This page is a table of contents and brief chapter-by-chapter summary
of the London Baptist Confession of 1689 (also known as the second London
Baptist Confession). Click through any of the links to access
the desired section of the Confession.
This page is under construction. Your patience is appreciated. However, the links are functional...
| Chapter 1 - Of the Holy Scriptures | The nature and contents of the Holy Scriptures |
| Chapter 2 - Of God and of the Holy Trinity | The Lord our God is but one only living and true God; infinite and perfect; In this divine and infinite Being there are three substances, the Father, the Word or Son, and Holy Spirit |
| Chapter 3 - Of God's Decree | God has decreed from all eternity by His own will, freely and unchangeably, everything that will happen. However God is neither the author of sin nor has fellowship with any that sin; nor is violence offered to the will of the creature. God has decreed that some men and angels are predestined or foreordained to eternal life through Jesus Christ, to the praise of His glorious grace; and others are left to act in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of His glorious justice. |
| Chapter 4 - Of Creation | In the beginning it pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit created the universe and everything in it in six days. After God created everything else, He created man, male and female, with thinking and immortal souls, made in the image of God, fit for God's purpose. |
| Chapter 5 - Of Divine Providence | God, the good creator of all things, in His infinite power and wisdom, upholds, directs, disposes, and governs all His creatures and things. |
| Chapter 6 - Of
the Fall of Man, of Sin,
and of the Punishment Thereof |
God created man upright and perfect, however Adam and Eve chose to willfully violate God's laws. By this sin they fell from their original perfect state and as a consequence of it we (all of mankind) became dead in sin, defiled in body and soul. Their sin was imputed to all mankind, resulting in the corruption and suffering which persists to this day. Due to this corruption, all mankind is inclined to do evil by nature and out of this nature we continue to sin. |
| Chapter 7 - Of God's Covenant | The division caused by sin between God and us is so great that it would be impossible for us ever to be acceptable to God except by His undeserved action toward us. This action on God's part took the form of a Covenant (or promise) that God made to us offering us life and salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. This Covenant is revealed in Scripture, starting with Adam, and throughout Scripture to its complete appearence in the New Testament. It is only by the Covenant that mankind may be saved. |
| Chapter 8 - Of Christ the Mediator | |
| Chapter 9 - Of Free Will | |
| Chapter 10 - Of Effectual Calling | |
| Chapter 11 - Of Justification | |
| Chapter 12 - Of Adoption | |
| Chapter 13 - Of Sanctification | |
| Chapter 14 - Of Saving Faith | |
| Chapter 15 - Of Repentance Unto Life and Salvation | |
| Chapter 16 - Of Good Works | |
| Chapter 17 - Of The Perseverance Of The Saints | Those whom God has chosen to save can neither totally nor finally fall from the state of grace. They shall persevere in grace to the end, and be eternally saved, since the gifts and callings of God are without repentance, wherein God still begets and nourishes in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all the graces of the Spirit for immortality. This perseverance of the saints depends not on their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election. Though they may, fall into grievous sins, and for a time continue in sin, they they renew their repentance and be preserved through faith in Christ Jesus to the end. |
| Chapter 18 - Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation | |
| Chapter 19 - Of the Law of God | |
| Chapter 20 - Of the Gospel, and of the Extent of the Grace Thereof | |
| Chapter 21 - Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience | |
| Chapter 22 - Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day | |
| Chapter 23 - Of Lawful Oaths and Vows | A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, where the person swearing in truth, righteousness, and judgment, solemnly calleth God to witness the oath, and to judge him according to how the oath is kept. An oath should be sworn only to God, and should not be sworn only after careful consideration and with sincere intent and honesty. A vow can be made to God alone, and must be made and kept only for true religous reasons, rather than superstitious vows of poverty, perpetual singleness, and so forth. |
| Chapter 24 - Of the Civil Magistrate | God has ordained civil government under His will to govern us, for His glory and the public good. He has equipped civil government with the authority to use the sword to for defence, to protect those who do good and to punish those who do evil. It is lawful for Christians to serve in the government, according to the laws of their country, including serving in the military and making war. Christians should submit to civil government within the bounds of Scripture, and to pray for those who serve in government. |
| Chapter 25 - Of Marriage | Marriage is to be between one man and one woman. It was ordained by God for the mutual help of husband and wife, for the bearing of children, and to prevent sin. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, however it is the duty of Christians to marry only in the Lord. Marriage should not be between close relatives, as described in Scripture nor can any incestuous marriage ever be valid. |
| Chapter 26 - Of the Church | |
| Chapter 27 - Of the Communion of Saints | All Christians that are united to Jesus Christ, their head, by His Spirit, and faith, and are bound to maintain a holy fellowship and communion in worship, in mutual encouragement, and in ministry to each other, as families, as churches, and throughout the body of Christ. |
| Chapter 28 - Of Baptism and the Lord's Supper | Baptism and the Lord's support are unique ordinances instituted by the Lord Jesus Christ, to continue until the end of the world. These ordinances are to be given only by qualified and called to do so according to the commission of Christ. |
| Chapter 29 - Of Baptism | 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. It can be administered only to those who profess repentance toward God, and faith in and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. Immersion, or dipping of the person in water, is necessary to the due administration of this ordinance. |
| Chapter 30 - Of the Lord's Supper | The supper of the Lord Jesus was instituted by Him on the night
He was betrayed, to be observed in His churches, until the end of the world.
It was instituted as a perpetual remembrance, showing the sacrifice of
Himself in His death and confirmation of the faith of believers in all
the benefits His sacrifice. for the purpose of their spiritual nourishment,
and growth in Him, their encouragement in all duties which they owe Him;
and to be a pledge of their communion with Him, and with
each other. It is only a memorial of Christ's sacrifice, in substance and nature remaining only bread and wine. It is open only to Christians in good standing. |
| Chapter 31 - Of the State of Man After Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead | |
| Chapter 32 - Of the Last Judgment |