1689 London Baptist Confession, Chapter 23
Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
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.
Scripture references for paragraph 1
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Exodus 20:77You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who takes His name in vain.
Deuteronomy 10:2020You are to fear the LORD your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name.
Jeremiah 4:22and if you can swear, ‘As surely as the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then the nations will be blessed by Him, and in Him they will glory.”
2 Chronicles 6:2222When a man sins against his neighbor and is required to take an oath, and he comes to take an oath before Your altar in this temple,
2 Chronicles 6:2323then may You hear from heaven and act. May You judge Your servants, condemning the wicked man by bringing down on his own head what he has done, and justifying the righteous man by rewarding him according to his righteousness.
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.
Scripture references for paragraph 2
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Matthew 5:3434But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;
Matthew 5:3737Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.
James 5:1212Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.
Hebrews 6:1616Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and their oath serves as a confirmation to end all argument.
2 Corinthians 1:2323I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth.
Nehemiah 13:2525I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves!
Whosoever taketh an Oath warranted by the Word of God, ought duely to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act; and therein to avouch nothing, but what he knoweth to be the truth; for that by rash, false, and vain Oaths the Lord is provoked, and for them this Land mournes.
Scripture references for paragraph 3
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Leviticus 19:1212You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:1010For the land is full of adulterers— because of the curse, the land mourns and the pastures of the wilderness have dried up— their course is evil and their power is misused.
An Oath is to be taken in the plain, and common sense of the words; without equivocation, or mental reservation.
Scripture references for paragraph 4
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Psalms 24:44He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.
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 intangle himself.
Scripture references for paragraph 5
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Psalms 76:1111Make and fulfill your vows to the LORD your God; let all the neighboring lands bring tribute to Him who is to be feared.
Genesis 28:2020Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey, and if He will provide me with food to eat and clothes to wear,
Genesis 28:2121so that I may return safely to my father’s house, then the LORD will be my God.
Genesis 28:2222And this stone I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give You a tenth.”
1 Corinthians 7:22But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.
1 Corinthians 7:99But if they cannot control themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
Ephesians 4:2828He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.
Matthew 19:1111“Not everyone can accept this word,” He replied, “but only those to whom it has been given.
Source and edition
1689 London Baptist Confession. NonlinearFruit/Creeds.json, Unlicense. Creeds.json, English transcription
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