Does God ordain and is sovereign even over sin? Titles / MP3 Files: 01) General Introduction 02) Of The Holy Scriptures 03) Of God and of The Holy Trinity 04) Of God's Decree 05) Of Creation 06) Of Divine Providence Cf. [16] If this is a duty for church members toward each other, how much more for spouses. [50] Dickson thought so too. 2:6; Isa. Cf. John 4:24; 1 Tim. Which is primary, the exegesis of Scripture or the findings of modern (secular) science? The Children's Catechism. Today, reformed Baptists world-wide hold this Confession in high esteem and many churches continue to regard it as their official statement of faith. Hercules Collins, An Orthodox Catechism, Q&A 67; Caspar Olevanius (1536-1587) and Zacharias Ursinius (1534-1583), The Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Q&A 68; Guido de Bres (1522-1567), The Belgic Confession (1561), Article 33; Bullinger, Second Helvetic Confession, XIX.3; Directory of Public Worship, 111; Perkins, Exposition upon the Whole Epistle of Jude, in Works, IV.82; William Ames (1576-1633), The Marrow of Theology, II.xix.18; Turretin, Institutes of Elenctic Theology, III.559f; aBrakel, Christians Reasonable Service, II.484f; John Brown of Haddington (1722-1787), Systematic Theology, 534; Pastoor and Johnson, Historical Dictionary of the Puritans, 197f. Now I am reading Waldron on the 1689 and am highly enjoying it. For as a man may commit a fault in excess of wine, although it be his own: so may he sin in abusing his body with his own wife (A Body of Divinity, 27th Head). It is a creation ordinance, given to all classes and races of men (Gen 1:28f). [39]Ezras treatment of unlawful unions is a response Israels spiritual declension. Its in that light that 1 Cor 7:10-17 speaks so powerfully regarding divorce: God saves whom and when he wills (Rom 9:16,18), directs the circumstances surrounding each life (Ps 57:2; Ps 139:16; Heb 12:1b), and governs the response for each person who hears the message and witnesses the effects of his gospel (Ac 11:18; Ac 16:14; 2 Cor 7:10; Heb 12:17). He now reigns for her good and causes all things to serve her salvation. How does the providence of God relate to the wicked and the church? The 95 Theses by Martin Luther. James Ussher (1581-1656) states it plainly, calling it an abuse of lawful marital intimacy, over against a holy use: When the honorable and chaste estate of Matrimony is used to wantonness, and not with moderation and seemliness, [it is intemperance], 1 Ths 4:4f. John Flavel (1630-1691) agreed: it is God who orders our relations for usand appoints the parties for each other (Mystery of Providence, in Works, IV.392). CONFESSION OF FAITH. The 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (2LC or 1689 hereafter) offers much help here in both grasping and giving the eternal nature of Christian truth. [5] 2LC, owning Baptist covenantalism, distances itself from WCF/Savoy in deleting paragraph 2s and the Church with an holy seed; assumes as obvious that Reformed theology is the true religion in paragraph 3; and subsumes Papists under the head of idolaters in paragraph 4. 1:9, Job 11:7-9; 26:14;Isa. It grasps the sufficiency of Gods word, not worldly wisdom (you shall not walk in their statutes, v 3), and it obeys in holy fear of the sovereign Lord (vv 4f; cf. This doctrinal statement is a spiritual treasure trove worthy of our fresh attention. Failing to honor Gen 2:24s pattern of leaving all others, cleaving to one another, and weaving two lives into one is where most marital strife occurs, but the Bible offers no remedies of consensual manipulation popularly accepted as godly counsel. Here the covenanted context comes into clearer focus. Was the Covenant of Grace established before the New Covenant? The Puritans often spoke of overeating as a gateway to sexual sin; their reasoning in linking uncleanness with greediness, rooted in Eph 4:19 (which being past feeling, they have given themselves unto wantonness, to work all uncleanness, even with greediness, Geneva Bible [1599]) was that indulging one lesser lust made it much easier to indulge another greater, more consequential one. So too Matthew Poole (1624-1679), Commentary on the Holy Bible, III.560: the husbands voluntary leaving his wife, or the wifes voluntary leaving her husband, with a resolution to return no more to them, breaks also the bond of marriage, frustrating it as to the ends for which God hath appointed it; and after all due means used to bring again the party departing to their duty, doth certainly free the correlate; and the Geneva Bible (1599), on v 15: What if the unfaithful [unregenerate] forsake the faithful [regenerate]? Does God ordain the ends as well as the means? Like the original