Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scriptures
1._____ The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and
infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience, although
the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far
manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men
inexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God
and his will which is necessary unto salvation. Therefore it pleased
the Lord at sundry times and in divers manners to reveal himself, and
to declare that his will unto his church; and afterward for
the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure
establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the
flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the world, to commit the same
wholly unto writing; which maketh the Holy Scriptures to be most
necessary, those former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people
being now ceased.
(
2 Timothy 3:15-17;
Isaiah 8:20;
Luke 16:29, 31;
Ephesians 2:20;
Romans 1:19-21;
Romans 2:14,15;
Psalms 19:1-3;
Hebrews 1:1;
Proverbs 22:19-21;
Romans 15:4;
2 Peter 1:19,20
)
2._____Under the name of Holy Scripture, or the Word of God written, are now contained all the books of the Old and New Testaments, which are these:
OF THE OLD TESTAMENT: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I Samuel, II Samuel, I Kings,II Kings, I Chronicles, II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of Solomen, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations,Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi
OF THE NEW TESTAMENT: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, The Acts of the Apostles, Paul's Epistle to the Romans, I Corinthians, II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I Thessalonians, II Thessalonians, I Timothy, II Timothy, To Titus, To Philemon, The Epistle to the Hebrews, Epistle of James, The first and second Epistles of Peter, The first, second, and third Epistles of John, The Epistle of Jude, The Revelation
All of which are given by the inspiration of God, to be the rule of
faith and life.
(
2 Timothy 3:16
)
3._____ The books commonly called Apocrypha, not being of divine
inspiration, are no part of the canon or rule of the Scripture, and,
therefore, are of no authority to the church of God, nor to be any
otherwise approved or made use of than other human writings.
(
Luke 24:27, 44;
Romans 3:2
)
4._____ The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be
believed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man or church, but
wholly upon God (who is truth itself), the author thereof; therefore
it is to be received because it is the Word of God.
(
2 Peter 1:19-21;
2 Timothy 3:16;
2 Thessalonians 2:13;
1 John 5:9
)
5._____We may be moved and induced by the testimony of the church of God
to an high and reverent esteem of the Holy Scriptures; and the heavenliness
of the matter, the efficacy of the doctrine, and the majesty of the
style, the consent of all the parts, the scope of the whole (which is
to give all glory to God), the full discovery it makes of the only way
of man's salvation, and many other incomparable excellencies, and entire
perfections thereof, are arguments whereby it doth abundantly evidence
itself to be the Word of God; yet notwithstanding, our full persuasion
and assurance of the infallible truth, and divine authority thereof,
is from the inward work of the Holy Spirit bearing witness by and with
the Word in our hearts.
(
John 16:13,14;
1 Corinthians 2:10-12;
1 John 2:20, 27
)
6._____The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his
own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down or
necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture: unto which nothing at any
time is to be added, whether by new revelation of the Spirit, or
traditions of men. Nevertheless, we acknowledge the inward illumination
of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such
things as are revealed in the Word, and that there are some circumstances
concerning the worship of God, and government of the church, common to
human actions and societies, which are to be ordered by the
light of nature and Christian prudence, according to the general rules of
the Word, which are always to be observed.
(
2 Timothy 3:15-17;
Galatians 1:8,9;
John 6:45;
1 Corinthians 2:9-12;
1 Corinthians 11:13, 14;
1 Corinthians 14:26,40
)
7._____All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor
alike clear unto all; yet those things which are necessary to be known,
believed and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened
in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the
unlearned, in a due use of ordinary means, may attain to a sufficient
understanding of them.
(
2 Peter 3:16;
Psalms 19:7;
Psalms 119:130
)
8._____The Old Testament in Hebrew (which was the native language of the
people of God of old), and the New Testament in Greek (which at the time
of the writing of it was most generally known to the nations), being
immediately inspired by God, and by his singular care and providence kept
pure in all ages, are therefore authentic; so as in all controversies of
religion, the church is finally to appeal to them. But because these
original tongues are not known to all the people of God, who have a right
unto, and interest in the Scriptures, and are commanded in the fear of God
to read and search them, therefore they are to be translated into the
vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, that the Word of God
dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship him in an acceptable manner,
and through patience and comfort of the Scriptures may have hope.
(
Romans 3:2;
Isaiah 8:20;
Acts 15:15;
John 5:39;
1 Corinthians 14:6, 9, 11, 12, 24, 28;
Colossians 3:16
)
9._____The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the
Scripture itself; and therefore when there is a question about the
true and full sense of any Scripture
(which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched by other places
that speak more clearly.
(
2 Peter 1:20, 21;
Acts 15:15, 16
)
10.____The supreme judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be
determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers,
doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose
sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Scripture
delivered by the Spirit, into which Scripture so delivered, our faith
is finally resolved.
(
Matthew 22:29, 31, 32;
Ephesians 2:20;
Acts 28:23
)
Return
Chapter 2: Of God and of the Holy Trinity
1._____The Lord our God is but one only living and true God; whose
subsistence is in and of himself, infinite in being and perfection; whose
essence cannot be comprehended by any but himself; a most pure spirit,
invisible, without body, parts, or passions, who only hath immortality,
dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; who is immutable,
immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, every way infinite, most holy,
most wise, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the
counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will for his own glory;
most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and
truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that
diligently seek him, and withal most just and terrible in his judgments,
hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty.
(
1 Corinthians 8:4, 6;
Deuteronomy 6:4;
Jeremiah 10:10;
Isaiah 48:12;
Exodus 3:14;
John 4:24;
1 Timothy 1:17;
Deuteronomy 4:15, 16;
Malachi 3:6;
1 Kings 8:27;
Jeremiah 23:23;
Psalms 90:2;
Genesis 17:1;
Isaiah 6:3;
Psalms 115:3;
Isaiah 46:10;
Proverbs 16:4;
Romans 11:36;
Exodus 34:6, 7;
Hebrews 11:6;
Nehemiah 9:32, 33;
Psalms 5:5, 6;
Exodus 34:7;
Nahum 1:2, 3
)
2._____God, having all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of
himself, is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in
need of any creature which he hath made, nor deriving any glory from
them, but only manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them;
he is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to
whom are all things, and he hath most sovereign dominion over all
creatures, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever himself
pleaseth; in his sight all things are open and manifest, his knowledge
is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as
nothing is to him contingent or uncertain; he is most holy in all his
counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands; to him is due
from angels and men, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience, as
creatures they owe unto the Creator, and whatever he is further
pleased to require of them.
(
John 5:26;
Psalms 148:13;
Psalms 119:68;
Job 22:2, 3;
Romans 11:34-36;
Daniel 4:25, 34, 35;
Hebrews 4:13;
Ezekiel 11:5;
Acts 15:18;
Psalms 145:17;
Revelation 5:12-14
)
3._____ In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences,
the Father, the Word or Son, and Holy Spirit, of one substance, power,
and eternity, each having the whole divine essence, yet the essence
undivided: the Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding;
the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Spirit
proceeding from the Father and the Son; all infinite, without
beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature
and being, but distinguished by several peculiar relative properties
and personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is the
foundation of all our communion with God, and comfortable dependence
on him.
(
1 John 5:7;
Matthew 28:19;
2 Corinthians 13:14;
Exodus 3:14;
John 14:11;
1 Corinthians 8:6;
John 1:14,18;
John 15:26;
Galatians 4:6
)
Return
1._____ God hath decreed in himself, from all eternity, by the most wise
and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably, all things,
whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby is God neither the author
of sin nor hath fellowship with any therein; nor is violence offered
to the will of the creature, nor yet is the liberty or contingency of
second causes taken away, but rather established; in which appears
his wisdom in disposing all things, and power and faithfulness in
accomplishing his decree.
(
Isaiah 46:10;
Ephesians 1:11;
Hebrews 6:17;
Romans 9:15, 18;
James 1:13;
1 John 1:5;
Acts 4:27, 28;
John 19:11;
Numbers 23:19;
Ephesians 1:3-5
)
2._____ Although God knoweth whatsoever may or can come to pass, upon all
supposed conditions, yet hath he not decreed anything, because he foresaw it
as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.
