The NRBC School of Theology: Systematic Theology Course 2

9. OF GOD AND THE HOLY TRINITY 2:1:
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).

1. The Lord our God is but one only living and true God (a); whose subsistence is in and of himself (b), infinite in being and perfection, whose essence cannot be comprehended by any but himself (c); a most pure spirit (d), invisible, without body, parts, or passions, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light, which no man can approach unto (e); who is immutable (f), immense (g), eternal (h), incomprehensible, almighty (i), every way infinite, most holy (j), most wise, most free, most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will (l) for his own glory (m), most loving, gracious, merciful, long suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek him (n), and withal most just and terrible in his judgements (o), hating all sin (p), and who will by no means clear the guilty (q).

a. 1 Cor 8:4,6; Deut 6:4.
b. Jer 10:10; Isaiah 48:12.
c. Ex 3:14.
d. Jn 4:24.
e. 1 Tim 1:17; Deut 4:15,16.
f. Mal 3:6.
g. 1 Kings 8:27; Jer 23:23.
h. Ps 90:2.
i. Gen 17:1.
k. Is 6:3.
l. Ps 115:3; Is 46:10.
m. Pr 16:4; Rom 11:36.
n. Ex 34:6,7; Heb 11:6.
o. Neh 9:32,33.
p. Ps 5:5,6.
q. Ex 34:7; Nah 1:2,3.

In this study we continue to consider the attributes of God, that is, those perfections of God revealed to us in Scripture. These declare to us what God is like.

9.1 The Infinity of God

The infinity of God is twice mentioned in the 1689 confession in chapter 2, section 1. This is so, because the confession wants to make it abundantly clear, that the infinity of God concerns all that God is in His Being. This is obviously something that only God can fully understand, but Scripture clearly points to the fact that He is always, and in every way, infinite (Is 49:14,15; Jn 3:16; Rom 5:20; 8:32; Eph 1:3-6).

By infinity, the confession means the perfection of God whereby He is free from all limitations. This means that space, the universe, time, etc do not limit God.

QUESTION: What does the infinity of God mean in regard to space?

9.2 The Absolute Perfection of God

The absolute perfection of God refers to the infinity of God as regards quality. It means that God is in no way limited by flaws of being, etc (Job 11:7-10; Ps 145:3; Mt 5:48).

QUESTION: What do you understand of the absolute perfection of God? How is this perfection of God transcendent to your own being?

9.3 The Immensity/Omnipresence of God

This attribute refers to the infinity of God as regards space. It means that God transcends all spatial limitations, not being confined in any way, yet present in every point of space with His whole being (1 Kings 8:27; Ps 139:7-10; Pr 15:3; Is 66:1; Jer 23:23,24; Acts 7:48,49; 17:27; 1 Pet 3:12). With there being no division in another in God, this does not mean that one part of God is present here and another part there; rather it means that He is fully present in every place at the same time.

QUESTIONS: What does this mean for every individual believer in their individual circumstances?

If the above is so, how will this teaching be a comfort to Christians being persecuted, and also be a serious obstacle to a Christian sinning?

How can we explain God’s special presence among His people?

Again, to use such phrases, as God’s special presence among His people is to use accommodated language to describe His dealing with us. This refers more to His various works than to differences of presence.

9.4 The Eternity of God

The eternity of God refers to the infinity of God in reference to time. God is not limited in any way by time. God is beyond time, or outside of time (Rev 1:8; 21:6; 22:13). He exists without beginning and without end, there never being a time when He did not exist. In fact, God is the eternal now. In other words, eternity is now present with God perpetually (Deut 32:40; 33:27; Ps 9:7; 90:2; 93:2; 102:12,25-27; 146:10; Is 46:9,10; 57:15; Jer 10:10; Lam 5:19; Eph 3:21; 1 Tim 1:17; 2 Pet 3:8.

QUESTION: What does it mean for God to be the eternal now?

9.5 The Power of God/Omnipotence

This is the perfection of God whereby He can, by the mere exercise of His will, bring to pass what so ever He has decided to accomplish, and that, if He so decided, He could do even more than that. He is no way limited in His actions, being totally independent. He speaks and His will is accomplished, even to bringing things out of nothing (Gen 1:1-3; 17:1; 18:14; Job 5:19; 26:6-14; 28:14; Ps 33:6-9; Jer 32:17,27; Zech 8:6; Mt 3:9; 19:26; Rev 1:8; 19:6).

QUESTION: If God is not limited in His actions, why then can He not sin?

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

Add this search to your web page