Click to Download PDF 1646 London Baptist Confession of Faith

1646 London Baptist Confession of Faith

CONFESSION OF FAITH of seven congregations or churches of Christ in London. which are commonly, but unjustly, called Anabaptists; published for the vindication of the truth and information of the ignorant; likewise for the taking off those aspersions which are frequently, both in pulpit and print, unjustly cast upon them. Printed in London, Anno 1646.

I (1)

THE Lord our God is but one God, whose subsistence is in Himself; whose essence cannot be comprehended by any but Himself, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light, which no man can approach unto; who is in Himself most holy, every way infinite, in greatness, wisdom, power, love: merciful and gracious, long- suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth; who giveth being, moving and preservation to all creatures.

1 Cor.8:6; lsa.44:6. 46:9; Exod.3:14; 1 Tim.6:16; Isa. 43:15; Ps.147:5; Deut.32:3; Job 36:5; Jer.10:12; Exod.34:6.7; Acts17:28; Rom.11:36

1 Cor. 8:6  yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live

lsa.44:6”Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel,

       And his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts:

       “I am the First and I am the Last;

       Besides Me there is no God.

   46:9 Remember the former things of old,

            For I am God, and there is no other;

            I am God, and there is none like Me,

Exodus 3:14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.”‘

1 Tim. 6:16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

Isa. 43:15 I am the LORD, your Holy One,

       The Creator of Israel, your King.”

Ps.147:5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;

       His understanding is infinite.

Deut.32:3 For I proclaim the name of the LORD:

       Ascribe greatness to our God.

Job 36:5”Behold, God is mighty, but despises no one;

       He is mighty in strength of understanding.

Jer.10:12 He has made the earth by His power,

       He has established the world by His wisdom,

       And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion.

Exodus 34:6, 7 And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”

Acts 17:28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, “For we are also His offspring.’

Rom.11:36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

II (2)

IN this divine and infinite Being there is the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; each having the whole divine Essence, yet the Essence undivided; all infinite without any beginning, therefore but one God; who is not to be divided in nature, and being, but distinguished by several peculiar relative properties.

1 Cor. 1:3; John 1:1, 15:26; Exod.3:14; 1 Cor.8:6

1 Cor.1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

   15:26”But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

Exod.3:14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.”‘

1 Cor.8:6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

III (3)

GOD hath decreed in Himself, before the world was, concerning all things, whether necessary, accidental or voluntary, with all the circumstances of them, to work, dispose, and bring about all things according to the counsel of His own will, to His glory: (Yet without being the author of sin, or having fellowship with anything therein) in which appears His wisdom in disposing all things, unchangeableness, power, and faithfulness in accomplishing His decree: And God hath before the foundation of the world, foreordained some men to eternal life, through Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of His grace; and leaving the rest in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of His justice.

Isa.46:10; Eph.1:11; Rom.11:33; Ps.115:3, 135:6, 33:15; 1 Sam.10:9.26; Prov.21:6; Exod.21:13; Prov.16:33; Ps.144; Isa.45:7: Jer.14:22; Matt.6:28, 30; Col.1:16, 17; Num.23:19.20; Rom. 3:4; Jer.10:10; Eph.1:4, 5. Jude 4.6; Prov.16:4

Isa.46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning,

       And from ancient times things that are not yet done,

       Saying, “My counsel shall stand,

       And I will do all My pleasure,’

Eph.1:11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,

Rom.11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

Ps.115:3 But our God is in heaven;

       He does whatever He pleases

   135:6 Whatever the LORD pleases He does,

                In heaven and in earth,

                In the seas and in all deep places.

   33:15 He fashions their hearts individually;

               He considers all their works.

1 Sam.10:9 So it was, when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, that God gave him another heart; and all those signs came to pass that day

   26. And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and valiant men went with him, whose hearts God had touched

Prov.21:6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue

                    Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death

Exod.21:13 However, if he did not lie in wait, but God delivered him into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee

Prov.16:33 The lot is cast into the lap,

                       But its every decision is from the LORD

Ps.144 /  A Song to the LORD Who Preserves and Prospers His People

    A Psalm of David.

    1 Blessed be the LORD my Rock,

       Who trains my hands for war,

       And my fingers for battle–

       2 My lovingkindness and my fortress,

       My high tower and my deliverer,

       My shield and the One in whom I take refuge,

       Who subdues my people under me.

       3 LORD, what is man, that You take knowledge of him?

       Or the son of man, that You are mindful of him?

       4 Man is like a breath;

       His days are like a passing shadow.

       5 Bow down Your heavens, O LORD, and come down;

       Touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.

       6 Flash forth lightning and scatter them;

       Shoot out Your arrows and destroy them.

       7 Stretch out Your hand from above;

       Rescue me and deliver me out of great waters,

       From the hand of foreigners,

       8 Whose mouth speaks lying words,

       And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

       9 I will sing a new song to You, O God;

       On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You,

       10 The One who gives salvation to kings,

       Who delivers David His servant

       From the deadly sword.

       11 Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners,

       Whose mouth speaks lying words,

       And whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood–

       12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth;

       That our daughters may be as pillars,

       Sculptured in palace style;

       13 That our barns may be full,

       Supplying all kinds of produce;

       That our sheep may bring forth thousands

       And ten thousands in our fields;

       14 That our oxen may be well laden;

       That there be no breaking in or going out;

       That there be no outcry in our streets.

       15 Happy are the people who are in such a state;

       Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!

Isa.45:7 I form the light and create darkness,

       I make peace and create calamity;

       I, the LORD, do all these things.’

Jer.14:22 Are there any among the idols of the nations that can cause rain?

       Or can the heavens give showers?

       Are You not He, O LORD our God?

       Therefore we will wait for You,

       Since You have made all these.

Matt.6:28, 30”So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

Col.1:16, 17  For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

Num.23:19.20”God is not a man, that He should lie,

       Nor a son of man, that He should repent.

       Has He said, and will He not do?

       Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

       20 Behold, I have received a command to bless;

       He has blessed, and I cannot reverse it.

Rom.3:4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written:

       That You may be justified in Your words,

      And may overcome when You are judged.

Jer.10:10 But the LORD is the true God;

      He is the living God and the everlasting King.

      At His wrath the earth will tremble,

      And the nations will not be able to endure His indignation.

Eph.1:4,5  just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

Jude 4,6  For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;

Prov.16:4 The LORD has made all for Himself,

                   Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.

IV (4)

IN the beginning God made all things very good; created man after His own Image, filled with all meet perfection of nature, and free from all sin; but long he abode not in this honor; Satan using the subtlety of the serpent to seduce first Eve, then by her seducing Adam; who without any compulsion, in eating the forbidden fruit, transgressed the command of God, and fell, whereby death came upon all his posterity; who now are conceived in sin, and by nature the children of wrath, the servants of sin, the subjects of death, and other miseries in this world, and for ever, unless the Lord Jesus Christ set them free.

Gen.1:1; Col.1:16; lsa.45:12; 1 Cor.15:45, 46; Eccles.7:29; Gen.3:1, 4, 5; 2 Cor.11:3; 1 Tim.2:14; Ga1.3:22; Rom.5:12, 18, 19, 6:22; Eph.2:3

Gen.1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Col.1:16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

lsa.45:12 I have made the earth,

                  And created man on it.

                  IMy hands stretched out the heavens,

                  And all their host I have commanded.

