowship with us. Our fellowship is with God the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

John 15:1-6 (New Century Version) ¹ “I am the true vine; my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch of mine that does not produce fruit. And he trims and cleans every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce even more fruit.³ You are already clean because of the words I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in me. ⁵ “I am the vine, and you are the branches. If any remain in me and I remain in them, they produce much fruit. But without me they can do nothing. ⁶ If any do not remain in me, they are like a branch that is thrown away and then dies. People pick up dead branches, throw them into the fire, and burn them.

Ephesians 2:4-6 (New Century Version) ⁴ But God’s mercy is great, and he loved us very much.⁵ Though we were spiritually dead because of the things we did against God, he gave us new life with Christ. You have been saved by God’s grace.⁶ And he raised us up with Christ and gave us a seat with him in the heavens. He did this for those in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:10 (New Century Version) ¹⁰ I want to know Christ and the power that raised him from the dead. I want to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death.

1 Peter 4:10 (New Century Version) ¹⁰ Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God’s various gifts of grace.

1 Corinthians 12:7 (New Century Version) ⁷ Something from the Spirit can be seen in each person, for the common good.

1 Corinthians 12:25-27 (New Living Translation) ²⁵ This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. ²⁷ All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.

Romans 1:12 (New Living Translation) ¹² When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

Romans 12:10-13 (New Living Translation) ¹⁰ Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. ¹¹ Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. ¹² Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. ¹³ When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

1 Peter 3:8 (New Century Version) ⁸ Finally, all of you should be in agreement, understanding each other, loving each other as family, being kind and humble.

1 John 3:17-18 (New Century Version) ¹⁷ Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need, but does not help. Then God’s love is not living in that person.¹⁸ My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring.

Galatians 6:10 (New Century Version) ¹⁰ When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.

27.2 By their profession, believers are obliged to maintain a holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God and in performing whatever spiritual services may promote their mutual edification.¹ They should also relieve one another in temporal things according to their various abilities and needs.² According to the rule of the Gospel, this fellowship applies particularly to family and church relationships,³ but as God offers opportunity, this fellowship is to be extended to all the ‘household of faith’, that is, all those in every place who call on the name of the Lord Jesus.⁴ Nevertheless, this fellowship with one another as believers does not take away or infringe on the personal ownership that each one has of his goods and possessions.⁵

(1) Heb 3:12-13; 10:24-25
(2) Act 11:29-30; 2Co 8-9; Gal 2; Rom 15
(3) 1Ti 5:8,16; Eph 6:4; 1Co 12:27
(4) Act 11:29-30; 2Co 8-9; Gal 2; 6:10; Rom 15
(5) Act 5:4; Eph 4:28; Exo 20:15

Hebrews 3:12-13 (New Century Version) ¹² So brothers and sisters, be careful that none of you has an evil, unbelieving heart that will turn you away from the living God.¹³ But encourage each other every day while it is “today.” Help each other so none of you will become hardened because sin has tricked you.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (New Century Version) ²⁴ Let us think about each other and help each other to show love and do good deeds.²⁵ You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing, but you should meet together and encourage each other. Do this even more as you see the day coming.

Acts 11:29-30 (New Century Version) ²⁹ The followers all decided to help the believers who lived in Judea, as much as each one could. ³⁰ They gathered the money and gave it to Barnabas and Saul, who brought it to the elders in Judea.

2 Corinthians 8:1-4 (New Century Version) ¹ And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace God gave the churches in Macedonia.² They have been tested by great troubles, and they are very poor. But they gave much because of their great joy.³ I can tell you that they gave as much as they were able and even more than they could afford. No one told them to do it.⁴ But they begged and pleaded with us to let them share in this service for God’s people.

1 Timothy 5:8, 16 (New Century Version) ⁸ Whoever does not care for his own relatives, especially his own family members, has turned against the faith and is worse than someone who does not believe in God… ¹⁶ If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should care for them herself. The church should not have to care for them. Then it will be able to take care of those who are truly widows.

Galatians 6:10 (New Century Version) ¹⁰ When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.

Acts 5:4 (New Century Version) ⁴ Before you sold the land, it belonged to you. And even after you sold it, you could have used the money any way you wanted. Why did you think of doing this? You lied to God, not to us!”

Chapter 28 THE ORDINANCES

28.1 Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances explicitly and sovereignly appointed by the Lord Jesus, the only lawgiver,¹ to be continued in his church to the end of the world.²

(1) Mat 28:19-20; 1Co 11:24-25
(2) Mat 28:18-20; Rom 6:3-4; 1Co 1:13-17; Gal 3:27; Eph 4:5; Col 2:12; 1Pe 3:21; 1Co 11:26; Luk 22:14-20

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (New Living Translation) ²³ For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread ²⁴ and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.” ²⁵ In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it.” ²⁶ For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.

Romans 6:3-4 (New Living Translation) ³ Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? ⁴ For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

Ephesians 4:4-6 (New Century Version) ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, and God called you to have one hope.⁵ There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.⁶ There is one God and Father of everything. He rules everything and is everywhere and is in everything.

Colossians 2:12 (New King James Version) ¹² buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

28.2 These holy appointments are to be administered by those who are qualified and called to do so, according to the commission of Christ.¹

(1) Mat 24:45-51; Luk 12:41-44; 1Co 4:1; Tit 1:5-7

Matthew 24:45-51 (New Century Version) ⁴⁵ “Who is the wise and loyal servant that the master trusts to give the other servants their food at the right time? ⁴⁶ When the master comes and finds the servant doing his work, the servant will be blessed.⁴⁷ I tell you the truth, the master will choose that servant to take care of everything he owns.⁴⁸ But suppose that evil servant thinks to himself, ‘My master will not come back soon,’⁴⁹ and he begins to beat the other servants and eat and get drunk with others like him?⁵⁰ The master will come when that servant is not ready and is not expecting him. ⁵¹ Then the master will cut him in pieces and send him away to be with the hypocrites, where people will cry and grind their teeth with pain.

Titus 1:5-6 (New Century Version) ⁵ I left you in Crete so you could finish doing the things that still needed to be done and so you could appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.⁶ An elder must not be guilty of doing wrong, must have only one wife, and must have believing children. They must not be known as children who are wild and do not cooperate.

Chapter 29 BAPTISM

29.1 Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, to be to the person baptized a sign of fellowship with Christ in his death and resurrection, of being grafted into him,¹ of remission of sins,² and of giving up oneself to God, through Jesus Christ, to live and walk in newness of life.³

(1) Rom 6:3-5; Col 2:12; Gal 3:27
(2) Mar 1:4; Act 22:16
(3) Rom 6:4

Romans 6:3-5 (New Century Version) ³ Did you forget that all of us became part of Christ when we were baptized? We shared his death in our baptism.⁴ When we were baptized, we were buried with Christ and shared his death. So, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the wonderful power of the Father, we also can live a new life. ⁵ Christ died, and we have been joined with him by dying too. So we will also be joined with him by rising from the dead as he did.

Colossians 2:12 (New Century Version) ¹² When you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and you were raised up with him through your faith in God’s power that was shown when he raised Christ from the dead.

Galatians 3:27 (New Century Version) ^26-27 You were all baptized into Christ, and so you were all clothed with Christ. This means that you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Mark 1:4 (New King James Version) ⁴ John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Repentance – a fundamental change of heart and mind from sin toward God (Thompson Chain Reference Bible).

Acts 17:30 (Today’s New International Version) ³⁰ In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.

Romans 6:1-4 (New Century Version) ¹ So do you think we should continue sinning so that God will give us even more grace?² No! We died to our old sinful lives, so how can we continue living with sin?³ Did you forget that all of us became part of Christ when we were baptized? We shared his death in our baptism.⁴ When we were baptized, we were buried with Christ and shared his death. So, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the wonderful power of the Father, we also can live a new life.

29.2 Those who actually profess repentance towards God, faith in, and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ, are the only proper subjects for this ordinance.¹

(1) Mat 3:1-12; Mar 1:4-6; Luk 3:3-6; Mat 28:19-20; Mar 16:15-16; Joh 4:1-2; 1Co 1:13-17; Act 2:37-41; 8:12-13,36-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 11:16; 15:9; 16:14-15,31-34; 18:8; 19:3-5; 22:16; Rom 6:3-4; Gal 3:27; Col 2:12; 1Pe 3:21; Jer 31:31-34; Phi 3:3; Joh 1:12-13; Mat 21:43

Matthew 3:7-8 (New Century Version) ⁷ Many of the Pharisees and Sadducees came to the place where John was baptizing people. When John saw them, he said, “You are snakes! Who warned you to run away from God’s coming punishment? ⁸ Do the things that show you really have changed your hearts and lives.

Mark 1:4-5 (New Century Version) ⁴ John was baptizing people in the desert and preaching a baptism of changed hearts and lives for the forgiveness of sins.⁵ All the people from Judea and Jerusalem were going out to him. They confessed their sins and were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

Matthew 28:19-20 (New Century Version) ¹⁹ So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age.”

John 4:1-2 (New Century Version) ¹ The Pharisees heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more followers than John, ² although Jesus himself did not baptize people, but his followers did.

Acts 2:37-38 (New King James Version) ³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
³⁸ Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:12 (New Century Version) ¹² But when Philip told them the Good News about the kingdom of God and the power of Jesus Christ, men and women believed Philip and were baptized.

29.3 The outward element to be used in this ordinance is water, in which the person is to be baptised¹ in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.²

(1) Mat 3:11; Act 8:36,38; 22:16
(2) Mat 28:18-20

Matthew 3:11 (New Century Version) ¹¹ “I baptize you with water to show that your hearts and lives have changed. But there is one coming after me who is greater than I am, whose sandals I am not good enough to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Acts 8:36, 38 (New Century Version)³⁶ While they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The officer said, “Look, here is water. What is stopping me from being baptized?” ³⁸ Then the officer commanded the chariot to stop. Both Philip and the officer went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

29.4 Immersion, or dipping the person in water, is essential for the proper administration of this ordinance.¹

(1) 2Ki 5:14; Psa 69:2; Isa 21:4; Mar 1:5,8-9; Joh 3:23; Act 8:38; Rom 6:4; Col 2:12; Mar 7:3-4; 10:38-39; Luk 12:50; 1Co 10:1-2; Mat 3:11; Act 1:5,8; 2:1-4,17

Immersion definition – To cover completely in a liquid; submerge (The Free Online Dictionary)

Dipping definition – To plunge briefly into a liquid, as in order to wet, coat, or saturate (The Free Online Dictionary)

2 Kings 5:14 (New Living Translation) ¹⁴ So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child’s, and he was healed!

Mark 1:5 (New Living Translation) ⁵ All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.

Chapter 30 THE LORD’S SUPPER

30.1 The supper of our Lord Jesus was instituted by him the same night he was betrayed,¹ to be observed in his churches² until the end of the world³ as a perpetual remembrance [of him] and to show forth the sacrifice of himself in his death.⁴ It was also instituted to confirm the faith of believers in all the benefits in Christ’s death,⁵ for their spiritual nourishment and growth in him,⁶ for their further engagement in and commitment to all the duties they owe him,⁷ and to be a bond and pledge of their fellowship with him and with one another.⁸

(1) 1Co 11:23; Mat 26:20-26; Mar 14:17-22; Luk 22:19-23
(2) Act 2:41-42; 20:7;1Co 11:17-22,33-34
(3) Mar 14:24-25; Luk 22:17-22; 1Co 11:24-26
(4) 1Co 11:24-26; Mat 26:27-28; Luk 22:19-20
(5) Rom 4:11
(6) Joh 6:29,35,47-58
(7) 1Co 11:25
(8) 1Co 10:16-17

Mark 14:17-21 (New Living Translation) ¹⁷ In the evening Jesus arrived with the twelve disciples. ¹⁸ As they were at the table eating, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, one of you eating with me here will betray me.” ¹⁹ Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one?” ²⁰ He replied, “It is one of you twelve who is eating from this bowl with me. ²¹ For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!”

