1689 London Baptist Confession
1. The catholic or universal church, which (with respect to the
internal work of the Spirit and truth of grace) may be called invisible, consists of the
whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under
Christ, the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of him that filleth all
in all.
( Hebrews
12:23; Colossians
1:18; Ephesians
1:10, 22, 23; Ephesians
5:23, 27, 32 )
2. All persons throughout the world, professing the faith of the gospel, and obedience
unto God by Christ according unto it, not destroying their own profession by any errors
everting the foundation, or unholiness of conversation, are and may be called visible
saints; and of such ought all particular congregations to be constituted.
( 1
Corinthians 1:2; Acts
11:26; Romans
1:7; Ephesians
1:20-22 )
3. The purest churches under heaven are subject to mixture and error; and some have so
degenerated as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan; nevertheless
Christ always hath had, and ever shall have a kingdom in this world, to the end thereof,
of such as believe in him, and make profession of his name.
( 1
Corinthians 5; Revelation
2; Revelation
3; Revelation
18:2; 2
Thessalonians 2:11, 12; Matthew
16:18; Psalms
72:17; Psalm
102:28; Revelation
12:17 )
4. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, in whom, by the appointment of the
Father, all power for the calling, institution, order or government of the church, is
invested in a supreme and sovereign manner; neither can the Pope of Rome in any sense be
head thereof, but is that antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalteth
himself in the church against Christ, and all that is called God; whom the Lord shall
destroy with the brightness of his coming.
( Colossians
1:18; Matthew
28:18-20; Ephesians
4:11, 12; 2
Thessalonians 2:2-9 )
5. In the execution of this power wherewith he is so intrusted, the Lord Jesus calleth out
of the world unto himself, through the ministry of his word, by his Spirit, those that are
given unto him by his Father, that they may walk before him in all the ways of obedience,
which he prescribeth to them in his word. Those thus called, he commandeth to walk
together in particular societies, or churches, for their mutual edification, and the due
performance of that public worship, which he requireth of them in the world.
( John
10:16; John
12:32; Matthew
28:20; Matthew
18:15-20 )
6. The members of these churches are saints by calling, visibly manifesting and evidencing
(in and by their profession and walking) their obedience unto that call of Christ; and do
willingly consent to walk together, according to the appointment of Christ; giving up
themselves to the Lord, and one to another, by the will of God, in professed subjection to
the ordinances of the Gospel.
( Romans.
1:7; 1
Corinthians 1:2; Acts
2:41, 42; Acts
5:13, 14; 2
Corinthians 9:13 )
7. To each of these churches thus gathered, according to his mind declared in his word, he
hath given all that power and authority, which is in any way needful for their carrying on
that order in worship and discipline, which he hath instituted for them to observe; with
commands and rules for the due and right exerting, and executing of that power.
( Matthew
18:17, 18; 1
Corinthians 5:4, 5; 1
Corinthians 5:13; 2
Corinthians 2:6-8 )
8. A particular church, gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ,
consists of officers and members; and the officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and
set apart by the church (so called and gathered), for the peculiar administration of
ordinances, and execution of power or duty, which he intrusts them with, or calls them to,
to be continued to the end of the world, are bishops or elders, and deacons.
( Acts
20:17, 28; Philippians
1:1 )
9. The way appointed by Christ for the calling of any person, fitted and gifted by the
Holy Spirit, unto the office of bishop or elder in a church, is, that he be chosen
thereunto by the common suffrage of the church itself; and solemnly set apart by fasting
and prayer, with imposition of hands of the eldership of the church, if there be any
before constituted therein; and of a deacon that he be chosen by the like suffrage, and
set apart by prayer, and the like imposition of hands.
( Acts
14:23; 1
Timothy 4:14; Acts
6:3, 5, 6 )
10. The work of pastors being constantly to attend the service of Christ, in his churches,
in the ministry of the word and prayer, with watching for their souls, as they that must
give an account to Him; it is incumbent on the churches to whom they minister, not only to
give them all due respect, but also to communicate to them of all their good things
according to their ability, so as they may have a comfortable supply, without being
themselves entangled in secular affairs; and may also be capable of exercising hospitality
towards others; and this is required by the law of nature, and by the express order of our
Lord Jesus, who hath ordained that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel.
( Acts
6:4; Hebrews
13:17; 1
Timothy 5:17, 18; Galatians
6:6, 7; 2
Timothy 2:4; 1
Timothy 3:2; 1
Corinthians 9:6-14 )
11. Although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors of the churches, to be instant in
preaching the word, by way of office, yet the work of preaching the word is not so
peculiarly confined to them but that others also gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for
it, and approved and called by the church, may and ought to perform it.
( Acts
11:19-21; 1
Peter 4:10, 11 )
12. As all believers are bound to join themselves to particular churches, when and where
they have opportunity so to do; so all that are admitted unto the privileges of a church,
are also under the censures and government thereof, according to the rule of Christ.
( 1
Thessalonians 5:14; 2
Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15 )
13. No church members, upon any offence taken by them, having performed their duty
required of them towards the person they are offended at, ought to disturb any
church-order, or absent themselves from the assemblies of the church, or administration of
any ordinances, upon the account of such offence at any of their fellow members, but to
wait upon Christ, in the further proceeding of the church.
( Matthew
18:15-17; Ephesians
4:2, 3 )
14. As each church, and all the members of it, are bound to pray continually for the good
and prosperity of all the churches of Christ, in all places, and upon all occasions to
further every one within the bounds of their places and callings, in the exercise of their
gifts and graces, so the churches, when planted by the providence of God, so as they may
enjoy opportunity and advantage for it, ought to hold communion among themselves, for
their peace, increase of love, and mutual edification.
( Ephesians
6:18; Psalms
122:6; Romans
16:1, 2; 3
John 8-10 )
15. In cases of difficulties or differences, either in point of doctrine or
administration, wherein either the churches in general are concerned, or any one church,
in their peace, union, and edification; or any member or members of any church are
injured, in or by any proceedings in censures not agreeable to truth and order: it is
according to the mind of Christ, that many churches holding communion together, do, by
their messengers, meet to consider, and give their advice in or about that matter in
difference, to be reported to all the churches concerned; howbeit these messengers
assembled, are not intrusted with any church-power properly so called; or with any
jurisdiction over the churches themselves, to exercise any censures either over any
churches or persons; or to impose their determination on the churches or officers.
( Acts
15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23, 25; 2
Corinthians 1:24; 1
John 4:1 )
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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