1 Cor.15:45, 46 And so it is written, The first man Adam became a living being. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.

Eccles.7:29 Truly, this only I have found:

                      That God made man upright,

                       But they have sought out many schemes.

Gen.3:1, 4, 5 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, Has God indeed said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

2 And the woman said to the serpent, We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.

4 Then the serpent said to the woman, You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

2 Cor.11:3 But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your   minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

1 Tim.2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.

Ga1.3:22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Rom.5:12, 18, 19, Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned… 18Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

Rom.6:22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

Eph.2:3  among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

V (5)

GOD in His infinite power and wisdom doth dispose all things to the end for which they were created; that neither good nor evil befalls any by chance, or without His providence; and that whatsoever befalls the elect, is by His appointment, for His glory, and their good.

Job 38:11: Isa.46:10, 11; Eccles.3:14; Mark 10:29.30; Exod.21:13; Prov.16:33; Rom.8:28

Job 38:11 When I said,

      This far you may come, but no farther,

      And here your proud waves must stop!?

Isa.46:10, 11 Declaring the end from the beginning,

      And from ancient times things that are not yet done,

      Saying, My counsel shall stand,

      And I will do all My pleasure,

11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,

      The man who executes My counsel, from a far country.

      Indeed I have spoken it;

      I will also bring it to pass.

      I have purposed it;

      I will also do it.

Eccles.3:14 I know that whatever God does,

      It shall be forever.

      Nothing can be added to it,

      And nothing taken from it.

      God does it, that men should fear before Him.

Mark 10:29.30 So Jesus answered and said, Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions and in the age to come, eternal life.

Exod.21:13 However, if he did not lie in wait, but God delivered him into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee.

Prov.16:33 The lot is cast into the lap,

      But its every decision is from the LORD.

Rom.8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

VI (6)

ALL the elect being loved of God with an everlasting love, are redeemed, quickened, and saved, not by themselves, nor their own works, lest any man should boast, but, only and wholly by God, of His own free grace and mercy, through Jesus Christ, who is made unto us by God, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, and all in all, that he that rejoiceth, might rejoice in the Lord.

Jer.31:2; Eph.1:3, 7, 2:8, 9; 1 Thess.5:9; Acts 13:38; 2 Cor.5:21; Jer.9:23.24; 1 Cor.1:30.31; Jer.23:6

Jer.31:2 Thus says the LORD:

      The people who survived the sword

      Found grace in the wilderness

      Israel, when I went to give him rest.

Eph.1:3,7  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

Eph.2:8, 9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

1 Thess.5:9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Acts 13:38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;

2 Cor.5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Jer.9:23.24 Thus says the LORD:

      ? Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,

      Let not the mighty man glory in his might,

      Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;

       24 But let him who glories glory in this,

      That he understands and knows Me,

      That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.

      For in these I delight, says the LORD.

1 Cor.1:30, 31 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God and righteousness and sanctification and redemption? 31 that, as it is written, He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.

Jer.23:6 In His days Judah will be saved,

      And Israel will dwell safely;

      Now this is His name by which He will be called:

      THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

VII (7)

AND this is life eternal, that we might know Him the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent. And on the contrary, the Lord will render vengeance, in flaming fire, to them that know not God, and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ.

John 17:3; Heb.5:9; 2 Thess.1:8; John 6:36

John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Heb.5:9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,

2 Thess.1:8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

John 6:36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.

VIII (8)

THE rule of this knowledge, faith, and obedience, concerning the worship of God, in which is contained the whole duty of man, is (not men’s laws, or unwritten traditions, but) only the word of God contained in the holy Scriptures; in which is plainly recorded whatsoever is needful for us to know, believe, and practice; which are the only rule of holiness and obedience for all saints, at all times, in all places to be observed.

Col.2:23; Matt.15:6, 9; John 5:39; 2 Tim.3:15, 16, 17; Isa.8:20; Gal.1:8.9:  Acts 3:22, 23

Col. 2:23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh

Matt. 15:6.9 then he need not honor his father or mother. Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.    9And in vain they worship Me,

        Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”‘

John 5:39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

II Tim. 3:15, 16, 17 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work

Isa. 8:20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Gal. 1:8, 9 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

Acts 3:22.23 For Moses truly said to the fathers, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’

IX (9)

THE Lord Jesus Christ, of whom Moses and the Prophets wrote, the Apostles preached, He is the Son of God, the brightness of His glory, etc. by whom He made the world; who upholdeth and governeth all things that He hath made; who also when the fulness of time was come, was made of a woman, of the tribe of Judah, of the seed of Abraham and David; to wit, of the virgin Mary, the Holy Spirit coming down upon her, the power of the most High overshadowing her; and He was also tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Gen.3:15, 22:18, 49:10; Dan.7:13, 9:24, etc.; Prov.8:23; John 1:1, 2,3; Heb.1:8; Gal.4:4; Heb.7:14; Rev.5:5; Gen.49:9,10; Rom.l:3, 9:10; Matt.l:16; Luke 3:23,26; Heb.2:16; Isa.53:3,4,5; Heb.4:15

Gen. 3:15 And I will put enmity

        Between you and the woman,

        And between your seed and her Seed;

        He shall bruise your head,

        And you shall bruise His heel.”

Gen. 22:18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

Gen. 49:10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah,

        Nor a lawgiver from between his feet,

        Until Shiloh comes;

        And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.

Dan. 7:13”I was watching in the night visions,

        And behold, One like the Son of Man,

        Coming with the clouds of heaven!

        He came to the Ancient of Days,

        And they brought Him near before Him

Dan. 9:24, 25”Seventy weeks are determined

        For your people and for your holy city,

        To finish the transgression,

        To make an end of sins,

        To make reconciliation for iniquity,

        To bring in everlasting righteousness,

        To seal up vision and prophecy,

        And to anoint the Most Holy.

        25″Know therefore and understand,

        That from the going forth of the command

        To restore and build Jerusalem

        Until Messiah the Prince,

        There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;

        The street shall be built again, and the wall

        Even in troublesome times..

Prov. 8:23 I have been established from everlasting,

        From the beginning, before there was ever an earth.

John 1:1, 2, 3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made

Heb.1:8 But to the Son He says:

         “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever;

        A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.

Gal. 4:4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

Heb.7:14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

Rev. 5:5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”

Gen. 49:9, 10 Judah is a lion’s whelp;

        From the prey, my son, you have gone up.

        He bows down; he lies down as a lion;

        And as a lion, who shall rouse him?

        10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah,

        Nor a lawgiver from between his feet,

        Until Shiloh comes;

        And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.

Rom. 1:3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,

Rom. 9:10 And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac

Matt. 1:16 And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.

Luke 3:23,26  Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli,     26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathiah, the son of Semei, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah,

Heb. 2:16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.

Isa. 53:3, 4, 5 He is despised and rejected by men,

        A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.

        And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;

        He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

        4 Surely He has borne our griefs

        And carried our sorrows;

        Yet we esteemed Him stricken,

        Smitten by God, and afflicted.

        5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,

        He was bruised for our iniquities;

        The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,

        And by His stripes we are healed.

Heb. 4:15  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Heb.9:13; For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh,

Acts 20:28; Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Heb.9:14, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God ?

Heb.13:10.12, 15; We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.

11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Matt.23:17; Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?

