LBCF 1689 Reflections. Part 88

Reflections on the Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689. 23 Aug 14 began a perhaps unbroken, orderly, and personal journey through my favorite written confession of faith. This will be my personal reflections on this beloved written codification of the Christian Faith which is according to a Baptist flavor.

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Chapter 8, paragraph 3b: “Having in Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; in whom it pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell, to the end that being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and truth, he might be throughly furnished to execute the office of mediator and surety; which office he took not upon himself, but was thereunto called by his Father; who also put all power and judgement in his hand, and gave him commandment to execute the same.”

This part of the confession reminds me of the utter indispensability of Jesus. He didn’t have just some good teaching among the other good teachers. His words weren’t a way to find eternal life. He is himself the only teacher among them all who tells the truth. His way is the only way to righteousness and life. He himself, his very person in every facet, is utterly indispensable to his message. No one else could be him. The gospel is no gospel without Jesus himself. The confession lists Colossians 2:3 here where Paul speaks of Jesus as the one, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” This is all the wisdom and knowledge there is that can be had by men. Jesus is it. Jesus has it.

When it speaks of him as “undefiled” this is Bible talk for “sinless”. Sin defiles. Jesus was undefiled by it.

Both his death and, as is often omitted, his life is mediatorial. The confession does not cite it here, but 2 Corinthians 5:21 reads, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” It is Jesus, by his life and Cross, that has, “through His own blood entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” Hebrews 9:12. He obtained what he now shares with his church. He is the sure mediator of this new covenant. Cf. Hebrews 9:15.

Jesus was obedient to the will of God the Father. This was their shared plan from before anything we know existed. Jesus says, “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught of God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me.” John 6:45. The electing grace of the God over Israel is the same saving grace that leads the elect to the Son now throughout the world. “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son, so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” John 5:22-23.

The central figure in Scripture. Indeed the central figure who stands over all of human history is Jesus. It is no impersonal force you must give account to, reader. It is a man. Are you prepared to give that account? He has a commandment to execute. Regarding you, will that be your life or your death?