1 Corinthians 11:23 (New Living Translation) ²³ For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread

Acts 20:7 (New Century Version) ⁷ On the first day of the week, we all met together to break bread, and Paul spoke to the group. Because he was planning to leave the next day, he kept on talking until midnight.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (New Century Version) ²³ The teaching I gave you is the same teaching I received from the Lord: On the night when the Lord Jesus was handed over to be killed, he took bread ²⁴ and gave thanks for it. Then he broke the bread and said, “This is my body; it is for you. Do this to remember me.” ²⁵ In the same way, after they ate, Jesus took the cup. He said, “This cup is the new agreement that is sealed with the blood of my death. When you drink this, do it to remember me.” ²⁶ Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you are telling others about the Lord’s death until he comes.

Matthew 26:27-28 (New Living Translation) ²⁷ And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, ²⁸ for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.

Romans 4:11 (New Living Translation) ¹¹ Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and that God had already accepted him and declared him to be righteous—even before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the spiritual father of those who have faith but have not been circumcised. They are counted as righteous because of their faith.

John 6:47-58 (New Century Version) ⁴⁷ I tell you the truth, whoever believes has eternal life.⁴⁸ I am the bread that gives life.⁴⁹ Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but still they died.⁵⁰ Here is the bread that comes down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will never die. ⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give up so that the world may have life.” ⁵² Then the evil people began to argue among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” ⁵³ Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, you must eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood. Otherwise, you won’t have real life in you. ⁵⁴ Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day.⁵⁵ My flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.⁵⁶ Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood live in me, and I live in them.⁵⁷ The living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father. So whoever eats me will live because of me. ⁵⁸ I am not like the bread your ancestors ate. They ate that bread and still died. I am the bread that came down from heaven, and whoever eats this bread will live forever.”

1 Corinthians 11:25 (New Century Version) ²⁵ In the same way, after they ate, Jesus took the cup. He said, “This cup is the new agreement that is sealed with the blood of my death. When you drink this, do it to remember me.”

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 (New Century Version) ¹⁶ We give thanks for the cup of blessing, which is a sharing in the blood of Christ. And the bread that we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.¹⁷ Because there is one loaf of bread, we who are many are one body, because we all share that one loaf.

30.2 In this ordinance Christ is not offered up to his Father, nor is any real sacrifice made for remission of sin of the living or the dead. It is only a memorial of that one offering up of Christ by himself upon the cross once for all.¹ It is also a spiritual offering of all possible praise to God for [Christ’s work].² So the Roman Catholic sacrifice of the mass, as they call it, is utterly abominable and defamatory of Christ’s own sacrifice which is the only propitiation for all the sins of the elect.

(1) Joh 19:30; Heb 9:25-28; 10:10-14; Luk 22:19; 1Co 11:24-25
(2) Mat 26:26-27,30 with Heb 13:10-16

Hebrews 9:25-28 (New Century Version) ²⁵ The high priest enters the Most Holy Place once every year with blood that is not his own. But Christ did not offer himself many times.²⁶ Then he would have had to suffer many times since the world was made. But Christ came only once and for all time at just the right time to take away all sin by sacrificing himself. ²⁷ Just as everyone must die once and then be judged, ²⁸ so Christ was offered as a sacrifice one time to take away the sins of many people. And he will come a second time, not to offer himself for sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Hebrews 10:10-14 (New Century Version) ¹⁰ And because of this, we are made holy through the sacrifice Christ made in his body once and for all time. ¹¹ Every day the priests stand and do their religious service, often offering the same sacrifices. Those sacrifices can never take away sins.¹² But after Christ offered one sacrifice for sins, forever, he sat down at the right side of God.¹³ And now Christ waits there for his enemies to be put under his power.¹⁴ With one sacrifice he made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Hebrews 13:10-16 (New Century Version) ¹⁰ We have a sacrifice, but the priests who serve in the Holy Tent cannot eat from it.¹¹ The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place where he offers this blood for sins. But the bodies of the animals are burned outside the camp.¹² So Jesus also suffered outside the city to make his people holy with his own blood.¹³ So let us go to Jesus outside the camp, holding on as he did when we are abused. ¹⁴ Here on earth we do not have a city that lasts forever, but we are looking for the city that we will have in the future.¹⁵ So through Jesus let us always offer to God our sacrifice of praise, coming from lips that speak his name.¹⁶ Do not forget to do good to others, and share with them, because such sacrifices please God.

30.3 In this ordinance the Lord Jesus has appointed his ministers to pray and to bless the elements of bread and wine (so setting them apart from a common to a holy use), and to take and break the bread, then to take the cup, and to give both to the communicants, participating also themselves.¹

(1) 1Co 11:23-26; Mat 26:26-28; Mar 14:22-25; Luk 22:19-22

Matthew 26:26-28 (New Century Version) ²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took some bread and thanked God for it and broke it. Then he gave it to his followers and said, “Take this bread and eat it; this is my body.” ²⁷ Then Jesus took a cup and thanked God for it and gave it to the followers. He said, “Every one of you drink this. ²⁸ This is my blood which is the new agreement that God makes with his people. This blood is poured out for many to forgive their sins.

30.4 The denial of the cup to the people,¹ worshipping the elements, lifting them up or carrying them about for adoration, and reserving them for any pretended religious use,² are all contrary to the nature of this ordinance and to the institution of Christ.³

(1) Mat 26:27; Mar 14:23; 1Co 11:25-28
(2) Exo 20:4-5
(3) Mat 15:9

Matthew 26:27 (New Century Version) ²⁷ Then Jesus took a cup and thanked God for it and gave it to the followers. He said, “Every one of you drink this.

Exodus 20:4-5 (New Century Version) ⁴ “You must not make for yourselves an idol that looks like anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the water below the land.⁵ You must not worship or serve any idol, because I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God. If you hate me, I will punish your children, and even your grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Matthew 15:9 (New Century Version) ⁹ Their worship of me is worthless. The things they teach are nothing but human rules.’ ” — Isaiah 29:13

30.5 The outward elements in this ordinance, when correctly set apart for the use ordained by Christ, bear such a strong relation to the Lord crucified, that they are sometimes truly, but figuratively, called by the name of the things they represent, namely, the body and blood of Christ.¹ However, in substance and nature, they still remain truly and only bread and wine as they were before.²

(1) 1Co 11:27; Mat 26:26-28
(2) 1Co 11:26-28; Mat 26:29

1 Corinthians 11:27-30 (New Century Version) ²⁷ So a person who eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in a way that is not worthy of it will be guilty of sinning against the body and the blood of the Lord.²⁸ Look into your own hearts before you eat the bread and drink the cup, ²⁹ because all who eat the bread and drink the cup without recognizing the body eat and drink judgment against themselves. ³⁰ That is why many in your group are sick and weak, and some of you have died.

Matthew 26:29 (New Century Version) ²⁹ I tell you this: I will not drink of this fruit of the vineagain until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

30.6 The doctrine commonly called transubstantiation, which maintains that the substance of bread and wine is changed into the substance of Christ’s body and blood when consecrated by a priest or by some other way, is repugnant not only to Scripture,¹ but even to common sense and reason. It overthrows the nature of the ordinance, and has been and is the cause of numerous superstitions and gross idolatries.

(1) Mat 26:26-29; Luk 24:36-43,50-51; Joh 1:14; 20:26-29; Act 1:9-11; 3:21; 1Co 11:24-26; Luk 12:1; Rev 1:20; Gen 17:10-11; Eze 37:11; Gen 41:26-27

John 20:26-29 (New Living Translation) ²⁶ Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” ²⁸ “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. ²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Acts 1:9-11 (New Living Translation) ⁹ After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. ¹⁰ As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. ¹¹ “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

30.7 Worthy recipients, when outwardly partaking of the visible elements in this ordinance,¹ also receive them inwardly by faith, truly and in fact, not as flesh and body but spiritually. In so doing they feed upon Christ crucified, and receive all the benefits of his death.² The body and blood of Christ are not present physically, but spiritually by the faith of believers in the ordinance, just as the elements themselves are to their outward senses.³

(1) 1Co 11:28
(2) Joh 6:29,35,47-58
(3) 1Co 10:16

1 Corinthians 11:28 (New Century Version) ²⁸ Look into your own hearts before you eat the bread and drink the cup.

John 6:29, 35, 47-58 (New Living Translation) ²⁹ Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” ³⁵ Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty… ⁴⁷ “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes has eternal life. ⁴⁸ Yes, I am the bread of life! ⁴⁹ Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but they all died. ⁵⁰ Anyone who eats the bread from heaven, however, will never die. ⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.” ⁵² Then the people began arguing with each other about what he meant. “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” they asked. ⁵³ So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. ⁵⁴ But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. ⁵⁵ For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. ⁵⁶ Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. ⁵⁷ I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. ⁵⁸ I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”

1 Corinthians 10:16 (New Living Translation) ¹⁶ When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ?

30.8 All ignorant and ungodly people who are unfit to enjoy fellowship with Christ, are equally unworthy of the Lord’s table, and cannot, without great sin against him, partake of these holy mysteries, or be admitted to them while they remain as they are.¹ Indeed, whoever participates unworthily is guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, eating and drinking judgment on themselves.²

(1) Mat 7:6; Eph 4:17-24; 5:3-9; Exo 20:7,16; 1Co 5:9-13; 2Jo 1:10; Act 2:41-42; 20:7; 1Co 11:17-22,33-34
(2) 1Co 11:20-22,27-34

Matthew 7:6 (New Living Translation) ⁶ “Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.

Ephesians 4:17-24 (New Century Version) ¹⁷ In the Lord’s name, I tell you this. Do not continue living like those who do not believe. Their thoughts are worth nothing.¹⁸ They do not understand, and they know nothing, because they refuse to listen. So they cannot have the life that God gives.¹⁹ They have lost all feeling of shame, and they use their lives for doing evil. They continually want to do all kinds of evil.²⁰ But what you learned in Christ was not like this.²¹ I know that you heard about him, and you are in him, so you were taught the truth that is in Jesus.²² You were taught to leave your old self—to stop living the evil way you lived before. That old self becomes worse, because people are fooled by the evil things they want to do.²³ But you were taught to be made new in your hearts,²⁴ to become a new person. That new person is made to be like God—made to be truly good and holy.

Ephesians 5:3-9 (New Century Version) ³ But there must be no sexual sin among you, or any kind of evil or greed. Those things are not right for God’s holy people.⁴ Also, there must be no evil talk among you, and you must not speak foolishly or tell evil jokes. These things are not right for you. Instead, you should be giving thanks to God.⁵ You can be sure of this: No one will have a place in the kingdom of Christ and of God who sins sexually, or does evil things, or is greedy. Anyone who is greedy is serving a false god. ⁶ Do not let anyone fool you by telling you things that are not true, because these things will bring God’s anger on those who do not obey him.⁷ So have nothing to do with them.⁸ In the past you were full of darkness, but now you are full of light in the Lord. So live like children who belong to the light.⁹ Light brings every kind of goodness, right living, and truth.