(
Acts 15:18;
Romans 9:11, 13, 16, 18
)
3._____ By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some
men and angels are predestinated, or foreordained to eternal life
through Jesus Christ, to the praise of his glorious grace; others
being left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the
praise of his glorious justice.
(
1 Timothy 5:21;
Matthew 25:34;
Ephesians 1:5, 6;
Romans 9:22, 23;
Jude 4
)
4.______These angels and men thus predestinated and foreordained, are
particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and
definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.
(
2 Timothy 2:19;
John 13:18
)
5._____ Those of mankind that are predestinated to life, God, before the
foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable
purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath
chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of his mere free grace
and love, without any other thing in the creature as a condition or
cause moving him thereunto.
(
Ephesians 1:4, 9, 11;
Romans 8:30;
2 Timothy 1:9;
1 Thessalonians 5:9;
Romans 9:13, 16;
Ephesians 2:5, 12
)
6._____ As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so he hath, by the
eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained all the means
thereunto; wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are
redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by
his Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified,
and kept by his power through faith unto salvation; neither are any
other redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted,
sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.
(
1 Peter 1:2;
2 Thessalonians 2:13;
1 Thessalonians 5:9, 10;
Romans 8:30;
2 Thessalonians 2:13;
1 Peter 1:5;
John 10:26;
John 17:9;
John 6:64
)
7._____ The doctrine of the high mystery of predestination is to be
handled with special prudence and care, that men attending the will of
God revealed in his Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from
the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal
election; so shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence,
and admiration of God, and of humility, diligence, and abundant
consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel.
(
1 Thessalonians 1:4, 5;
2 Peter 1:10;
Ephesians 1:6;
Romans 11:33;
Romans 11:5, 6, 20;
Luke 10:20
)
Return
1._____ In the beginning it pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit, for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power,
wisdom, and goodness, to create or make the world, and all things
therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days, and
all very good.
(
John 1:2, 3;
Hebrews 1:2;
Job 26:13;
Romans 1:20;
Colossians 1:16;
Genesis 1:31
)
2._____ After God had made all other creatures, he created man, male
and female, with reasonable and immortal souls, rendering them fit
unto that life to God for which they were created; being made after
the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness;
having the law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfil
it, and yet under a possibility of transgressing, being left to the
liberty of their own will, which was subject to change.
(
Genesis 1:27;
Genesis 2:7;
Ecclesiastes 7:29;
Genesis 1;26;
Romans 2:14, 15;
Genesis 3:6
)
3._____ Besides the law written in their hearts, they received a
command not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, which
whilst they kept, they were happy in their communion with God, and
had dominion over the creatures.
(
Genesis 2:17;
Genesis 1:26, 28Return
Chapter 5: Of Divine Providence
1._____ God the good Creator of all things, in his infinite power and
wisdom doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures and
things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and
holy providence, to the end for the which they were created,
according unto his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and
immutable counsel of his own will; to the praise of the glory of his
wisdom, power, justice, infinite goodness, and mercy.
(
Hebrews 1:3;
Job 38:11;
Isaiah 46:10, 11;
Psalms 135:6;
Matthew 10:29-31;
Ephesians 1;11
)
2._____ Although in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the
first cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly; so that
there is not anything befalls any by chance, or without his providence;
yet by the same providence he ordereth them to fall out according to the
nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.
(
Acts 2:23;
Proverbs 16:33;
Genesis 8:22
)
3._____ God, in his ordinary providence maketh use of means, yet is free to
work without, above, and against them at his pleasure.
(
Acts 27:31, 44;
Isaiah 55:10, 11;
Hosea 1:7;
Romans 4:19-21;
Daniel 3:27
)
4._____ The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of
God, so far manifest themselves in his providence, that his determinate
counsel extendeth itself even to the first fall, and all other sinful
actions both of angels and men; and that not by a bare permission, which
also he most wisely and powerfully boundeth, and otherwise ordereth and
governeth, in a manifold dispensation to his most holy ends; yet so, as the
sinfulness of their acts proceedeth only from the creatures, and not from
God, who, being most holy and righteous, neither is nor can be the author
or approver of sin.
(
Romans 11:32-34;
2 Samuel 24:1,
1 Chronicles 21:1;
2 Kings 19:28;
Psalms 76;10;
Genesis 1:20;
Isaiah 10:6, 7, 12;
Psalms 1;21;
1 John 2:16
)
5._____ The most wise, righteous, and gracious God doth oftentimes leave
for a season his own children to manifold temptations and the
corruptions of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former
sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption and
deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled; and to raise
them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon
himself; and to make them more watchful against all future occasions
of sin, and for other just and holy ends. So that whatsoever befalls
any of his elect is by his appointment, for his glory, and their good.
(
2 Chronicles 32:25, 26, 31;
2 Corinthians 12:7-9;
Romans 8:28
)
6._____ As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as the righteous
judge, for former sin doth blind and harden; from them he not only
withholdeth his grace, whereby they might have been enlightened in
their understanding, and wrought upon their hearts; but sometimes also
withdraweth the gifts which they had, and exposeth them to such
objects as their corruption makes occasion of sin; and withal, gives
them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the
power of Satan, whereby it comes to pass that they harden themselves,
under those means which God useth for the softening of others.
(
Romans 1;24-26, 28;
Romans 11:7, 8;
Deuteronomy 29:4;
Matthew 13:12;
Deuteronomy 2:30;
2 Kings 8:12, 13;
Psalms 81:11, 12;
2 Thessalonians 2:10-12;
Exodus 8:15, 32;
Isaiah 6:9, 10;
1 Peter 2:7, 8
)
7._____ As the providence of God doth in general reach to all creatures, so
after a more special manner it taketh care of his church, and disposeth of
all things to the good thereof.
(
1 Timothy 4:10;
Amos 9:8, 9;
Isaiah 43:3-5
)
Return
Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, Of Sin, And of the Punishment Thereof
1._____ Although God created man upright and perfect, and gave him a
righteous law, which had been unto life had he kept it, and threatened
death upon the breach thereof, yet he did not long abide in this
honour; Satan using the subtlety of the serpent to subdue Eve, then
by her seducing Adam, who, without any compulsion, did willfully
transgress the law of their creation, and the command given unto
them, in eating the forbidden fruit, which God was pleased, according
to his wise and holy counsel to permit, having purposed to order it to
his own glory.
(
Genesis 2:16, 17;
Genesis 3:12,13;
2 Corinthians 11:3
)
2._____ Our first parents, by this sin, fell from their original righteousness
and communion with God, and we in them whereby death came upon all: all
becoming dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts
of soul and body.
(
Romans 3:23;
Romans 5:12,etc;
Titus 1:15;
Genesis 6:5;
Jeremiah 17:9;
Romans 3:10-19
)
3._____ They being the root, and by God's appointment, standing in the
room and stead of all mankind, the guilt of the sin was imputed, and
corrupted nature conveyed, to all their posterity descending from
them by ordinary generation, being now conceived in sin, and 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 set them free.
(
Romans 5:12-19;
1 Corinthians 15:21, 22, 45, 49;
Psalms 51:5;
Job 14:4;
Ephesians 2:3;
Romans 6:20
Romans 5:12;
Hebrews 2:14, 15;
1 Thessalonians 1:10
)
4._____ From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed,
disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all
evil, do proceed all actual transgressions.
(
Romans 8:7;
Colossians 1:21;
James 1:14, 15;
Matthew 15:19
)
5._____ The corruption of nature, during this life, doth remain in
those that are regenerated; and although it be through Christ
pardoned and mortified, yet both itself, and the first motions
thereof, are truly and properly sin.
(
Romans 7:18,23;
Ecclesiastes 7:20;
1 John 1:8;
Romans 7:23-25;
Galatians 5:17
)
Return
1._____ The distance between God and the creature is so great, that
although reasonable creatures do owe obedience to him as their creator,
yet they could never have attained the reward of life but by some
voluntary condescension on God's part, which he hath been pleased to
express by way of covenant.