John 17:19.  And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth

X (10)

JESUS Christ is made the mediator of the new and everlasting covenant of grace between God and man, ever to be perfectly and fully the prophet, priest, and king of the Church of God for evermore.

1 Tim.2:5; Heb.9:15; John 14:6; Isa.9:6, 7

1 Tim.2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

Heb.9:15  And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him,I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Isa.9:6, 7 For unto us a Child is born,

      Unto us a Son is given;

      And the government will be upon His shoulder.

      And His name will be called

      Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

      Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of His government and peace

      There will be no end,

      Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,

      To order it and establish it with judgment and justice

      From that time forward, even forever.

      The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

XI (11)

UNTO this office He was appointed by God from everlasting; and in respect of his manhood, from the womb called, separated, and anointed most fully and abundantly with all gifts necessary. God having without measure poured out His Spirit upon Him.

Prov.8:23; Isa.42:6, 49:15, 11:2.3.4, 5. 61:1.2; Luke 4:17, 22; John 1:14, 26, 3:34

Prov.8:23 I have been established from everlasting,

      From the beginning, before there was ever an earth

Isa.42:6,  I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness,

      And will hold Your hand;

      I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people,

      As a light to the Gentiles,

   49:15,  Can a woman forget her nursing child,

      And not have compassion on the son of her womb?

      Surely they may forget,

      Yet I will not forget you.

   11:2.3.4, 5.  The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him,

      The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

      The Spirit of counsel and might,

      The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.

       3 His delight is in the fear of the LORD,

      And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes,

      Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;

       4 But with righteousness He shall judge the poor,

      And decide with equity for the meek of the earth;

      He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth,

      And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.

       5 Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins,

      And faithfulness the belt of His waist.

61 :1.2  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,

      Because the LORD has anointed Me

      To preach good tidings to the poor;

      He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

      To proclaim liberty to the captives,

      And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

       2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,

      And the day of vengeance of our God;

      To comfort all who mourn,

Luke 4:17, 22 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

       18 The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,

       Because He has anointed Me

      To preach the gospel to the poor;

      He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

      To proclaim liberty to the captives

      And recovery of sight to the blind,

      To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

       19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.

    20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, ?Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, Is this not Joseph’s son??

John 1:14, 26, And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth ²⁶ John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know.

    3:34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure

XII (12)

CONCERNING His mediatorship, the Scripture holds forth Christ’s call to His office; for none takes this honour upon Him, but He that is called of God as was Aaron, it being an action of God, whereby a special promise being made, He ordains His Son to this office; which promise is, that Christ should be made a sacrifice for sin; that He should see His seed, and prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand; all of mere free and absolute grace towards God’s elect, and without any condition foreseen in them to procure it.

Heb.5:4.5.6; Isa.53:10, 11; John 3:16; Rom.8:32

Heb.5:4.5.6 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.

5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:

       You are My Son,

      Today I have begotten You.

6 As He also says in another place:

       You are a priest forever

      According to the order of Melchizedek;

Isa.53:10, 11 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him;

      He has put Him to grief.

      When You make His soul an offering for sin,

      He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days,

      And the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand.

       11 He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied.

      By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,

      For He shall bear their iniquities.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Rom.8:32  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

XIII  (13)

This office to be mediator, that is, to be prophet, priest, and king of the Church of God, is so proper to Christ, that neither in whole, or any part thereof, it cannot be transferred from Him to any other.

1 Tim.2:5; Heb.7:24; Dan.7:14; Acts 4:12; Luke 1:33; John 14:6

1 Tim.2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

Heb.7:24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.

Dan.7:14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,

      That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.

      His dominion is an everlasting dominion,

      Which shall not pass away,

      And His kingdom the one

      Which shall not be destroyed.

Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Luke 1:33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me

XIV (14)

THIS office to which Christ is called, is threefold; a prophet, priest, and king: This number and order of offices is necessary, for in respect of our ignorance, we stand in need of His prophetical office; in respect of our great alienation from God, we need His priestly office to reconcile us; and in respect of our averseness and utter inability to return to God, we need His kingly office, to convince, subdue, draw, uphold and preserve us to His heavenly kingdom .

Deut.18:15; Acts 3:22, 23; Heb.3:1, 4:14, 15; Ps.2:6; 2 Cor.5:20; Acts 26:18; Col.1:21; John 16:8; Ps.110:3; Song of Sol.1:3; John 6:44; Phil.4:13; 2 Tim.4:18

Deut.18:15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear,

Acts 3:22, 23 For Moses truly said to the fathers, The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.

Heb.3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

   4:14, 15 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Ps.2:6  Yet I have set My King

         On My holy hill of Zion.

2 Cor.5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

Acts 26:18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.

Col.1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled

John 16:8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

Ps.110:3 Your people shall be volunteers

         In the day of Your power;

         In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning,

         You have the dew of Your youth.

Song of Sol.1:3 1 The song of songs, which is Solomon’s.

THE Shulamite

       2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth?

      For your love is better than wine.

       3 Because of the fragrance of your good ointments,

      Your name is ointment poured forth;

      Therefore the virgins love you.

       4 Draw me away!

THE Shulamite

      Rightly do they love you.

John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day

Phil.4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

2 Tim.4:18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever

XV (15)

CONCERNING the prophecy of Christ, it is that whereby He hath revealed the will of God, whatsoever is needful for His servants to know and obey; and therefore He is called not only a prophet and doctor, and the apostle of our profession, and the angel of the covenant, but also the very wisdom of God, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, who for ever continueth revealing the same truth of the gospel to His people.

John 1:18. 12:49, 50, 17:8; Deut.18:15; Matt.23:10; Heb.3:1; Mal.3:1;

1 Cor.1:24; Col.2:3

John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him

   12:49,50  For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.

   17:8  For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.

Deut.18:15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear,

Matt.23:10 And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.

Heb.3:1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

Mal.3:1 Behold, I send My messenger,

      And he will prepare the way before Me.

      And the Lord, whom you seek,

      Will suddenly come to His temple,

      Even the Messenger of the covenant,

      In whom you delight.

      Behold, He is coming,

      Says the LORD of hosts.

1 Cor.1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Col.2:3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

XVI (16)

THAT He might be a prophet every way complete, it was necessary He should be God, and also that He should be man: For unless He had been God, He could never have perfectly understood the will of God; and unless He had been man, He could not suitably have unfolded it in His own person to men.

John 1:18; Acts 3:22; Deut.18:15; Heb.1:1

John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

Acts 3:22 For Moses truly said to the fathers, The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.

Deut.18:15 The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear,

Heb.1:1 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,

Note

That Jesus Christ is God is wonderfully and clearly expressed in the Scriptures. He is called the mighty God. lsa.9:6. That Word was God, John 1:1. Christ, who is God over all, Rom.9:5. God manifested in the flesh, 1 Tim.3:16. The same is very God, 1 John 5:20. He is the first, Rev.1:8. He gives being to all things, and without Him was nothing made, John 1:2. He forgiveth sins, Matt.9:6. He is before Abraham, John 8:58. He was and is, and ever will be the same, Heb.13:8. He is always with His to the end of the world, Matt.28:20. Which could not be said of Jesus Christ, if He were not God. And to the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever, Heb.1:8. John 1:18. Also, Christ is not only perfectly God, but perfect man, made of a woman, Gal.4:4. Made of the seed of David, Rom.1:3. Coming out of the loins of David, Acts 2:30. Of Jesse and Judah, Acts 13:23 From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus—. In that the children were partakers of flesh and blood He Himself likewise took part with them, Heb.2:14. He took not on Him the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham, verse 16. So that we are bone of His bone, and flesh of His flesh. Eph.5:30. So that He that sanctifieth, and they that are sanctified are all of one. Heb.2:11. See Acts 3:22; Deut.18:15 Heb.1:1.

