As a church we hold to the Second London Baptist Confession of 1689. Although the Scriptures alone remain authoritative in faith and life, we believe the 1689 Confession is a faithful reflection of Biblical truth. Affirming the 1689 Confession isn’t a requirement for membership, but it is a requirement for elders and teachers within Bethany. We echo the words of Charles Spurgeon when he said this of the 1689 Confession: “This little volume is not issued as an authoritative rule, or code of faith, whereby you are to be fettered, but as an assistance to you in controversy, a confirmation in faith, and a means of edification in righteousness…Cleave fast to the Word of God which is here mapped out for you”.
Chapter 1 – The Holy Scriptures
Chapter 2 – God and the Holy Trinity
Chapter 6 – The Fall of Mankind, and Sin and Its Punishment
Chapter 8 – Christ the Mediator
Chapter 10 – Effectual Calling
Chapter 15 – Repentance to Life and Salvation
Chapter 17 – The Perseverance of the Saints
Chapter 18 – Assurance of Grace and Salvation
Chapter 20 – The Gospel and the Extent of Its Grace
Chapter 21 – Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience
Chapter 22 – Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day
Chapter 23 – Lawful Oaths and Vows
Chapter 27 – The Communion of Saints
Chapter 28 – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Chapter 30 – The Lord’s Supper
Chapter 31 – The State of Humanity after Death and the Resurrection of the Dead
Chapter 32 – The Last Judgment
Extras
- For understanding the value of Confessions, Dr. Tom Ascol has written a short but persuasive article that “Healthy Christianity is Confessional”.
- For an extensive history behind the 1689 Confession, we recommend the article “Confessing the Faith in 1644 and 1689” by Dr. James Renihan.