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (New Century Version) ⁹ I wrote you in my earlier letter not to associate with those who sin sexually.¹⁰ But I did not mean you should not associate with those of this world who sin sexually, or with the greedy, or robbers, or those who worship idols. To get away from them you would have to leave this world.¹¹ I am writing to tell you that you must not associate with those who call themselves believers in Christ but who sin sexually, or are greedy, or worship idols, or abuse others with words, or get drunk, or cheat people. Do not even eat with people like that. ^12-13 It is not my business to judge those who are not part of the church. God will judge them. But you must judge the people who are part of the church. The Scripture says, “You must get rid of the evil person among you.”

Chapter 31 THE STATE OF PEOPLE AFTER DEATH AND THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD

31.1 After death the bodies of people return to dust and undergo decomposition,¹ but their souls (which neither die nor sleep for they are immortal in essence) immediately return to God who gave them.² The souls of the righteous are then made perfect in holiness, they are received into paradise where they are with Christ and look on the face of God in light and glory, and wait for the full redemption of their bodies.³ The souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torment and utter darkness, reserved for judgment on the great day [of judgment].⁴ For souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledges no other place than these two.

(1) Gen 2:17; 3:19; Act 13:36; Rom 5:12-21; 1Co 15:22
(2) Gen 2:7; Jas 2:26; Mat 10:28; Ecc 12:7
(3) Psa 23:6; 1Ki 8:27-49; Isa 63:15; 66:1; Luk 23:43; Act 1:9-11; 3:21; 2Co 5:6-8;12:2-4; Eph 4:10; Phi 1:21-23; Heb 1:3; 4:14-15; 6:20; 8:1; 9:24; 12:23; Rev 6:9-11; 14:13; 20:4-6
(4) Luk 16:22-26; Act 1:25; 1Pe 3:19; 2Pe 2:9

Genesis 3:19 (New Century Version) ¹⁹ You will sweat and work hard for your food. Later you will return to the ground, because you were taken from it. You are dust, and when you die, you will return to the dust.”

Acts 13:36 (New Century Version) ³⁶ David did God’s will during his lifetime. Then he died and was buried beside his ancestors, and his body did rot in the grave.

1 Corinthians 15:22 (New Century Version) ²² In Adam all of us die. In the same way, in Christ all of us will be made alive again.

Genesis 2:7 (New Century Version) ⁷ Then the Lord God took dust from the ground and formed a man from it. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nose, and the man became a living person.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 (New Century Version) ⁷ You will turn back into the dust of the earth again,
but your spirit will return to God who gave it.

James 2:26 (New Century Version) ²⁶ Just as a person’s body that does not have a spirit is dead, so faith that does nothing is dead!

Luke 23:43 (New Century Version) ⁴³ Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (New Living Translation) ⁶ So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. ⁷ For we live by believing and not by seeing. ⁸ Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.

Philippians 1:21-24 (New Living Translation) ²¹ For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. ²² But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. ²³ I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. ²⁴ But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.

Luke 16:22-26 (New Century Version) ²² Later, Lazarus died, and the angels carried him to the arms of Abraham. The rich man died, too, and was buried.²³ In the place of the dead, he was in much pain. The rich man saw Abraham far away with Lazarus at his side.²⁴ He called, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am suffering in this fire!’²⁵ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember when you were alive you had the good things in life, but bad things happened to Lazarus. Now he is comforted here, and you are suffering.²⁶ Besides, there is a big pit between you and us, so no one can cross over to you, and no one can leave there and come here.’

2 Peter 2:9 (New Century Version) ⁹ So the Lord knows how to save those who serve him when troubles come. He will hold evil people and punish them, while waiting for the Judgment Day.

31.2 On the last day, those believers who are still alive will not die, but will be changed.¹ All the dead will be raised up² with their own bodies³ (although these will have different qualities)⁴ that will be united again to their souls for ever.⁵

(1) 1Co 15:50-53; 2Co 5:1-4; 1Th 4:17
(2) Dan 12:2; Joh 5:28-29; Act 24:15
(3) Job 19:26-27; Joh 5:28-29; 1Co 15:35-38,42-44
(4) 1Co 15:42-44,52-54
(5) Dan 12:2; Mat 25:46

1 Corinthians 15:50-53 (New Living Translation) ⁵⁰ What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. ⁵¹ But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! ⁵² It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. ⁵³ For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 (New Living Translation) ¹⁷ Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.

Daniel 12:2 (New Living Translation) ² Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.

John 5:28-29 (New Century Version) ²⁸ Don’t be surprised at this: A time is coming when all who are dead and in their graves will hear his voice. ²⁹ Then they will come out of their graves. Those who did good will rise and have life forever, but those who did evil will rise to be judged guilty.

Acts 24:15 (New Century Version) ¹⁵ I have the same hope in God that they have—the hope that all people, good and bad, will surely be raised from the dead.

Job 19:26-27 (New Century Version) ²⁶ Even after my skin has been destroyed, in my flesh I will see God. ²⁷ I will see him myself; I will see him with my very own eyes. How my heart wants that to happen!

1 Corinthians 15:42-44 (New Living Translation) ⁴² It is the same way with the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies are planted in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. ⁴³ Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. ⁴⁴ They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.

1 Corinthians 15:52-54 (New Living Translation) ⁵² It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. ⁵³ For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. ⁵⁴ Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled.

Matthew 25:46 (New Living Translation) ⁴⁶ “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

31.3 By the power of Christ the bodies of the unrighteous will be raised to dishonour.¹ By his Spirit² the bodies of the righteous will be raised to honour,³ for they will be transformed to be like his own glorious body.⁴

(1) Dan 12:2, Joh 5:28-29
(2) Rom 8:1,11; 1Co 15:45; Gal 6:8
(3) 1Co 15:42-49
(4) Rom 8:17,29-30; 1Co 15:20-23,48-49; Phi 3:21; Col 1:18; 3:4; 1Jo 3:2; Rev 1:5

Daniel 12:2 (New Living Translation) ² Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.

Romans 8:11 (New Living Translation) ¹¹ The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Galatians 6:8 (Good News Translation) ⁸ If you plant in the field of your natural desires, from it you will gather the harvest of death; if you plant in the field of the Spirit, from the Spirit you will gather the harvest of eternal life.

1 Corinthians 15:45-49 (Good News Translation) ⁴⁵For the scripture says, The first man, Adam, was created a living being; but the last Adam is the life-giving Spirit.⁴⁶ It is not the spiritual that comes first, but the physical, and then the spiritual.⁴⁷ The first Adam, made of earth, came from the earth; the second Adam came from heaven.⁴⁸ Those who belong to the earth are like the one who was made of earth; those who are of heaven are like the one who came from heaven.⁴⁹ Just as we wear the likeness of the man made of earth, so we will wear the likeness of the Man from heaven.

Philippians 3:21-22 (New Living Translation) ²¹ He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

Colossians 3:4 (New King James Version) ⁴ When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

1 John 3:2 (New Century Version) ² Dear friends, now we are children of God, and we have not yet been shown what we will be in the future. But we know that when Christ comes again, we will be like him, because we will see him as he really is.

Chapter 32 THE LAST JUDGMENT

32.1 God has appointed a day when he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, to whom the Father has given all power and judgment.¹ On that day, not only the apostate angels will be judged,² but also all people who have lived on the earth. They will appear before Christ’s judgment throne³ to give an account of their thoughts, words, and deeds, and to receive [judgment] according to what they have done in the body, whether good or evil.⁴

(1) Joh 5:22,27; Act 17:31
(2) 1Co 6:3; Jude 1:6
(3) Mat 16:27; 25:31-46; Act 17:30-31; Rom 2:6-16; 2Th 1:5-10; 2Pe 3:1-13; Rev 20:11-15
(4) 2Co 5:10; 1Co 4:5; Mat 12:36

Acts 17:31 (New Century Version) ³¹ God has set a day that he will judge all the world with fairness, by the man he chose long ago. And God has proved this to everyone by raising that man from the dead!”

1 Corinthians 6:3 (New Living Translation) ³ Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life.

Jude 1:6 (New Century Version) ⁶ And remember the angels who did not keep their place of power but left their proper home. The Lord has kept these angels in darkness, bound with everlasting chains, to be judged on the great day.

Matthew 16:27 (New Living Translation) ²⁷ For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.

Matthew 25:31-33 (New Living Translation) ³¹ “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.

Acts 17:30-31 (New Living Translation) ³⁰ “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. ³¹ For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”

Revelation 20:11-15 (New Living Translation) ¹¹ And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. ¹² I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. ¹³ The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. ¹⁴ Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. ¹⁵ And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

2 Corinthians 5:10 (New Living Translation) ¹⁰ For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.

1 Corinthians 4:5 (New Living Translation) ⁵ So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.

Matthew 12:36 (New Living Translation) ³⁶ And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.

32.2 God’s purpose in appointing this day is to show forth the glory of his mercy in the eternal salvation of the elect, and his justice in the eternal damnation of the reprobate who are wicked and disobedient.¹ Then the righteous will inherit eternal life and receive fullness of joy and glory with eternal reward in the presence of the Lord. But the wicked, who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, will be banished to eternal torment, and be punished with eternal destruction, shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power.²

(1) Rom 9:22-23
(2) Mat 18:8; 25:41,46; 2Th 1:9; Heb 6:2; Jude 1:6; Rev 14:10-11; Luk 3:17; Mar 9:43,48; Mat 3:12; 5:26; 13:41-42; 24:51; 25:30

Matthew 25:41, 46 (New King James Version) ⁴¹ “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels… ⁴⁶ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 (New King James Version) ⁸ in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,

Luke 3:16-17 (New Century Version) ¹⁶ John answered everyone, “I baptize you with water, but there is one coming who is greater than I am. I am not good enough to untie his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.¹⁷ He will come ready to clean the grain, separating the good grain from the chaff. He will put the good part of the grain into his barn, but he will burn the chaff with a fire that cannot be put out.”

Matthew 25:30 (New King James Version) ³⁰ And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

32.3 Christ wants us to be firmly persuaded that there will be a day of judgment, both to deter everyone from sin,¹ and to give greater comfort to the godly in their adversity.² But he has kept the date a secret, so that people may shake off all self-confidence and always be watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come.³ So they should always be prepared to say, ‘Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!’⁴ Amen.

(1) 2Co 5:10-11
(2) 2Th 1:5-7
(3) Mar 13:35-37; Luk 12:35-40
(4) Rev 22:20

2 Corinthians 5:10 (New Living Translation) ¹⁰ For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.

2 Thessalonians 1:5-7 (New Century Version) ⁵ This is proof that God is right in his judgment. He wants you to be counted worthy of his kingdom for which you are suffering.⁶ God will do what is right. He will give trouble to those who trouble you.⁷ And he will give rest to you who are troubled and to us also when the Lord Jesus appears with burning fire from heaven with his powerful angels.

Mark 13:35-37 (New Century Version) ³⁵ So always be ready, because you don’t know when the owner of the house will come back. It might be in the evening, or at midnight, or in the morning while it is still dark, or when the sun rises.³⁶ Always be ready. Otherwise he might come back suddenly and find you sleeping. ³⁷ I tell you this, and I say this to everyone: ‘Be ready!’ ”

Revelation 22:20 (New Century Version) ²⁰ Jesus, the One who says these things are true, says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

A Baptist Catechism

(Adapted by John Piper)

A Catechism?
I. What is a catechism?

