A Faith to Confess: The Baptist Confession
of Faith of 1689
Rewritten in Modern English
©1975, Carey Publications, Ltd.,
75 Woodhill Road, Leeds, U.K., LS16 7BZ
AS the covenant of works was broken by man's sin and was
unable to confer life, God in His mercy promised to send Christ,
who would be woman-born; and by means of the promise the
elect would be called, and faith and repentance wrought in their
hearts. In this promise the very substance of the gospel was
revealed as the effectual means for the conversion and salvation of
sinners.
Gen. 3:15; Rev. 7:9.
This promise of Christ and of salvation by Him is revealed to
men by the Word of God alone. Neither the works of creation
and providence, nor the light of nature, reveal Christ and His
grace to men, not even in a general or obscure way; much less
is it possible by their means for men who lack the revelation of
Christ by the promise of the gospel to attain to saving faith or
repentance.
Prov. 29:18; Isa. 25:7; 60:2,3; Rom. 1:17; 10:14,15,17.
The revelation of the gospel to sinners, both to nations and to
certain persons, together with the promises and precepts which
belong to gospel obedience, has been made at various times and
in a variety of places, according to the sovereign will and good
pleasure of God. The promise of the making known of the
gospel has not been made contingent upon any good use made
by men of their native abilities developed by means of light
common to all, for such a development has never taken place,
nor can it do so. Hence in all ages the extent to which the gospel
has been proclaimed, whether to wider or more confined areas,
has been granted to persons and nations in greatly varying
measures according to the all-wise will of God.
Ps. 147:20; Acts 16:7; Rom. 1:18-32.
The gospel is the only external means of making Christ and
saving grace known to men, and it is completely adequate for
this purpose. But that men who are dead in their sins may be
born again-that is to say, made alive, or regenerated-something
further is essential, namely, an effectual, invincible work of the
Holy Spirit upon every part of the soul of man, whereby a new
spiritual life is produced. Nothing less than such a work will
bring about conversion to God.
Ps. 110:3; John 6:44; 1 Cor. 2:14; 2 Cor. 4:4,6; Eph. 1:19,20.
Our Confession |
Next |