Baptist Confession of Faith (1689)

Chapter 4 CREATION

4.1 In the beginning it pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,¹to create the world and all things in it, both visible and invisible,² in six days,³ and all very good.⁴This was a demonstration of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness.⁵

(1) Heb 1:2; Joh 1:2-3; Gen 1:2; Job 26:13; 33:4
(2) Gen 1:1; Joh 1:2; Col 1:16
(3) Gen 2:1-3; Exo 20:8-11
(4) Gen 1:31; Ecc 7:29; Rom 5:12
(5) Rom 1:20; Jer 10:12; Psa 104:24; 33:5-6; Pro 3:19; Act 14:15-16

4.2 After God had made all other creatures, he created human beings, male and female, with reasoning and immortal souls, making them fitted for that life for God for which they were created.¹ They were made in the image of God, with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness.² They had the law of God written in their hearts, and the power to fulfil it; yet they also had the possibility of transgressing, and were left to the liberty of their own changeable wills.³

(1) Gen 1:27; 2:7; Jas 2:26; Mat 10:28; Ecc 12:7
(2) Gen 1:26-27; 5:1-3; 9:6; Ecc 7:29; 1Co 11:7; Jas 3:9; Col 3:10; Eph 4:24
(3) Rom 1:32; 2:12a,14-15; Gen 3:6; Ecc 7:29; Rom 5:12

4.3 Apart from the law written in their hearts, they received a command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. While they kept this commandment they were happy in their fellowship with God, and had dominion over all other creatures.¹

(1) Gen 1:26,28; 2:17

Chapter 1: The Holy Scriptures
Chapter 2: God and the Holy Trinity
Chapter 3: God’s Decree
Chapter 4: Creation
Chapter 5: Divine Providence
Chapter 6: The Fall, Sin and its Punishment
Chapter 7: God’s Covenant
Chapter 8: Christ the Mediator
Chapter 9: Free Will
Chapter 10: Effectual Calling
Chapter 11: Justification
Chapter 12: Adoption
Chapter 13: Sanctification
Chapter 14: Saving Faith
Chapter 15: Repentance to Life and Salvation
Chapter 16: Good Works
Chapter 17: The Perseverance of Believers
Chapter 18: The Assurance of Grace and Salvation
Chapter 19: The Law of God
Chapter 20: The Gospel and its Gracious Extent
Chapter 21: Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience
Chapter 22: Worship and the Lord’s Day
Chapter 23: Lawful Oaths and Vows
Chapter 24: Civil Government
Chapter 25: Marriage
Chapter 26: The Church
Chapter 27: The Fellowship of Believers
Chapter 28: The Ordinances
Chapter 29: Baptism
Chapter 30: The Lord’s Supper
Chapter 31: The State of People after Death and the Resurrection of the Dead
Chapter 32: The Last Judgment
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