The 1689 Confession of Faith (Summarized)

Important note: This summary is only intended as a brief intro. Here is a link to the full 1689 Confession of Faith . ¹

I. The Basic Themes of our 1689 Confession of Faith

A. Orthodox (Creedal)

Our 1689 Confession of Faith contains the essence of orthodox (creedal) Christianity, which has weathered the storms against dangerous heresies through the centuries.

(More info: FAQ: “What are creeds and confessions of faith?” )

B. Gospel-centered

Our 1689 Confession of Faith emphasizes that our salvation and the whole Christian life flows to us from the free grace of God in the gospel of Christ.

C. Reformed & Puritan

Our 1689 Confession of Faith contains the essence of the doctrines of grace and the Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation, rooted in the God-centered theology of the Puritans.

D. Baptist & Congregational

Our 1689 Confession of Faith is distinguished by believer’s baptism and elder-led congregational church government.

---

II. A Summary of our 1689 Confession of Faith

Here is a one-sentence summary of every chapter of the 1689 Confession of Faith, including the preface and appendix on baptism.

Preface

This confession of faith is set forth 1) to clarify and defend our beliefs as Reformed Baptists and 2) to promote Christian unity and piety.

---

Unit 1: Foundations (chs. 1–6)

1: The Scriptures

The Scriptures are the only infallible and ultimate rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience, superior to natural revelation and creation in revealing God and his will.

(2 Timothy 3:15–17, Isaiah 8:20, Luke 16:29, 31)

---

2: God and the Holy Trinity

There is one true God in three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — perfect, infinite, and governing all things according to his sovereign will, abounding in mercy and grace.

(1 Corinthians 8:4, 6; Jeremiah 10:10; Isaiah 48:12)

---

3: God’s Decree

By his sovereign, all-wise and eternal decree, God has freely ordained all things, including the salvation of his elect, while not destroying human will or secondary causes.

(Isaiah 46:10; Ephesians 1:11; Romans 9:15, 18)

---

4: Creation

God created the universe out of nothing in six days to display his glory, power, wisdom, and goodness.

(Genesis 1:1–31, Hebrews 1:2)

---

5: Divine Providence

God by his providence governs all creatures and actions, so that everything works together for God’s glory and the good of his elect, while not destroying human will or secondary causes.

(Hebrews 1:3, Job 38:11, Isaiah 46:10, 11)

---

6: The Fall of Man

All mankind having fell in Adam as their federal head, were corrupted in their nature, becoming wholly opposed to all spiritual good and inclined to evil, and requiring God’s gracious intervention for salvation.

(Genesis 3:6, Romans 5:12, Romans 3:23)

---

Unit 2: The Covenant (chs. 7–20)

7: God’s Covenant

God’s covenant, ultimately revealed through Christ in the New Covenant, is rooted in his eternal Covenant of Redemption to save the elect.

(Luke 17:10; Jeremiah 31:31–34)

---

8: Christ the Mediator

Christ the Mediator (who is truly God according to his divinity and truly man according to his humanity) fulfills the offices of prophet, priest, and king, appointed by God and anointed by the Holy Spirit to act in redemption on behalf of the elect.

(John 1:1, 14; Hebrews 5:5, 6)

---

9: Free Will

Humans possessed free will in their state of innocency, but the fall renders them unable to convert themselves and wholly dependent on divine grace.

(Matthew 17:12; James 1:14; Deuteronomy 30:19)

---

10: Effectual Calling

Effectual calling is accomplished by the Holy Spirit, who produces faith in Jesus Christ in the hearts of God’s elect through the preaching of the gospel.

(Romans 8:30; Romans 11:7; Ephesians 1:10, 11)

---

11: Justification

Justification is an act of God’s free grace wherein God pardons our sins and accepts us as righteous through faith in Christ alone.

(Romans 3:24; Ephesians 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:30, 31)

---

12: Adoption

Adoption is an act of God’s free grace whereby believers are made God’s children, with all rights and privileges of sons, and are given the Spirit of adoption.

(Ephesians 1:5; Galatians 4:4, 5)

---

13: Sanctification

Sanctification is a work of God’s free grace wherein believers increasingly die unto sin and live unto righteousness, growing in grace and perseverance.

(Acts 20:32; Romans 6:5, 6)

---

14: Saving Faith

Saving faith is the work of the Spirit of Christ in the hearts of God’s elect, normally wrought through the Word, leading them to rest upon Christ alone for salvation.