Baptist churches, our members covenant with God and each other. When Jesus, the lawgiver[46] (Heb 12:25f), specifies what true marriage is and is not, we dare not go beyond what is written(1 Cor 4:6). They also taught baptismal regeneration, free will, allegory, and celibacy. to God." Marriage is a means of sanctification for Christians in how they consummate their God-given love (do not deprive one another, v 5), communicate about exceptions (except perhaps by agreement for a limited time), use it as a springboard to commune with God (that you may devote yourselves to prayer), and control themselves in love to God and one another (then come together again, so Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control). What are the threefold offices of Christ? But it is essential. You can join the F.A.M. The Mystery of Christ, His Covenant, and His Kingdom, Edification and Beauty: The Practical Ecclesiology of the English Particular Baptists, 1675-1705, Studies in Baptist, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. 42:1; 1 Pet. The Christian and the Social OrderXVI. May 18 Of Repentance Unto Life and Salvation Brian Malcolm. Free postage. Why did God create? [8] For representative early modern treatments of divorce and remarriage, among many others, see especially John Owen (1616-1683), Of Marrying after Divorce in Case of Adultery (Works, XVI.254-57); William Perkins (1558-1602), Exposition of the Sermon on the Mount (Works, I.316-23); and John Calvin (1509-1564), Explanation of the Moral Law, in Institutes of the Christian Religion, II.viii.41-44. What do the words essenceand personmean? Who made the Bible authoritative? 4:34-35; Ps. 145:7, Eccl. These books are identified by an asterisk after the name of the . They perform their fasts together, mutually teaching, mutually exhorting, mutually sustaining. Polygamy, polyamory, polyfidelity, and the like are therefore forbidden; such unions, ultimately rooted in selfish desire, constitute an assault on Gods design of mutual service and self-denial for the glory of Jesus. The essential principle is that the professing believers union must reflect the purity of the gospel, something impossible to sustain if wed to an unbeliever. In the beginning it pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Heb. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club thats right for you for free. The unbeliever comes, as it were, face-to-face with the gospel, and so must deal with Jesus through the spouses life and direct influence (cf. He writes in a direct and lucid style that will help ministers, students and laymen alike to a clear understanding of this Confession and to its relevance and application to our modern age. 10:5-7; Matt. With his wife, he is a member of Heritage Baptist Church, a Reformed Baptist Church in Owensboro, Kentucky where in January 2005 he became one of the pastors. The Lord's DayIX. What is the Trinity? Let us be settled that Ezra, Nehemiah, and Paul present no contradictions to one another: our Bibles are trustworthy, our Confession is reasonable, and there are unions Christians might enter which do not constitute true marriage in Gods eyes. Gods goodness in joining sinners to one another for life points to his grace in uniting them to himself for eternity. May 31 Of . Gods goal is his glory, comprehended and cherished in godly homes, and the union of man and wife is a parable of his promises in Christ. The paragraphs in which I deal with parts of the Scriptures doctrine are not necessarily in a logical order, therefore, here are the topics in a somewhat more logical order: This chapter is in many ways based upon the truths in2 Timothy 3:16. [32] Cf. Jun 1. Cf. Commentary & Scholarship. In other words, though marriage is a common grace blessing, it has a special grace intent godly offspring (Mal 2:15). One of the many great things about Dr. Waldron is that he is a pastor: [] Everything he writes comes from that pastoral heart. And thus she shall ever be with her Lord (1 Ths 4:17), the greatest comfort she can possibly have. 2:5; Acts 3:22; Heb. God does, by his word, because of his holy character. He created the earth, the stars, the atoms, spirits, angels, humans, animals, rocks, trees and things invisible to the naked eye. All chapters of the confession: 1689-Second-Baptist-Confession-Of-Faith-Highlighted 1689-Baptist-Confession-Chapter-1:-Of-The-Holy-Scriptures-Commentary 1689-Baptist-Confession-Chapter-2:-Of-God-And-Of-The-Holy-Trinity-Commentary 1689-Baptist-Confession-Chapter-3:-Of-Gods-Decree-Commentary 1689-Baptist-Confession-Chapter-4:-Of-Creation-Commentary Heb 10:31 and 12:25ff) the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name among all the nations (Rom 1:5). 