1689 London Baptist Confession
1. God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, hath ordained civil
magistrates to be under him, over the people, for his own glory and the public 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.
( Romans
13:1-4 )
2. It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate when
called there unto; in the management whereof, as they ought especially to maintain justice
and peace, according to the wholesome laws of each kingdom and commonwealth, so for that
end they may lawfully now, under the New Testament wage war upon just and necessary
occasions.
( 2
Samuel 23:3; Psalms
82:3, 4; Luke
3:14 )
3. Civil magistrates being set up by God for the ends aforesaid; subjection, in all lawful
things commanded by them, ought to be yielded by us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but
for conscience sake; and we ought to make supplications and prayers for kings and all that
are in authority, that under them we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness
and honesty.
( Romans
13:5-7; 1
Peter 2:17; 1
Timothy 2:1, 2 )
For further study:
"Baptist Roots in America: The Historical Background of Reformed Baptists in America", Samuel E. Waldron, Simpson Publishing Co. (1991)
"A Modern Exposition of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith", Samuel E. Waldron, Evangelical Press, 1989
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