Wednesday, May 4, 2016

1644 Confession & Neo Hardshellism

The following articles from the 1644 London Particular Baptist Confession of Faith show that they did not accept neo Hardshell views on effectual calling. (emphasis mine)

IV.

This therefore is life eternal, to know the only true God, and whom He has sent Jesus Christ.(2) And on the contrary, the Lord will render vengeance in flaming fire to them that know not God, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 John 17:3; Heb. 5:9; Jer. 23:5, 6 2 Thess. 1:8; John 3:36

XXI.

That Christ Jesus by His death did bring fourth salvation and reconciliation only for the(1) elect, which were those which(2) God the Father gave Him; and that the Gospel which is to be preached to all men as the ground of faith, is, that(3) Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the ever blessed God, filled with the perfection of all heavenly and spiritual excellencies, and that salvation is only and alone to be had through the believing in His name.

1) John 15:13; Rom. 8:32-34; 5:11; 3:25 2) Job 17:2 with 6:37 3) Mat. 16:16; Luke 2:26; John 6:9; 7:3; 20:31; 1 John 5:11

 XXII.

That faith is the(1) gift of God wrought in the hearts of the elect by the Spirit of God, whereby they come to see, know, and believe the truth of the(2) Scriptures, and not only so, but the excellency of them above all other writing and 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 the power of the fullness of the Spirit in His workings and operations; and thereupon are enabled to cast the weight of their souls upon this truth thus believed.

1) Eph. 2:8; John 6:29; 4:10; Phil. 1:29; Gal. 5:22 2) John 17:17; Heb. 4:11-12; John 6:63

XXIV.

That faith is ordinarily(1) begot by the preaching of the Gospel, or word of Christ, without respect to(2) any power or capacity in the creature, but it is wholly(3) passive, being dead in sins and trespasses, does believe, and is converted by no less power,(4) then that which raised Christ from the dead.

 1) Rom. 10:17; 1 Cor. 1:21 2) Rom. 9:16 3) Rom. 2:1, 2; Ezek. 16:6; Rom 3:12 4) Rom. 1:16; Eph. 1:19; Col 2:12

XXV.

That the tenders of the Gospel to the conversion of sinners,(1) is absolutely free, no way requiring, as absolutely necessary, any qualifications, preparations, terrors of the Law, or preceding ministry of the Law, but only and alone the naked soul, as a(2) sinner and ungodly to receive Christ, as Christ, as crucified, dead, and buried, and risen again, being made(3) a Prince and a Savior for such sinners.

1) John 3:14, 15; 1:12; Isa. 55:1; John 7:37 2) 1 Tim. 1:15; Rom. 4:5; 5:8 3) Acts 5:30-31; 2:36; 1 Cor. 1:22-24

XXVI.

That the same power that converts to faith in Christ, the same power carries on the(1) soul still through all duties, temptations, conflicts, sufferings, and continually what ever a Christian is, he is by(2) grace, and by a constant renewed (3) operation from God, without which he cannot perform any duty to God, or undergo any temptations from Satan, the world, or men.

1) 1 Peter 1:5; 2 Cor. 12:9 2) 1 Cor. 15:10 3) Phil. 2:12, 13; John 15:5; Gal. 2:19-20

XXXI.

That all believers in the time of this life, are in a continual warfare, combat, and opposition against sin, self, the world, and the Devil, and liable to all manner of afflictions, tribulations, and persecutions, and so shall continue until Christ comes in His Kingdom, being predestined and appointed there unto; and whatsoever the saints, any of them do possess or enjoy of God in this life, is only by faith.

 Eph. 6:10-13; 2 Cor. 10:3; Rev. 2:9, 10

I accept these articles of faith. I am thus an old or primitive Baptist. Those today who arrogantly call themselves such, but reject these articles, are liars and imposters.

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