1:2; John 1:2-3; Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; 33:4, Rom. Love isnt love without biblical precept, and redefinition efforts simply expose varying shades of emotionally-charged lust. . Along the same lines, unions with virtual characters or inanimate objects are forbidden; the Greek word for that relationship status is single. God giving man dominion over all things (Gen 1:28f) does not extend to making substitutions nothing incapable of consent[18] can fill the role he designed for his image-bearers. in Bercot, A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, Kindle edition, loc. He makes sure his arguments are clear and he takes the time to One of the many great things about Dr. Waldron is that he is a pastor: [] Everything he writes comes from that pastoral heart. Given as a prelapsarian creation ordinance, God intends it as a continuing pattern for all people (2LC 25.3; 1 Cor 7:2), framing reality (Eph 5:22ff), bringing forth posterity (Mal 2:15), and pointing to eternity (Rev 19:6-9). Gods glory in redeeming sinners is the final aim of marriage, and indeed, all of life (Isa 43:7); Scripture proclaims a God who aims at far more than what we can get out of marriage. [51] Tertullian (155-220), 4.48, qtd. [5] While no explicit statement of 2LCs reasoning for the deletion occurs, Savoys preface specifically cites WCF 24s extended treatment of marriage and divorce, arguing on this head that nothing tends more to heighten Dissensions among Brethren, than to determine and adopt the matter of their difference, under so high a Title, as to be an Article of our Faith.[6] Renihan helpfully reminds us that deletion of terms or phrases does not necessarily imply the rejection of a concept.[7] But brotherly love and firm unity in the leading principles of truth presented sufficient reason to permit differences of conscience on the debatable point of divorce,[8] while standing lockstep regarding the sanctity of marriage. 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith in Modern English Chapter 3 - God's Decree 1. [39] This may readily be seen in modern cases of pedophiles or human traffickers who kidnap young girls and sell or force them into marriage; neither Scripture nor secular society recognize such unions as valid or binding. The NT plainly forbids weaponizing or incentivizing it (vv 2-5,9), but Christians must also take care that their enjoying liberty does not occasion indulging lust or strengthening idolatry. A Foundation for Faith: An Introductory Study of Systematic Theology PDF by Stanford Murrell The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith (Website) Web Page by Joe Thorn Catechism Trainer: 5 Reformed Catechisms Web Page by Reformed Wiki 1689 Stands for Unity: The Second London Confession of Faith Web Page by Sam Renihan Whom can we trust to tell us how it happened? God hath decreed in Himselfmeans that He decreed by Himself alone without considering others. 2:6; Luke 1:33; Eph. 104:24; 33:5-6;Prov. Ussher, Body of Divinity, 27th Head; Ames, Marrow of Theology, II.XIX.29; Directory of Public Worship, 111f; James Fisher, Assemblys Shorter Catechism Explained, II.71.14f; John Brown, Systematic Theology, 21. First, giving great hope for struggling marriages, it portrays how Jesus changes lives and loves completely. 3:10; Rom. 8:4,6; 1Thess. The Westminster Confession of Faith The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confe. 115:3; 135:6; Rom. Dishonoring marriage itself matters, too: 1 Tim 4:1-5 warns against forbidding what God approves, while 1 Cor 7:39 cautions against approving what God forbids. I have read GI Williamson on the Westminster Confession of Faith and Thomas Vincent on the Shorter Catechism and enjoyed them. 2:4-6, 1 Tim. Flavel, Exposition of the Assemblys Catechism, in Works, VI.245, Q&A 6; Beddome, A Scriptural Exposition of the Baptist Catechism, Q&A 77 (on Ezk 16:49f);Watson, The Ten Commandments, II.7.II.4, use 4.10; Thomas Vincent (1634-1678), The Shorter Catechism Explained from Scripture, LXXI, 4.3-4; LXXII, 6.2; Beza, A Brief and Pithy Sum of Christian Faith, V.39.2, in Dennison, Reformed Confessions, II.326. That the Baptists in article 31 seem to imply that the right to earthly possessions is founded in grace, not nature; 2. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity,[44] 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. Our statement of faith is based on the 1833 New Hampshire Baptist Confession and the Nicene Creed. My main purpose was not to study the Confession per s, but to study the doctrines asserted by the Confession and to see if they were biblical. 