XVII (17)

CONCERNING His priesthood, Christ having sanctified Himself, hath appeared once to put away sin by that one offering of Himself a sacrifice for sin, by which He hath fully finished and suffered all things God required for the salvation of His elect, and removed all rites and shadows, etc. and is now entered within the veil into the holy of holies, which is the presence of God. Also, He makes His people a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God through Him. Neither doth the Father accept, nor Christ offer to the Father, any other worship or worshippers.

John 17:19; Heb.5:7, 8, 9, 10.12; Rom.5:19; Eph.5:2; Col.1:20; Eph.2:14, etc.; Rom.8:34; Heb.9:24, 8:1; 1 Pet.2:5; John 4:23.24

John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

Heb.5:7,8,9,10.12  who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, 11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

Rom.5:19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

Eph.5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Col.1:20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

Eph.2:14, etc.  For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,

Rom.8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

Heb.9:24  For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;

   8:1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,

1 Pet.2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

John 4:23.24 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

XVIII (18)

THIS priesthood was not legal or temporary, but according to the order of Melchisedek, and is stable and perfect, not for a time, but forever, which is suitable to Jesus Christ, as to Him that ever liveth. Christ was the priest, sacrifice, and altar: He was a priest according to both natures; He was a sacrifice according to His human nature; whence in Scripture it is attributed to His body, to His blood: Yet the effectualness of this sacrifice did depend upon His divine nature; therefore it is called the blood of God. He was the altar according to His divine nature, it belonging to the altar to sanctify that which is offered upon it, and so it ought to be of greater dignity than the sacrifice itself.

Heb.7:16, etc.; Heb.5:6, 10:10; 1 Pet.l:18, 19; Col.1:20 22; Heb.9:13; Acts 20:28; Heb.9:14, 13:10.12, 15; Matt.23:17; John 17:19

Heb.7:16, etc.  who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.

Heb.5:6 As He also says in another place:

       You are a priest forever

      According to the order of Melchizedek;

   10:10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

1 Pet.l:18, 19 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Col.1:20 22 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.

Heb.9:13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh,

Acts 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Heb.9:14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

   13:10.12, 15 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

Matt.23:17 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold?

John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

XIX (19)

CONCERNING His kingly office, Christ being risen from the dead, and ascended into heaven, and having all power in heaven and earth, He doth spiritually govern His church, and doth exercise His power over all, angels and men, good and bad, to the preservation and salvation of the elect, and to the overruling and destruction of His enemies. By this kingly power He applieth the benefits, virtue, and fruits of His prophecy and priesthood to His elect, subduing their sins, preserving and strengthening them in all their conflicts against Satan, the world, and the flesh, keeping their hearts in faith and filial fear by His Spirit: By this His mighty power He ruleth the vessels of wrath, using, limiting and restraining them, as it seems good to His infinite wisdom.

1 Cor.15:4; 1 Pet.3:21,22; Matt.28:18,19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:1, 5:30,31; John 19:36; Rom.14:9; John 5:26,27; Rom. 5:6,7,8, 14:17; Ga1.5:22,23; Mark 1:27; Heb.l:14; John 16: 15; Job 2:8;  Rom.1:21; [9:17-18,added] Eph.4:17,18; 2 Pet.2

1 Cor.15:4;   and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures

1 Pet.3:21,22;  There is also an antitype which now saves us–baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

Matt.28:18, 19; And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Luke 24:51; Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.

Acts 1:1, The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

Acts 5:30, 31; The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

John 19:36; For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.”

Rom.14:9; For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

John 5:26,27;  For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.

Rom.5:6, 7, 8, For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom.14:17; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit

Ga1.5:22,23;  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Mark 1:27; Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”

Heb.1:14; Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

John 16:15; All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

Job 2:8; And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst of the ashes.

Rom.1:21; because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

[Rom.9:17-18 For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” 18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.[added ]

Eph.4:17, 18; This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,

18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;

2 Pet.2   But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

4 For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment; 5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)—9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, 10 and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries, 11 whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.

12 But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, 13 and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you, 14 having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. 15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet.

17 These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

18 For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”

XX (20)

This His kingly power shall be more fully manifested when He shall come in glory to reign among His saints, when He shall put down all rule and authority under His feet, that the glory of the Father may be perfectly manifested in His Son, and the glory of the Father and the Son in all His members.

1 Cor.15:24, 28; Heb.9:28; 2 Thess.l:9, 10; 1 Thess.4:15, 16, 17; John 17:21,26

1 Cor.15:24,28;  Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.

28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

Heb.9:28; so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

2 Thess.1:9,10;  These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe because our testimony among you was believed.

1 Thess.4:15,16,17;  For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

John 17:21, 26.  that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.        26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

XXI (21)

JESUS Christ by His death did purchase salvation for the elect that God gave unto Him: These only have interest in Him, and fellowship with Him, for whom He makes intercession to His Father in their behalf, and to them alone doth God by His Spirit apply this redemption; as also the free gift of eternal life is given to them, and none else.

Eph.1:14; Heb.5:9; Matt.1:21; John 17:6; Heb.7:25; 1 Cor.2: 12; Rom.8:29.30; 1 John 5:12; John 15:13, 3:16

Eph.1:14; who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Heb.5:9; And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him

Matt.1:21; And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”

John 17:6;”I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.

Heb.7:25; Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

1 Cor.2:  12; Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

Rom.8:29.30; For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

1 John 5:12; He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

John 15:13, Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

JOHN 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

XXII (22)

FAlTH is the gift of God, wrought in the hearts of the elect by the Spirit of God; by which faith they come to know and believe the truth of the Scriptures, and the excellency of them above all other writings, and all things in the world, as they hold forth the glory of God in His attributes, the excellency of Christ in His nature and offices, and of the power and fulness of the Spirit in its [His] workings and operations; and so are enabled to cast their souls upon His truth thus believed.

Eph.2:8; John 6:29, 4:10; Phi1.1:29; Ga1.5:22; John 17:17; Heb.4: 11, 12; John 6:63

Eph.2:8; For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

John 6:29, Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

John 4:10;  Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, “Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

Phi1.1:29;  For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30having the same conflict which you saw in

Ga1.5:22; But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

John 17:17; Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Heb.4: 11, 12; Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart

John 6:63.  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

XXIII (23)

ALL those that have this precious faith wrought in them by the Spirit, can never finally nor totally fall away; seeing the gifts of God are without repentance; so that He still begets and nourisheth in them faith, repentance, love, joy, hope, and all the graces of the Spirit unto immortality; and though many storms and floods arise, and beat against them, yet they shall never be able to take them off that foundation and rock, which by faith they are fastened upon; not withstanding, through unbelief, and the temptations of Satan, the sensible sight of this light and love, be clouded and overwhelmed for a time; yet God is still the same, and they shall be sure to be kept by the power of God unto salvation, where they shall enjoy their purchased possession, they being engraven upon the palms of His hands, and their names having been written in the book of life from all eternity.

