The 1689 London Baptist Confession Of Faith; Read by Eric Kahure

Chapter 26: Of the Church PARAGRAPH 12 As all believers are bound to join themselves to particular churches, when and where they have opportunity so to do; so all that are admitted unto the privileges of a church, are also under the censures and government thereof, according to the rule of Christ.25 25  1 Thess. 5:14 ;  2 Thess. 3:6 , 14–15

Chapter 26: Of the Church PARAGRAPH 11 Although it be incumbent on the bishops or pastors of the churches, to be instant in preaching the word, by way of office, yet the work of preaching the word is not so peculiarly confined to them but that others also gifted and fitted by the Holy Spirit for it, and approved and called by the church, may and ought to perform it.24 24  Acts 11:19–21 ;  1 Pet. 4...

Chapter 26: Of the Church PARAGRAPH 10 The work of pastors being constantly to attend the service of Christ, in His churches, in the ministry of the word and prayer, with watching for their souls, as they that must give an account to Him;19 it is incumbent on the churches to whom they minister, not only to give them all due respect, but also to communicate to them of all their good things accordin...

Chapter 26: Of the Church PARAGRAPH 9 The way appointed by Christ for the calling of any person, fitted and gifted by the Holy Spirit, unto the office of bishop or elder in a church, is, that he be chosen thereunto by the common suffrage of the church itself;16 and solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer, with imposition of hands of the eldership of the church, if there be any before constituted...

Chapter 26: Of the Church PARAGRAPH 8 A particular church, gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members; and the officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church (so called and gathered), for the peculiar administration of ordinances, and execution of power or duty, which He entrusts them with, or calls them to, to be cont...

Chapter 26: Of the Church PARAGRAPH 7 To each of these churches thus gathered, according to His mind declared in His word, he hath given all that power and authority, which is in any way needful for their carrying on that order in worship and discipline, which He hath instituted for them to observe; with commands and rules for the due and right exerting, and executing of that power.14 14  Matt. 18...

Chapter 26: Of the Church PARAGRAPH 6 The members of these churches are saints by calling, visibly manifesting and evidencing (in and by their profession and walking) their obedience unto that call of Christ;12 and do willingly consent to walk together, according to the appointment of Christ; giving up themselves to the Lord, and one to another, by the will of God, in professed subjection to the o...

Chapter 26: Of the Church PARAGRAPH 5 In the execution of this power wherewith He is so entrusted, the Lord Jesus calleth out of the world unto Himself, through the ministry of His Word, by His Spirit, those that are given unto Him by His Father,9 that they may walk before Him in all the ways of obedience, which He prescribeth to them in His Word.10 Those thus called, He commandeth to walk togethe...

Chapter 26: Of the Church PARAGRAPH 4 The Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, in whom, by the appointment of the Father, all power for the calling, institution, order or government of the church, is invested in a supreme and sovereign manner;7 neither can the Pope of Rome in any sense be head thereof, but is that antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalts himself in th...

Chapter 26: Of the Church PARAGRAPH 3 The purest churches under heaven are subject to mixture and error;4 and some have so degenerated as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan;5 nevertheless Christ always hath had, and ever shall have a kingdom in this world, to the end thereof, of such as believe in Him, and make profession of His name.6 4  1 Cor. 5 ;  Rev. 2–3 5  Rev. 18:2 ; ...

Chapter 26: Of the Church PARAGRAPH 2 All persons throughout the world, professing the faith of the gospel, and obedience unto God by Christ according unto it, not destroying their own profession by any errors everting the foundation, or unholiness of conversation, are and may be called visible saints;2 and of such ought all particular congregations to be constituted.3 2  1 Cor. 1:2 ;  Acts 11:26...

Chapter 26: Of the Church PARAGRAPH 1 The catholic or universal church, which (with respect to the internal work of the Spirit and truth of grace) may be called invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ, the head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of him that fills all in all.1 1  Heb. 12:23 ;  Col. 1:18 ; ...

Chapter 25: Of Marriage PARAGRAPH 4 Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity, forbidden in the Word;8 nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made lawful, by any law of man or consent of parties, so as those persons may live together as man and wife.9 8  Lev. 18 9  Mark 6:18 ;  1 Cor. 5:1

Chapter 25: Of Marriage PARAGRAPH 3 It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent;5 yet it is the duty of Christians to marry in the Lord;6 and therefore such as profess the true religion, should not marry with infidels, or idolaters; neither should such as are godly, be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are wicked in their life, or maintai...

Chapter 25: Of Marriage PARAGRAPH 2 Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife,2 for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue,3 and the preventing of uncleanness.4 2  Gen. 2:18 3  Gen. 1:28 4  1 Cor. 7:2 , 9

Chapter 25: Of Marriage PARAGRAPH 1 Marriage is to be between one man and one woman; neither is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband at the same time.1 1  Gen. 2:24 ;  Mal. 2:15 ;  Matt. 19:5–6

Chapter 24: Of the Civil Magistrate PARAGRAPH 3 Civil magistrates being set up by God for the ends aforesaid; subjection, in all lawful things commanded by them, ought to be yielded by us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but for conscience’ sake;4 and we ought to make supplications and prayers for kings and all that are in authority, that under them we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all g...

Chapter 24: Of the Civil Magistrate PARAGRAPH 2 It is lawful for Christians to accept and execute the office of a magistrate when called thereunto; in the management whereof, as they ought especially to maintain justice and peace,2 according to the wholesome laws of each kingdom and commonwealth, so for that end they may lawfully now, under the New Testament, wage war upon just and necessary occas...

Chapter 24: Of the Civil Magistrate PARAGRAPH 1 God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, has ordained civil magistrates to be under him, over the people, for his own glory and the public good; and to this end has armed them with the power of the sword, for defence and encouragement of them that do good, and for the punishment of evil doers.1 1  Rom. 13:1–4

Chapter 23: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows PARAGRAPH 5 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;8 but popish monastical vows of perpetual single life,9 professed poverty,10 and regular obedience, are so far from being degrees of higher perfection, that they are superstitious and sinful snares, in which no Chris...

Chapter 23: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows PARAGRAPH 4 An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words, without equivocation or mental reservation.7 7  Ps. 24:4

Chapter 23: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows PARAGRAPH 3 Whosoever takes an oath warranted by the word of God, ought duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act, and therein to avouch nothing but what he knows to be truth; for that by rash, false, and vain oaths, the Lord is provoked, and for them this land mourns.6 6  Lev. 19:12 ;  Jer. 23:10

Chapter 23: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows PARAGRAPH 2 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;3 yet as in matter of weight and moment, for confirmation of truth, and ending all strif...

Chapter 23: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows PARAGRAPH 1 A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein the person swearing in truth, righteousness, and judgment, solemnly calls God to witness what he swears,1 and to judge him according to the truth or falseness thereof.2 1  Exod. 20:7 ;  Deut. 10:20 ;  Jer. 4:2 2  2 Chron. 6:22–23

Chapter 22: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day PARAGRAPH 8 The sabbath is then kept holy unto the Lord, when men, after a due preparing of their hearts, and ordering their common affairs aforehand, do not only observe a holy rest all day, from their own works, words and thoughts, about their worldly employment and recreations,30 but are also taken up the whole time in the public and private...