1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Featured Your Confession of Faith...Let's see it!

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Iconoclast, Jul 6, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Top Posters
Page 3 of 5
  1. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    Messages:
    21,242
    Likes Received:
    2,305
    Faith:
    Non Baptist Christian
    From the reformed reader:

    http://www.reformedreader.org/rpc.htm




     
    #41 Iconoclast, Jul 8, 2013
  2. DHK

    DHK <b>Moderator</b>

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2000
    Messages:
    37,982
    Likes Received:
    137
    In general the Baptists are not and never were a "creedal people."
    The Presbyterians have their Westminster Confession of Faith.
    Other denominations, likewise, have their Catechisms and Confessions.
    Among Christianity the Baptists have been historically the most persecuted of any part of Christianity. Because of their adherence to soul liberty they have Baptist distinctives that unite them in defining them as Baptists. Within that framework they are evangelical and believe in certain fundamentals of the faith, but not in a confession or creed. There is too much variety among our Baptist brethren to adhere to a confession.
    Local church autonomy also prevents the same adherence.
    Your putting forth of a confession is akin to promoting a denomination.
    I stand firmly against all denominational endeavors and enterprises.
     
    #42 DHK, Jul 8, 2013
  3. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 30, 2006
    Messages:
    20,914
    Likes Received:
    706
    I believe that this is a GREAT exercise and makes one think. I would even consider doing this just as a course of personal study for myself! When my husband was studying for his ordination, a group of them gathered every 3 weeks and names were drawn from a hat. The person who's name was drawn was to teach on a particular doctrine out of the 10 basic doctrines (the doctrine of God, the doctrine of Scripture, the doctrine of Jesus, the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, the doctrine of the church, etc.). The key was that ALL had to be prepared and since all were prepared, they could question the "teacher" that week and really challenge him on what he was teaching. He said that it was a fantastic time of study and learning more of Scripture.

    So I think this is a challenge that ALL of us should take up if for nothing else, our own personal study and growth. :) Thanks Icon!:thumbsup:
     
    #43 annsni, Jul 8, 2013
  4. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 30, 2006
    Messages:
    20,914
    Likes Received:
    706
    I've seen Baptist confessions before so they are not against them.
     
    #44 annsni, Jul 8, 2013
  5. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    Messages:
    21,242
    Likes Received:
    2,305
    Faith:
    Non Baptist Christian
    DHK

    Maybe you should look here: From A Baptist Catechism with Commentary

    5. Baptists used catechisms extensively and with much spiritual profit
    until the past century. This objection itself demonstrates the sad
    departure of some Baptists from their own doctrinal distinctives and
    practice, and the ignorance of some modern Baptists concerning their
    own history and spiritual heritage.     Following are some of the more
    well–known catechisms written and used by Baptists:
    • Henry Jessey, Particular Baptist, A Catechism for Babes, or Little
    Ones, 1652.
    • Hercules Collins, Particular Baptist, The Orthodox Catechism
    (adapted from the Heidelberg Catechism), 1680.
    • Thomas Grantham, General Baptist, St. Paul’s Catechism (based
    on the six principles of Hebrews 6), 1687.
    • Benjamin Keach and William Collins, The Baptist Catechism,
    1693.
    • The Philadelphia Baptist Association of Particular Baptists
    published a catechism appended to their Philadelphia Confession
    of Faith, 1742.
    • William Gadsby, Gospel Standard Baptist, published a catechism
    entitled The Things Most Surely Believed Among Us, 1809.
    • C. H. Spurgeon published A Baptist Catechism (compiled from
    the Westminster Shorter Catechism and Keach’s Baptist
    Catechism), 1855.
    • The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention
    published two catechisms: the first by J. P. Boyce, A Brief
    Catechism of Bible Doctrine (1864) and the second by John A.
    Broadus (1892). The latter work was jointly published by both the
    Southern Baptist Convention and the American Baptist
    Publication Society.
     
    #45 Iconoclast, Jul 8, 2013
  6. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    May 30, 2006
    Messages:
    20,914
    Likes Received:
    706
    #46 annsni, Jul 8, 2013
  7. DHK

    DHK <b>Moderator</b>

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2000
    Messages:
    37,982
    Likes Received:
    137
    They "were" not against them. Put them in their historical context.
    http://www.baptisthistory.org/contissues/holcomb.htm

    We are no longer "at war" with the "state church." The government is not going to fine us if we dissent from "their beliefs and practices, etc. In the past they served their purposes. Today the closest to a confession of faith that one has is the SBC Baptist Faith and Message of 1963, and that has been revised a couple of times since then. I wouldn't agree with it anyway.

    Your suggestion is good. There are ten basic doctrines. Every person ought to know what they believe, and why they believe what they believe, about those doctrines. Basically that is what is presented in both an ordination paper, and a church statement of faith.
    Confessions and creeds are not needed.
     
    #47 DHK, Jul 8, 2013
  8. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    Messages:
    21,242
    Likes Received:
    2,305
    Faith:
    Non Baptist Christian
    Exactly ANN,
    We say we are bible believers and yet when asked a specific question on a doctrinal term, we often fumble around, get bits and pieces of it, leave out important details,etc. A well written Confession of faith, or a Good Bible catechism give the main points to aid in biblestudy,and help us keep a proper biblical and scriptural framework in our heads:thumbsup:

    Let's say we were asked this question>>>>

    How does the Lord Jesus Christ execute the office of a
    priest?

