The London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 with Preface, Baptist Catechism, and Appendix on Baptism

by Particular Baptists, William Kiffin, William Collins

The London Baptist Confession of 1677/89 played an important role in Baptist history. The Act of Uniformity of 1662 made the new Anglican Prayer Book mandatory for use in all Anglican, Presbyterian, Congregationalist, and Baptist churches in England. Moreover, the Anglican church abandoned the Westminster Confession and returned to the Thirty-Nine Articles as its official confession of faith. Consequently, with the restoration of the Monarchy, the English Baptists suffered persecution for their faith. In 1677, a group of Particular Baptists met for the purpose of producing a more expansive confession than the previous Baptist confession of 1644. They modeled the Second London Confession on the Westminster Confession, but with significant theological differences regarding church government and baptism. Persecution kept the 1677 document from being officially endorsed by Particular Baptists until 1689, when the Toleration Act was passed. This act enabled religious freedom to co-exist alongside the established churches in England and Scotland. As a result, representatives from over 100 Particular Baptist churches met in London from July 3-11 to discuss and endorse the 1677 document. Though the confession was published in 1677, the General Assembly of Particular Baptist Churches adopted it in 1689; hence it is commonly known as “the 1689.” The Westminster Confession, the Savoy Declaration, and the London Baptist Confession of 1677/89 are considered the most important Reformed confessions arising from the English-speaking world. This edition has the original preface, the Baptist catechism, and the original appendix on baptism, as well as an appendix on the historical background of the confession. Extensive annotations have been added by Chapel Library.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Christianity, History, Church, Religion, Nonfiction

176 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1677

Reviews

[Chase Tremaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am no longer a hypocrite. After a few years of knowing more-or-less that I agreed with the teachings found within this, The Second London Confession, and knowing that I agreed with the theology of men and women who use this confession, I can now finally say that I've read the thing myself. And you know what? I am most certainly a 1689-er.

These brilliantly articulated articles of the Christian faith (coming specifically from a Reformed Baptist perspective) were informative to my mind and enriching to my soul. I found myself so dearly encouraged throughout the whole reading of this pocket-sized volume, while simultaneously being enthralled by how well the arguments therein were being composed.

Much like the Pocket Puritan edition of the Heidelberg Catechism that I reviewed a few weeks ago, I consider this to be required reading; it's one of the greatest gifts that Christians from the seventeenth century left behind for us.

My first reading was more informational, blazing through two to three chapters during each sitting. Sometime soon, I hope to read through this confession again yet more slowly and meditatively. Specifically, I want to take time to look up each scripture references, that way I can allow the truth of this confession to seep into my heart primarily by means of how it correctly represents, summarizes, and teaches the truths already clearly found and taught within God's Word.

[Jordan Litts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's pretty obvious that I'll give this 5 stars.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 1689 Baptist Confession is a solid, reformed, baptistic confession. It is relatively short, direct, and solidly biblical.

[Josh Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very useful and concise statement of faith. The early sections on God's nature, Justification, Free Will, etc are foundational. Understandably (and frustratingly), some sections are moreso statements against the Catholic faith, and therefore lacking precision.

[Brandon Vaughan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never found a church covenant or confession that I agree with 100%, and this was no exception. However, I did agree with a lot of it and I really enjoyed reading it from a historical perspective. I also liked reading it as a devotional, reading one chapter a day and looking up the Scriptures.

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first time reading the Confession in its entirety.

[Jethro Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good time.

[Michael Jeffries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Also gold.

[Scott Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for Baptist History at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Excellent confession of Particular Baptists.

[Carl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very thorough statement of faith. Encouraged by a discussion at college last week about why we attend the churches we attend and if theological distinctiveness are still relevant in denominations today I decided to read this one. I have been part of baptist churches in the past, and am attending a baptist church again after a time in another denomination. It was an interesting read, an articulate statement of faith and one I can agree with and submit to.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good. Each section was excellent, even the bits I differ with Baptists on.

[Nick Roark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Better Every Time

[Ed Groover · Rating 5 out of 5]

This confession of faith is the touchstone for a Baptist confessions that follow. It's a great encouragement. How wise, precise, and insightful our Baptist forebears were!

[Pig Rieke · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Our only creed is the Bible” is a great creed in theory; however, it doesn’t get you very far as one must immediately ask, “What does the Bible say?” The London Baptist Confession is so beautiful in that it answers this question with a clear picture of “man’s complete ruin and sin and what God has done in Christ to bring him to Him again.” The answer to the question again, is as Jesus answered, scripture is the revelation of Christ to sinners. The confession provides great clarity and correction to a number of ideas while still majoring on the majors and minoring on the minors.

Great confession. Great reminder that Christ reigns through His Spirit in the world in every age. Greatly edifying to me.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 1689 London Confession is a statement of faith by Particular Baptists (not Anabaptists) following in the footsteps of the Presbyterians’ Westminster Statement and the Congregationalists’ Savoy Declaration. This confession is loaded with theology that took me five months to work through. I can understand why this statement has endured for so long as these truths remain the Protestant Orthodox doctrines.

