Study Guide: Believer’s Baptism (1689 Confession → Reformed Baptist Tradition)

How to use this guide

Scope: Believer’s (credobaptist) baptism as taught in the 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (2LBCF) and developed in the broader Particular Baptist / Reformed Baptist tradition, with “Reformed Baptist–friendly” voices noted.
Method: (1) Confessional baseline → (2) biblical exegesis → (3) historical theology → (4) pastoral/practical theology → (5) contemporary debates.
Suggested workflow:
1. Read the 1689 chapter(s) first.
2. Work through the key texts (Acts, Romans 6, Colossians 2, 1 Peter 3, etc.).
3. Compare classic Particular Baptist arguments with paedobaptist covenant theology.
4. Read at least one modern exegetical defense and one modern pastoral defense.

Focus on:

Nature of baptism
- Baptism is an ordinance of Christ for those who profess repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ.
- Baptism is a sign of fellowship with Christ, remission of sins, and giving up to God through Jesus Christ.
Subjects of baptism
- Only those who actually profess faith and repentance are proper candidates.
Mode of baptism
- Baptism is to be administered by immersion (the confession is explicit).

Read Chapter 29 (Baptism) alongside:
- Chapter 26 (The Church) (membership & discipline)
- Chapter 28 (The Lord’s Supper) (ordinances and covenant community)
- Chapter 20 (The Gospel and the Extent of Grace) (calling, conversion)
- Chapter 7 (God’s Covenant) (how Particular Baptists understand covenant continuity/discontinuity)

What does the confession mean by “profess” faith? Is it mere verbal assent, credible profession, or observable discipleship?
How does immersion function theologically in the confession (union with Christ, death/resurrection imagery, cleansing)?
How does the confession connect baptism to the local church (membership, discipline, the Supper)?