Baptist Confession of Faith 1689

The Baptist Confession is based upon the  earlier Westminster Confession of Faith and was also influenced by the Savoy Declaration.  The Baptist Confession made adjustments to the Westminster  on several issues such as doctrine of the church, the Lord’s supper, baptism (adherence to Believer's Baptism vs Infant Baptism), and church government (defined the power of the Baptist association (denomination) in relationship to individual congregations).

This confession was also known as the London Confession.  It was later was adopted by the Calvinistic Baptists of North America (1744) and renamed the Philadelphia Confession of Faith (with the addition of two chapters  on the singing of psalms and the laying on of hands).

Charles Spurgeon once said of the doctrine:  "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 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."

Navigation Note:  You may click on [TOC] at the end of each chapter in the document to return to this page.

Reformatted 2008.

Contents

• Chapter 1 - Of the Holy Scriptures
• Chapter 2 - Of God and the Holy Trinity
• Chapter 3 - Of God's Decree
• Chapter 4 - Of Creation
• Chapter 5 - Of Divine Providence
• Chapter 6 - Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof
• Chapter 7 - Of God's Covenant
• Chapter 8 - Of Christ the Mediator
• Chapter 9 - Of Free Will
• Chapter 10 - Of Effectual Calling
• Chapter 11 - Of Justification
• Chapter 12 - Of Adoption
• Chapter 13 - Of Sanctification
• Chapter 14 - Of Saving Faith
• Chapter 15 - Of Repentance unto Life and Salvation
• Chapter 16 - Of Good Works
• Chapter 17 - Of the Perseverance of the Saints
• Chapter 18 - Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation
• Chapter 19 - Of the Law of God
• Chapter 20 - Of the Gospel and the Extent of Grace thereof
• Chapter 21 - Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience
• Chapter 22 - Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day
• Chapter 23 - Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
• Chapter 24 - Of the Civil Magistrate
• Chapter 25 - Of Marriage
• Chapter 26 - Of the Church
• Chapter 27 - Of the Communion of Saints
• Chapter 28 - Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper
• Chapter 29 - Of Baptism
• Chapter 30 - Of the Lord's Supper
• Chapter 31 - Of the State of Man after Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead
• Chapter 32 - Of the Last Judgment
• Closing Statement and Signatures

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