Matt.7:24.25; John 13:10. 10:28 29; 1 Pet.1:4.5,6; Isa.49:13.14,15,16

Matt.7:24.25  “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

John 13:10 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.”

John 10:28, 29 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

1 Pet.1:4.5,6  to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,

Isa.49:13.14, 15, 16.   Sing, O heavens!

        Be joyful, O earth

        And break out in singing, O mountains!

        For the LORD has comforted His people,

        And will have mercy on His afflicted.

14 But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me,

        And my Lord has forgotten me.”

        15″Can a woman forget her nursing child,

        And not have compassion on the son of her womb?

        Surely they may forget,

        Yet I will not forget you

        16 See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;

        Your walls are continually before Me.

XXIV (24)

FAITH is ordinarily begotten by the preaching of the gospel, or word of Christ, without respect to any power or agency in the creature; but it being wholly passive, and dead in trespasses and sins, doth believe and is converted by no less power than that which raised Christ from the dead.

Rom.10:17; 1 Cor.1:28; Rom.9:16; Ezek.16:16; Rom. 3:12, 1:16; Eph.1:19; Col.2:12

Rom.10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

1 Cor.1:28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,

Rom.9:16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.

Ezek.16:16   You took some of your garments and adorned multicolored high places for yourself, and played the harlot on them. Such things should not happen, nor be.

Rom. 3:12   They have all turned aside;

        They have together become unprofitable;

        There is none who does good, no, not one.”

Rom. 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Eph.1:19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

Col.2:12.  buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

XXV (25)

THE preaching of the gospel to the conversion of sinners, is absolutely free; no way requiring as absolutely necessary, any qualifications, preparations, or terrors of the law, or preceding ministry of the law, but only and alone the naked soul, a sinner and ungodly, to receive Christ crucified, dead and buried, and risen again; who is made a prince and a Saviour for such sinners as through the gospel shall be brought to believe on Him.

John 3:14.15, 1:12; Isa.55:1; John 7:37; 1 Tim.1:15; Rom.4:5.5:8; Acts 5:30,31, 2:36; 1 Cor.1:22,24

John 3:14.15  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

Isa.55:1”Ho! Everyone who thirsts,

        Come to the waters;

        And you who have no money,

        Come, buy and eat.

        Yes, come, buy wine and milk

        Without money and without price..

John 7:37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.

1 Tim.1:15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Rom.4:5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,

Rom.5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Acts 5:30.31 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Acts 2:36”Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

1 Cor.1:22, 24 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

XXVI (26)

THE same power that converts to faith in Christ, carrieth on the soul through all duties, temptations, conflicts, sufferings; and whatsoever a believer is, he is by grace, and is carried on in all obedience and temptations by the same.

1 Pet.l:5; 2 Cor.12:9; 1 Cor.l5:10; Phi1.2:12, 13; John 15:5; Gal. 2:19.20

1 Pet.l:5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

2 Cor.12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

1 Cor.l5:10  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Phi1.2:12,13  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

John 15:5”I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Gal. 2:19.20 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

 

XXVII (27)

ALL believers are by Christ united to God; by which union, God is one with them, and they are one with Him; and that all believers are the sons of God, and joint heirs with Christ, to whom belong all the promises of this life, and that which is to come.

1 Thess.1:1; John 17:21, 20:17; Heb.2:11; 1 John 4:16; Gal.2:19.20

1 Thess.1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

John 17:21  that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

  20:17  Jesus said to her, Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.

Heb.2:11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren,

1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him

Gal.2:19.20 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me

XXVIII   (28)

THOSE that have union with Christ, are justified from all their sins by the blood of Christ, which justification is a gracious and full acquittance of a guilty sinner from all sin, by God, through the satisfaction that Christ hath made by His death for all their sins, and this applied (in manifestation of it) through faith.

1 John 1:7; Heb.l0:14, 9:26; 2 Cor.5:19; Rom.3:23; Acts 13:38, 39; Rom.5:1, 3:25, 30

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Heb. l0:14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.

Heb. 9:26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.

2 Cor. 5:19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation

Rom. 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Acts 13:38, 39 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Rom. 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Rom. 3:25,30  whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.  

27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law Of works No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. 29 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, 30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

XXIX (29)

ALL believers are a holy and sanctified people, and that sanctification is a spiritual grace of the new covenant, and an effect of the love of God manifested in the soul, whereby the believer presseth after a heavenly and evangelical obedience to all the commands, which Christ as head and king in His new covenant hath prescribed to them.

1 Cor.12; 1 Pet.2:9; Eph.l:4; 1 John 4:16; Matt.28:20

I Cor 12 

 1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

4There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free–and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.

15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19And if they were all one member, where would the body be?

20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

I Peter 2:9  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Eph.l:4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love

1 John 4:16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

Matt.28:20.  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

XXX (30)

ALL believers through the knowledge of that justification of life given by the Father and brought forth by the blood of Christ have as their great privilege of that new covenant, peace with God, reconciliation, whereby they that were afar off are made nigh by that blood, and have peace passing all understanding; yea, joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have received atonement.

2 Cor.5:19; Rom.5:9, 10; Isa.54:10; Eph.2:13,14, 4:7; Rom.5:10,11

2 Cor.5:19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation

Rom.5:9, 10 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Isa.54:10 For the mountains shall depart

        And the hills be removed,

        But My kindness shall not depart from you,

        Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,”

        Says the LORD, who has mercy on you.

Eph.2:13, 14 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,

Eph.4:7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Rom.5:10, 11.  For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

XXXI (31)

ALL believers in the time of this life, are in a continual warfare and combat against sin, self, the world, and the devil; and are liable to all manner of afflictions, tribulations and persecutions, being predestinated and appointed thereunto, and whatsoever the saints possess or enjoy of God spiritually, is by faith; and outward and temporal things are lawfully enjoyed by a civil right by them who have no faith.

Rom.7:23, 24; Eph.6:10, 11, etc.; Heb.2:9, 10; 2 Tim.3:12; Rom.8:29; 1 Thess.3:3; Gal.2:19,20; 2 Cor.5:7; Deut.2:5

Rom.7:23, 24 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

Eph.6:10, 11, etc   Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Heb.2:9,10  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

2 Tim.3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Rom.8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

1 Thess.3:3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this

Gal.2:19, 20 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

2 Cor.5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Deut.2:5 Do not meddle with them, for I will not give you any of their land, no, not so much as one footstep, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession.

XXXII (32)

THE only strength by which the saints are enabled to encounter with all oppositions and trials, is only by Jesus Christ, who is the captain of their salvation, being made perfect through sufferings; who hath engaged His faithfulness and strength to assist them in all their afflictions, and to uphold them in all their temptations, and to preserve them by His power to His everlasting kingdom.

John 16:33, 15:5; Phil.4:11; Heb.2:9, 10; 2 Tim.4:18

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Phil. 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

Heb. 2:9,10  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

2 Tim.4:18.  And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

XXXIII (33)

JESUS Christ hath here on earth a spiritual kingdom, which is His Church, whom He hath purchased and redeemed to Himself as a peculiar inheritance; which Church is a company of visible saints, called and separated from the world by the word and Spirit of God, to the visible profession of faith of the gospel, being baptized into that faith, and joined to the Lord, and each other, by mutual agreement in the practical enjoyment of the ordinances commanded by Christ their head and king.