In 1 Corinthians 14:19 Paul says, “In the church I would rather speak five words with my mind, in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” In Galatians 6:6 he says, “Let him who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches.” Acts 18:25 says that Apollos “has been instructed in the way of the Lord.”

In each of these verses the Greek word for “instruct” or “teach” is katecheo. From this word we get our English word “catechize”. It simply means to teach Biblical truth in an orderly way. Generally this is done with questions and answers accompanied by Biblical support and explanation.

II. What is the history of this catechism?

This is a slightly revised version of “The Baptist Catechism” first put forth by Baptists in 1689 in Great Britain. It was adopted by the Philadelphia Baptist Association in 1742. It is patterned on the well-known reformed Westminster Catechism. The few comments in the earlier questions are meant to help parents make things plain to their children.

III. Is there a Biblical pattern of doctrine?

Several texts teach that there is. For example, in Romans 6:17 Paul gives thanks that “you have become obedient from the heart to the pattern of teaching to which you were committed.” 2 Timothy 1:13 says, “Follow the pattern of sound words which you heard from me.” Acts 2:42 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15 says, “Stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us.” And Acts 20:27 says, “I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.”

So it appears that there was a body of authoritative instruction and even a way of teaching it in the early church.

IV. Why is it important?

1) We are required to “continue in the faith, stable and steadfast” (Col. 1:23).

2) We are urged to “attain to the unity of the… knowledge of the Son of God…so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:13-14).

3) There are many deceivers (1 John 2:26).

4) There are difficult doctrines “which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16).

5) Leaders must be raised up who can “give instruction in sound doctrine and also confute those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9).

V. How shall we begin?

Make them part of your family routine or just use them for yourself. I am excited about being a partner with you in building a “stable and firm” generation who hopes in God.

Learning and teaching with you,
Pastor John

The Catechism
Sometimes there are other ways to express a true answer to these questions. Feel free to use Scripture to formulate other true answers where possible and helpful. The aim of a catechism is not to be exhaustive but to give a solid tease from which to “keep growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:17).

Question 1: Who is the first and best of beings?

Answer: God is the first and best of beings.

Scripture: Isaiah 44:6; Psalm 8:1; 96:4; 97:9, 1 Samuel 2:2

Question 2: What is the chief end of man?

Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31; Psalm 16:11; 37:4; 73:25-26; Isaiah43:7.

Comment: “Glorify? does not mean make glorious. It means [to] reflect or display as glorious. Other words you could use for “end” are “goal” or “purpose”.

Question 3: How do we know there is a God?

Answer: The light of nature in man, and the works of God, plainly declares that there is a God; but his word and Spirit only, do effectually reveal him unto us for our salvation.

Scripture: Romans 1:18-20; Psalm 19:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:15; 1 Corinthians 1:21-24; 2:9, 10; Matthew 11:27.

Comment: The question distinguishes two kinds of knowledge: one is natural and comes from conscience (“the light of nature in man”) and from the works of God in nature; the other is spiritual or saving, and comes from the recognition of the true value of God and the beauty of his character. Natural knowledge is possessed by all people and thus makes all people accountable to honor and thank God. Spiritual knowledge is possessed only by those whose natural blindness has been overcome by the Spirit of God. (1 Cor. 2:14-16). Our children must come to see the difference between these lest they think they are saved by much natural knowledge about God?which the devils also have James 2:19).

Question 4: What is the Word of God?

Answer: The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, being given by divine inspiration, are the Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice.

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; Isaiah 8:20; Matthew 5:17- 18; 1 Corinthians 2:13; Psalm 19:7-8.

Comment: “Scriptures” is a special word for the “writings” of the OT and NT. Perhaps you will want to explain that the OT deals with God’s word that came before Jesus was born; and the NT is the word of God that came after Jesus was born. “Infallible” means it will never lead us astray in what it teaches. It is true and does not err. It can be trusted. “Faith” refers to right thinking and feeling; and “practice” refers to right doing. We measure our thoughts and emotions and actions by the rule of the Bible. “Inspiration” means that it is God-breathed: by his Spirit he guided his spokesmen to speak his word in their language.

Question 5: How do we know that the Bible is the Word of God?

Answer: The Bible evidences itself to be God’s Word by the heavenliness of its doctrine, the unity of its parts, and its power to convert sinners and to edify saints. But only the Spirit of God can make us willing to agree and submit to the Bible as the Word of God.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:6-7,13-16; Psalm 19:7-9; 119:18,129; Acts 10:43; 26:22; 18:28; Hebrews 4:12; Romans 15:4; John 16:13,14; 1 John 2:20-27; 2 Corinthians 3:14-17; 4:4, 6.

Comment: “Heavenliness” refers to the fact [that] the teachings of Scripture are of such a nature that they cannot be explained by mere human resources. They bear the marks of the supernatural. “No man ever spoke like this man” (John 7:46). The “unity of its parts” has to do especially with the way all Scripture points to Christ. “To him all the prophets bear witness” (Acts 10:43). There are detailed and scholarly historical arguments for the reliability of the Bible, but these are generally beyond the acquaintance of ordinary Christians, and so do not serve as widespread support for Scripture. They are needed, however, in the scholarly arena. [See “Is the Bible a Reliable Guide to Lasting Joy” in Desiring God by John Piper (Multnomah Press, 1986).]

Question 6: May all men make use of the Scriptures?

Answer: All men are not only permitted, but commanded and exhorted, to read, hear, and understand the Scriptures.

Scripture: John 5:39; Luke 16:29; Acts 8:28-30; 17:11.

Question 7: What do the Scriptures mainly teach?

Answer: The Scriptures mainly teach what man is to believe about God and what duty God requires of man.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; John 20:31; Acts 24:14; 1 Corinthians 10:11; Ecclesiastes 12:13.

Question 8: What is God?

Answer: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.

Scripture: John 4:24; Psalm 89:14; 90:2; 147:5; James 1:17; Revelation 4:8; Exodus 34:6, 7; 1 Timothy 1:17; Numbers 23:19.

Comment: Ask what “infinite” means (there is no limit to how great he is!). What does “eternal” mean? (He never had a beginning and will never have an ending!) Talk about how God can respond to us and yet not be “changeable.” (His character never changes; he acts consistently on the same principles always. Even his responses to us are known and planned long before so that his purposes are unchanging.)

Question 9: Are there more Gods than one?

Answer: There is only one living and true God.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4; Jeremiah 10:10; Psalm 96:4-5.

Comment: There are “gods” which are idols, but they are not “living”. And there are “gods” which are angels or demons, but they are not “true” God, that is they are not eternal, infinite and unchanging. Only one God is living and true.

Question 10: How many persons are there in the Godhead?

Answer: There are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one God, the same in essence, equal in power and glory.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:11; 8:6; John 1:1; 10:30; 14:9; 20:28; Acts 5:3,4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:3.

Comment: The word “Godhead” is needed because we shouldn’t say that there are three persons in God. No, there are three persons who are God. Nor should we say that there are three Gods. There is one God. They are distinct persons with special roles in creation and redemption. But they are in perfect harmony and are (in ways beyond our comprehension) perfectly One God. (See The Pleasures of God, by John Piper, Multnomah Press, pp. 38, 42-44 for one explanation of the Trinity.)

Question 11: What are the decrees of God?

Answer: The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby for his own glory, he has foreordained whatsoever comes to pass.

Scripture: Ephesians 1:11; Romans 11:36; Daniel 4:35; Isaiah 46:10; Psalm 115:3; Amos 3:6.

Comment: You might shorten it to: “God’s decrees are his own plans for history. And they always happen.” His purpose for the world is eternal because there never was a time when he didn’t know what he was going to do. His purpose accords with the counsel of HIS will—that is he did not consult anyone else. He thought it ALL up. All plans were made in order to maximize the display of his glory. NOTHING falls outside the decrees of God.

Question 12: How does God execute his decrees?

Answer: God executes his decrees in the works of creation and providence.

Scripture: Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11; Matthew 5:45; 6:26; Acts 14:17: Proverbs 16:9, 33; 19:21; 20:24; 21:1, 31.

Comment: Instead of “execute” you can say “perform” or “accomplish” or “bring about”. The word “providence” will be taken up in a later question. For now it refers to the way God preserves and governs all his creatures and all their actions (like the fall of a bird or the election of a president). It refers to God’s general rule over the world he has created.

Question 13: What is the work of creation?

Answer: The work of creation is God’s making all things [out] of nothing, by the word of his power and all very good.

Scripture: Genesis 1:1, 31; Hebrews 11:3; Exodus 20:11; Romans 4:17.

Comment: Before creation there was only God in the holy fellowship of the Trinity. Therefore his creation is always different from ours: we start with something.

Question 14: How did God create man?

Answer: God created man male and female, after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.

Scripture: Genesis 1:27-28; Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:24.

Comment: In saying that we were created after his image “in knowledge, righteousness and holiness,” we do not mean we know all God knows, nor that we are a fountain of righteousness and holiness the way he is. We mean that we were capable of sharing his knowledge and righteousness and holiness in a relationship of trust and love unlike any other creature under the angels.

Question 15: What are God’s works of providence?

Answer: God’s works of providence are the holy, wise, and powerful acts which he preserves and governs all his creatures, and all their actions.

Scripture: Nehemiah 9:6; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3; Psalm 103:19; Matthew 10:29-30.

Comment: It would be helpful to discuss this with your child in relation to the common concept of “luck.” Is there such a thing as luck in a world ruled by the providence of God? “The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly from the Lord” (16:33). You will also need to stress that many of God’s acts of providence may not look “holy and wise” (like storms that kill thousands of people). But then stress that God has his secret purposes (Deut. 29:29) that we are never great enough to see, and the Judge of all the earth always does right (Genesis 18:25).

Question 16: What special act of providence did God exercise towards man when he was first created?

Answer: When God had created man, he made a covenant with him that he should live and enjoy all the benefits of creation, but that he would die if he forsook the obedience that comes from faith. God commanded him not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and thus forsake his child-like dependence upon God for all things.

Scripture: Genesis 2:15-17; Galatians 3:12; Romans 5:12.

Comment: The “knowledge of good and evil” is the ability to judge independently what is beneficial (good) and harmful (evil) for yourself. What God is forbidding is that man should choose to be independent from God in his evaluation of things. He is commanding man to walk by faith in the wise and loving care of his heavenly Father. (See the use of this phrase in Gen. 3:5, 22; 2 Sam. 14:17; Is. 7:15; 2 Sam 19:35.)

Question 17: Did our first parents continue in the glad obedience for which they were created?

Answer: No, but desiring to be like God, our first parents forsook the obedience of faith, ate of the forbidden tree, sinned against God, and fell from the innocence in which they were created.

Scripture: Genesis 3:1-7; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Romans 5:12.

Question 18: What is sin?

Answer: Sin is transgression of the revealed will of God which teaches that we are to act in perfect holiness from a heart of faith to the glory of God.

Scripture: 1 John 3:4; Romans 5:13; 14:23; 1 Peter 1:16; Matthew 5:48; 1 Corinthians 10:31.

Comment Simplified: Sin is any attitude or desire or action that explicitly breaks a commandment of Scripture, or comes from a heart of unbelief or is not done for the glory of God.

Question 19: What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?

Answer: The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit

Scripture: Genesis 3:6, 12, 13.

Question 20: Did all mankind fall in Adam’s first sin?

Answer: All mankind, descending from Adam by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first sin.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Romans 5:12, 18-19.

