Why the First London Confession of Faith?

[Glenn63]

I find it as appropriate today as a Particular Baptist to proclaim my beliefs with distinctives as did 7 churches of Christ in London in 1644/1646. Their preface reads:

"CONFESSION OF FAITH of seven congregations or churches of Christ in London. which are commonly, but unjustly, called Anabaptists; published for the vindication of the truth and information of the ignorant; likewise for the taking off those aspersions which are frequently, both in pulpit and print, unjustly cast upon them. Printed in London, Anno 1646."

These congregations proclaim themselves "churches of Christ" (NOT Campbellites) and are distinguishing themselves from the Anabaptists, and they are presenting their doctrines as a defense against those who would accuse them of heresy unjustly. The distinctives I embrace in this Confession may be summed up as follows:

It is fully "free grace" teaching: 1, particular redemption; 2, unmerited election; 3, total depravity; 4, efficacious grace; 5, perseverance of the elect.  This puts this confession in line with the Westminster Confession as well as the 1689 London and 1742 Philadelpia confessions of Baptists as well as most of the Reformation confessions.

This confession rejects the Law of Moses for the New Covenant believer, pointing to the Law of Christ instead.  This confession does not teach Mosaic Law as a prerequisite to salvation, so it is basically a document in agreement with New Covenant Theology.

The confession does not include the phrase "born again", which is so misused among evangelicals today (IMHO) and the confession would be in direct opposition to the question, "Have you been born again?" as it is so often asked.

This confession avoids the convoluted teachings of Dispensationalism as well as the haggling over amil and postmil.  It simply states at the end:

"THERE shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust, and everyone shall give an account of himself to God, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."

I consider this the first Baptist confession and have found no reason to move on to any newer confessions of Baptists. This one expresses as best I can find how I understand the Scriptures.  This is what my "soul liberty" brings me to believe and I know other Baptists will have other understandings.

May God the Holy Spirit have full reign in all our lives!