1689 Weekly Chapter 8 Paragraphs 6-10
The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith is a tried and true teaching tool. It lays out the faith in a clear, systematic way and shows the connections among doctrines. It also serves as a standard by which teaching in the church can be measured. Below, you will find a portion of the Confession to be read weekly alongside scripture.
Chapter 8 - Christ the Mediator
6. The price of redemption was not actually paid by Christ till after his
incarnation. Yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefit of it was imparted to the elect in
every age since the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and
sacrifices that revealed him and pointed to him as the seed that would bruise the
serpent’s head34 and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.35 He is the
same yesterday and today and forever.36
34 1 Corinthians 4:10; Hebrews 4:2; 1 Peter 1:10, 11.
35 Revelation 13:8.
36 Hebrews 13:8
7. In his work of mediation, Christ acts according to both natures, by each nature
doing what is appropriate to itself. Even so, because of the unity of the person,
that which is appropriate to one nature is sometimes in Scripture attributed to
the person under the designation of the other nature.3719
37John 3:13; Acts 20:28.
8. To all those for whom Christ has obtained eternal redemption, he certainly and
effectually applies and imparts it. He intercedes for them,38 unites them to
himself by his Spirit, and reveals to them in and by his Word the mystery of
salvation. He persuades them to believe and obey39 and governs their hearts by
his Word and Spirit.40 He overcomes all their enemies by his almighty power and
wisdom,41 using methods and ways that are perfectly consistent with his
wonderful and unsearchable governance. All these things are by free and
absolute grace, apart from any condition for obtaining it that is foreseen in
them.42
38 John 6:37; John 10:15, 16; John 17:9; Romans 5:10.
John 5:20.
40 Romans 8:9, 14.
39 John 17:6; Ephesians 1:9; 1
41 Psalms 110:1; 1 Corinthians 15:25, 26.
42 John 3:8; Ephesians 1:8.
9. This office of mediator between God and humanity is appropriate for Christ
alone, who is the prophet, priest, and king of the church of God. This office may
not be transferred from him to anyone else, either in whole or in part.43
43 1 Timothy 2:5.
10. The number and character of these offices is essential. Because we are
ignorant, we need his prophetic office.44 Because we are alienated from God and
imperfect in the best of our service, we need his priestly office to reconcile us
and present us to God as acceptable.45 Because we are hostile and utterly
unable to return to God, and so that we can be rescued and made secure from
our spiritual enemies, we need his kingly office to convince, subdue, draw,
sustain, deliver, and preserve us for his heavenly kingdom.46
44 John 1:18.
45 Colossians 1:21; Galatians 5:17.
46 John 16:8; Psalms 110:3;
Luke 1:74, 75.
incarnation. Yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefit of it was imparted to the elect in
every age since the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and
sacrifices that revealed him and pointed to him as the seed that would bruise the
serpent’s head34 and the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.35 He is the
same yesterday and today and forever.36
34 1 Corinthians 4:10; Hebrews 4:2; 1 Peter 1:10, 11.
35 Revelation 13:8.
36 Hebrews 13:8
7. In his work of mediation, Christ acts according to both natures, by each nature
doing what is appropriate to itself. Even so, because of the unity of the person,
that which is appropriate to one nature is sometimes in Scripture attributed to
the person under the designation of the other nature.3719
37John 3:13; Acts 20:28.
8. To all those for whom Christ has obtained eternal redemption, he certainly and
effectually applies and imparts it. He intercedes for them,38 unites them to
himself by his Spirit, and reveals to them in and by his Word the mystery of
salvation. He persuades them to believe and obey39 and governs their hearts by
his Word and Spirit.40 He overcomes all their enemies by his almighty power and
wisdom,41 using methods and ways that are perfectly consistent with his
wonderful and unsearchable governance. All these things are by free and
absolute grace, apart from any condition for obtaining it that is foreseen in
them.42
38 John 6:37; John 10:15, 16; John 17:9; Romans 5:10.
John 5:20.
40 Romans 8:9, 14.
39 John 17:6; Ephesians 1:9; 1
41 Psalms 110:1; 1 Corinthians 15:25, 26.
42 John 3:8; Ephesians 1:8.
9. This office of mediator between God and humanity is appropriate for Christ
alone, who is the prophet, priest, and king of the church of God. This office may
not be transferred from him to anyone else, either in whole or in part.43
43 1 Timothy 2:5.
10. The number and character of these offices is essential. Because we are
ignorant, we need his prophetic office.44 Because we are alienated from God and
imperfect in the best of our service, we need his priestly office to reconcile us
and present us to God as acceptable.45 Because we are hostile and utterly
unable to return to God, and so that we can be rescued and made secure from
our spiritual enemies, we need his kingly office to convince, subdue, draw,
sustain, deliver, and preserve us for his heavenly kingdom.46
44 John 1:18.
45 Colossians 1:21; Galatians 5:17.
46 John 16:8; Psalms 110:3;
Luke 1:74, 75.