Comment: God considered all mankind as being in Adam so that when Adam went bad we all went bad in him. The nature that we have by virtue of belonging to Adam’s race is morally corrupt. We are under the wrath of God “by nature” (Ephesians 2:3) from the time we were conceived in the womb. This is why conversion and salvation must be much more than a “decision” for Christ. It must be a new creation, a rebirth, an exchange of hearts.

Question 21: Into what condition did the fall bring mankind?

Answer: The fall brought mankind into a condition of sin and misery.

Scripture: Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:18-19; 7:18; Isaiah 53:6; 64:6; John 3:67; Ephesians 2:1-3; 1 Corinthians 2:14.

Question 22: What is the sinfulness of that condition into which all mankind has fallen?

Answer: The sinfulness of the condition into which all mankind fell is the guilt of Adam’s first sin, the lack of original righteousness, and the corruption of our whole nature (which is commonly called original sin), together with all actual transgressions which come from this nature.

Scripture: Romans 5:19; 3:10; Ephesians 2:1; Isaiah 53:6; Psalm 51:5; Matthew 15:19.

Comment: The Bible says that “in Adam all die” (1 Cor. 15:22) and that “one transgression yields condemnation for all men” (Rom. 5:18) and that “one man’s disobedience made many sinners” (Rom. 5:19). These statements lead us to conclude that God, in a way beyond our comprehension, established a unity between Adam and his posterity which makes it just for us to receive the imputation of his guilt and corruption. He was in some sense our representative head. We sinned in him and fell with him.

Question 23: What is the misery into which all mankind fell through Adam’s first sin?

Answer: All mankind, by their fall, lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries of this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell forever.

Scripture: Genesis 3:8, 24; Ephesians 2:3; Galatians 3:10; Romans 6:23; Matthew 25:41-46; Psalm 9:17.

Comment: Keep in mind that “liable to” means that these miseries will indeed befall all people unless a special work of God’s grace intervenes.

Question 24: Did God leave all mankind to perish in the condition of sin and misery?

Answer: God, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, having chosen a people to everlasting life, did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the condition of sin and misery, and to bring them into a condition of salvation, by a Redeemer.

Scripture: Ephesians 1:34; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 5:21; 8:29-30; 9:11-12; 11:5-7; Acts 13:48; Jeremiah 31:33.

Comment: The term “covenant of grace” is filled with sweet and precious hope. It refers to the free decision, commitment and oath of God to employ all his omnipotence and wisdom and love to rescue and glorify his people from sin and misery. It is wholly initiated and carried through by God. It cannot fail.

It is valid for all who believe. WHOSOEVER WILL MAY COME AND ENJOY THIS GRACE! And, since this “believing” and this “willing” is a work of God’s sovereign grace, those who believe and come are the elect, “chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4). Thus the covenant was sealed in the heart of God before the world was.

This “covenant of grace” is the cry of victory over all the battle strife in missions. THE GRACE OF GOD WILL TRIUMPH! He is covenant-bound, oath-bound to save all those who are foreordained to eternal life (Acts 13:48)! “Jesus died for the nation (of Jews), and not for the nation only, but to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad” (John 11:52).

The battle cry of missions is, “The Lord has other sheep that are not of this fold: He MUST (covenant-bound!!) bring them also. They WILL (sovereign grace!!) heed his voice!” John 10:16.

Question 25: Who is the Redeemer of God’s elect?

Answer: The only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was and continues to be God and man, in two distinct natures and one person, forever.

Scripture: Galatians 3:13; 1 Timothy 2:5; 3:16; John 1:14; Romans 9:5; Colossians 2:9.

Question 26: How did Christ, being the Son of God, become man?

Answer: Christ, the Son of God became man by taking to himself a true body and a reasonable soul. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and was born of her, yet without sin.

Scripture: Hebrews 2:14; 4:14; 7:26; Matthew 26:38; Luke 2:52; John 1:14; 12:27; Luke 1:31, 35; 2:52; Colossians 2:9.

Comment: I am typing this on a Personal Computer. I have virtually no idea how it works. That it works I am certain: I have typed hundreds of sermons on it. So it is with the “incarnation”—the “how” is (as the old theologians used to say) “ineffable”. We believe it because the Scriptures teach it and because it “works” to make sense out of God’s whole redemptive plan.

Question 27: What offices does Christ perform as our Redeemer?

Answer: Christ, as our Redeemer, performs the offices of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king, both in his condition of humiliation and exaltation.

Scripture: Acts 3:22; Hebrews 5:6; Psalm 2:6.

Question 28: How does Christ perform the office of a prophet?

Answer: Christ performs the office of a prophet, in revealing to us, by his Word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation.

Scripture: John 1:18; 14:26; 15:15.

Question 29: How does Christ perform the office of a priest?

Answer: Christ performs the office of a priest by once offering himself as a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and to reconcile us to God; and by making continual intercession for us before God.

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 2: 17; 7:25; 9:28; Ephesians 5:2; Romans 8:34.

Question 30: How does Christ perform the office of a king?

Answer: Christ performs the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.

Scripture: Psalm 110:1-2; Matthew 2:6; Luke 1:32-33; 1 Corinthians 15:25.

Question 31: What do we mean by Christ’s humiliation?

Answer: By Christ’s humiliation we mean that he was born, and that in a low condition; that he was made under the law, and underwent the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; that he was buried, and continued under the power of death for a time.

Scripture: Luke 2:7; Galatians 4:4; Isaiah 53:3; Luke 22:44; Matthew 12:40; 27:46; Philippians 2:8; Mark 15:45-6.

Question 32: What do we mean by Christ’s exaltation?

Answer: By Christ’s exaltation we mean his rising again from the dead on the third day, ascending up into heaven, sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and coming to judge the world at the last day.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:4; Acts 1:11; Mark 16:19; Acts 17:31.

Question 33: How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?

Answer: We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effective application of it to us, by his Holy Spirit.

Scripture: John 3:5, 6; Titus 3:5, 6.

Question 34: How does the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ?

Answer: The Spirit applies to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.

Scripture: 1 John 5:1; Philippians 1:29; Ephesians 2:8; Acts 16:14; 18:27; John 3:8; 6:64f.

Question 35: What is effectual calling?

Answer: Effectual calling is the work of God’s Spirit, to convince us of our sin and misery, to enlighten our minds in the knowledge of Christ, to renew our wills, and thus persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the gospel.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:9; John 6:44, 45; 16:8-11; Acts 2:37; 26:18; Ezekiel 36:26; Romans 8:30; 1 Corinthians 1:24; 12:3.

Question 36: What benefits do those who are effectually called receive in this life?

Answer: Those who are effectually called receive in this life justification, adoption, sanctification, and the several benefits which in this life accompany or flow from them.

Scripture: Romans 8:30-32; Galatians 3:26; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 6:11; Ephesians 1:5.

Comment: We must distinguish effectual calling from the general call of the gospel. Not all who hear the gospel believe. But all who are effectually called by God do believe. The call creates what it commands.

Question 37: What is justification?

Answer: Justification is an act of God’s free grace, by which he pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.

Scripture: Romans 3:24; 5:19; Ephesians 1:7; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Philippians 3:9; Galatians 2:16.

Question 38: What is adoption?

Answer: Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, by which we are received into the company of God’s children and have a right to all the privileges of his sons.

Scripture: 1 John 3:1; John 1:12; Romans 8:16, 17.

Question 39: What is sanctification?

Answer: Sanctification is the work of God’s free grace by which we are renewed in the whole person after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness.

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Ephesians 4:23, 24; Romans 6:11.

Question 40: What are the benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification?

Answer: The benefits which in this life do accompany or flow from justification, adoption, and sanctification, are, assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, fellowship with Christ, joy in the Holy Spirit, increase of grace, the privilege of prayer, and perseverance therein to the end.

Scripture: Romans 5:1-5; 14:17; Proverbs 4:18: 1 Peter 1:5; 1 John 5:13; 1 Corinthians 1:9; John 15:7.

Question 41: What benefits do believers receive from Christ at death?

Answer: At death the souls of believers are made perfect in holiness, and immediately pass into glory. Their bodies rest in their graves till the resurrection.

Scripture: Hebrews 12:23; Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Luke 23:43; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; Isaiah 57:2; Job 19:26.

Question 42: What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the Resurrection?

Answer: At the resurrection, believers are raised up in glory; they shall be openly acknowledged and acquitted in the Day of Judgment, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoyment of God to all eternity.

Scripture: Philippians 3:20, 21; 1 Corinthians 15:42, 43; Matthew 10:32; 1 John 3:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

Question 43: What shall be done to the wicked at death?

Answer: The souls of the wicked shall at death, be cast into the torments of hell, and their bodies lie in their graves till the resurrection and judgment of the great day.

Scripture: Luke 16:22-4; Daniel 12:2; John 5:29; Revelation 20:11- 15.

Question 44: What shall be done to the wicked at the Day of Judgment?

Answer: At the Day of Judgment, the bodies of the wicked, being raised out of their graves shall be sentenced, together with their souls, to unspeakable torments with the devil and his angels forever.

Scripture: Daniel 12:2; John 5:28, 29; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:14-15.

Question 45: What is the duty which God requires of man?

Answer: The duty which God requires of man is the obedience that comes from faith.

Scripture: Galatians 5:6; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:11; Romans 1:5; 16:26; 15:18.

Comment: See questions 16-18.

Question 46: What did God at first reveal to man for the rule of his obedience?

Answer: The rule which God at first revealed to man for his obedience was the moral law.

Scripture: Rom. 2:14; 15; 5:13, 14.

Question 47: Where is the obedience of faith given in summary form?

Answer: A summary form of the obedience of faith is given in the Ten Commandments.

Scripture: Hebrews 3:18-19; 4:2; Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 10:4; Romans 9:32.

Question 48: What is the sum of the Ten Commandments?

Answer: The sum of the Ten Commandments is to love the Lord our God, with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind; and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Scripture: Matthew 22:36-40; Mark 12:28-33.

Question 49: What is the preface to the Ten Commandments?

Answer: The preface to the Ten Commandments is, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”

Scripture: Exodus 20:2.

Question 50: What does the preface to the Ten Commandments teach us?

Answer: The preface to the Ten Commandments teaches us that because God is the LORD, and our gracious Redeemer, his commandments are for our good and he does not will for us to depend on ourselves in keeping them, but to trust his grace and power.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 10:13, 16; 30:6.

Question 51: Which is the first commandment?

Answer: The first commandment is, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

Scripture: Exodus 20:3.

Question 52: What is required in the first commandment?

Answer: The first commandment requires us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God, and to worship and glorify him accordingly.

Scripture: Joshua 24:15; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Deuteronomy 26:17; Psalm 29:2; Matthew 4:10.

Question 53: What is forbidden in the first commandment?

Answer: The first commandment forbids us to deny or not to worship and glorify the true God as God and our God; and to give that worship and glory to any other, which is due unto him alone.

Scripture: Joshua 24:27; Romans 1:20-21, 25; Psalm 14:1.

Question 54: What are we especially taught by these words, “before me,” in the first commandment?

Answer: These words “before me,” in the first commandment teach us that God, who sees all things, takes notice of, and is much displeased with the sin of having any other God.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:17, 18; Psalm 44:20-21; 90:8.

Question 55: Which is the second commandment?

Answer: The second commandment is, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.”

Scripture: Exodus 20:4-6.

