1689 London Baptist Confession, Chapter 20
Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience
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 therein Effectual, for the Conversion and Salvation of Sinners.
Scripture references for paragraph 1
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Genesis 3:1515And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Revelation 13:88And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb who was slain.
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.
Scripture references for paragraph 2
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Romans 1:1717For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Romans 10:1414How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?
Romans 10:1515And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Romans 10:1717Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Proverbs 29:1818Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the Law.
Isaiah 25:77On this mountain He will swallow up the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations;
Isaiah 60:22For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you.
Isaiah 60:33Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
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 meerly of the Soveraign Will and good Pleasure of God; not being annexed by vertue of any Promise, to the due improvement of mens natural abilities, by vertue of Common light received, without it; which none ever did make, or can so do: And therefore in all Ages the preaching of the Gospel hath been granted unto persons and Nations, as to the extent, or streightning of it, in great variety, according to the Councell of the Will of God.
Scripture references for paragraph 3
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Psalms 147:2020He has done this for no other nation; they do not know His judgments. Hallelujah!
Acts 16:77And when they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them.
Romans 1:1818The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.
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, Quickned 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.
Scripture references for paragraph 4
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Psalms 110:33Your people shall be willing on Your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn, to You belongs the dew of Your youth.
1 Corinthians 2:1414The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Ephesians 1:1919and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength,
Ephesians 1:2020which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms,
John 6:4444“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.
2 Corinthians 4:44The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2 Corinthians 4:66For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Source and edition
1689 London Baptist Confession. NonlinearFruit/Creeds.json, Unlicense. Creeds.json, English transcription
Unlicense. Source transcription.
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