(
Luke 17:10;
Job 35:7,8
)
2._____ Moreover, man having brought himself under the curse of the law
by his fall, it pleased the Lord to make a covenant of grace, wherein
he freely offereth unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ,
requiring of them faith in him, that they may be saved; and promising
to give unto all those that are ordained unto eternal life, his Holy
Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe.
(
Genesis 2:17;
Galatians 3:10;
Romans 3:20, 21;
Romans 8:3;
Mark 16:15, 16;
John 3:16;
Ezekiel 36:26, 27;
John 6:44, 45;
Psalms 110:3
)
3._____ This covenant is revealed in the gospel; first of all to Adam
in the promise of salvation by the seed of the woman, and afterwards
by farther steps, until the full discovery thereof was completed in
the New Testament; and it is founded in that eternal covenant
transaction that was between the Father and the Son about the
redemption of the elect; and it is alone by the grace of this covenant
that all the posterity of fallen Adam that ever were saved did obtain
life and blessed immortality, man being now utterly incapable of
acceptance with God upon those terms on which Adam stood in his state
of innocency.
(
Genesis 3:15;
Hebrews 1:1;
2 Timothy 1:9;
Titus 1:2;
Hebrews 11;6, 13;
Romans 4:1, 2, &c.;
Acts 4:12;
John 8:56
)
Return
Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator
1._____ It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the
Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, according to the covenant made between
them both, to be the mediator between God and man; the prophet, priest, and
king; head and saviour of the church, the heir of all things, and judge of
the world; unto whom he did from all eternity give a people to be his seed
and to be by him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and
glorified.
(
Isaiah 42:1;
1 Peter 1:19, 20;
Acts 3:22;
Hebrews 5:5, 6;
Psalms 2:6;
Luke 1:33;
Ephesians 1:22, 23;
Hebrews 1:2;
Acts 17:31;
Isaiah 53:10;
John 17:6;
Romans 8:30
)
2._____ The Son of God, the second person in the Holy Trinity, being very
and eternal God, the brightness of the Father's glory, of one
substance and equal with him who made the world, who upholdeth and
governeth all things he hath made, did, when the fullness of time was
come, take upon him man's nature, with all the essential properties
and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin; being conceived by
the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary, the Holy Spirit
coming down upon her: and the power of the Most High overshadowing
her; and so was made of a woman of the tribe of Judah, of the seed of
Abraham and David according to the Scriptures; so that two whole,
perfect, and distinct natures were inseparably joined together in one
person, without conversion, composition, or confusion; which person
is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only mediator between
God and man.
(
John 1:14;
Galatians 4;4;
Romans 8:3;
Hebrews 2:14, 16, 17;
Hebrews 4:15;
Matthew 1:22, 23;
Luke 1:27, 31, 35;
Romans 9:5;
1 Timothy 2:5
)
3._____ The Lord Jesus, in his human nature thus united to the divine, in
the person of the Son, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit
above measure, having in Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; in
whom it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell, to the end that
being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and truth, he might be
throughly furnished to execute the office of mediator and surety; which
office he took not upon himself, but was thereunto called by his Father;
who also put all power and judgement in his hand, and gave him commandment
to execute the same.
(
Psalms 45:7;
Acts 10:38;
John 3:34;
Colossians 2:3;
Colossians 1:19;
Hebrews 7:26;
John 1:14;
Hebrews 7:22;
Hebrews 5:5;
John 5:22, 27;
Matthew 28:18;
Acts 2;36
)
4._____ This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake, which
that he might discharge he was made under the law, and did perfectly
fulfil it, and underwent the punishment due to us, which we should
have borne and suffered, being made sin and a curse for us; enduring
most grievous sorrows in his soul, and most painful sufferings in his
body; was crucified, and died, and remained in the state of the dead,
yet saw no corruption: on the third day he arose from the dead with
the same body in which he suffered, with which he also ascended into
heaven, and there sitteth at the right hand of his Father making
intercession, and shall return to judge men and angels at the end of
the world.
(
Psalms 40:7, 8;
Hebrews 10:5-10;
John 10:18;
Gal 4:4;
Matthew 3:15;
Galatians 3:13;
Isaiah 53:6;
1 Peter 3:18;
2 Corinthians 5:21;
Matthew 26:37, 38;
Luke 22:44;
Matthew 27:46;
Acts 13:37;
1 Corinthians 15:3, 4;
John 20:25, 27;
Mark 16:19;
Acts 1:9-11;
Romans 8:34;
Hebrews 9:24;
Acts 10:42;
Romans 14:9, 10;
Acts 1:11;
2 Peter 2:4
)
5._____ The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of
himself, which he through the eternal Spirit once offered up unto God,
hath fully satisfied the justice of God, procured reconciliation, and
purchased an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all
those whom the Father hath given unto Him.
(
Hebrews 9:14;
Hebrews 10:14;
Romans 3:25, 26;
John 17:2;
Hebrews 9:15
)
6._____ Although the price of redemption was not actually paid by Christ
till after his incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefit
thereof were communicated to the elect in all ages, successively from
the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and
sacrifices wherein he was revealed, and signified to be the seed
which should bruise the serpent's head; and the Lamb slain from the
foundation of the world, being the same yesterday, and to-day and for
ever.
(
1 Corinthians 4:10;
Hebrews 4:2;
1 Peter 1:10, 11;
Revelation 13:8;
Hebrews 13:8
)
7._____ Christ, in the work of mediation, acteth according to both
natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to itself; yet by
reason of the unity of the person, that which is proper to one nature
is sometimes in Scripture, attributed to the person denominated by
the other nature.
(
John 3:13;
Acts 20:28
)
8._____ To all those for whom Christ hath obtained eternal redemption,
he doth certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same,
making intercession for them; uniting them to himself by his Spirit,
revealing unto them, in and by his Word, the mystery of salvation,
persuading them to believe and obey, governing their hearts by his
Word and Spirit, and overcoming all their enemies by his almighty
power and wisdom, in such manner and ways as are most consonant to
his wonderful and unsearchable dispensation; and all of free and
absolute grace, without any condition foreseen in them to procure it.
(
John 6:37;
John 10:15;
John 17:9;
Romans 5:10;
John 17:6;
Ephesians 1:9;
1 John 5:20;
Romans 8:9, 14;
Psalms 110:1;
1 Corinthians 15:25, 26;
John 3:8;
Ephesians 1:8
)
9._____ This office of mediator between God and man is proper only to
Christ, who is the prophet, priest, and king of the church of God; and may
not be either in whole, or any part thereof, transferred from him to any
other.
(
1 Timothy 2:5
)
10.____ This number and order of offices is necessary; for in respect
of our ignorance, we stand in need of his prophetical office; and in
respect of our alienation from God, and imperfection of the best of
our services, we need his priestly office to reconcile us and present
us acceptable unto God; and in respect to our averseness and utter
inability to return to God, and for our rescue and security from our
spiritual adversaries, we need his kingly office to convince, subdue,
draw, uphold, deliver, and preserve us to his heavenly kingdom.
(
John 1:18;
Colossians 1:21;
Galatians 5:17;
John 16:8;
Psalms 110:3;
Luke 1:74, 75
)
Return
1._____ God hath endued the will of man with that natural liberty and
power of acting upon choice, that it is neither forced, nor by any
necessity of nature determined to do good or evil.
(
Matthew 17:12;
James 1:14;
Deuteronomy 30:19
)
2._____ Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom and power to will
and to do that which was good and well-pleasing to God, but yet was
unstable, so that he might fall from it.
(
Ecclesiastes 7:29;
Genesis 3:6
)
3._____ Man, by his fall into a state of sin, hath wholly lost
all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation; so
as a natural man, being altogether averse from that good, and dead in
sin, is not able by his own strength to convert himself, or to
prepare himself thereunto.