That is not to say that no Protestants will take exception to some of these statements. This statement affirms Reformed Covenant theology (to the chagrin of Dispensationalists) and credobaptist (as opposed to paedobaptist) doctrines. Working through this confession was highly edifying to me and a strongly recommend it to everyone!

[Joelendil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last week someone inquired via our church website if the church holds to the London Baptist Confession of 1689, and I realized that I had never actually read it. Despite 4 years of college, 5 years of seminary (to earn a 3-year degree), and 13 years as a pastor in Baptistic churches, I had never actually read one of the earliest systematic statements of Baptist distinctives. Of course, Baptists aren’t nearly as attached to historic creeds and confessions as some denominations, so it’s not nearly as shocking as say a Presbyterian clergyman who hasn’t read The Westminster Confession or a Lutheran one who hasn’t studied Luther’s Small Catechism. In fact, the original framers of the London Confession make it pretty clear that they composed it to help people understand their position, not to have it treated as some authoritative final word on what it means to be Baptist. Nevertheless, I decided it was about time to give it a read.

The London Confession is closely modeled on the Presbyterian/Reformed Westminster Confession and the Congregationalist Savoy Declaration with edits in the areas of secondary importance where Baptist beliefs diverge from theirs (e.g. baptism). Unsurprisingly, I found myself in agreement with the vast majority of it. I would quibble with a few points (like viewing Sunday as “the Christian Sabbath”), but found it to be overall a decent summary of what I believe the Bible teaches unencumbered by a lot of the cringey political and legalistic baggage that currently gets attached to the name Baptist. Overall, a nice quick read on the historical roots of the denomination in which I serve.

[Zachary Houghton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a handy edition of the finest and most readily comprehensive Baptist confession. Some of the language, where slightly archaic, is explained, which is a helpful feature. The confession itself remains a trusted explanation of what Particular/Reformed Baptists believe from the pages of Scripture. A Baptist church looking for a robust, time-proven confession of faith should read this, and follow it up with Sam Waldron’s “Why (and How) Your Church Should Hold the 1689 Confession”, as well as Carl Trueman’s “The Creedal Imperative”.

[Tom Findysz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was written well, yet I wasn’t totally satisfied with it. The confession seemed to me to be either holding back punches in some things or not expanding upon other things enough. Don’t get me wrong; it is well written. Although, I’m not sure it is as thorough as I’d like it to be.

Regarding this version with the updated language, I appreciated the comments that were put in brackets for sections or words that were difficult to understand. I didn’t find the language of the confession particularly difficult, but some things were quite heady and lended themselves well to a short explanation.

[Evan Cruse · Rating 4 out of 5]

The soteriology is spot on and the conciseness of our Baptist beliefs is something that is missing tremendously in our churches. It is also easier to read than some other confessions we hold dear. Nonetheless, there are also parts which can be seen as placing too much emphasis on their life around them (primarily regarding the Roman Catholic church). But, us protestants need to get back to our historical roots. This is a place to start.

[Kiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written to distinguish Baptist identity in England during a time of persecution, the Baptist confession of faith is a credo baptist version of the Westminster confession. It’s divided into 32 chapters that make statements and cite Bible verses on most of the major doctrines contained in scripture. 123 pages of confessional statements from a Baptist perspective.

[Ramon de la Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confesión de fe,credo ó regla de fe son unos de las formes que se pueden llamen a la reflexión que hacen ciertas denominaciones religiosas sobre el mensaje contenido en las sagradas escrituras. Muy importante conocer en que creen, como creen, y las formas de manifestaciones que aceptan. ¡Recomendado!

[JR Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take the LC 1644, add liberal amounts of WCF 1649, but spice it up with some Savoy 1658 and keep the Baptist and Congregationalist flavors in there...And viola! you have the best confession of faith ever. ;-)

[Sandu Andronic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cea mai fidelă mărturisire de credință care există în prezent. Din tot ce s-a scris în istoria creștinismului, acest document reflectă cel mai bine și cel mai precis esența Scripturii, a Evangheliei și a Împărăției lui Dumnezeu, într-o formă succintă.

[Evan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, very accessible to read. The modernization at times, however, loses regality and clarity of the original confession. Therefore, the 3/5 rating of this review is not a critique of the content of the confession, but rather, of the modernized language herein.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent Confession of Faith for reviewing with family and fellow believers in a day when many cannot articulate what Baptists believe and why we believe it.

[Tyler Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good edition.

[Iain Hamill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as crisp and clear as the WCF original. Also feel as a good Presbyterian that it tails off near the end...

[JT Stead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this devotionally. One of the clearest presentation of ancient Reformed Christian doctrine.

[Adrian K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This confession, which is a revision of the Westminster Confession (1647), improves on it in almost every way.