[raynearhood]

The "2nd Confession" is the 1689 version of the Baptist Confession, right?

That's the one! A quick and insufficient history of the confession would be that the Westminster Confession was so wonderfully thorough that the English Particular Baptists felt that the "initial cut" of the 1644 Version was woefully insufficient. So, in order to correct that, they used most of the Westminster Confession on matters to define matters of church doctrine; on polity they took from the Savoy Declaration; and on the sacraments/ordinances (I personally say sacraments) they restated from the 1644 Confession. Thus, the 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689).

More than a handshake, Alex, I thank God for you, Gamecock, and topcat54. You three, on this site, were the means by which I was first really exposed to the Reformed Faith (following a long story of not being "kept altogether from falling [yet not] falling altogether" -William Secker) a few years ago. Though I've never thanked you before, let me thank you now.

Thank you, and thank God for you.

[Alex Murphy]

....the Westminster Confession was so wonderfully thorough that the English Particular Baptists felt that the "initial cut" of the 1644 Version was woefully insufficient. So, in order to correct that

• they used most of the Westminster Confession on matters to define matters of church doctrine;
• on polity they took from the Savoy Declaration;
• and on the sacraments/ordinances (I personally say sacraments) they restated from the 1644 Confession.Thus, the 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689).

Excellent summary of the differences (what few there actually are).

[lupie]

You three, on this site, were the means by which I was first really exposed to the Reformed Faith

Obviously, I am not one of these three, and I don't do a lot of Reformed apologetics on FR because there are so many more knowlegeable than I am. I have, however, been much involved in forum apologetics and it is nice to know that the Lord does work through this even though mostly all that you get is nasty comments and bad attitudes. Praise God that He led you to Truth!