(
Romans 5:6;
Romans 8:7;
Ephesians 2:1, 5;
Titus 3:3-5;
John 6:44
)
4._____ When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state
of grace, he freeth him from his natural bondage under sin, and by
his grace alone enables him freely to will and to do that which is
spiritually good; yet so as that by reason of his remaining
corruptions, he doth not perfectly, nor only will, that which is
good, but doth also will that which is evil.
(
Colossians 1:13;
John 8:36;
Philippians 2:13;
Romans 7:15, 18, 19, 21, 23
)
5._____ This will of man is made perfectly and immutably free to good
alone in the state of glory only.
(
Ephesians 4:13
)
Return
Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling
1._____ Those whom God hath predestinated unto life, he is pleased in
his appointed, and accepted time, effectually to call, by his Word and
Spirit, out of that state of sin and death in which they are by
nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ; enlightening their
minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God;
taking away their heart of stone, and giving unto them a heart of
flesh; renewing their wills, and by his almighty power determining them
to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ;
yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by his grace.
(
Romans 8:30;
Romans 11:7;
Ephesians 1:10, 11;
2 Thessalonians 2:13, 14;
Ephesians 2:1-6;
Acts 26:18;
Ephesians 1:17, 18;
Ezekiel 36:26;
Deuteronomy 30:6;
Ezekiel 36:27;
Ephesians 1:19;
Psalms 110:3;
Canticles 1:4
)
2._____ This effectual call is of God's free and special grace alone,
not from anything at all foreseen in man, nor from any power or
agency in the creature, being wholly passive therein, being dead in
sins and trespasses, until being quickened and renewed by the Holy
Spirit; he is thereby enabled to answer this call, and to embrace the
grace offered and conveyed in it, and that by no less power than that
which raised up Christ from the dead.
(
2 Timothy 1:9;
Ephesians 2:8;
1 Corinthians 2:14;
Ephesians 2:5;
John 5:25;
Ephesians 1:19, 20
)
3._____ Elect infants dying in infancy are regenerated and saved by
Christ through the Spirit; who worketh when, and where, and how he
pleases; so also are all elect persons, who are incapable of being
outwardly called by the ministry of the Word.
(
John 3:3, 5, 6;
John 3:8
)
4._____ Others not elected, although they may be called by the ministry
of the Word, and may have some common operations of the Spirit, yet
not being effectually drawn by the Father, they neither will nor can
truly come to Christ, and therefore cannot be saved: much less can
men that receive not the Christian religion be saved; be they never
so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature and
the law of that religion they do profess.
(
Matthew 22:14;
Matthew 13:20, 21;
Hebrews 6:4, 5;
John 6:44, 45, 65;
1 John 2:24, 25;
Acts 4:12;
John 4:22;
John 17:3
)
Return
1._____ 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.
2._____ Faith thus receiving and resting on Christ and his righteousness,
is the alone instrument of justification; yet it is not alone in the
person justified, but isever accompanied with all other saving graces,
and is no dead faith, but workethby love.
3._____ Christ, by his obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt
of all those that are justified; and did, by the sacrifice of himself in the
blood of his cross, undergoing in their stead the penalty due unto them,
make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to God's justice in their
behalf; yet, inasmuch as he was given by the Father for them, and his
obedience and satisfaction accepted in their stead, and both freely, not
for anything in them, their justification is only of
free grace, that both the exact justice and rich grace of God might be
glorified inthe justification of sinners.
4._____ God did from all eternity decree to justify all the elect, and
Christ did in the fullness of time die for their sins, and rise again for
their justification; nevertheless, they are not justified personally,
until the Holy Spirit doth in time due actually apply Christ unto them.
5._____ God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are
justified, and although they can never fall from the state of justification, yet they may, by their
sins, fall under God's fatherly displeasure; and in that condition they
have not usually the light of his countenance restored unto them, until
they humble themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their
faith and repentance.
6._____ The justification of believers under the Old Testament was, in
all these respects, one and the same with the justification of believers
under the New Testament.
_______ All those that are justified, God vouchsafed, in and for the sake
of his only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption,
by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and
privileges of the children of God, have his name put upon them, receive
the spirit of adoption, have access to the throne of grace with boldness,
are enabled to cry Abba, Father, are pitied, protected, provided for, and
chastened by him as by a Father, yet never cast off, but sealed to the day
of redemption, and inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting salvation.
1._____ They who are united to Christ, effectually called, and
regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them
through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, are also
farther sanctified, really and personally, through the same virtue, by
His Word and Spirit dwelling in them; the dominion of the whole body
of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more
weakened and mortified, and they more and more quickened and
strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of all true
holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
2._____This sanctification is throughout the whole man, yet imperfect
in this life; there abideth still some remnants of corruption in every
part, whence ariseth a continual and irreconcilable war; the flesh
lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.
3._____ In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much
prevail, yet through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying
Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome; and so the saints grow
in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, pressing after an
heavenly life, in evangelical obedience to all the commands which Christ as
Head and King, in His Word hath prescribed them.
1._____ The grace of faith, whereby the elect are enabled to believe to
the saving of their souls, is the work of the Spirit of Christ in
their hearts, and is ordinarily wrought by the ministry of the Word;
by which also, and by the administration of baptism and the Lord's
supper, prayer, and other means appointed of God, it is increased and
strengthened.
2._____ By this faith a Christian believeth to be true whatsoever is
revealed in the Word for the authority of God himself, and also
apprehendeth an excellency therein above all other writings and all
things in the world, as it bears forth the glory of God in his
attributes, the excellency of Christ in his nature and offices, and
the power and fullness of the Holy Spirit in his workings and
operations: and so is enabled to cast his soul upon the truth thus
believed; and also acteth differently upon that which each particular
passage thereof containeth; yielding obedience to the commands,
trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for
this life and that which is to come; but the principal acts of saving
faith have immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, and
resting upon Him alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal
life, by virtue of the covenant of grace.
3._____ This faith, although it be different in degrees, and may be weak
or strong, yet it is in the least degree of it different in the kind or
nature of it, as is all other saving grace, from the faith and common grace
of temporary believers; and therefore, though it may be many times assailed
and weakened, yet it gets the victory, growing up in many to the attainment
of a full assurance through Christ, who is both the author and finisher of
our faith.
Chapter 15: Of Repentance Unto Life and Salvation
1._____ Such of the elect as are converted at riper years, having sometime
lived in the state of nature, and therein served divers lusts and pleasures,
God in their effectual calling giveth them repentance unto life.
2._____ Whereas there is none that doth good and sinneth not, and the
best of men may, through the power and deceitfulness of their
corruption dwelling in them, with the prevalency of temptation, fall
into great sins and provocations; God hath, in the covenant of grace,
mercifully provided that believers so sinning and falling be renewed
through repentance unto salvation.
3._____ This saving repentance is an evangelical grace, whereby a
person, being by the Holy Spirit made sensible of the manifold evils
of his sin, doth, by faith in Christ, humble himself for it with
godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self-abhorrency, praying for
pardon and strength of grace, with a purpose and endeavour, by
supplies of the Spirit, to walk before God unto all well-pleasing in
all things.
4._____ As repentance is to be continued through the whole course of
our lives, upon the account of the body of death, and the motions
thereof, so it is every man's duty to repent of his particular known
sins particularly.
5._____ Such is the provision which God hath made through Christ in the
covenant of grace for the preservation of believers unto salvation;
that although there is no sin so small but it deserves damnation; yet
there is no sin so great that it shall bring damnation on them that
repent; which makes the constant preaching of repentance necessary.
1._____ Good works are only such as God hath commanded in his Holy
Word, and not such as without the warrant thereof are devised by men
out of blind zeal, or upon any pretence of good intentions.
2._____ These good works, done in obedience to God's commandments, are
the fruits and evidences of a true and lively faith; and by them
believers manifest their thankfulness, strengthen their assurance,
edify their brethren, adorn the profession of the gospel, stop the
mouths of the adversaries, and glorify God, whose workmanship they
are, created in Christ Jesus thereunto, that having their fruit unto
holiness they may have the end eternal life.
