1689 London Baptist Confession, Chapter 3
Of God's Decree
God hath Decreed in himself from all Eternity, by the most wise and holy Councel of his own will, freely and unchangeably, all things whatsoever comes to passe; 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.
Scripture references for paragraph 1
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Isaiah 46:1010I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’
Ephesians 1:1111In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,
Hebrews 6:1717So when God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath.
Romans 9:1515For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
Romans 9:1818Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.
James 1:1515Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
James 1:1717Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
1 John 1:55And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
Acts 4:2727In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed.
Acts 4:2828They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen.
John 19:1111Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”
Numbers 23:1919God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?
Ephesians 1:33Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 1:44For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love
Ephesians 1:55He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will,
Although God knoweth whatsoever may, or can come to passe 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.
Scripture references for paragraph 2
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Acts 15:1818that have been known for ages.’
Romans 9:1111Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand,
Romans 9:1313So it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
Romans 9:1616So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
Romans 9:1818Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.
By the decree of God for the manifestation of his glory some men and Angels, are predestinated, or fore-ordained 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.
Scripture references for paragraph 3
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
1 Timothy 5:2121I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.
Matthew 25:4141Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Ephesians 1:55He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will,
Ephesians 1:66to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One.
Romans 9:2222What if God, intending to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the vessels of His wrath, prepared for destruction?
Romans 9:2323What if He did this to make the riches of His glory known to the vessels of His mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory—
Jude 1:44For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
These Angels and Men thus predestinated, and fore-ordained, are particularly, and unchangeably designed; and their number so certain, and definite, that it cannot be either increased, or diminished.
Scripture references for paragraph 4
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
2 Timothy 2:1919Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”
John 13:1818I am not speaking about all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the Scripture: ‘The one who shares My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’
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 Councel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of his meer free grace and love; without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving him thereunto.
Scripture references for paragraph 5
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Ephesians 1:44For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love
Ephesians 1:99And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ
Ephesians 1:1111In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will,
Romans 8:3030And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
2 Timothy 1:99He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began.
1 Thessalonians 5:99For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 9:1313So it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
Romans 9:1616So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
Ephesians 1:66to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One.
Ephesians 1:1212in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory.
As God hath appointed the Elect unto glory, so he hath by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, fore-ordained all the means thereunto, wherefore they who are elected, being faln in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by his spirit working in due season, are justifyed, 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.
Scripture references for paragraph 6
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
1 Peter 1:22according to the foreknowledge of God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by His blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
2 Thessalonians 2:1313But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth.
1 Thessalonians 5:99For God has not appointed us to suffer wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:1010He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with Him.
Romans 8:3030And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
2 Thessalonians 2:1313But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth.
1 Peter 1:55who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
John 10:2626But because you are not My sheep, you refuse to believe.
John 17:99I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those You have given Me; for they are Yours.
John 6:6464However, there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him.)
The Doctrine of this 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 yeilding 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.
Scripture references for paragraph 7
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
1 Thessalonians 1:44Brothers who are beloved by God, we know that He has chosen you,
1 Thessalonians 1:55because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction—just as you know we lived among you for your sake.
2 Peter 1:1010Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble,
Ephesians 1:66to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved One.
Romans 11:3333O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!
Romans 11:55In the same way, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.
Romans 11:66And if it is by grace, then it is no longer by works. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace.
Luke 10:2020Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Source and edition
1689 London Baptist Confession. NonlinearFruit/Creeds.json, Unlicense. Creeds.json, English transcription
Unlicense. Source transcription.
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