Statement of Faith
The Abstract of Principles of the London Baptist Confession of Faith of
1689
Basil Manly Jr. penned this brief confession of
faith as the statement of faith for Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in
Louisville, Kentucky. On April 30, 1858 the seminary wrote the Abstract into its
charter, and it remains the official doctrinal confession for Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary to this day. Jesse C. Fletcher, chancellor of
Hardin-Simmons University, recently referred to "The Abstract of Principles" as
"...a masterful document that survived decades of Southern Baptist controversy."
William Wright Barnes, former church history professor at Southwestern Baptist
Theological Seminary, said, "They set forth the great fundamental teachings that
have been held by Southern Baptists..." These fundamental truths transcend time
and culture. If these things were true in 1858, they are true today.
I. The Scriptures
The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of
God, and are the only sufficient, certain and authoritative rule of all saving
knowledge, faith and obedience.
II. God
There is but one God, the Maker, Preserver and Ruler of all things, having in
and of himself, all perfections, and being infinite in them all; and to Him all
creatures owe the highest love, reverence and obedience.
III. The Trinity
God is revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit each with distinct
personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being.
IV. Providence
God from eternity, decrees or permits all things that come to pass, and
perpetually upholds, directs and governs all creatures and all events; yet so as
not in any wise to the author or approver of sin nor to destroy the free will
and responsibility of intelligent creatures.
V. Election
Election is God's eternal choice of some persons unto everlasting life- not
because of foreseen merit in them, but of his mere mercy in Christ- in
consequence of which choice they are called, justified and glorified.
VI. The Fall of Man
God originally created man in His own image, and free from sin; but, through
the temptation of Satan, he transgressed the command of God, and fell from his
original holiness and righteousness; whereby his posterity inherit a nature
corrupt and wholly opposed to God and His law, are under condemnation, and as
soon as they are capable of moral action, become actual transgressors.
VII. The Mediator
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, is the divinely appointed
mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet
without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the law, suffered and died upon the cross
for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, and rose again the third day, and
ascended to His Father, at whose right hand He ever liveth to make intercession
for His people. He is the only Mediator, the Prophet, Priest and King of the
Church, and Sovereign of the Universe.
VIII. Regeneration
Regeneration is a change of heart, wrought by the Holy Spirit, who quickeneth
the dead in trespasses and sins enlightening their minds spiritually and
savingly to understand the Word of God, and renewing their whole nature, so that
they love and practice holiness. It is a work of God's free and special grace
alone.
IX. Repentance
Repentance is an evangelical grace, wherein a person being, by the Holy
Spirit, made sensible of the manifold evil of his sin, humbleth himself for it,
with godly sorrow, detestation of it, and self-abhorrence, with a purpose and
endeavor to walk before God so as to please Him in all things.
X. Faith
Saving faith is the belief, on God's authority, of whatsoever is revealed in
His Word concerning Christ; accepting and resting upon Him alone for
justification and eternal life. It is wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit,
and is accompanied by all other saving graces, and leads to a life of holiness.
XI. Justification
Justification is God's gracious and full acquittal of sinners, who believe in
Christ, from all sin, through the satisfaction that Christ has made; not for
anything wrought in them or done by them; but on account to the obedience and
satisfaction of Christ, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness
by faith.
XII. Sanctification
Those who have been regenerated are also sanctified, by God's word and Spirit
dwelling in them. This sanctification is progressive through the supply of
Divine strength, which all saints seek to obtain, pressing after a heavenly life
in cordial obedience to all Christ's commands.
XIII. Perseverance of the Saints
Those whom God hath accepted in the Beloved, and sanctified by His Spirit,
will never totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall
certainly persevere to the end; and though they may fall, through neglect and
temptation, into sin, whereby they grieve the Spirit, impair their graces and
comforts, bring reproach on the Church, and temporal judgments on themselves,
yet they shall be renewed again unto repentance, and be kept by the power of God
through faith unto salvation.
XIV. The Church
The Lord Jesus is the Head of the Church, which is composed of all his true
disciples, and in Him is invested supremely all power for its government.
According to his commandment, Christians are to associate themselves into
particular societies or churches; and to each of these churches he hath given
needful authority for administering that order, discipline and worship which he
hath appointed. The regular officers of a Church are bishops or elders, and
deacons.
XV. Baptism
Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus, obligatory upon every believer,
wherein he is immersed in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit, as a sign of his fellowship with the death and resurrection
of Christ, of remission of sins, and of his giving himself up to God, to live
and walk in newness of life. It is a prerequisite to church fellowship, and to
participation in the Lord's Supper.
XVI. The Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper is an ordinance of Jesus Christ, to be administered with
the elements of bread and wine, and to be observed by his churches till the end
of the world. It is in no sense a sacrifice, but is designed to commemorate his
death, to confirm the faith and other graces of Christians, and to be a bond,
pledge and renewal of their communion with him, and of their church fellowship.
XVII. The Lord's Day
The Lord's day is a Christian institution for regular observance, and should
be employed in exercises of worship and spiritual devotion, both public and
private, resting from worldly employments and amusements, works of necessity and
mercy only excepted.
XVIII. Liberty of Conscience
God alone is Lord of the conscience; and He hath left us free from the
doctrines and commandments of men, which are in anything contrary to His word,
or not contained in it. Civil magistrates being ordained of God, subjection in
all lawful things commanded by them ought to be yielded by us in the Lord, not
only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
XIX. The Resurrection
The bodies of men after death return to dust, but their spirits return
immediately to God-the righteous to rest with Him; the wicked, to be reserved
under darkness to the judgment. At the last day, the bodies of all the dead,
both just and unjust, will be raised.
XX. The Judgment
God hath appointed a day, wherein he will judge the world by Jesus Christ,
when every one shall receive according to his deeds: the wicked shall go into
everlasting punishment; the righteous, into everlasting life.