3._____ Their ability to do good works is not at all of themselves, but
wholly from the Spirit of Christ; and that they may be enabled
thereunto, besides the graces they have already received, there is
necessary an actual influence of the same Holy Spirit, to work in
them to will and to do of his good pleasure; yet they are not
hereupon to grow negligent, as if they were not bound to perform any
duty, unless upon a special motion of the Spirit, but they ought to be
diligent in stirring up the grace of God that is in them.
4._____ They who in their obedience attain to the greatest height which is
possible in this life, are so far from being able to supererogate, and to do
more than God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they
are bound to do.
5._____ We cannot by our best works merit pardon of sin or eternal life
at the hand of God, by reason of the great disproportion that is
between them and the glory to come, and the infinite distance that is
between us and God, whom by them we can neither profit nor satisfy for
the debt of our former sins; but when we have done all we can, we
have done but our duty, and are unprofitable servants; and because as
they are good they proceed from his Spirit, and as they are wrought
by us they are defiled and mixed with so much weakness and
imperfection, that they cannot endure the severity of God's punishment.
6._____ Yet notwithstanding the persons of believers being accepted
through Christ, their good works also are accepted in him; not as
though they were in this life wholly unblameable and unreprovable in
God's sight, but that he, looking upon them in his Son, is pleased to
accept and reward that which is sincere, although accompanied with
many weaknesses and imperfections.
7._____ Works done by unregenerate men, although for the matter of them
they may be things which God commands, and of good use both to
themselves and others; yet because they proceed not from a heart
purified by faith, nor are done in a right manner according to the
word, nor to a right end, the glory of God, they are therefore
sinful, and cannot please God, nor make a man meet to receive grace
from God, and yet their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing
to God.
Chapter 17: Of The Perseverance of the Saints
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, 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 fastened 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 them, yet he is still the same, 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.
2._____ This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will,
but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free
and unchangeable love of God the Father, upon the efficacy of the merit and
intercession of Jesus Christ and union with him, the oath of God, the
abiding of his Spirit, and the seed of God within them, and the nature of
the covenant of grace; from all which ariseth also the certainty and
infallibility thereof.
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 sins, and
for a time continue therein, whereby they incur God's displeasure and
grieve his Holy Spirit, come to have their graces and comforts
impaired, have their hearts hardened, and their consciences wounded,
hurt and scandalize others, and bring temporal judgments upon
themselves, yet shall they renew their repentance and be preserved
through faith in Christ Jesus to the end.
Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation
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, which hope of theirs shall perish;
yet such as truly 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 that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice
in the hope of the glory of God, which hope shall never make them ashamed.
2._____ This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable
persuasion grounded upon a fallible hope, but an infallible assurance
of faith founded on the blood and righteousness of Christ revealed in
the Gospel; and also upon the inward evidence of those graces of the
Spirit unto which promises are made, and on the testimony of the
Spirit of adoption, witnessing with our spirits that we are the
children of God; and, as a fruit thereof, keeping the heart both humble
and holy.
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 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, attain
thereunto: and therefore it is the duty of every one to give all
diligence to make his 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 cheerfulness in the duties
of obedience, the proper fruits of this assurance; -so far is it
from inclining men to looseness.
4._____ True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways
shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as by negligence in preserving of it,
by falling into some special sin which woundeth the conscience and grieveth
the Spirit; by some sudden or vehement temptation, by God's withdrawing the
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 seed of
God and life 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 revived, and by the which, in the
meantime, they are preserved from utter despair.
1._____ God gave to Adam a law of universal obedience 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 obedience;
promised life upon the fulfilling, and threatened death upon the
breach of it, and endued him with power and ability to keep it.
2._____ The same law that was first written in the heart of man
continued to be a perfect rule of righteousness after the fall, and
was delivered by God upon Mount Sinai, in ten commandments, and
written in two tables, the four first containing our duty towards
God, and the other six, our duty to man.
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, prefiguring Christ, his
graces, actions, sufferings, and benefits; and partly holding forth
divers instructions 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 abrogated and taken away.
4._____ To them also he gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together
with the state of that people, not obliging any now by virtue of that
institution; their general equity only being of modern use.
5._____ The moral law doth for ever bind all, 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 authority of
God the Creator, who gave it; neither doth Christ in the Gospel any
way dissolve, but much strengthen this obligation.
6._____ Although true believers be not under the law as a covenant of
works, 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; discovering also the sinful 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
threatenings of it serve to shew what even their sins deserve, and
what afflictions in this life they may expect for them, although freed
from the curse and unallayed rigour thereof. The promises of it
likewise shew them God's 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 man's doing good and
refraining from evil, because the law encourageth to the one and
deterreth from the other, is no evidence of his being under the law
and not under grace.
7._____ Neither are the aforementioned uses of the law contrary to the
grace of the Gospel, but do sweetly comply with it, the Spirit of
Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do that freely and
cheerfully which the will of God, revealed in the law, requireth to be
done.
Chapter 20: Of the Gospel, and of the Extent of
the Grace Thereof
1._____ The covenant of works being broken by sin, and made
unprofitable unto life, God was pleased to give forth the promise of
Christ, the seed of the woman, as the means of calling the elect, and
begetting in them faith and repentance; in this promise the gospel,
as to the substance of it, was revealed, and [is] therein effectual
for the conversion and salvation of sinners.
2._____ This promise of Christ, and salvation by him, is revealed only
by the Word of God; neither do the works of creation or providence,
with the light of nature, 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, should be
enabled thereby to attain saving faith or repentance.
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 merely of the sovereign will and good pleasure of
God; not being annexed by virtue of any promise to the due
improvement of men's natural abilities, by virtue of common light
received without it, which none ever did make, or can do so; and
therefore in all ages, the preaching of the gospel has been granted
unto persons and nations, as to the extent or straitening of it, in
great variety, according to the counsel of the will of God.
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, quickened or regenerated, there is moreover necessary an
effectual insuperable 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 their conversion unto God.
Chapter 21: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of
Conscience
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 curse of the law, and in
their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan,
and dominion of sin, from the evil of afflictions, the fear and sting
of death, the victory of the grave, and ever- lasting damnation: as
also in their free access to God, and their yielding obedience unto
Him, not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love and willing mind.
All which were common also to believers under the law for the
substance of them; but under the New Testament the liberty of
Christians is further enlarged, in their freedom from the yoke of a
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 free Spirit of God, than believers under the
law did ordinarily partake of.
2._____ God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from
the doctrines and commandments of men 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, is to betray true
liberty of conscience; and the requiring of an implicit faith, an
absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience and
reason also.
3._____ They who upon pretence of Christian liberty do practice any
sin, or cherish any sinful lust, as they do thereby pervert the main
design of the grace of the gospel to their own destruction, so they
wholly destroy 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 righeousness before Him, all the
days of our lives.
Chapter 22: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day.
1._____ The light of nature shews that there is a God, who hath
lordship and sovereignty 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, and
with all the might. But the acceptable way of worshipping the true
God, is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed
will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imagination and
devices of men, nor the suggestions of Satan, under any visible
representations, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy
Scriptures.
2._____ Religious worship is to be given to God the Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit, and to him alone; not to angels, saints, or any other
creatures; and since the fall, not without a mediator, nor in the
mediation of any other but Christ alone.
3._____ Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one part of natural worship, is
by God required of all men. But that it may be accepted, it is to be made
in the name of the Son, by the help of the Spirit, according to his will;
with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and
perseverance; and when with others, in a known tongue.
4._____ Prayer is to be made for things lawful, and for all sorts of
men living, or that shall live hereafter; but not for the dead, nor
for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto
death.
5._____ The reading of the Scriptures, preaching, and hearing the Word
of God, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and
spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord; as
also the administration of baptism, and the Lord's 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, with fastings, and thanksgivings, upon special
occasions, ought to be used in an holy and religious manner.
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 performed, or towards which it is directed; but God is to
be worshipped everywhere in spirit and in truth; as in private
families daily, and in secret each one by himself; so more solemnly
in the public assemblies, which are not carelessly nor wilfully to be
neglected or forsaken, when God by his word or providence calleth
thereunto.