2LC uses language of infidels, idolaters, those wicked in life, or [who] maintain damnable heresy. In view are those who hate Jesus they redefine who he is, recast what hes done, revise what he promises, require more than he demands, or reject him outright. He took her flesh, entered her ruin, bore her hatred, defeated her sin, conquered her death, crushed her adversary, and purchased her life. Here we come to a chapter that is different than the one in the Westminster and Savoy confessions (see the confessions side by side here). 1 He did this by the perfectly wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably. What about passages used against Limited Atonement? Chapter 14. 1689 confessional helps. Featley made six specific criticisms of the Confession: 1. Faith and Thomas Vincent on the Shorter Catechism and enjoyed them. He is their owner. The Scriptures The Holy Dr Waldron does a great job with a solid confession,his commentary is complete although I wish he would go even further on some of the articles,The 1689 much like the Westminster is something everyone can benefit from and I believe many churches should adopt as thier own Dr Waldron does a great job with a solid confession,his commentary is complete although I wish he would go even further on some of the articles,The 1689 much like the Westminster is something everyone can benefit from and I believe many churches should adopt as thier own confession or statement of faith,Highly recommended great Job Dr Waldron! Instead, Scriptures wisdom calls spouses to give mutual attention to one another in order to care for the others soul and be pleasing to God (2 Cor 5:9), expressed by the one-anothers of the NT. Herod killed John the Baptist for calling him to repentance over his unlawful relationship with Herodias (Mk 6:18). 1689-Second-Baptist-Confession-Of-Faith-Highlighted 1689-Baptist-Confession-Chapter-1:-Of-The-Holy-Scriptures-Commentary 1689-Baptist-Confession-Chapter-2:-Of-God-And-Of-The-Holy-Trinity-Commentary 1689-Baptist-Confession-Chapter-3:-Of-Gods-Decree-Commentary 1689-Baptist-Confession-Chapter-4:-Of-Creation-Commentary Muller, Dictionary of Latin and Greek Theological Terms, Drawn Principally from Protestant Scholastic Theology, 269f. First, Gen 2:18-23 teaches that he intends service mutual help[24] for both husband and wife. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Thus what I believe about my marriage, how I deal with my spouse, and what I think about my spouse ultimately reveals much of what I believe about Jesus. [50] The Corinthian church learned that when Paul rebuked their celebration of marital diversity (1 Cor 5:1). 4 Mark 16:16; Acts 8:36-37, 2:41, 8:12, . We are privileged as children of God and of having God as our Father. Picture Information. [15] Gouge, Building a Godly Home, II.7f; The Solemnization of Marriage, in The Westminster Directory of the Public Worship of God(1645; reprint, 2008), 111. Scripture recognizes no more than two biologically-opposite-gender spouses as constituting a marriage (Dt 17:17). Alternately, painting singleness as a spiritual pinnacle to aspire to (as per monasticism or various stripes of contemporary married to Jesus fallacies) belittles the Spirits purifying work within Christian marriage. What is Sola Scriptura? But the NT also calls husbands[25] to a fitting, holy response of help and costly, tender service in imitation of Jesus (Eph 5:25f). 1929), Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage in the Bible; and Newheiser (b. See less. For browser & player information / issues, click: here. Much modern ado about love celebrates perennial patterns of disobedience receiving updated veneers (Rom 1:32). [29] This does not at all mean that a Christian spouse must never leave an abusive or unfaithful spouse (a significant misreading of 1 Cor 7:10-11,39); such circumstances constitute abandonment. What is the ReformedBaptist and Paedobaptist understanding of the covenants? How? With the Heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the Mouth Confession is made unto Salvation, Rom. From redefinition to outright rejection, little draws heavier fire than affirming the biblical and confessional view of marriage. Scripture names Gods binding man and wife together a covenant (Mal 2:14f; Hos 6:7), wherein they prefer one another above any earthly relation, hold fast to one another in self-giving intimate love, and blend their lives together in all things. Families are to fill, care for, and rule over the earth in a way that brings him honor, and that starts with the imagebearers living under my roof. The1689confession.com , ? We shall reason from Scripture in explaining the Confession, referencing relevant primary sources where helpful. Rethinking Jesus Walking on the Water, How a Pagan Philosopher