(2 Corinthians 4:13; Ephesians 2:8)

---

15: Repentance unto Life

Repentance is a grace whereby sinners, sensing their own sin and God’s mercy, turn from sin to God with a full purpose for new obedience.

(Zachariah 12:10; Acts 11:18)

---

16: Good Works

Good works are fruits of the Spirit in believers which demonstrate faith, express thankfulness, strengthen assurance, edify others, and glorify God.

(James 2:18, 22)

---

17: Perseverance of the Saints

True believers have the Holy Spirit and will never fully or finally fall from grace, but will persevere in repentance and faith to the end.

(Philippians 1:6; John 10:28, 29)

---

18: Assurance of Grace and Salvation

Believers in Christ can gain certain assurance of faith based on 1) Christ’s person and work revealed in the Word of the gospel, and 2) the inward evidence of God’s grace.

(Hebrews 6:11, 19; 6:17, 18; 1 John 5:13)

---

19: The Law of God

The moral law of God (summarized in the Ten Commandments) obligates all to obey it, but only believers in Christ are under the grace which enables true obedience to it.

(Romans 3:31; Matthew 5:17, 18)

---

20: The Gospel and the Extent of its Grace

Since believers are no longer under the condemnation of God’s law, the gospel strengthens their obligation to obey that law, which is given to Christians as a rule of life.

(Romans 3:31; Galatians 3:21)

---

Unit 3: God-centered Living — Freedom and Boundaries (chs. 21–30)

21: Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience

Believers in Christ are set free from the guilt and power of sin, the wrath of God, and the traditions of men, freed to access God through Christ and live in joyful obedience to God’s law.

(Romans 7:22; Galatians 5:1; 1 Peter 2:16)

---

22: Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day

Worship is due to God alone as prescribed in Scripture, which includes the setting aside of the first day of the week as the Lord’s Day wherein we rest from our regular works and gather as a church to participate together in prayer, Scripture reading, preaching, singing, the ordinances (baptism and the Lord’s Supper) and also to perform works of necessity and mercy.

(Exodus 20:3–5; Matthew 12:8; Revelation 1:10)

---

23: Lawful Oaths and Vows

Lawful oaths and vows are part of religious worship and must be made with seriousness and in keeping with God’s truth and justice.

(Deuteronomy 6:13; 2 Corinthians 1:23)

---

24: The Civil Magistrate

The civil magistrate (government official) is appointed by God and has the duty to preserve peace and justice and prevent or punish transgressors.

(Romans 13:1–4; 1 Peter 2:13, 14)

---

25: Marriage

Marriage is ordained by God and is between one man and one woman for their mutual help, procreation, and the prevention of sexual immorality.

(Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5, 6)

---

26: The Church

Christ is the only head of the universal church, which comprises all the elect, and all Christians ought to be joined to a local church wherein they live holy lives in love, peace, unity with fellow members, and submission to their pastors, and each church ought to hold formal association with other likeminded churches.

(1 Corinthians 1:2; Ephesians 1:22, 23)

---

27: The Communion of Saints

All members of the church are to maintain holy fellowship and communion with one another in worship and mutual edification.

(1 John 1:3; Hebrews 10:24, 25)

---

28: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

These ordinances are instituted by Christ, signify the believer’s fellowship with him, and are to be observed until the end of the world.

(Matthew 28:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:26)

---

29: Baptism

Baptism signifies the believer’s fellowship with Christ in His death and resurrection, and a commitment to walk in newness of life.

(Romans 6:3–5; Colossians 2:12)

---

30: The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper commemorates Christ’s death and also spiritually nourishes our souls upon Christ when received by faith.

(1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Luke 22:19, 20)

---

Unit 4: The World to Come (chs. 31–32)

31: The State of Man After Death

The souls of the deceased immediately return to God, and the body awaits the final resurrection.

(Ecclesiastes 12:7; Luke 23:43)

---

32: The Last Judgment

Jesus Christ will return to judge all mankind and angels according to their deeds, resulting in eternal rewards for the righteous and eternal punishment for the wicked.

(Matthew 25:31–46; 2 Thessalonians 1:7–10)

---

Appendix on Baptism

We are committed to Scripture’s robust teaching on believer’s baptism — that only those who profess faith in Christ (and not infants) are to be baptized.