7._____ As it is the law of nature, that in general a proportion of
time, by God's appointment, be set apart for the worship of God, so
by his Word, in a positive moral, and perpetual commandment, binding
all men, in all ages, he hath particularly appointed one day in seven
for a 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, which is called the Lord's 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.
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 rest all day, from their own
works, words and thoughts, about their worldly employment and
recreations, but are also taken up the whole time in the public and
private exercises of his worship, and in the duties of necessity and
mercy.
Chapter 23: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
1._____ A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein the
person swearing in truth, righteousness, and judgement, solemnly
calleth God to witness what he sweareth, and to judge him according
to the truth or falseness thereof.
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 abhorred; yet
as in matter of weight and moment, for confirmation of truth, and
ending all strife, an oath is warranted by the word of God; so a
lawful oath being imposed by lawful authority in such matters, ought
to be taken.
3._____ Whosoever taketh an oath warranted by the Word of God, ought
duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act, and therein to
avouch nothing but what he knoweth to be truth; for that by rash,
false, and vain oaths, the Lord is provoked, and for them this land
mourns.
4._____ An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the
words, without equivocation or mental reservation.
5._____ A vow, which is not to be made to any creature, but to God
alone, is to be made and performed with all religious care and
faithfulness; but popish monastical vows of perpetual single life,
professed poverty, and regular obedience, are so far from being
degrees of higher perfection, that they are superstitious and sinful
snares, in which no Christian may entangle himself.
Chapter 24: Of the Civil Magistrate
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.
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.
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.
1._____ Marriage is to be between one man and one woman; neither is it
lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have
more than one husband at the same time.
2._____ Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife, for
the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue, and the preventing of
uncleanness.
3._____ It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with
judgment to give their consent; yet it is the duty of Christians to marry
in the Lord; and therefore such as profess the true religion, should not
marry with infidels, or idolaters; neither should such as are godly, be
unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are wicked in their life, or
maintain damnable heresy.
4._____ Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or
affinity, forbidden in the Word; nor can such incestuous marriages
ever be made lawful, by any law of man or consent of parties, so as
those persons may live together as man and wife.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Chapter 27: Of the Communion of Saints
1._____ All saints that are united to Jesus Christ, their head, by his
Spirit, and faith, although they are not made thereby one person with
him, have fellowship in his graces, sufferings, death, resurrection,
and glory; and, being united to one another in love, they have
communion in each others gifts and graces, and are obliged to the
performance of such duties, public and private, in an orderly way, as
do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.
2._____ Saints by profession are bound to maintain an holy fellowship
and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other
spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification; as also in
relieving each other in outward things according to their several
abilities, and necessities; which communion, according to the rule of
the gospel, though especially to be exercised by them, in the relation
wherein they stand, whether in families, or churches, yet, as God
offereth opportunity, is to be extended to all the household of faith,
even all those who in every place call upon the name of the Lord
Jesus; nevertheless their communion one with another as saints, doth
not take away or infringe the title or propriety which each man hath
in his goods and possessions.
Chapter 28: Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
1._____ Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances of positive and
sovereign institution, appointed by the Lord Jesus, the only lawgiver, to be
continued in his church to the end of the world.
2._____ These holy appointments are to be administered by those only who are
qualified and thereunto called, according to the commission of Christ.
1._____ Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus
Christ, to be unto the party baptized, a sign of his fellowship with him,
in his death and resurrection; of his being engrafted into him; of
remission of sins; and of giving up into God, through Jesus Christ, to
live and walk in newness of life.
2._____ Those who do actually profess repentance towards God, faith in, and
obedience to, our Lord Jesus Christ, are the only proper subjects of this
ordinance.
3._____The outward element to be used in this ordinance is water, wherein
the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
4._____Immersion, or dipping of the person in water, is necessary to the
due administration of this ordinance.
Chapter 30: Of the Lord's Supper
1._____ The supper of the Lord Jesus was instituted by him the same night
wherein he was betrayed, to be observed in his churches, unto the end of the
world, for the perpetual remembrance, and shewing forth the sacrifice of
himself in his death, confirmation of the faith of believers in all the
benefits thereof, their spiritual nourishment, and growth in him, their
further engagement in, and to all duties which they owe to him; and to be
a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each other.
2._____ In this ordinance Christ is not offered up to his Father, nor any
real sacrifice made at all for remission of sin of the quick or dead, but
only a memorial of that one offering up of himself by himself upon the
cross, once for all; and a spiritual oblation of all possible praise unto
God for the same. So that the popish sacrifice of the mass, as they call
it, is most abominable, injurious to Christ's own sacrifice the alone
propitiation for all the sins of the elect.
3._____ The Lord Jesus hath, in this ordinance, appointed his ministers to
pray, and bless the elements of bread and wine, and thereby to set them
apart from a common to a holy use, and to take and break the bread;
to take the cup, and, they communicating also themselves, to give
both to the communicants.
4._____ The denial of the cup to the people, worshipping the elements, the
lifting them up, or carrying them about for adoration, and reserving them for any
pretended religious use, are all contrary to the nature of this ordinance,
and to the institution of Christ.
5._____ The outward elements in this ordinance, duly set apart to the use
ordained by Christ, have such relation to him crucified, as that truly,
although in terms used figuratively, they are sometimes called by the
names of the things they represent, to wit, the body and blood of Christ,
albeit, in substance and nature, they still remain truly and only bread
and wine, as they were before.
6._____ That doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of bread
and wine, into the substance of Christ's body and blood, commonly called
transubstantiation, by consecration of a priest, or by any other way, is
repugnant not to Scripture alone, but even to common sense and reason,
overthroweth the nature of the ordinance, and hath been, and is, the cause
of manifold superstitions, yea, of gross idolatries.
7._____ Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements in
this ordinance, do then also inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not
carnally and corporally, but spiritually receive, and feed upon Christ
crucified, and all the benefits of his death; the body and blood of Christ
being then not corporally or carnally, but spiritually present to the
faith of believers in that ordinance, as the elements themselves are to
their outward senses.
8._____ All ignorant and ungodly persons, as they are unfit to enjoy
communion with Christ, so are they unworthy of the Lord's table, and cannot,
without great sin against him, while they remain such, partake of these
holy mysteries, or be admitted thereunto; yea, whosoever shall receive
unworthily, are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, eating and
drinking judgment to themselves.
Chapter 31: Of the State of Man after Death and
Of the Resurrection of the Dead.
1._____ The bodies of men after death return to dust, and see
corruption; but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an
immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them. The
souls of the righteous being then made perfect in holiness, are
received into paradise, where they are with Christ, and behold the
face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of
their bodies; and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell; where
they remain in torment and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of
the great day; besides these two places, for souls separated from
their bodies, the Scripture acknowledgeth none.
2._____ At the last day, such of the saints as are found alive, shall not
sleep, but be changed; and all the dead shall be raised up with the
selfsame bodies, and none other; although with different qualities, which
shall be united again to their souls forever.
3._____ The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to
dishonour; the bodies of the just, by his Spirit, unto honour, and be made
conformable to his own glorious body.
Chapter 32: Of the Last Judgment
1._____ God hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in
righteousness, by Jesus Christ; to whom all power and judgment is given
of the Father; in which day, not only the apostate angels shall be judged,
but likewise all persons that have lived upon the earth shall appear
before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts,
words, and deeds, and to receive according to what they have done in the
body, whether good or evil.
2._____ The end of God's appointing this day, is for the manifestation of
the glory of his mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of his
justice, in the eternal damnation of the reprobate, who are wicked and
disobedient; for then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and
receive that fulness of joy and glory with everlasting rewards, in the
presence of the Lord; but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the
gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast aside into everlasting torments,
and punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord,
and from the glory of his power.
3._____ As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there
shall be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the
greater consolation of the godly in their adversity, so will he have
the day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security,
and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord
will come, and may ever be prepared to say, Come Lord Jesus; come
quickly. Amen.
