Midland Confession
1655
The 1655 Midland Confession is a historic Baptist confessional statement that emerged during the 17th century within the context of English religious dissent. Also known as the "Midland Association Confession," it was formulated by a group of Baptist churches primarily located in the Midlands region of England. This confessional document reflects the theological beliefs of Particular Baptists, who emphasized doctrines such as predestination, the sovereignty of God, and the autonomy of local congregations. The 1655 Midland Confession affirmed key Baptist principles, including believer's baptism and the separation of church and state. While it did not achieve the same widespread recognition as some other confessions, it played an important role in clarifying the theological identity of Particular Baptists during a time of religious upheaval and persecution.
Hanserd Knollys, 1599 - 1691
1st
We believe and profess, that there is only one true God, who is our God, who is eternal, almighty, unchangeable, infinite, and incomprehensible; who is a Spirit, having His being in Himself, and giveth being to all creatures; He doth what He will, in heaven and earth; working all things according to the counsel of His own will.
2nd
That this infinite Being is set forth to be the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three agree in one. 1 John 5:7.
3rd. We profess and believe the Holy Scriptures, the Old and New Testament, to be the word and revealed mind of God, which are able to make men wise unto Salvation, through faith and love which is in Christ Jesus; and that they are given by inspiration of God, serving to furnish the man of God for every good work; and by them we are (in the strength of Christ) to try all things whatsoever are brought to us, under the pretence of truth. 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Isaiah 8:20.
4th
That though Adam was created righteous, yet he fell through the temptations of Satan; and his fall overthrew, not only himself, but his posterity, making them sinners by his disobedience; so that we are by nature children of wrath, and defiled from the womb, being shapen in iniquity and conceived in sin. Psalm 2:13; Romans 5:12-15.
5th
That God elected and chose, in His Eternal counsel, some persons to life and salvation, before the foundation of the world, whom accordingly He doth and will effectually call, and whom He doth so call, He will certainly keep by His power, through faith to salvation. Acts xiii.48; Ephesians 1:2-4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2, etc.
6th
That election was free in God, of His own pleasure, and not at all for, or with reference to , any foreseen works of faith in the creature, as the motive thereunto. Ephesians 1:4, Romans 11:5,6.
7th
That Jesus Christ was, in the fullness of time, manifested in the flesh; being born of a woman; being perfectly righteous, gave himself for the elect to redeem them to God by his blood. John 10:15; Ephesians 5:25-27; Rev. 5:9.
8th
That all men until they be quickened by Christ are dead in trespasses — Ephesians 2:1; and therefore have no power of themselves to believe savingly — John 15:5. But faith is the free gift of God, and the mighty work of God in the soul, even like the rising of Christ from the dead — Ephesians 1:19. Therefore consent not with those who hold that God hath given power to all men to believe to salvation.
9th
That Christ is the only true King, Priest, and Prophet of the Church. Acts 2:22-23; Hebrews 4:14, etc; 8:1, etc.
10th
That every man is justified by Christ — Romans 8:33; 1 Cor. 6:11; apprehended by faith; and that no man is justified in the sight of God partly by Christ and partly by works. Romans 3:20,28,30; Gal. 5:4.
11th
That Jesus of Nazareth, of whom the scriptures of the Old Testament prophesied, is the true Messiah and Saviour of men; and that He died on the cross, was buried, rose again in the same body in which He suffered and ascended to the right hand of the majesty on high, and appeareth in the presence of God, making intercession for us.
12th
That all those who have faith wrought in their hearts by the power of God, according to his good pleasure, should be careful to maintain good works, and to abound in them, acting from principles of true faith and unfeigned love, looking to God’s glory as their main end. Titus 3:8; Heb. 9:6; 1 Cor. 6:10 and 31.
13th
That those who profess faith in Christ, and make the same appear by their fruits, are the proper subjects of Baptism. Matthew 28:18,19.
14th
That this baptizing is not by sprinkling, but dipping of the persons in the water, representing the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Romans 6:3,4; Colossians 2:12; Acts 8:38,39.
15th
That persons so baptized ought, by free consent, to walk together, as God shall give opportunity in distinct churches, or assemblies of Zion, continuing in the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers, as fellow-men caring for one another, according to the will of God. All these ordinances of Christ are enjoined in His Church, being to be observed till his Second Coming, which we all ought diligently to wait for.
16th
That at the time appointed of the Lord, the dead bodies of all men, just and unjust, shall rise again out of their graves, that all may receive according to what they have done in their bodies, be it good or evil.