Question 56: What is required in the second commandment?

Answer: The second commandment requires the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances, as God has appointed in his word.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 12:32; 32:46; Matthew 28:20.

Question 57: What is forbidden in the second commandment?

Answer: The second commandment forbids the worshipping of God by images, or any other way that draws the heart away from his glory rather than toward his glory.

Scripture: Romans 1:22, 23; Deuteronomy 4:15, 16; Colossians 2:18; 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31.

Question 58: What are the reasons added to the second commandment?

Answer: The reasons added to the second commandment are God’s holy jealousy for his name, and the zeal he has for his own worship.

Scripture: Exodus 20:4-6; Exodus 34:14; 1 Corinthians 10:22.

Question 59: Which is the third commandment?

Answer: The third commandment is, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.”

Scripture: Exodus 20:7.

Question 60: What is required in the third commandment?

Answer: The third commandment requires the holy and reverent use of God’s name, titles, attributes, ordinances, words, and works.

Scripture: Psalm 29:2; 111:9; 138:2; Deuteronomy 32:1-4; 28:58-59; Matthew 6:9; Ecclesiastes 5:1; Job 36:24; Revelation 4:8; 15:3, 4.

Question 61: What is forbidden in the third commandment?

Answer: The third commandment forbids all profaning and abusing of anything whereby God makes himself known.

Scripture: Exodus 20:7; Malachi 1:6, 7; Leviticus 20:3; 19:12; Matthew 5:34-37; Isaiah 52:5.

Question 62: What is the reason annexed to the third commandment?

Answer: The reason annexed to the third commandment is, that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment.

Scripture: Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 28:58, 59; Malachi 2:2.

Question 63: Which is the fourth commandment?

Answer: The fourth commandment is, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.”

Scripture: Exodus 20:8-11.

Question 64: What is required in the fourth commandment?

Answer: The fourth commandment requires the keeping holy to God such set times as he has appointed in his word, expressly one whole day in seven to be a holy Sabbath to himself.

Scripture: Leviticus 19:30; Deuteronomy 5:12.

Question 65: Which day of the seven has God appointed to be the weekly Sabbath?

Answer: From the creation of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly Sabbath; and the first day of the week ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian Sabbath.

Scripture: Genesis 2:3; John 20:19; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2; Revelation 1:10.

Question 66: How is the Sabbath to be sanctified?

Answer: One day in seven should be especially devoted to corporate worship and other spiritual exercises that restore the soul’s rest in God and zeal for His name. It should provide physical refreshment and fit one for a week of devoted service to Christ.

Scripture: Leviticus 23:3; Isaiah 58:13, 14; Matthew 12:1-14; Mark 2:27; Romans 14:5-6.

Question 67: What is forbidden in the fourth commandment?

Answer: The fourth commandment forbids dishonoring the Lord’s Day by actions or thoughts that divert the soul from spiritual refreshment, or deprive the body of renewed energy or distract the mind from its special Sabbath focus on the Lord.

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:26; 23:38; Jeremiah 17:21; Nehemiah 13:15, 17; Acts 20:7; Mark 2:23-28; Romans 14:5-6.

Question 68: What are the reasons attached to the fourth commandment?

Answer: The reasons attached to the fourth commandment are, God’s creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh and his blessing the Sabbath day.

Scripture: Exodus 20:9-11; 31:16, 17; Genesis 2:2, 3.

Question 69: Which is the 5th commandment?

Answer: The fifth commandment is, “Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God gives thee.”

Scripture: Exodus 20:12.

Question 70: What is required in the fifth commandment?

Answer: The fifth commandment requires that we preserve the honor and perform the duties which belong to every one in their various roles as authorities, subordinates or equals.

Scripture: Leviticus 19:32; 1 Peter 2:17; Romans 12:10; 13:1; Ephesians 5:21-22; 6:1, 5, 9; Colossians 3:19-22; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; Hebrews 13:7, 17.

Question 71: What is forbidden in the fifth commandment?

Answer: The fifth commandment forbids neglecting or offending the honor and duty which belongs to every one in their various places and relations.

Scripture: Proverbs 30:17; Romans 13:7, 8.

Question 72: What is the reason added to the fifth commandment?

Answer: The reason added to the fifth commandment is a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve God’s glory and their own good), to all who keep this commandment.

Scripture: Exodus 20:20; Ephesians 6:2, 3.

Question 73: What is the sixth commandment?

Answer: The sixth commandment is, “Thou shalt not kill.”

Scripture: Exodus 20:13.

Question 74: What is required in the sixth commandment?

Answer: The sixth commandment requires all lawful efforts to preserve our own life and the life of others.

Scripture: Ephesians 5:29, 30; Psalm 82:3, 4; Proverbs 24:11, 12; Acts 16:28.

Question 75: What is forbidden in the sixth commandment?

Answer: The sixth commandment forbids the taking of our own life, or the life of our neighbor unjustly, including whatever acts tend to this loss.

Scripture: Genesis 4:10, 11; 9:6; Matthew 5:21-26.

Question 76: Which is the seventh commandment?

Answer: The seventh commandment is, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.”

Scripture: Exodus 20:14.

Question 77: What is required in the seventh commandment?

Answer: The seventh commandment requires that we preserve our own and our neighbor’s chastity, in heart, speech, and behavior.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2; 2 Timothy 2:22; Matthew 5:28; 1 Peter 3:2.

Question 78: What is forbidden in the seventh commandment?

Answer: The seventh commandment forbids all unchaste thoughts, words and actions.

Scripture: Matthew 5:28-32; Job 31:1; Ephesians 5:3, 4; Romans 13:13; Colossians 4:6.

Question 79: Which is the eighth commandment?

Answer: The eighth commandment is, “Thou shalt not steal.”

Scripture: Exodus 20:15.

Question 80: Which is required in the eighth commandment?

Answer: The eighth commandment requires that we pursue lawful and useful work to provide for our needs and for those unable to provide for themselves.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:28; Proverbs 27:23; Leviticus 25:35; Deuteronomy 15:10; 22:1-4.

Question 81: What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?

Answer: The eighth commandment forbids whatever would unjustly withhold or diminish a person’s possessions or attainments.

Scripture: Malachi 3:8; Ephesians 4:28; Romans 13:7.

Question 82: Which is the ninth commandment?

Answer: The ninth commandment is, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”

Scripture: Exodus 20:16.

Question 83: What is required in the ninth commandment?

Answer: The ninth commandment requires that we maintain and promote truth between persons and that we preserve the good name of our neighbor and ourselves.

Scripture: Zechariah 8:16; Acts 25:10; Ecclesiastes 7:1; 3 John 12; Proverbs 14:5, 25.

Question 84: What is forbidden in the ninth commandment?

Answer: The ninth commandment forbids whatever dishonors truth, or injures our own, or our neighbor’s good name.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25; Psalm 15:3; 2 Corinthians 8:20, 21.

Question 85: What is the tenth commandment?

Answer: The tenth commandment is, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his man servant, nor his maid servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.”

Scripture: Exodus 20:17.

Question 86: What is required in the tenth commandment?

Answer: The tenth commandment requires contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit towards our neighbor, and all that is his.

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5; 1 Timothy 6:6; Romans 12:15; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Leviticus 19:18.

Question 87: What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?

Answer: The tenth commandment forbids all murmuring over our own condition and all envying or grieving at the good of our neighbor, and all inordinate affections for anything that is his.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:10; James 5:9; Galatians 5:26; Colossians 3:5.

Question 88: Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?

Answer: No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life, perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but daily falls short of inward and outward perfection.

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:20; Genesis 6:5; 8:21; 1 John 1:8; James 3:2, 8; Romans 3:23; 7:15; Philippians 3:12.

Question 89: What then is the purpose of the law since the fall?

Answer: The purpose of the law, since the fall, is to reveal the perfect righteousness of God, that his people may know the path of faith that leads to life, and that the ungodly may be convicted of their sin, restrained from evil, and brought to Christ for salvation.

Scripture: Psalm 19:7-11; Romans 3:20, 31; 7:7; 8:13; 9:32; 12:2; Titus 2:12-14; Galatians 3:22, 24; 1 Timothy 1:8; Luke 10:25-28.

Question 90: Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?

Answer: Some sins in themselves and by reason of several aggravations are more heinous in the sight of God than others.

Scripture: Ezekiel 8:13; John 19:11; 1 John 5:16.

Question 91: What does every sin deserve?

Answer: Every sin deserves God’s wrath and curse, both in this life, and in that which is to come.

Scripture: Ephesians 5:6; Galatians 3:10; Proverbs 3:33; Psalm 11:6; Revelation 21:8.

Question 92: What does God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse, due to us for sin?

Answer: To escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin, God requires of us faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption.

Scripture: Acts 20:21; 16:30, 31; 17:30.

Question 93: What is faith in Jesus Christ?

Answer: Faith in Jesus Christ is saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon him alone for salvation, trusting him to forgive our sins, and guide us to eternal joy, on the basis of his divine power and atoning death.

Scripture: Hebrews 10:39; John 1:12; 6:35; Philippians 3:9; Galatians 2:15-16, 20; Matthew 14:31.

Question 94: What is repentance unto life?

Answer: Repentance unto life is a saving grace, by which a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, does, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it to God, with full purpose of, and endeavor after, new obedience.

Scripture: Acts 2:37; Joel 2:13; Jeremiah 31:18, 19; 2 Corinthians 7:10, 11; Romans 6:18.

Question 95: What are the outward and ordinary means by which Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption?

Answer: The outward and ordinary means by which Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption are his ordinances, especially the Word, Baptism, the Lord’s Supper and Prayer; all of which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.

Scripture: Romans 10:17; James 1:18; 1 Corinthians 3:5; Acts 14:1; 2:41, 42.

Question 96: How is the Word made effective for salvation?

Answer: The Spirit of God makes the reading, but especially the preaching of the Word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith unto salvation.

Scripture: Psalm 19:7; 119:11, 18; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 1 Peter 2:1, 2; Romans 1:16.

Question 97: How is the Word to be read and heard that it may become effective for salvation?

Answer: That the Word may become effective for salvation we must attend to it with diligence, preparation and prayer, receive it in faith and love, lay it up in our hearts and practice it in our lives.

Scripture: Proverbs 8:34; 1 Peter 2:1, 2; 1 Timothy 4:13; Hebrews 2:1, 3; 4:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:10; Psalm 119:11; James 1:21, 25.

Question 98: How do Baptism and the Lord’s Supper become effective means of salvation?

Answer: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper become effective means of salvation, not from any virtue in them or in him that administers them, but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his Spirit in those who by faith receive them.

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:21; 1 Corinthians 3:6, 7; 12:13.

Question 99: How do Baptism and the Lord’s Supper differ from the other ordinances of God?

Answer: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper differ from the other ordinances of God in that they were specially instituted by Christ to represent and apply to believers the benefits of the new covenant by visible and outward signs.

Scripture: Acts 22:16; Matthew 26:26-28; 28:19; Romans 6:4.

Question 100: What is Baptism?

Answer: Baptism is a holy ordinance, in which immersion in the water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, signifies our being joined to Christ and our sharing the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord’s.

Scripture: Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:27.

Question 101: To whom is Baptism to be administered?

Answer: Baptism is to be administered to all those who actually profess repentance towards God, faith in, and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ; and to no other.

Scripture: Acts 2:38; 8:12, 36; 10:47, 48; Matthew 3:6; Mark 16:16.