We the MINISTERS, and MESSENGERS of, and concerned for
upwards of, one hundred BAPTIZED CHURCHES, in England and Wales (denying
Arminianisim), 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.
In the name of and on the behalf of the whole assembly.
The Quiet Place is a WWW page featuring
other Reformed Baptist Internet Resources.
"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
The above books and other good Christian literature are available at
near cost from Truth for Eternity Ministries. For a free catalog or other
information send your name and Post Office address to:
Truth for Eternity Ministries
Or E-Mail to Truth for Eternity Ministries at:
[email protected]
Truth for Eternity Ministries is the outreach ministry of the
Reformed Baptist Church of Grand Rapids, MI;
3181 Bradford NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505.
Article IV of the Constitution of The Reformed Baptist Church of Grand
Rapids:
We regard the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 (excepting the
assertions regarding the salvation of the mentally incompetent [10:3]) and
the identity of the antichrist [26:4] and the Canons of Dortrecht (excluding
Article 17 of the first head of doctrine) as excellent, though not inspired,
expressions of the teaching of the Word of God. Because we acknowledge the
word of God written to be the supreme authority in all matters of faith,
morals, and order, we adopt these two historic documents as our doctrinal
standards. We find them to be an assistance in controversy, a
confirmation in faith, and a means of edification in righteousness.
This Internet service provider is the Grand
Rapids Freenet.
(
Romans 3:28;
Galatians 5:6;
James 2:17, 22, 26
)
(
Hebrews 10:14;
1 Peter 1:18, 19;
Isaiah 53:5, 6;
Romans 8:32;
2 Corinthians 5:21;
Romans 3:26;
Ephesians 1:6,7;
Ephesians 2:7
)
(
Galatians 3:8;
1 Peter 1:2;
1 Timothy 2:6;
Romans 4:25;
Colossians 1:21,22;
Titus 3:4-7
)
(
Matthew 6:12;
1 John 1:7, 9;
John 10:28;
Psalms 89:31-33;
Psalms 32:5;
Psalms 51;
Matthew 26:75
)
(
Galatians 3:9;
Romans 4:22-24
)
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Ephesians 1:5;
Galatians 4:4, 5;
John 1:12;
Romans 8:17;
2 Corinthians 6:18;
Revelation 3:12;
Romans 8:15;
Galatians 4:6;
Ephesians 2:18;
Psalms 103:13;
Proverbs 14:26;
1 Peter 5:7;
Hebrews 12:6;
Isaiah 54:8, 9;
Lamentations 3:31;
Ephesians 4:30;
Hebrews 1:14;
Hebrews 6:12
)
(
Acts 20:32;
Romans 6:5, 6;
John 17:17;
Ephesians 3:16-19;
1 Thessalonians 5:21-23;
Romans 6:14;
Galatians 5:24;
Colossians 1:11;
2 Corinthians 7:1;
Hebrews 12:14
)
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1 Thessalonians 5:23;
Romans 7:18, 23;
Galatians 5:17;
1 Peter 2:11
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Romans 7:23;
Romans 6:14;
Ephesians 4:15, 16;
2 Corinthians 3:18;
2 Corinthians 7:1
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2 Corinthians 4:13;
Ephesians 2:8;
Romans 10:14, 17;
Luke 17;5;
1 Peter 2:2;
Acts 20:32
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(
Acts 24:14;
Psalms 27:7-10;
Psalms 119:72;
2 Timothy 1:12;
John 14:14;
Isaiah 66:2;
Hebrews 11:13;
John 1:12;
Acts 16:31;
Galatians 2:20;
Acts 15:11
)
(
Hebrews 5:13, 14;
Matthew 6:30;
Romans 4:19, 20;
2 Peter 1:1;
Ephesians 6:16;
1 John 5:4, 5;
Hebrews 6:11, 12;
Colossians 2:2;
Hebrews 12:2
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Titus 3:2-5
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(
Ecclesiastes 7:20;
Luke 22:31, 32
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(
Zechariah 12:10;
Acts 11:18;
Ezekiel 36:31;
2 Corinthians 7:11;
Psalms 119:6;
Psalms 128
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Luke 19:8;
1 Timothy 1:13, 15
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Romans 6:23;
Isaiah 1:16-18
Isaiah 55:7
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(
Micah 6:8;
Hebrews 13:21;
Matthew 15:9;
Isaiah 29:13
)
(
James 2:18, 22;
Psalms 116:12, 13;
1 John 2:3, 5;
2 Peter 1:5-11;
Matthew 5:16;
1 Timothy 6:1;
1 Peter 2:15;
Philippians 1:11;
Ephesians 2:10;
Romans 6:22
)
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John 15:4, 5;
2 Corinthians 3:5;
Philippians 2:13;
Philippians 2:12;
Hebrews 6:11, 12;
Isaiah 64:7
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(
Job 9:2, 3;
Galatians 5:17;
Luke 17:10
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(
Romans 3:20;
Ephesians 2:8, 9;
Romans 4:6;
Galatians 5:22, 23;
Isaiah 64:6;
Psalms 143:2
)
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Ephesians 1:6;
1 Peter 2:5;
Matthew 25:21, 23;
Hebrews 6:10
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2 Kings 10:30;
1 Kings 21:27, 29;
Genesis 4:5;
Hebrews 11:4, 6;
1 Corinthians 13:1;
Matthew 6:2, 5;
Amos 5:21, 22;
Romans 9:16;
Titus 3:5;
Job 21:14, 15;
Matthew 25:41-43
)
(
John 10:28, 29;
Philippians 1:6;
2 Timothy 2:19;
1 John 2:19;
Psalms 89:31, 32;
1 Corinthians 11:32;
Malachi 3:6
)
(
Romans 8:30
Romans 9:11, 16;
Romans 5:9, 10;
John 14:19;
Hebrews 6:17, 18;
1 John 3:9;
Jeremiah 32:40
)
(
Matthew 26:70, 72, 74;
Isaiah 64:5, 9;
Ephesians 4:30;
Psalms 51:10, 12;
Psalms 32:3, 4;
2 Samuel 12:14;
Luke 22:32, 61, 62
)
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Job 8:13, 14;
Matthew 7:22, 23;
1 John 2:3;
1 John 3:14, 18, 19, 21, 24;
1 John 5:13;
Romans 5:2, 5
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Hebrews 6:11, 19;
Hebrews 6:17, 18;
2 Peter 1:4, 5, 10, 11;
Romans 8:15, 16;
1 John 3:1-3
)
(
Isaiah 50:10;
Psalms 88;
Psalms 77:1-12;
1 John 4:13;
Hebrews 6:11, 12;
Romans 5:1;
Romans 14:17;
Psalms 119:32;
Romans 6:1,2;
Titus 2:11, 12, 14
)
(
Canticles 5:2, 3, 6;
Psalms 51:8, 12, 14;
Psalms 116:11;
Psalms 77:7, 8;
Psalms 31:22;
Psalms 30:7;
1 John 3:9;
Luke 22:32;
Psalms 42:5, 11;
Lamentations 3:26-31
)
