1689 Second London Baptist Confession
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.
- Charles Spurgeon, in his preface to the 1689 London Baptist 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.
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).
GBC requires 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.
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.
The articles of the 1689 Confession can be found in the sidebar to your right. For ease of access, the links are also provided below:
