Lord’s Library editors created this guide to the best books on the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith to help you narrow your search.
The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith is a hallmark creed of Reformed Baptist theology. Seeking to solidify the distinctives of Baptist ecclesiology and soteriology, this Confession outlines the fundamentals of faith, from the sovereignty of God in creation and salvation to the necessity of Scripture as the ultimate authority in all matters of faith and practice. It draws heavily on the precedent set by the Westminster Confession of Faith, adapting its framework to align with Baptist convictions on baptism and church governance.
Central to the Confession is the doctrine of covenant theology, presenting a view of the redemptive history as a succession of covenants, including the covenant of works with Adam and the covenant of grace with Christ. This framework, according to the Confession, is instrumental in understanding the narrative arc of Scripture and God’s salvific purposes. It resonates with the Pauline epistle to the Romans as well.
See Romans 5:12-19: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”
The Confession also underscores the importance of the church and the sacraments (or ordinances as Baptists prefer to call them), baptism, and the Lord’s Supper, as means of grace within the covenant community. It firmly establishes the autonomy of the local church while advocating for the interconnectedness of believers through the communion of saints. See Hebrews 10:25: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching,”
the 1689 Confession emphasises the necessity of fellowship, accountability, and corporate worship. In doing so, it not only outlines a systematic theology but also calls believers to a lived faith, deeply embedded in the life of the church, under the authority of Scripture, and guided by the Holy Spirit.
It’s in this spirit that our editors compiled this list of the best books on the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. These titles are the most popular currently available on the topic.
Note: We only included the best books on the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith with a 4.5 stars or better ranking and a minimum of 100 reviews.
The Best Books on the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith
Most Popular: Baptist Confessions of Faith 1689 (Pocket Puritans)
Author/Publisher: Various
From the publisher: “This little volume is not issued as an authoritative rule, or code of faith, whereby you are to be fettered, but as an assistance to you in controversy, a confirmation in faith, and a means of edification in righteousness.”
Top-Rated: The Baptist Confession of Faith 1689: Or the Second London Confession with Scripture Proofs
Author/Publisher: Peter Masters
From the publisher: “This brilliant summary of doctrine (in the same family as the Westminster Confession), with its invaluable proof texts, is here gently modernised in punctuation, with archaic words replaced. Explanations of difficult phrases have been added in italic brackets. A brief history of the Confession, with an index, is included.”
Best Value: The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith in Modern English
Author/Publisher: Stan Reeves
From the publisher: “It is my hope and prayer that this edition of the Confession will help many individuals, churches, and church planters. May many read and profit from this and may its contents become the things most surely believed among many more!”
Popular Kindle: The London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689
Author/Publisher: Hanserd Knollys, William Kiffin, William Collins, Benjamin Keach
From the publisher: “This edition has the original preface, the Baptist catechism, and the original appendix on baptism, as well as an appendix on the historical background of the confession. Extensive annotations have been added by Chapel Library.”
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