Came to Believe the Scriptures are from God, So Typical: The forward-pointing nature of Old Testament people, institutions, and events, How to Read a Premodern Confession: The Single Meaning of Scripture and the 2LCF 1:9. GodIII. Last ThingsXI. The Motivations of Marriage (2LC 25.2)[21], Marriage was ordained[22] for the mutual help of husband and wife, for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue, and the preventing of uncleanness. Renihan, A Toolkit for Confessions: Helps for the Study of English Puritan Confessions of Faith, 7-84, and Lumpkin, Baptist Confessions of Faith 2nd edition, 130-41,216-22. Chapter 20 is identical to the same chapter in the Congregationalists' Savoy . [27] Hercules Collins, An Orthodox Catechism, Q&A 123-24; Keach [or perhaps William Collins? Second, giving great hope for souls burdened by sin, its a mirror reflecting how Jesus changed everything eternally (Eph 5:25-32). 1:22-23; 5:23; Heb. His sovereignty extendsfrom the What is Total Depravity? Cf. 1 Cor 7 is of great help in considering how Jesus sanctifies his people within marriage. Second, 2LC asserts, God ordains the establishing of a family: the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue. That is, the Lord desires that godly children be reared within the covenanted context. SalvationV. Free Postage. The church is not exempt from this confusion. [9] The Baptist Catechism was initially entitled A Brief Instruction in the Principles of Christian Religion, Agreeable to the Confession of Faith, put forth by the ELDERS and BRETHREN of many Congregations of Christians, (baptized upon Profession of their Faith) in London and the Country; owning the Doctrine of Personal Election, and Final Perseverance. Some the Spirit will bring to faith; others will flee. [35] Manton, A Wedding Sermon, in Works, II.166; cf. The moment demanded church discipline, not carnal delight. So too, the Directory of Public Worship, 111: marriage is not peculiar to the church of God, but common to mankind; and Wollebius: Since marriage itself is honorable, there is no order of men for whom it is not fitting (Compendium Theologiae Christianae, II.11.3.xxiv). . Were the foreign wives/children provided for? What does it mean that the Scripture is inspired? [13] Cf. Is Scripture sufficient? If you are seeking a better understanding of what the LBC teaches or if you are an elder teaching your One of the only commentaries on the 1689 LBC. Theonly begotten Sonwas from all eternitychosen and ordained(Isa. Faith and Life, 207f. 24:1; Isa. [19] Solemnization of Matrimony, in Thomas Cramner (1489-1556), The 1552 Book of Common Prayer, 364. This site has been decreed by God the Father for the glory of God the Son and empowered by God the Spirit. Both ditches gut the gospel of its power, distort the hope of the Cross, and distract needy sinners from the throne of grace. Original Appendix on Baptism. Baptist perspective is a teaching that is all too often neglected. Observe briefly a foundational portion of the biblical sexual ethic in Lev 18. What is Federal Headship? Nothing in all creation can separate her from his love (Rom 8:35ff), and he will return one day to take her to himself (Rev 21:2-6). This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 110:4; Heb. . See Truths Victory Over Error, XXIV.III. Manton notes that God was the first Author of it; his act hath the force of an institution.[23] 2LC records 3 significant reasons why God instituted or ordained marriage. From all eternity God decreed everything that occurs, without reference to anything outside himself. In my case, I am an active teaching elder in my church and am using this book as a helpful resource in the teaching of the 1689 LBC to our people. Both are brethren; both are fellow servants. In this extensive exposition of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, Sam Waldron shows that this work is a masterly statement of the historic Christian faith. Francis Turretin and His Love for Biblical Truth, Do the Synoptic Gospels Portray Jesus as God? His voice shook the earth then, and the warning is upgraded commensurate with his glorified state, the giving of the Spirit and word, and his eternal rule (cf. In this extensive exposition, the author, Sam Waldron, shows that the '1689' Confession is a masterly statement of the historic Christian faith. [28] For all the honor Scripture accords it, too much sex in marriage is possible. No false or forbidden union can be legislated into legitimacy. [1] Kiffen, Collins, et al, Letter to the Christian Reader, in Nehemiah Coxe (d. 1689), Vindiciae Veritatis (Nath. 48:12; Acts 17:24-25, Ex. May we do all things in the spirit of St. Francis de Sales with compassion, humility, and gentleness. 