The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith

Chapter 24: Civil Government

24.1 God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, has ordained civil authorities [1] to be under him and over the people, [2] for his own glory and the public good. [3] For this purpose he has armed them with the authority to use force, [4] to defend and encourage those who do good, and to punish evil doers. [5]

  1. Original, magistrates   
  2. Psalms 82:1    Luke 12:48    Romans 13:1-6    1 Peter 2:13-14   
  3. Genesis 6:11-13 with Genesis 9:5-6    Psalms 58:1-2    Psalms 72:14    Psalms 82:1-4    Proverbs 21:15    Proverbs 24:11-12    Proverbs 29:14,26    Proverbs 31:5    Ezekiel 7:23    Ezekiel 45:9    Daniel 4:27    Matthew 22:21    Romans 13:3-4    1 Timothy 2:2    1 Peter 2:14   
  4. Original, the power of the sword   
  5. Genesis 9:6    Proverbs 16:14    Proverbs 19:12    Proverbs 20:2    Proverbs 21:15    Proverbs 28:17    Acts 25:1    Romans 13:4    1 Peter 2:13-14   

24.2 It is lawful for Christians to accept and carry out the duties of public office [1] when called upon to so. [2] In the performance of such office they are particularly responsible for maintaining justice and peace in accordance with the wholesome laws of the nation. For that purpose they may (in terms of the New Testament) lawfully engage in war if it is just and necessary. [3]

  1. Original, of a magistrate   
  2. Exodus 22:8-9,28-29    Daniel    Nehemiah    Proverbs 14:35    Proverbs 16:10,12    Proverbs 20:26,28    Proverbs 25:2    Proverbs 28:15-16    Proverbs 29:4,14    Proverbs 31:4-5    Romans 13:2,4,6   
  3. Luke 3:14    Romans 13:4   

24.3 As civil authorities [1] are established by God for the purposes given, we ought to be subject to [2] all their lawful commands [3] for the Lord's sake, not merely to avoid punishment, but for conscience' sake. We ought also to make supplications and prayers for rulers and all who are in authority, that under them we may live a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty. [4]

  1. Original, magistrates   
  2. Proverbs 16:14-15    Proverbs 19:12    Proverbs 20:2    Proverbs 24:21-22    Proverbs 25:15    Proverbs 28:2    Romans 13:1-7    Titus 3:1    1 Peter 2:13-14   
  3. Daniel 1:8    Daniel 3:4-6,16-18    Daniel 6:5-10,22    Matthew 22:21    Acts 4:19-20    Acts 5:29   
  4. Jeremiah 29:7    1 Timothy 2:1-4   

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Acknowledgements

The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith was rewritten in modern English by Andrew Kerkham. It is reproduced here with his permission and under a Creative Commons license. Mr. Kerkham's original version can be found here.

Extended footnotes are from Sam Waldron's book A Modern Exposition of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith and are used here by permission.

Scripture from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2000, Crossway Bibles, www.crossway.com. Used by permission.