Curiosities of the Confession
In last week’s bulletin article, I announced a new Sunday afternoon class in which we will discuss the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith. I also made a plea for attendance because it is important for our people to expand their understanding of the reasons we are members of a Baptist church and not one of the dozens of denominational, nondenominational, or interdenominational churches we could choose. Even more specific are the reasons this Baptist church is different from others also using the name. The 1689 Confession helps us better understand our purpose in describing ourselves as a historic Baptist church. The Baptist church dates to the first church in Jerusalem founded by Christ during His earthly ministry. Although the Confession appeared 1700 years later, the doctrines expressed in it confidently say the church is the pillar and ground of the truth which rests on the foundation of Christ, the prophets, and the apostles. The doctrinal positions are the same as the original New Testament church.
It is impossible for all churches to make this claim as the doctrines of these churches are clearly different from ours and they have their own confessions to elucidate their opinions of scripture. With interpretations that have critical and fundamental differences, the claim of agreement is logically unsustainable. This makes it unacceptable for us to be in close fellowship with all. This is not to say that Baptists of our variety are the only Christians. If this were so, salvation would be in the practices of the church not in the person of Christ. In the New Testament, churches were already departing from doctrines taught by Christ and the apostles, thus the plentiful warnings to guard fellowship and have no part with them.
Part of our study of the 1689 Confession will concern the need for it in 17th century England. In just a simplified statement, it was necessary for Baptists in a persecuted position to prove their orthodoxy. Both Protestants and Roman Catholics upheld the right of magistrates to enforce the tenants of the state church. The state church seesawed depending on the faith of Kings and Queens. Catholicism was most restrictive during their reigns with Protestants not far behind in their own. In the late 17th century, Protestantism was back in control along with more tolerance for those who had not been a part of the state church. However, there was no toleration for those who differed on major doctrines illuminated during the Protestant Reformation. The 1689 Confession expressed solidarity with the Reformation mainly in the areas of Soteriology with emphasis on the sovereignty of God. This separated the authors not only from the heretical splinter groups but also from Baptists that still today reject these doctrines. It is not possible to term these others as historical Baptists. While they may be as old as the Confession, they are not as old as the roots of it.
I have already alluded to the antiquity of apostasy beginning in apostolic times (fine alliteration). The struggle to maintain truth through the centuries has been difficult especially since the wedding of the Roman government to the apostate Catholic church under Constantine. Believers often used Confessions of Faith to pass down proper interpretations from generation to generation. Among the churches persecuted and often hiding to escape it, documents of their faith reflect consistency with the later 1689’s intentions. We want to show our solidarity with our Baptist brethren who faithfully endured all efforts to eradicate the truth of God’s word. Like those Baptists of the 17th century who could not agree with every tenet of the Reformation, neither can we support all they believed outside the boundaries of soteriology. Our disagreements are not major and neither do they represent any doctrine that affects the salvation of God’s people. We will note these appropriately as we study.
I have left much to explain which should leave you with curiosity. I live for these opportunities. Why are we historical Baptists? You should know!
Pastor V. Mark Smith