2LC affirms marriage as an estate wherein a husband and wife are specifically joined together by God[14] (Gen 2:24; Pro 19:14); it is no mere civil contract, social construct, or consequence of the Fall, but Gods ordained pattern, given before sin, from the beginning (Mt 19:8). Did Christ, by His death, atone for the sins of all mankind or only for His elect? Please use a different way to share. [46] Heb 12 declares Jesus as both Sinais thundering lawgiver whom Israel heard (vv 18-21,25f), and the new covenants exalted mediator, who speaks again from heaven by his word (vv 24f). Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for The Baptist Confession of Faith 1689 by Various - Free Shipping at the best online prices at eBay! Departing from the faith and being devoted to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons (1 Tim 4:1) proves one a liar having a seared conscience (v 2), manifested in either outright forbidding (v 3) or adding requirements to what God promises to bless. 17:12; John 19:11; Acts 2:23; 4:27-28. Dr. Samuel Waldron's work is the definitive study of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. What does it mean that God is immutable? In the same way, 1 Cor 7:39 points to the mercy of God in marriage. Members are required to subscribe. Amazon has encountered an error. 3:12 ), meaning that they belong to Him. Note also Thomas Watsons (c. 1620-1686) brilliant application here in The Ten Commandments, II.7.II.4, use 1. Does God never change His mind? Theodore Beza (1519-1605), A Brief and Pithy Sum, V.39.3, in Dennison, Reformed Confessions, II.326f. Community of Faith United Methodist Church. May 31. On the question of the Fathers, see William Lucks careful essay: https://bible.org/seriespage/18-divorce-teachings-early-church. Dennison cites 28 additional Reformation/Post-Reformation standards of significance in Reformed Confessions, IV.737, marriage.. [15] Just as the atonement joined a definite bride to her Husband (Isa 53:10f; Jn 10:11; Eph 5:25), so too in marriage each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband (1 Cor 7:2). So too John Trapp (1601-1669): It is not the having [merely sexually], but the loving [rightly] of a wife, that keepeth a man chaste and clean (Commentary on the NT, note on 1 Cor 7:9). I have come to greatly appreciate it. Nehemiahs response, closing out the OT canon, bears no insinuation of putting away an unregenerate spouse after marriage (contra 1 Cor 7:10-13), but rather displays the consistency of the biblical witness that believers must marry only in the Lord (1 Cor 7:39). As themodern translationputs it: From all eternity God decreed everything that occurs, without reference to anything outside himself. He wa Did God create for His glory? Behold the effect of Christ dwelling in two hearts by faith (Eph 3:17) as Tertullian (155-220) knew it. Picture 1 of 6 . Free postage. He writes in a direct and lucid style that will help ministers, students and laymen alike to a clear understanding of this Confession and to its relevance and application to our modern age. Neh 13:25s great evil). What is Gods justice? 1:2; Acts 17:31, Rom. Williamson, Word Biblical Commentary, vol 16: Ezra, Nehemiah, 139-62 (esp. Keach, The Glory of a True Church, p. 5, fn. Accessed via EEBO at https://bit.ly/39PthpH. For centuries, Baptists have published confessions of faith as formal statements of their beliefs. How did God create? This a very good commentary on the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. But every marital distortion, innovation, and confusion bespeaks the death throes of a serpent whose head was crushed by the Lamb who has overcome (Rev 17:14). To position singleness as subpar, a common consequence of over-exalting marriage, invites false guilt while undermining the biblical doctrines of Gods meticulous providence and common grace. 7 in Chapel Librarys booklet (https://www.chapellibrary.org/index_split_020.html#note_7) for an excellent statement of Particular Baptist understanding here. 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 . Together they pray; together they prostate themselves. Does God know all things? 1.19 miles away Location. The only Witness has been pleased to reveal to us the way He created this world. Does the 2nd London Baptist Confession only permit 1689 Federalism? No. 8:28; 11:36; Eph. The bigamy recorded in the OT (Lamech, Gen 4:19; Abraham, Gen 16,21; Esau, Gen 28:6-9; Jacob, Gen 29, etc.) God made all things very good (Gen. 1:31), includingman. other major Reformed symbols on marriage: Heinrich Bullinger (1504-1575), The Second Helvetic Confession (1566), XXIX; The Westminster Confession of Faith (1647), XXIV.