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Genesis 1:27;
Ecclesiastes 7:29;
Romans 10:5;
Galatians 3:10, 12
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Romans 2:14, 15;
Deuteronomy 10:4
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Hebrews 10:1;
Colossians 2:17;
1 Corinthians 5:7;
Colossians 2:14, 16, 17;
Ephesians 2:14, 16
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1 Corinthians 9:8-10
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(
Romans 13:8-10;
James 2:8, 10-12;
James 2:10, 11;
Matthew 5:17-19;
Romans 3:31
)
(
Romans 6:14;
Galatians 2:16;
Romans 8:1;
Romans 10:4;
Romans 3:20;
Romans 7:7, etc;
Romans 6:12-14;
1 Peter 3:8-13
)
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Galatians 3:21;
Ezekiel 36:27
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Return
(
Genesis 3:15;
Revelation 13:8
)
(
Romans 1:17;
Romans 10:14,15,17;
Proverbs 29:18;
Isaiah 25:7;
Isaiah 60:2, 3
)
(
Psalms 147:20;
Acts 16:7;
Romans 1:18-32
)
(
Psalms 110:3;
1 Corinthians 2:14;
Ephesians 1:19, 20;
John 6:44;
2 Corinthians 4:4, 6
)
Return
(
Galatians 3:13;
Galatians 1:4;
Acts 26:18;
Romans 8:3;
Romans 8:28;
1 Corinthians 15:54-57;
2 Thessalonians 1:10;
Romans 8:15;
Luke 1:73-75;
1 John 4:18;
Galatians 3;9, 14;
John 7:38, 39;
Hebrews 10:19-21
)
(
James 4:12;
Romans 14:4;
Acts 4:19, 29;
1 Corinthians 7:23;
Matthew 15:9;
Colossians 2:20, 22, 23;
1 Corinthians 3:5;
2 Corinthians 1:24
)
(
Romans 6:1, 2;
Galatians 5:13;
2 Peter 2:18, 21
)
Return
(
Jeremiah 10:7;
Mark 12:33;
Deuteronomy 12:32;
Exodus 20:4-6
)
(
Matthew 4:9, 10;
John 6:23;
Matthew 28:19;
Romans 1:25;
Colossians 2:18;
Revelation 19:10;
John 14:6;
1 Timothy 2:5
)
(
Psalms 95:1-7;
Psalms 65:2;
John 14:13, 14;
Romans 8:26;
1 John 5:14;
1 Corinthians 14:16, 17
)
(
1 Timothy 2:1, 2;
2 Samuel 7:29;
2 Samuel 12:21-23;
1 John 5:16
)
(
1 Timothy 4:13;
2 Timothy 4:2;
Luke 8:18;
Colossians 3:16;
Ephesians 5:19;
Matthew 28:19, 20;
1 Corinthians 11:26;
Esther 4:16;
Joel 2:12;
Exodus 15:1-19,
Psalms 107
)
(
John 4:21;
Malachi 1:11;
1 Timothy 2:8;
Acts 10:2;
Matthew 6:11;
Psalms 55:17;
Matthew 6:6;
Hebrews 10:25;
Acts 2:42
)
(
Exodus 20:8;
1 Corinthians 16:1, 2;
Acts 20:7;
Revelation 1:10
)
(
Isaiah 58:13;
Nehemiah 13:15-22;
Matthew 12:1-13
)
Return
(
Exodus 20:7;
Deuteronomy 10:20;
Jeremiah 4:2;
2 Chronicles 6:22, 23
)
(
Matthew 5:34, 37;
James 5:12;
Hebrews 6:16;
2 Corinthians 1:23;
Nehemiah 13:25
)
(
Leviticus 19:12;
Jeremiah 23:10
)
(
Psalms 24:4
)
(
Psalms 76:11;
Genesis 28:20-22;
1 Corinthians 7:2, 9;
Ephesians 4:28;
Matthew 19:11
)
Return
(
Romans 13:1-4
)
(
2 Samuel 23:3;
Psalms 82:3, 4;
Luke 3:14
)
(
Romans 13:5-7;
1 Peter 2:17;
1 Timothy 2:1, 2
)
Return
(
Genesis 2:24;
Malachi 2:15;
Matthew 19:5,6
)
(
Genesis 2:18;
Genesis 1:28;
1 Corinthians 7:2, 9
)
(
Hebrews 13:4;
1 Timothy 4:3;
1 Corinthians 7:39;
Nehemiah 13:25-27
)
(
Leviticus 18;
Mark 6:18;
1 Corinthians 5:1
)
(
Hebrews 12:23;
Colossians 1:18;
Ephesians 1:10, 22, 23;
Ephesians 5:23, 27, 32
)
(
1 Corinthians 1:2;
Acts 11:26;
Romans 1:7;
Ephesians 1:20-22
)
(
1 Corinthians 5;
Revelation 2;
Revelation 3;
Revelation 18:2;
2 Thessalonians 2:11, 12;
Matthew 16:18;
Psalms 72:17;
Psalms 102:28;
Revelation 12:17
)
(
Colossians 1:18;
Matthew 28:18-20;
Ephesians 4:11, 12;
2 Thessalonians 2:2-9
)
(
John 10:16;
John 12:32;
Matthew 28:20;
Matthew 18:15-20
)
(
Romans. 1:7;
1 Corinthians 1:2;
Acts 2:41, 42;
Acts 5:13, 14;
2 Corinthians 9:13
)
(
Matthew 18:17, 18;
1 Corinthians 5:4, 5;
1 Corinthians 5:13;
2 Corinthians 2:6-8
)
(
Acts 20:17, 28;
Philippians 1:1
)
(
Acts 14:23;
1 Timothy 4:14;
Acts 6:3, 5, 6
)
(
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
)
(
Acts 11:19-21;
1 Peter 4:10, 11
)
(
1 Thessalonians 5:14;
2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15
)
(
Matthew 18:15-17;
Ephesians 4:2, 3
)
(
Ephesians 6:18;
Psalms 122:6;
Romans 16:1, 2;
3 John 8-10
)
(
Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22, 23, 25;
2 Corinthians 1:24;
1 John 4:1
)
(
1 John 1:3;
John 1:16;
Philippians 3:10;
Romans 6:5, 6;
Ephesians 4:15, 16;
1 Corinthians 12:7;
1 Corinthians 3:21-23;
1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14;
Romans 1:12;
1 John 3:17, 18;
Galatians 6:10
)
(
Hebrews 10:24, 25;
Hebrews 3:12, 13;
Acts 11:29, 30;
Ephesians 6:4;
1 Corinthians 12:14-27;
Acts 5:4;
Ephesians 4:28
)
(
Matthew 28:19, 20;
1 Corinthians 11:26
)
(
Matthew 28:19;
1 Corinthians 4:1
)
Return
(
Romans 6:3-5;
Colossians 2;12;
Galatians 3:27;
Mark 1:4;
Acts 22:16;
Romans 6:4
)
(
Mark 16:16;
Acts 8:36, 37;
Acts 2:41;
Acts 8:12;
Acts 18:8
)
(
Matthew 28:19, 20;
Acts 8:38
)
(
Matthew 3:16;
John 3:23
)
Return
(
1 Corinthians 11:23-26;
1 Corinthians 10:16, 17,21
)
(
Hebrews 9:25, 26, 28;
1 Corinthians 11:24;
Matthew 26:26, 27
)
(
1 Corinthians 11:23-26, etc.
)
(
Matthew 26:26-28;
Matthew 15:9;
Exodus 20:4, 5
)
(
1 Corinthians 11:27;
1 Corinthians 11:26-28
)
(
Acts 3:21;
Luke 14:6, 39;
1 Corinthians 11:24, 25
)
(
1 Corinthians 10:16;
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
)
(
2 Corinthians 6:14, 15;
1 Corinthians 11:29;
Matthew 7:6
)
Return
(
Genesis 3:19;
Acts 13:36;
Ecclesiastes 12:7;
Luke 23:43;
2 Corinthians 5:1, 6,8;
Philippians 1:23;
Hebrews 12:23;
Jude 6, 7;
1 Peter 3:19;
Luke 16:23, 24
)
(
1 Corinthians 15:51, 52;
1 Thessalonians 4:17;
Job 19:26, 27;
1 Corinthians 15:42, 43
)
(
Acts 24:15;
John 5:28, 29;
Philippians 3:21
)
Return
(
Acts 17:31;
John 5:22, 27;
1 Corinthians 6:3;
Jude 6;
2 Corinthians 5:10;
Ecclesiastes 12:14;
Matthew 12:36;
Romans 14:10, 12;
Matthew 25:32-46
)
(
Romans 9:22, 23;
Matthew 25:21, 34;
2 Timothy 4:8;
Matthew 25:46;
Mark 9:48;
2 Thessalonians 1:7-10
)
(
2 Corinthians 5:10, 11;
2 Thessalonians 1:5-7;
Mark 13:35-37;
Luke 12:35-40;
Revelation 22:20
)
Return
For further study:
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