The 1689 London Confession: A Historical and Theological Overview

The 1689 London Confession is a Reformed confession of faith that was adopted by the Congregational Union of England and Wales in 1689. It is a lengthy document that covers a wide range of theological topics, including the nature of God, the person and work of Christ, the doctrine of salvation, and the church.

Historical Context

The 1689 London Confession was written during a time of religious turmoil in England. The Act of Toleration (1689) had recently been passed, which granted religious freedom to Protestant dissenters. This led to a period of rapid growth for Congregationalism, as well as a number of other nonconformist denominations. The 1689 London Confession was intended to provide a clear statement of the beliefs of Congregationalists.

Theological Content

The 1689 London Confession is a thoroughly Calvinistic document. It affirms the doctrines of total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of the saints. It also emphasizes the importance of the Bible as the sole source of authority for Christian faith and practice.

Key Doctrines

Some of the key doctrines that are set forth in the 1689 London Confession include:

• The Trinity - The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct persons who share the same essential nature.
• The Incarnation - Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human.
• The Atonement - Jesus Christ died on the cross to atone for the sins of humanity.
• Salvation - Salvation is a free gift from God that is received through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
• The Church - The church is a community of believers who are united in Christ.

Influence and Significance

The 1689 London Confession has had a significant impact on the development of Congregationalism and other Reformed denominations. It has also been influential in the broader Christian tradition. Today, the 1689 London Confession is still used as a statement of faith by many Congregational churches around the world.

What is the 1689 London Confession?

The 1689 London Confession is a statement of faith written by a group of Puritan ministers in London in 1689. It is one of the most important doctrinal statements of the Reformed tradition, and it has been widely influential among Protestant churches around the world.

What are the main themes of the 1689 London Confession?

The 1689 London Confession covers a wide range of theological topics, including the nature of God, the person and work of Christ, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the doctrine of salvation. Some of the main themes of the confession include:

• The sovereignty of God in creation, providence, and redemption.
• The deity and humanity of Christ, and his work as prophet, priest, and king.
• The role of the Holy Spirit in regeneration, sanctification, and assurance of salvation.
• The doctrine of election, which teaches that God has chosen some people to be saved before the foundation of the world.
• The perseverance of the saints, which teaches that those who have been truly saved will not ultimately fall away from faith.

How is the 1689 London Confession used today?

The 1689 London Confession is still used today as a doctrinal statement by many Protestant churches. It is often used as a basis for teaching and preaching, and it is also used as a resource for theological study. The confession is also used as a basis for ecumenical dialogue between different Protestant denominations.