Matt.11:11; 2 Thess.1:1; 1 Cor.1:2; Eph.1:1; Rom.1:7; Acts 19:8,9 Acts 26:18; 2 Cor.6:17; Rev.18:4; Acts 2:37; Acts 10:37; Rom.10:10; Matt.18:19.20; Acts 2:42; Acts 9:26; 1 Pet.2:5

Matt.11:11  “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

2 Thess.1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

1 Cor.1:2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Eph.1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus:

Rom.1:7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 19:8,9  And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. 9 But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.

Acts 26:18  to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

2 Cor.6:17 Therefore

        “Come out from among them

        And be separate, says the Lord.

        Do not touch what is unclean,

        And I will receive you.”

        18″I will be a Father to you,

        And you shall be My sons and daughters,

        Says the LORD Almighty.”

Rev.18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

Acts 10:37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:

Rom.10:10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Matt.18:19.20 Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 9:26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.

1 Pet.2:5.  you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

XXXIV (34)

TO this Church He hath made His promises, and giveth the signs of His covenant, presence, acceptation, love, blessing, and protection. Here are the fountains and springs of His heavenly graces flowing forth to refresh and strengthen them.

Matt.28:18, etc.; 1 Cor.11:24. 3:21; 2 Cor.6:18; Rom.9:4.5; Ps.133:3; Rom.3:7, 10; Ezek.47:2.

Matt.28:18, etc.  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

1 Cor.11:24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

1 Cor. 3:21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours:

2 Cor.6:18”I will be a Father to you,

        And you shall be My sons and daughters,

        Says the LORD Almighty.”

Rom.9:4.5  who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; 5of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

Ps.133:3  It is like the dew of Hermon,

        Descending upon the mountains of Zion;

        For there the LORD commanded the blessing–

        Life forevermore.

Rom.3:7, 10  For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”–as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.

9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin.

10 As it is written:

 “There is none righteous, no, not one;

Ezek.47:2 He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side.

XXXV (35)

AND all His servants of all estates (are to acknowledge Him to be their prophet, priest, and king;) and called thither to be enrolled among His household servants, to present their bodies and souls, and to bring their gifts God hath given them, to be under His heavenly conduct and government, to lead their lives in this walled sheepfold, and watered garden, to have communion here with His saints, that they may be assured that they are made meet to be partakers of their inheritance in the kingdom of God; and to supply each others wants, inward and outward; (and although each person hath a propriety in his own estate, yet they are to supply each others wants, according as their necessities shall require, that the name of Jesus Christ may not be blasphemed through the necessity of any in the Church) and also being come, they are here by Himself to be bestowed in their several order, due place, peculiar use, being fitly compact and knit together according to the effectual working of every part, to the edifying of itself in love.

Acts 2:41, 47; Isa.4:3; 1 Cor.12:6, 7, etc.; Ezek.20:37, 40; Song of Sol.4:12: Eph.2:19: Rom.12:4, 5, 6; Col.1:12, 2:5, 6, 19; Acts 20:32, 5:4, 2:44, 45, 4:34.35; Luke 14:26; 1 Tim.6:1; Eph.4:16

Acts 2:41, 47 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Isa.4:3 And it shall come to pass that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy–everyone who is recorded among the living in Jerusalem.

1 Cor.12:6, 7, etc.   And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

Ezek.20:37,40  “I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant; 38 I will purge the rebels from among you, and those who transgress against Me; I will bring them out of the country where they dwell, but they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

39″As for you, O house of Israel,” thus says the Lord GOD: “Go, serve every one of you his idols–and hereafter–if you will not obey Me; but profane My holy name no more with your gifts and your idols. 40 For on My holy mountain, on the mountain height of Israel,” says the Lord GOD, “there all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, shall serve Me; there I will accept them, and there I will require your offerings and the firstfruits of your sacrifices, together with all your holy things.

Song of Sol.4:12 A garden enclosed

        Is my sister, my spouse,

        A spring shut up,

        A fountain sealed.

Eph.2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Rom.12:4,5,6  For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;

Col.1:12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

Col. 2:5, 6, 19 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, .19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.

Acts 20:32”So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

Acts 5:4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

Acts 2:44, 45 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

Acts 4:34.35 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

Luke 14:26  If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

1 Tim.6:1 Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed.

Eph.4:16  from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love

XXXVI (36)

BEING thus joined, every church hath power given them from Christ, for their well-being, to choose among themselves meet persons for elders and deacons, being qualified according to the word, as those which Christ hath appointed in His testament, for the feeding, governing, serving, and building up of His Church; and that none have any power to impose either these or any other.

Acts 1:23,26,6:3,15:22.25; Rom.12:7,8; 1 Tim.3:2,6.7; 1 Cor. 12:8,28; Heb.13:7,17; 1 Pet.5:1,2,3, 4:15

Acts 1:23, 26  And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” 26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Acts 6:3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

Acts 15:22.25    Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. 23 They wrote this letter by them:

The apostles, the elders, and the brethren,

To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:

Greetings.

24Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law” –to whom we gave no such commandment— 25it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul

Rom.12:7, 8 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Tim.3:2,6.7  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

1 Cor.  12:8,28  for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,    28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

Heb.13:7, 17   Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.    17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

1 Pet.5:1, 2, 3 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

1 Pet.4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.

XXXVII (37)

THAT the ministers lawfully called, as aforesaid, ought to continue in their calling and place according to God’s ordinance, and carefully to feed the flock of God committed to them, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind.

Heb.5:4; John 10:3, 4; Acts 20:28, 29; Rom.12:7,8; Heb.13:7.17; 1 Pet.5: 1.2,3

Heb.5:4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.

John 10:3, 4 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

Acts 20:28, 29 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.

Rom.12:7, 8 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Heb.13:7.17 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct   

17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

1 Pet.5: 1, 2, 3 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

XXXVIII (38)

THE ministers of Christ ought to have whatsoever they shall need, supplied freely by the church, that according to Christ’s ordinance they that preach the Gospel should live of the gospel by the law of Christ.

1 Cor.9:7, 14; Ga1.6:8; Phil.4:15, 16; 2 Cor.10:4; 1 Tim.1:2; [should read verse12] Ps.110:3

1 Cor.9:7, 14 Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?   

14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

Gal.6:8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Phil.4:15, 16 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.

2 Cor.10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,

1 Tim.1:2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

[Should read verse12]12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, appointing me to his service,

Ps.110:3 Your people shall be volunteers

        In the day of Your power;

        In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning,

        You have the dew of Your youth.

XXXIX (39)

BAPTlSM is an ordinance of the New Testament, given by Christ, to be dispensed upon persons professing faith, or that are made disciples; who upon profession of faith, ought to be baptized, and after to partake of the Lord’s Supper.

Matt.28:18, 19; John 4:1; Mark 16:15, 16; Acts 2:37.38, 8:36, 37, etc.

Matt.28:18, 19 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

John 4:1 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John

Mark 16:15, 16 And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Acts 2:37, 38 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

  8:36, 37, etc.  Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized? 37 Then Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

[Acts 8:37 NU-Text and M-Text omit this verse. It is found in Western texts, including the Latin tradition.]