Question 102: Are the infants of professing believers to be baptized?

Answer: The infants of believers are not to be baptized; because there is neither command nor example in the Holy Scriptures, nor implication from them to baptize such. But baptism is made an expression of faith.

Scripture: Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21; Galatians 3:26, 27.

Question 103: How is Baptism rightly administered?

Answer: Baptism is rightly administered by immersion, or dipping the whole body of the person in water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Scripture: Matthew 3:16; John 3:23; Acts 8:38, 39.

Question 104: What is the duty of those who are rightly baptized?

Answer: It is the duty of those who are rightly baptized to give themselves to some visible and orderly church of Jesus Christ, that they may walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

Scripture: Acts 2:46, 47; 9:26; 1 Peter 2:5; Hebrews 10:25; Romans 16:5.

Question 105: What is the visible church?

Answer: The visible church is the organized society of professing believers, in all ages and places, wherein the gospel is truly preached and the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper administered in true faith.

Scripture: Acts 2:42; 20:7; 7:38; Ephesians 4:11, 12.

Question 106: What is the invisible church?

Answer. The invisible church is the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ the head.

Scripture: Ephesians 1:10; 1:22, 23; John 10:16; 11:52.

Question 107: What is the Lord’s Supper?

Answer: The Lord’s Supper is a holy ordinance of the church. By eating bread and drinking the cup according to Christ’s appointment we show forth his death. Those who eat and drink in a worthy manner partake of Christ’s body and blood, not physically, but spiritually in that by faith they are nourished with the benefits he purchased, and grow in grace.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; 10:16.

Question 108: What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord’s Supper?

Answer: It is required of those who would worthily (that is, suitably) partake of the Lord’s Supper, that they examine themselves—of their knowledge, that they discern the Lord’s body; their faith, that they feed upon him; and their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves.

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:8; 11:27-31; 2 Corinthians 13:5.

Question 109: What is Prayer?

Answer: Prayer is an offering up of our desires to God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.

Scripture: 1 John 5:14; 1:9; Philippians 4:6; Psalm 10:17; 145:19; John 14:13, 14.

Question 110: What rule has God given for our direction in prayer?

Answer: The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer, but the special rule of direction is that prayer, which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called the Lord’s Prayer.

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13; 2 Timothy 3:16, 17.

Question 111: What does the preface of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?

Answer: The preface of the Lord’s Prayer, which is, “Our Father, who art in heaven,” teaches us to draw near to God, with holy reverence and confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us, and that we should pray with and for others.

Scripture: Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:13; Romans 8:15; Acts 12:5; 1 Timothy 2:1-3.

Question 112: What do we pray for in the first petition of the Lord’s Prayer?

Answer: In the first petition, which is “Hallowed be thy name,” we pray that God would enable us and others to glorify him in all of life, and that he would dispose all things to his own glory.

Scripture: Matthew 6:9; Psalm 67:1-3; Romans 11:36; Revelation 4:11; 1 Corinthians 10:31.

Question 113: What do we pray for in the second petition of the Lord’s Prayer?

Answer: In the second petition, which is, “Thy kingdom come,” we pray that Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed, and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced; that ourselves and others be brought into it, and kept in it; and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.

Scripture: Matthew 6:10; 9:37,38; Psalm 68:1-18; Romans 10:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:1; Revelation 22:20.

Question 114: What do we pray for in the third petition of the Lord’s Prayer?

Answer: In the third petition, which is, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” we pray that God, by his grace, would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things, as the angels do in heaven.

Scripture: Matthew 6:10; Psalm 103:20, 21; 25:4, 5; 119:26.

Question 115: What do we pray for in the fourth petition of the Lord’s Prayer?

Answer: In the fourth petition, which is, “Give us this day our daily bread,” we pray that of God’s free gift, we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life and enjoy his blessing with them.

Scripture: Matthew 6:11; Proverbs 30:8, 9; 1 Timothy 6:6-8; 4:4, 5.

Question 116: What do we pray for in the fifth petition of the Lord’s Prayer?

Answer: In the fifth petition, which is, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors,” we pray that God, for Christ’s sake, would freely pardon all our sins; which we are rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others.

Scripture: Matthew 6:12; 18:35; Psalm 51:1, 3, 7; Mark 11:25.

Question 117: What do we pray for in the sixth petition?

Answer: In the sixth petition, which is, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” we pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, or support and deliver us when we are tempted.

Scripture: Matthew 6:13; 26:41; Psalm 19:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13; John 17:15.

Question 118: What does the conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer teach us?

Answer: The conclusion of the Lord’s Prayer, which is, “For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen,” teaches us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only, and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him; and in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard, we say AMEN.

Scripture: Matthew 6:13; Daniel 9:18, 19; 1 Chronicles 29:11-13; 1 Corinthians 14:16; Philippians 4:6; Revelation 22:20.

The Lord’s Prayer
(Matthew 6, RSV)

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For shine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: and in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy Christian Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Ten Commandments
(Exodus 20, RSV)

And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them or served them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your manservant, or your maidservant, or your cattle, or the sojourner who is within your gates; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you. You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbor’s.

Edited by Joshua Sowin.

Note: The only changes from the original are to the layout, corrected grammar, punctuation, and Scripture references.

Question/Answer Article by Tom Ascol & Tom Nettles

The following questions were asked of Tom Ascol by Tom Nettles for this issue of the Founders Journal. Tom Ascol has served as pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Florida, since 1986.

Start by telling us how long your church has used the 1689 Confession.

Since 1989 Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Florida has been guided by a commitment to the 1689 (Second London) Confession of Faith. We adopted that confession as a detailed expression of our doctrinal commitments as a church and for the purpose of guiding us in the selection of officers, teachers and other leaders in the church. We use the edition that is published by the elders of Grace Baptist Church in Carlisle, PA, but also allow for the use of the Carey edition, entitled A Faith to Confess. This latter edition employs modern language and is more easily read by some.[1]

How does using a confession of faith benefit a church body?

A church can receive great benefit from properly using a (or more than one) confession of faith. By adopting a confession of faith a clear statement is made that on certain matters of faith and practice the church is pre-committed. That is, the church declares, “We are not looking for truth in these areas, we believe that we have found the truth of God’s Word on these subjects and this is what our views are.” This kind of pre-commitment is very useful in times of doctrinal uncertainty or controversy. If some members come to convictions that are contrary to the church’s confession, then those members can be addressed on the basis of what the church has previously stated to be its views. Further, those seeking to join the church have in the confession a clear declaration of what can be expected in the preaching and teaching ministry.

A good confession can help promote the unity of the church. Opinions are not all equally valid and where there exists in a church a common commitment to a list of doctrinal convictions, those views that deviate from or contradict that commitment can be readily recognized and addressed. No church can long survive if it must continually reevaluate each and every doctrine when at once it is questioned.

A good confession can also help a church grow spiritually. Such a confession represents the collective wisdom of trusted teachers. It can prove to be a great source of instruction for those who are committed to understanding and applying biblical truth. A confession serves as a reminder of what God has taught others whose lives and views we respect. It can be consulted as a guide in Bible study, or can actually provide an outline for a doctrinal study of the Word.

What are the doctrinal strengths of the Second London Confession [2LC]?

The doctrinal strengths of the 2LC are seen in the comprehensiveness of its thirty-two chapters. Matters related to the heart of salvation are addressed in detail in at least twelve of those chapters, covering everything from “God’s Covenant” (chapter 7) to the “Assurance of Grace and Salvation” (chapter 18).

In addition to these soteriological chapters, the confession also treats matters related to the life and health of a local church. Twelve chapters address the Bible’s teachings on the law, gospel, Christian liberty, worship, the Sabbath, oaths, civil government, marriage, the church, communion of the saints and the ordinances (chapters 19–30).

In addition, chapters on authority (1), the nature and sovereignty of God (2–5), sin (5) and last things (31, 32) are included. All of these subjects are important to the spiritual vitality of individual believers and churches. As a believer grows in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, these are matters that he will discover he must develop opinions and perhaps even convictions on. It is very helpful for a local church to state plainly its position on these matters. Members can expect the teaching and preaching ministries of the church to be within these confessional boundaries. The confession can also be used as an excellent tool for the systematic study of biblical doctrines. The insights of those who have gone before us and whose testimonies have proven faithful are invaluable aids in study and growth.

Do you think that the length of the articles is helpful or confusing?

For the most part, I find the detail of the confession very helpful. False teaching does not typically engage in a frontal assault of accepted teachings. The current controversies surrounding justification demonstrate this. The “New Perspective(s) on Paul” could not get a foothold in a church or institution that took seriously the 2LC. Further, those arguments that purport to stand against much of what the New Perspective teaches and yet which are willing to give up the imputation of Christ’s righteousness would be exposed as deficient if the 2LC’s explanation of justification obtained. Chapter 11, paragraph 1 states,

Those whom God effectually calleth, he also freely justifieth, not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous; not for anything wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christ’s sake alone; not by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing Christ’s active obedience unto the whole law, and passive obedience in his death for their whole and sole righteousness by faith, which faith they have not of themselves; it is the gift of God.

The confession is far from perfect, however, and it is not above criticism. It is, after all, a declaration of what the Scriptures teach and not itself inerrant or infallible. Chapter 20 is a case in point. Though four paragraphs are given to affirm the freeness of gospel preaching to all people, the language is stilted and not as plain as it could and should be. The effort to address this issue (missing in the Westminster Confession) is very commendable. The expression of that which is affirmed should be clearer.

How does it serve in the process of a person becoming a church member?

We require each applicant for church membership to acknowledge that the 2LC is our church’s most comprehensive summary of what we believe and teach. They are not required to agree with it at every point but they do agree not to teach against what it affirms. The New Hampshire Confession is a less detailed offspring of the 2LC and we do expect each member to agree with its eighteen brief articles.

Do pastors/elders relate differently to the 2LC than those members that are not so called?

The New Testament holds pastors/elders to a higher standard of doctrinal understanding and commitment than is true of other church members. No believer is free to disregard any truth of God’s Word but the Scripture recognizes that not everyone will have the same understanding at the same time about all that God has revealed (Philippians 3:15; 2 Corinthians 8; Romans 14). A healthy church will be comprised of believers at various stages of growth and maturity. Church officers, however, are to be among the most mature, which means, in part, that they are to be among the most doctrinally clear-headed (Acts 20:28-31; 1 Timothy 4:16; Titus 1:9-11; 2:1-8).

Both elders and deacons in our church are called on to stand before the church and declare (among other things) that they have “personally adopted and will cheerfully submit to and defend” the 2LC. This kind of commitment helps protect the church from those who might come among us and lead us away from our doctrinal commitments.

How does it serve in the educational process of the church?

Like most Baptist churches, we have a multifaceted educational ministry and teaching positions are often filled by members who are not elders. When selecting teachers, however, the elders use the 2LC as a tool to help evaluate a member’s spiritual and doctrinal maturity. Every teacher is required to declare that he or she is in substantive agreement with the 2LC and will not teach contrary to it. Teachers are encouraged to use the confession in their own study and preparation for their classes. We have also taught through the confession, or from selected parts, in various educational settings in the church. I spent a year using the confession to guide my preaching on doctrinal subjects on Sunday nights and currently I am using it for a doctrinal study on Wednesday nights.

Our confessional commitments help us evaluate curricula that we use. We do not hesitate to edit material to serve our purposes based on what we believe. And we will not use material that is contrary to our doctrinal commitments.

