1689 Overview

RBC is a confessional church

Historically, Baptists have always been a confessional people

Early Baptists in the mid 17th century faced persecution for their beliefs on baptism

Not until the Baptists drafted a confession of faith did the persecution stop

Reformed Baptist churches are typically described by “Three Cs”

Calvinistic, Covenantal and Confessional

The 1689 lays out, in summary with scripture references, the vital doctrines that lead us into a life altering submission to what the scriptures are actually teaching.

Why is it important to hold to a historic confession of faith?

Confessions are useful for the public affirmation and defense of truth

“Follow the pattern of sound words...”

“Stand fast with one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel”

It is important to stake a flag in the ground on what the Bible means, not just what the Bible says.

JWs, Mormons, 7th Day Adventists, etc. all believe the Bible

A confession of faith guards each subscriber and the church against false teachings and heresy

Confessions are like a fence around a property. Anything inside this fence is what we affirm the Bible means. Anything outside is not affirmed by the church as true and orthodox.

Confessions serve as a public standard of fellowship and discipline

“Keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”

“Keep the

Members are to be “of one accord,” unified in heart, soul, spirit, mind and voice. , , , .

Aids in the protection of a church’s unity and in preservation of peace

Draws together those who hold a common faith and binds them together in one communion

A house divided against itself cannot stand! ()

Facilitates the evaluation of the doctrinal position of the church by a prospective member and vice versa

Provides a concise doctrinal standard for use in church discipline

Romans 16:17 ESV

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

Confessions serve as a standard by which to evaluate ministers of the word (Elders)

2 Timothy 2:2 ESV

2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

Titus 1:9 ESV

9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

1 John 4:1 ESV

1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 john

We cannot obey these verses by simply receiving a man on his words “I believe the Bible.”

Confessions contribute to a sense of historical continuity

Our confession ties us to a rich heritage of Particular Baptists going back centuries

We are not trying something new

Our faith is time tested and true

“A church without a confession of faith may as well advertise that it is prepared to be a harbour for every kind of damning heresy and to be the soil for any who are given to growing the crop of novelty. A church without a confession of faith has the theological and ecclesiastical equivalent of AIDS, with no immunity against the infectious winds of false doctrine.” - Sam Waldron

How did we get the 1689 2LBC?