XL (40)

THAT the way and manner of dispensing this ordinance, is dipping or plunging the body under water; it being a sign, must answer the things signified, which is, that interest the saints have in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ: And that as certainly as the body is buried under water, and risen again, so certainly shall the bodies of the saints be raised by the power of Christ, in the day of the resurrection, to reign with Christ.

Matt.3:16; Mark 15:9;[should read Mark 1:9] John 3:23; Acts 8:38; Rev.1:5, 7:14; Heb.10:22; Rom.6:3,4,5.6; 1 Cor.15:28.29. The word baptizo signifies to dip or plunge (yet so as convenient garments be both upon the administrator and subject with all modesty).

Matt.3:16  When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.

Mark 15:9 But Pilate answered them, saying, Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?

[Should read Mark.1:9]  It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.

John 3:23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.

Acts 8:38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

Rev.1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,

   7:14 And I said to him, Sir you know?

So he said to me, These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Heb.10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Rom.6:3, 4, 5, 6 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

1 Cor.15:28.29  Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. 29 Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?

XLI (41)

THE person designed by Christ to dispense baptism, the Scripture holds forth to be a disciple; it being no where tied to a particular church officer, or person extraordinarily sent the commission enjoining the administration, being given to them as considered disciples, being men able to preach the gospel.

Isa.8:16; Eph.2:7; Matt.28:19; John 4:2; Acts 20:7, 11:10; 1 Cor.11:2, 10:16, 17; Rom.16:2; Matt.18:17 [most verses do not apply to this article]

Isa.8:16 Bind up the testimony,

      Seal the law among my disciples.

Eph.2:7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Eph 3:7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.

Eph.4:7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Matt.28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

John 4:2 (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples),

Acts 20:7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.

   11:10 now this was done three times and all were drawn up again into heaven.

1 Cor.11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.

   10:16, 17 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

Rom.16:2  that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.

Matt.18:17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

XLII (42)

CHRIST hath likewise given power to His Church to receive in, and cast out, any member that deserves it; and this power is given to every congregation, and not to one particular person, either member or officer, but in relation to the whole body, in reference to their faith and fellowship.

Rom.16:2; Matt.18:17; 1 Cor.5:4, 11, 13; 12:6; 2:3; 2 Cor.2:6, 7

Rom.16:2  that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.

Matt.18:17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

1 Cor.5:4, 11, 13 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,   11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner not even to eat with such a person.   13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore put away from yourselves the evil person.

   12:6 and there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

   2:3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.

2 Cor.2:6, 7 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, 7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow.

XLIII (43)

AND every particular member of each church, how excellent, great, or learned soever, is subject to this censure and judgment; and that the church ought not without great care and tenderness, and due advice, but by the rule of faith, to proceed against her members.

Matt.18:16, 17:18; [see Matt.18:17] Acts 11:2, 3; 1 Tim.5:19, etc.; Col.4:17; Acts 15:1, 2, 3

Matt.18:16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

   17:18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.

[Should read] Matt.18:17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

Acts 11:2, 3 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying, You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!?

1 Tim.5:19, etc.  Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.

Col.4:17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it

Acts 15:1, 2, 3 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved. 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.

3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.

XLIV (44)

CHRIST for the keeping of this church in holy and orderly communion, placeth some special men over the church who by their office, are to govern, oversee, visit, watch; so likewise for the better keeping thereof, in all places by the members, He hath given authority, and laid duty upon all to watch over one another.

Acts 20:27.28; Heb.13:17, 24; Matt.24:45; 1 Thess.5:2, 14  [should read 12,13] Jude 3.20: Heb.10:34.35 [should read verses 24,25], 12:15 (not applicable) .

Acts 20:27.28 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Heb.13:17, 24 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.   24 Greet all those who rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.

Matt.24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?

1 Thess.5:2, 14 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.  14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

[Should read] I Thess.5:12, 13   And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

Jude 3.20 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

Heb.10:34.35 for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. 35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.  

Should read

Heb.10:24, 25  And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

   12:15  looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

ADDED

Heb.13:7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

Heb. 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

XLV (45)

ALSO such to whom God hath given gifts in the church, may and ought to prophecy [viz., teach] according to the proportion of faith, and to teach publicly the word of God, for the edification, exhortation, and comfort of the church.

1 Cor.14:3, etc.; Rom.12:6; 1 Pet.4:10, 11. 1 Cor.l2:7 1 Thess.5:19, etc.

1 Cor.14:3, etc.  But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

Rom.12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;

1 Pet.4:10, 11 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Cor.l2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,

1 Thess.5:19, etc.  Do not quench the Spirit. [20 Do not despise prophecies.]

XLVI (46)

THUS being rightly gathered, and continuing in the obedience of the gospel of Christ, none are to separate for faults and corruptions (for as long as the church consists of men subject to failings, there will be difference in the true constituted church) until they have in due order, and tenderness, sought redress thereof.

Rev.2,3; Acts 15:12; 1 Cor.1:10; Heb.10:25; Jude 19, Rev. 2:20,21,27; Acts 15:1,2; Rom.14:1, 15:1,2,3.

Rev.2, 3   Read both Chapters

Acts 15:12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.

1 Cor.1:10  Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Heb.10:25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Jude 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

Rev.2:20,21,27  Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

24″Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations–

        27″He shall rule them with a rod of iron;

        They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’ —

as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star.

Acts 15:1, 2  And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.

Rom.14:1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.

Rom.15:1, 2, 3.  We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.”

XLVII (47)

AND although the particular congregations be distinct, and several bodies, every one as a compact and knit city within itself; yet are they all to walk by one rule of truth; so also they (by all means convenient) are to have the counsel and help one of another, if necessity require it, as members of one body, in the common faith, under Christ their head.

1 Cor.4:17, 14:33, 36, 16:1; Ps.122:3; Eph.2:12, 19: Rev.2:1; 1 Tim.3:15, 6:13, 14; 1 Cor.4:17; Acts 15:2,3; Song of Sol.8:8.9; 2 Cor.8:1.4, 13:14

1 Cor.4:17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

1 Cor.14:33, 36 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. 36 Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached?

1 Cor.16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:

Ps.122:3 Jerusalem is built

        As a city that is compact together,

Eph.2:12, 19 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.      19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Rev.2:1”To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,

“These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

1 Tim.3:15  but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

1 Tim 6:13,14  I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,

1 Cor.4:17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

Acts 15:2,3  Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.

Song of Sol.8:8, 9 We have a little sister,

        And she has no breasts.

        What shall we do for our sister

        In the day when she is spoken for?

        9 If she is a wall,

        We will build upon her

        A battlement of silver;

        And if she is a door,

        We will enclose her

        With boards of cedar.

2 Cor.8:1.4 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints

2 Cor. 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

 

XLVIII (48)

A Civil magistracy is an ordinance of God, set up by Him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well; and that in all lawful things, commanded by them, subjection ought to be given by us in the Lord, not only for wrath, but for conscience sake; and that we are 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 godliness and honesty.

Rom.13:1, 2, etc.; 1 Pet.2:13, 14; 1 Tim.2:1, 2, 3

Rom.13:1, 2, etc.  Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

1 Pet.2:13,14  Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.

1 Tim.2:1,2,3  Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,

Note

The supreme magistracy of this kingdom we acknowledge to be the king and parliament (now established) freely chosen by the kingdom, and that we are to maintain and defend all civil laws and civil officers made by them, which are for the good of the commonwealth.