How does it serve in the discipline of the church?

As I have already mentioned, all officers and teachers are expected to minister in keeping with the 2LC. Our teachers agree to withdraw from teaching if their doctrinal commitments move outside the confession over the course of their tenure. Our teachers know that they can be removed by the elders if they change their convictions and do not voluntarily step down. This has happened only twice in the last sixteen years.

Our confessional commitments have kept some people from becoming covenanted members with us. Over the years several sincere believers have inquired about membership out of an appreciation for various aspects of the church’s life and ministry. But their settled convictions in certain areas contradicted our own settled convictions. Unable to persuade them, we have encouraged them to unite with churches where their views will not be problematic.

We have also had a few occasions to remind particular members of their commitment not to teach contrary to the church’s confession. In those cases it has been very helpful to have the 2LC in place as a statement of our beliefs. The confession served as a reminder that the church has not changed in its doctrinal commitments. One brother who did change his views and felt compelled to speak out about it was encouraged to reconsider based on the insights of the 2LC. When we failed to convince him, he was encouraged and helped to find another church where he could express his views conscientiously. It was a sad, but not acrimonious, separation.

How is it related to biblical exposition in the church?

I do not automatically check my sermons by the 2LC to make sure that I am staying within its doctrinal boundaries. I do not have to since I am in agreement with it. I do consult it when I run up against knotty theological issues in my expositional work. If I find myself coming to conclusions that are contrary to the confession, I pause and give serious reconsideration to the text. Often the problem has been one of language or emphasis. Never have I found myself in contradiction to the clear doctrinal commitments of the confession.

Another idea you would like to cover

In a day of doctrinal minimalism, the 2LC can seem overwhelming and unnecessary in its comprehensiveness. Where this judgment is held and joined with a subtle elitism that lacks full appreciation for the priesthood of all believers, the confession can be easily dismissed as inappropriate for local church use. I completely disagree with that assessment. So did the churches that framed and adopted it in 1677. So did the churches in the Philadelphia Association in 1742. So did the churches of the Charleston Association in 1767. So did the two hundred-ninety-three delegates who met in Augusta, Georgia in 1845 to form the Southern Baptist Convention. Every one of them came from churches or associations that held to this confession. Charles Haddon Spurgeon had great appreciation for this confession. When he reprinted it for his own congregation’s use, he included this preface:

This little volume is not issued as an authoritative rule, or code of faith, whereby you are to be fettered, but as an assistance to you in controversy, a confirmation in faith, and a means of edification in righteousness. Here the younger members of our church will have a body of divinity in small compass, and by means of Scriptural proofs, will be ready to give an account for the hope that is in them. Be not ashamed of your faith; remember it is the ancient gospel of martyrs, confessors, reformers and saints. Above all, it is “the truth of God”, against which the gates of Hell cannot prevail. Let your lives adorn your faith, let your example adorn your creed. Above all live in Christ Jesus, and walk in Him, giving credence to no teaching but that which is manifestly approved of Him, and owned by the Holy Spirit. Cleave fast to the Word of God which is here mapped out for you.

The 1689 Confession is indeed a safe guide into the teachings of God’s Word. If it were better known, appreciated and used in our day, the Baptist cause would be greatly strengthened.

Notes:

¹One very unfortunate and undoubtedly inadvertent change that the modern version makes is in chapter 18, paragraph 3, where the little word “so” is omitted. The original reads, “This infallible assurance doth not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and conflict with many difficulties before he be a partaker of it.” A Faith to Confess reads, “The infallible assurance of salvation is not an essential part of salvation, for a true believer may wait for a long time, and struggle with many difficulties, before he attains to it.” Those familiar with the historical debate over assurance will recognize that the word “so” is arguably the most important word in the sentence.

The Judicious And Impartial Reader

When the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith was first published in 1677 it had both an introductory letter and an appendix concerning baptism. The former is a masterpiece of irenic polemics, explaining the purpose of the second confession (the Baptists produced their first confession in 1644, before the Westminster Confession of Faith was published). It looks to establish the common ground between the Baptists and their Presbyterian and Congregationalist brothers, while happy to remain distinctive in those matters of conviction particular to the Baptists. They also demonstrate the pastoral spirit which animated them, not only in their general reasons for their confessional stance, but also in their concern for the propagation of true religion through families. The version below is a careful modernization of the original, and constitutes a call for confessionalism for the purposes of church unity (not how most view it today!) and health.

To the Judicious and Impartial Reader:

Courteous reader,

It is now many years since several of us (together with other serious Christians then living and walking in the way of the Lord that we profess) came to the conclusion that it was necessary for us to publish a confession of our faith. Our purpose was to inform and satisfy those who did not thoroughly understand what our principles were, or who were prejudiced against our profession of faith. These difficulties arose because of the strange way our convictions were presented to them by some significant men who had taken very wrong measures, and who accordingly led others into misapprehensions both of us and of them. This confession was first made available about the year 1643 in the name of seven congregations then gathered in London.[1] Since that time, several editions of the document have been made widely available, and we substantially accomplished our purpose: as a result of this document, many people (some of them men eminent both for holiness and learning) were satisfied that we were no way guilty of those heterodoxies [false teachings] and fundamental errors which we had often been accused of without us giving good reason or occasion for such accusations. Because that confession is no longer readily available, and because many others have come to believe the same truths which are contained in it, we judged it necessary to join together in giving a testimony to the world that we firmly hold to those sound principles. We have done this by means of the publication you are holding in your hand.

Because the method and manner of expressing our convictions is different in this document (although the substance of what is written is the same), we freely give you the reason and occasion for what we are doing. One thing that weighed heavily with us to carry out this work was – not only to give a full account of ourselves to those Christians who have a different opinion about the subject of baptism, but also – the benefit that might be obtained by those who know anything about our work. We wanted such friends to be instructed and established in the great truths of the gospel because a clear understanding and firm belief of them is so intimately connected with our untroubled walking with God and fruitfulness before him, in all our ways. Therefore we concluded that it was necessary to express ourselves more fully and clearly. We also wanted to select a method that would include all those things concerning which we intended to explain our understanding and belief. In that regard, having found no problems with the method selected by the Assembly,[2] and afterwards by those who follow the Congregational way,[3] we rapidly concluded that it was best to keep the same order in our own new confession. Furthermore, when we observed that the Presbyterians and Congregationalists in their confessions (for reasons which seemed important both to themselves and others) chose not only to express their thoughts in words parallel with the former [confession] in their meaning, concerning all those matters in which they agreed, but also for the most part without any variation of the terms, we also concluded that it would be best to follow their example in making use of the very same words with both of them, in these matters (which are very many) in which our faith and doctrine is the same as theirs. We therefore did this to demonstrate as much and as clearly as possible our agreement with both [the Presbyterians and Congregationalists] in all the fundamental articles of the Christian religion, as well as those many others whose orthodox confessions have been published to the world on behalf of the Protestants in various nations and cities. We also wanted to convince everyone that we have no desire to clog religion with new words but we readily assent to that pattern of sound words which has been – in agreement with the holy Scriptures – used by others before us. By these means we declare before God, angels, and men, our wholehearted agreement with them in that sound Protestant doctrine which they have asserted with such clear proof from the Scriptures. Of course, some things have been added in some places, some terms have been left out, and a few have been changed, but these alterations are of such a kind that that we have no doubt that none of our brothers shall accuse us or suspect us of anything defective in the faith on account of them.

In those things in which we differ from others we have expressed ourselves openly and plainly so that no-one will have grounds to suspect anything secretly hidden in our hearts that we do not want the world to know about. At the same time, we hope that we have also observed those rules of modesty and humility that will make our freedom in this respect inoffensive, even to those whose opinions are different from ours.

We have also taken care to place texts of Scripture in the margin in order to confirm each article in our confession. In this work we have diligently endeavoured to select those texts which are most clear and relevant, in order to prove what we have asserted. Our earnest desire is that all into whose hands this may come would follow the example of the noble Bereans, which can never be commended enough: they searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether the things preached to them were true or not.

There is one thing more which we sincerely declare, and which we earnestly hope you will believe, namely, that controversy is the last thing we have aimed at in all that we have done in this matter. We hope that the freedom of a straightforward explanation of our principles, and opening our hearts to our brothers, together with the Scriptural foundation upon which our faith and practise depends, will not be denied to us by our brothers, nor received as an insult or injury from us. Our whole purpose is accomplished if we may be granted the right to be measured in our principles and practise (and in the judgement of both by others) according to what we have now published: the Lord (whose eyes are like a flame of fire) knows these things to be the doctrine which with our hearts we must firmly believe, and to which we sincerely endeavour to conform our lives. And oh! that other controversies and debates being laid to rest, the only future care and concern of all those identified with the name of our blessed Redeemer might be to walk humbly with their God, and in the exercise of all love and meekness towards each other, to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord, each one endeavouring to have his conduct worthy of the Gospel; furthermore, that everyone in accordance with his situation and capacity might vigorously promote in others the practice of true and undefiled religion in the sight of God and our Father. We also desire that in this day of backsliding we might not waste our breath in fruitless complaints about the evils of others, but might each begin at home, to reform in the first place our own hearts and ways, and then to enliven all those with whom we have some influence to the same work, in order that – if God wills it – no-one might deceive themselves by relying upon and trusting in an appearance of godliness, without the power of it and the inward experience of the effectiveness of those truths that they profess.

And truly there is one origin and cause of the decay of religion in our day that we can only mention in passing, and earnestly urge its correction, namely, the neglect of the worship of God in families by those to whom the responsibility and government of them is committed. Is it not the case that the glaring ignorance and instability of many, with the irreverence of others, can be justly blamed on their parents and masters, who have not trained them up in the way in which they ought to walk when they were young? Rather, have those parents and masters not neglected those frequent and serious commands which the Lord has laid on them to catechize and instruct the young in such a way that their early years might be seasoned with the knowledge of the truth of God as revealed in the Scriptures? Have they not also – by their own neglect of prayer and the other duties of religion in their families, together with the bad example of their unrestrained behaviour – cultivated in those children first a neglect and then a contempt of all holiness and religion? We know this will not excuse the ignorance or wickedness of anyone, but it will certainly be hard for those who have been the cause of it in this way. Though those so trained indeed die in their sins, will not their blood be required of those under whose care they were, who nevertheless allowed them to go on without warning, who even led them into the paths of destruction? And will not the diligence of Christians in times past with respect to the discharge of these duties rise up in judgment against and condemn many of those who would like the reputation of a Christian now?

We conclude with our earnest prayer: that the God of all grace will pour out such measures of his Holy Spirit upon us that the profession of truth may be accompanied with the sound belief and diligent practise of it by us, that his name may be glorified in all things, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

[1] The so-called First London Baptist Confession of Faith (1644). For this reason the later confession was called the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith. This second confession is commonly known as the 1689 Confession, but that was the year in which it was formally adopted by the General Assembly of Particular Baptist Churches. The first edition of the second confession was actually published in 1677.

[2] The Westminster Assembly, which produced the Westminster Confession of Faith in 1646. To call these men Presbyterians is both accurate and anachronistic: at the time, they were the representatives of the national church, though the church polity they introduced is more Presbyterian than Anglican.

[3] The leaders of the Congregational churches (the key committee included Thomas Goodwin, John Owen, Philip Nye, William Bridge, Joseph Caryl and William Greenhill) produced the Savoy Declaration in 1658. This was also based on the Westminster Confession of Faith.

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