Baptists, early
The following is an extract of the Confession of Faith of the
English Baptists, extracted from Crosby:
We believe that there will be an order in the Resurrection.
Christ is the Firstfruits, and then, next or after, they that are Christ's at
his coming: then, or afterwards, cometh the end.
Concerning the Kingdom and Reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, as
we do believe that he is now in heaven at his Father's right hand, so we do
believe, that, at the time appointed of the Father, he shall come again in power
and great glory; and that at, or after, his coming the second time, he will not
only raise the dead, judge and restore the world, but will also take to himself
his Kingdom, and will, according to the Scriptures, reign on the throne of his
father David, on Mount Zion, in Jerusalem, for ever.
We believe that this kingdom of our Lord will be an universal
kingdom, and that in this kingdom the Lord Jesus Christ himself will be the
alone visible supreme Lord and King of the whole earth.
We believe that as this kingdom will be universal, so it will
also be an everlasting kingdom that shall have no end, nor cannot be shaken; in
which kingdom the saints and faithful in Christ Jesus shall receive the end of
their faith, even the salvation of their souls; where the Lord is, they shall be
also.
We believe that the New Jerusalem that shall come down from
God out of heaven, when the tabernacle of God shall be with them, and he shall
dwell among them, will be the metropolitan city of this kingdom, and will be the
glorious place of residence of both Christ and his saints for ever, and will be
so situated, as that the kingly palace will be on Mount Zion, the holy hill of
David, where his throne was."
*****
The following is also from Crosby, Vol 2, Appendix p 85.
"We believe that the same Lord Jesus who showed himself alive
after his passion by many infallible proofs, Act 1:3, who was taken from his
disciples and carried up into heaven, Luk 24:57, shall so come in like manner as
he was seen go into heaven. Act 1:9-11.
"And when Christ who is our life shall appear, we also shall
appear with him in glory: Col 3:4. For then shall he be King of kings, and Lord
of lords -- Rev 19:15. For the kingdom is his, and He is the governor among the
nations -- Psa 22:28; and King over all the earth -- Zec 14:9; and we shall
reign with him upon the earth -- Rev 5:10. The kingdoms of this world, which men
so mightily strive after how to enjoy, shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and
his Christ -- Rev 11:15. For all is yours, ye that overcome this world, for ye
are Christ's, and Christ is God's -- 1Co 3:22,23. For unto the saints shall be
given the kingdoms, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven --
Dan 7:27. Though, alas! many men be scarce content that the saints should have
so much as a being among them; but when Christ shall appear THEN shall be their
day; THEN shall be given them power over the nations to rule them with a rod of
iron -- Rev 2:26,27. THEN shall they receive a crown of life which no man shall
take from them, nor they by any means turned, or overturned, from it; for the
oppressor shall be broken in pieces -- Psa 72:4; and their vain rejoicing turned
into mourning and bitter lamentations, as it is written -- Job 20:5-7. "For
which" (confession), say they, "we are not only resolved to suffer persecution
to the loss of our goods, but also life itself, rather than decline from the
same."
This Baptist declaration presented to Charles II, March 1660,
was "subscribed by certain elders, deacons, and brethren, met in London, in
behalf of themselves and many others, unto whom they belong in London, and in
several countries of this nation, who are of the same faith with us." Then
follow forty-one names, after which is written, "owned and approved by more than
20,000."
Such was "the Gospel of the Kingdom" believed by the Baptists
in Britain approx 350 years ago; in addition to which they believed also, the
"things concerning the Name of Jesus the Anointed." If the 20,000 whose faith is
here confessed, were to arise and stand upon their feet today, and to visit the
"Regular Baptists" and all other churches calling themselves Baptists, would
they be able to find a trace of that gospel from which they declared, 350 years
ago, they would suffer death: rather than decline from the same?"