And we acknowledge with thankfulness, that God hath made this present king and parliament honorable in throwing down the prelatical hierarchy, because of their tyranny and oppression over us, under which this kingdom long groaned, for which we are ever engaged to bless God, and honour them for the same.

And concerning the worship of God; there is but one lawgiver, which is able to save and destroy, James 4;12; which is Jesus Christ, who hath given laws and rules sufficient in His word for His worship; and for any to make more, were to charge Christ with want of wisdom, or faithfulness, or both, in not making laws enough, or not good enough for His house: Surely it is our wisdom, duty, and privilege, to observe Christ’s laws only, Ps.2:6,9,10,12. So it is the magistrates duty to tender the liberty of mens’ consciences. Eccles.8:8 (which is the tenderest thing unto all conscientious men, and most dear unto them, and without which all other liberties will not be worth the naming, much less enjoying) and to protect all under them from wrong, injury, oppression and molestation; so it is our duty not to be wanting in nothing which is for their honour and comfort, and whatsoever is for the wellbeing of the commonwealth wherein we live; it is our duty to do, and we believe it to be our express duty, especially in matters of religion, to be fully persuaded in our minds of the lawfulness of what we do, as knowing whatsoever is not of faith is sin. And as we cannot do anything contrary to our understandings and conscience: neither can we forebear the doing or that which our understandings and consciences bind us to do. And if the magistrate should require us to do otherwise, we are to yield our persons in a passive way to their power, as the saints of old have done, James 5:4. And thrice happy shall he be, that shall lose his life for witnessing (though but for the least tittle) of the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Pet.5: Gal: 5.

XLIX (49)

BUT in case we find not the magistrate to favour us herein; yet we dare not suspend our practice, because we believe we ought to go in obedience to Christ, in professing the faith which was once delivered to the saints, which faith is declared in the holy Scriptures, and this our confession of faith a part of them, and that we are to witness to the truth of the Old and New Testament(s) unto the death, if necessity require, in the midst of all trials and afflictions, as His saints of old have done; not accounting our goods, lands, wives, children, fathers, mothers, brethren, sisters; yea, and our own lives dear unto us, so we may finish our course with joy; remembering always, that we ought to obey God rather than men, who will when we have finished our course, and kept the faith, give us the crown of righteousness; to whom we must give an account of all our actions, and no man being able to discharge us of the same.

Acts 2:40,41,4:19,5:28,29,20:23; 1 Thess.3:3; Phil.1:28,29; Dan. 3:16,17,6:7,10,22,23; 1 Tim.6:13,14; Rom.12:1.8; [should read12:18] 1 Cor.14:37; Rev.2:20; 2 Tim.4:6,7,8; Rom.14:10,12; 2 Cor.5:10; Ps.49:7, 50:22

Acts 2:40, 41 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

Acts 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.

Acts 5:28, 29 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”

29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

Acts 20:23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.

1 Thess.3:3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

Phil.1:28,29  and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

Daniel 3:16, 17  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king.

Daniel 6:7,10,22,23  All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.      10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.   

22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” 23 Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.

1 Tim.6:13,14  I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,

Rom.12:1. 8 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.   8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 

[Should read 12:18] If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

1 Cor.14:37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.

Rev.2:20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

2 Tim.4:6, 7, 8 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Rom.14:10, 12 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. .

11For it is written:

        “As I live, says the LORD,

        Every knee shall bow to Me,

        And every tongue shall confess to God.”

12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

2 Cor.5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad

Ps.49:7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother,

        Nor give to God a ransom for him–

Ps. 50:22”Now consider this, you who forget God,

        Lest I tear you in pieces,

        And there be none to deliver:

L (50)

IT is lawful for a Christian to be a magistrate or civil officer; and also it is lawful to take an oath, so it be in truth, and in judgment, and in righteousness, for confirmation of truth, and ending of all strife; and that by wrath and vain oaths the Lord is provoked and this land mourns.

Acts 8:38, 10:1, 2, 35; Rom.16:23; Deut.6:13; Rom.1:9; 2 Cor. 10:11; Jer.4:2; Heb.6:16

Acts 8:38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

Acts 10:1, 2, 35 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.   35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.

Rom.16:23 Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother.

Deut.6:13 You shall fear the LORD your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name.

Rom.1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,

2 Cor. 10:11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present.

Jer.4:2 And you shall swear, “The LORD lives,’

        In truth, in judgment, and in righteousness;

        The nations shall bless themselves in Him,

        And in Him they shall glory.”

Heb.6:16 for men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute.

LI (51)

WE are to give unto all men whatsoever is their due, as their place, age, estate, requires; and that we defraud no man of anything, but to do unto all men, as we would they should do unto us.

1 Thess.4:6; Rom.13:5, 6, 7; Matt.22:21; Titus 3; 1 Pet. 2:15.17. 5:5; Eph.5:21, 23, etc., 6:1.9; Titus 3:1, 2, 3

1 Thess.4:6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.

Rom.13:5, 6, 7 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Matt.22:21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Titus 3  

1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

 9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. 14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith.

Grace be with you all. Amen.

1 Pet. 2:15.17  For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men—16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

1 Pet. 5:5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud,

        But gives grace to the humble.”

Eph.5:21, 23, etc.  Submitting to one another in the fear of God. 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.

Eph. 6:1.9 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right 9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Titus 3:1, 2, 3 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.

LII (52)

THERE shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust, and everyone shall give an account of himself to God, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Acts 24:15; 1 Cor.5:10: [Should read 2 Cor.5:10] Rom.14:12

Acts 24:15 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.

1 Cor.5:10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.

[Should read] 2 Cor. 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Rom.14:12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

The Conclusion

THUS we desire to give unto Christ that which is His; and unto all lawful authority that which is their due; and to owe nothing to any man but love; to live quietly and peaceably, as it becometh saints, endeavouring in all things to keep a good conscience, and to do unto every man (of what judgment soever) as we would they should do unto us, that as our practice is, so it may prove us to be a conscientious, quiet, and harmless people (no ways dangerous or troublesome to human society) and to labour and work with our hands that we may not be chargeable to any, but to give to him that needeth, both friends and enemies, accounting it more excellent to give than to receive. Also we confess, that we know but in part, and that we are ignorant of many things which we desire and seek to know; and if any shall do us that friendly part to show us from the word of God what we see not, we shall have cause to be thankful to God and them;

but if any man shall impose upon us anything that we see not to be commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ, we should in His strength rather embrace all reproaches and tortures of men, to be stripped of all outward comforts, and if it were possible, to die a thousand deaths, rather than to do anything against the least tittle of the truth of God or against the light of our own consciences.

And if any shall call what we have said heresy, then do we with the Apostle acknowledge, that after the way they call heresy, worship we the God of our fathers, disclaiming all heresies (rightly so called) because they are against Christ, and to be steadfast and unmovable, always abounding in obedience to Christ, as knowing our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord.

Psalm 74:21, 22

Oh, do not let the oppressed return ashamed!

        Let the poor and needy praise Your name.

        22 Arise, O God, plead Your own cause;

        Remember how the foolish man reproaches You daily.

ARISE, O God, plead thine own cause; remember how the foolish man blasphemeth Thee daily. O let not the oppressed return ashamed, but let the poor and needy praise Thy name.

Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.

“Scripture from the New King James Version.

Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

Edited by Jack Isaacson
goisaacson@aol.com