    Ask yourself how you would go about to answer it. You might come up with a couple of verses,and maybe an illustration.....where a well written catechism would put most of the main and important ideas out there for you, as in question 74...on page 132...you could go there and have a whole bible study on it if time allowed for it, or you could grab a couple of the main ideas:thumbsup: It is quick and yet you can start with it and go as deep as you want.....,
     
    #48 Iconoclast, Jul 8, 2013
  9. DHK

    DHK <b>Moderator</b>

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2000
    Messages:
    37,982
    Likes Received:
    137
    I don't need to look there.
    Icon, I don't live in the 17th or 18th centuries.
    I live in the 21st century. Our times have changed.
     
    #49 DHK, Jul 8, 2013
  10. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    Messages:
    21,242
    Likes Received:
    2,305
    Faith:
    Non Baptist Christian
    The bible has not changed.You said that Baptists did not use these tools,This list shows otherwise....

    What answer would you offer to this DHK?
     
    #50 Iconoclast, Jul 8, 2013
  11. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    Messages:
    21,242
    Likes Received:
    2,305
    Faith:
    Non Baptist Christian
    In the OP I took the outline from the 1689 and asked people to supply the answer....Only van offered a serious attempt which I thanked him for.

    This idea can be expanded to the Books of scripture itself...take ephesians

    6 Chapters-

    Take 6 pages..one for each chapter...

    Write out as much or as little as you can for each book...if you know 10 verses put that down, if you cannot remember the verses to start with,,,put down a main idea.

    EPH 1-the blessing of election


    2 you hath he quickened,who were dead,But God, for by grace, not of yourselves,good works which He ordained, one new man,


    3The eternal purpose made known to the church,




    4 new man


    5 walk worthy,redeeming the time,husband and Wife,Christ and the church


    6Children obey, put on the full armor of God....

    fill in as many verses as you can to start....


    phillipians only has 4 chapters, or if desperate try JUDE,:laugh::laugh:
     
    #51 Iconoclast, Jul 8, 2013
  12. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2012
    Messages:
    52,624
    Likes Received:
    2,742
    Faith:
    Baptist
     
    #52 Yeshua1, Jul 9, 2013
  13. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2005
    Messages:
    19,715
    Likes Received:
    585
    Faith:
    Baptist
    DHK,you are ahistorical.
     
    #53 Rippon, Jul 9, 2013
  14. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    Messages:
    21,242
    Likes Received:
    2,305
    Faith:
    Non Baptist Christian
    While no one has to use study helps, to say they are not beneficial is to hold back truth from the people of God.

    Some have tried this small exercise,and just having to think through the different areas is helpful and keeps us thinking of verses to present to others.

    If each took more time, they could develop a sound and workable theology that will help us to fulfill 1 pet3:15.:thumbsup:

    Those who refuse to do so, many times are not useful to others because their thoughts are not biblically focused enough to connect the scriptural dots.

    many have used these tools for that purpose and can give a faithful rendering of truth....:thumbs:
     
    #54 Iconoclast, Jul 9, 2013
  15. DHK

    DHK <b>Moderator</b>

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2000
    Messages:
    37,982
    Likes Received:
    137
    If it is history you want, then quote Augustine's confession of faith, or dig up Tertullian's or perhaps Polycarp's, if you can find it. Why stick to these stodgy old Reformers? Go closer to the source.
     
    #55 DHK, Jul 9, 2013
  16. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2010
    Messages:
    21,242
    Likes Received:
    2,305
    Faith:
    Non Baptist Christian
    Jesus is the source and they focused on Him:thumbs:
     
    #56 Iconoclast, Jul 9, 2013
  17. DHK

    DHK <b>Moderator</b>

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2000
    Messages:
    37,982
    Likes Received:
    137
    Then if you are honest now you can admit I don't need another man's confession of faith, creed or catechism. They are irrelevant. I am focused on my Bible.
     
    #57 DHK, Jul 10, 2013
  18. righteousdude2

    righteousdude2 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2007
    Messages:
    11,154
    Likes Received:
    242
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Just What is a Confession of Fatih?

    Is it not a testimony that is all inclusive of your testimony, and it is that testimony that reflects your confession of what you believe [faith] and how you got there? My testimony is all inclusive of what I believe when it comes to everything Icon asked for, I simply decided to put it into a capsule of words that show how I came to decide on Jesus as my Savior. :applause:
     
    #58 righteousdude2, Jul 10, 2013
  19. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2012
    Messages:
    52,624
    Likes Received:
    2,742
    Faith:
    Baptist
    agree with you that the Bible is the ONLY inspired revelation from god to us, ONLY source fordoctrines/practices, but what is wrong with reformed using those as say bible study aids/almost like mini commentaries?
     
    #59 Yeshua1, Jul 10, 2013
  20. DHK

    DHK <b>Moderator</b>

    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2000
    Messages:
    37,982
    Likes Received:
    137
    Nothing, as long as it is kept personal.
    I refer to many different resources in my own personal study. However if I came on the board and every post said: But Spurgeon says:" and again, But Spurgeon says: " But Spurgeon says, " etc., Then who is my authority? Is it Spurgeon or the Bible? Spurgeon believes the Bible. But if I constantly quote him as my authority I have allowed him to become my authority rather than my Bible. Some people have done that with Calvin, with the ECF, and some with Confessions. Let us make sure that our authority is the Bible, all the time!
    Again, it is not wrong to refer to other resource material, but let us not make it our authority by continually doing so, or habitually doing so. The Bible must be supreme. "But sanctify the Lord Jesus Christ in your heart and be ready always to give an answer to every man (from the Bible) that asks of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."
    Yes, I added "from the Bible" because that is what Peter had in mind. He wasn't speaking of Augustine, Calvin, Confessions, etc. He was referring to the Word of God.
     
    #60 DHK, Jul 10, 2013
Page 3 of 5
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Loading...