The NRBC School of Theology: Systematic Theology Course 2

13. OF GOD AND THE HOLY TRINITY 2:2:
The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith

This course is based on the text, 'The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith,' with notes by Kevin Matthews. Please feel free to print these notes to allow you to study the text online/offline. This lesson may be used in other study situations if you like (eg. Groups, Bible Studies, etc).

2. God, having all life (a), glory (b), goodness (c), blessedness, in and of Himself, is alone in and unto Himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creature which he hath made, nor deriving any glory from them (d), but only manifesting His own glory in, by, unto, and upon them; He is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things (e), and He hath most sovereign dominion over all creatures, to do by them, for them, and upon them, whatsoever Himself pleaseth (f); in His sight all things are open and manifest (g), His knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature, so as nothing is to Him contingent or uncertain (h); He is most holy in all His Counsels, in all His works (i), and in all His commands; to Him is due from angels and men whatsoever worship (j), service, or obedience as creatures they owe unto the Creator, and whatever He is further pleased to require of them.

a. Jn 5:26.
b. Ps 148:13.
c. Ps 119:68.
d. Job 22:2,3.
e. Rom 11:34-36.
f. Dan 4:25,34,35.
g. Heb 4:13.
h. Ezek 11:5; Acts 15:18.
i. Ps 145:17.
j. Rev 5:12-14.

Having seen something of what God is like in Chapter 2, section 1, we now reconsider these truths from the perspective of how these attributes are seen in God’s relationship with man.

13.1 God is Independent

As we have seen in study 7 (7.2), God is totally self-sufficient, being independent of man in all things. He does not need man to exist (Job 22:2,3; Jn 5:26; Acts 17:24,25), rather man, and everything else, is dependent upon God for existence (Acts 17:25; Jam 4:13-15).

Being independent of His creation, God is perfectly happy within Himself (Job 22:2,3; Rom 11:34-36).

God is also glorious in Himself (Ex 15:11; 24:17; 1 Chron 29:11; Is 6:3; Rev 4:11), His own being rendering Him glorious, and independent of the need of ascription of glory by man to Him. He is worthy of the ascription of glory because He is glorious.

13.2 God is Sovereign

As we have seen in study 9 (9.5), God is Omnipotent, which is, He is all-powerful. Because of this, He is able to do whatever He wills (2 Chron 20:6; Ps 115:3; 135:5,6; Jer 27:5; Dan 4:24,34,35; Mt 10:29; Rom 9:14-21).

QUESTION: How is God’s Sovereignty seen in the will of man?

13.3 God is Omniscient

As we have seen in study 10 (10.2), God is Omniscient, that is, all knowing (Heb 4:13). He has no need for reports to be made, for study, etc. With this being so, He has no need to wait for the fulfilment of history in order to know what is going to happen.

QUESTION: How will God’s Omniscience affect the way in which we approach God when we sin?

13.4 God is Holy

As we have seen in study 10 (10.1), God is Infinitely Holy, and as we have seen in study 8, God is a Unity, being free of all parts and division. In other words He is always holy, in every expression of His Being, as can be said of each attribute (eg, always love), while at the same time, always being every other attribute also (eg, holy love, holy wisdom).

QUESTION: What does this mean when we consider the place of God’s Law in the Christian’s life?

13.5 We Owe God Everything

God owes nothing to us, yet we owe everything to Him. As the Creator, God has a right to expect us to owe everything to Him as His creatures. Consider these passages: Psalm 119:59,60; Romans 12:1,2; Hebrews 13:15.

QUESTION: Do unbelievers owe anything to God? Explain your answer.

NOTE: If you wish to email me regarding your answers to this first lesson, please copy and paste them into an email (Attachments will not be opened). I will then get back to you as soon as I can (expect a delay due to various committments).

Links to Online Texts

• 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith
• 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith

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