THE ALMOST DEMONIC WORSHIP OF THE 1689 CONFESSION

 

We are not asserting that Satan has wings or a horn.  The statue merely serves as a cultural hyperbolic icon that all recognize.  The picture may be too extreme for some.  But the article may clarify why we chose such a controversial image- ed.

This is of course an opinion piece.  It is based on many encounters with "Reformed Baptists."  It appears that the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith (or the Second London Confession of Faith) is a matrix by which they interpret the Bible. Mind you, these people can be heard shouting and preaching concerning the phrase Sola Scriptura.  But yet they put the Confession first.  To us, anything that obscures the Bible behind any man-made document is Satanic in principle.  This is not to say that this confession does not contain many well-formed phrases and explanations of Biblical teachings, it does.  I have been told on several occasions that before we can speak on any Bible subject, we must first understand what the early church and the confessions said about it.  Why?  Who says when we have the apostolic writings and the words of Jesus, as well as his inward guidance leading us into all truth? Although Reformed Baptists give lip service to the principle of only scripture, it turns out to be lip service, because when you hear preachers of their stripe, they seem to quote the confession and then use scripture to support it.

What is interesting also is their fierce support of the 1689 Confession.  One never hears mention of the Philadelphia Confession of Faith of 1742, which is an exact copy of 1689 except for the addition of two articles - one on congregational singing and the other on the laying on of hands on Baptized believers.  Yet it was the Philadelphia Confession of Faith that had the largest influence in America until the horrific New Hampshire Confession of Faith became prominent among Arminian and Missionary Baptists.  It was not until the 1970s that Reformed Baptists began to speak of the 1689 Confession as if it was the only confession of Baptists.  If anyone doubts the prominence Reformed Baptists give to the 1689 Confession, we will provide some examples:

Even some Reformed Baptists have misgivings upon this emphasis.

We have these words from Charles Spurgeon, who understood the limitations of any 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. Charles Spurgeon

There is no doubt in our mind that Satan rejoices when any human document is placed before Scripture, whether in practice or in name.  This is not to say that those who do this are unbelievers, they may be, but perhaps more of them are misguided believers.  Let the Reformed Baptists who adopt this adoration of 1689, abandon this attitude and truly be those who depend on SOLA SCRIPTURA!