Bible Discussion Thread

"We believe and confess that, since the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth, and, therefore, prone to all unrighteousness, sin, and wickedness, the first lesson of the precious New Testament of the Son of God is repentance and reformation of life, and that, therefore, those who have ears to hear, and hearts to understand, must bring forth genuine fruits of repentance, reform their lives, believe the Gospel, eschew evil and do good, desist from unrighteousness, forsake sin, put off the old man with his deeds, and put on the new man, which, after God, is created in righteousness and true holiness; for neither baptism, supper, church, or any other outward ceremony, can without faith, regeneration, change or renewing of life, avail anything to please God or to obtain of Him any consolation or promise of salvation; bit we must go to God with an upright heart, and perfect faith, and believe in Jesus Christ, as the Scriptures say, and testify of Him; through which faith we obtain forgiveness of sins, are sanctified, justified, and made Children of God, yea partake of His mind, nature and image, as being born again of God from above, through incorruptible seed.

Gen. 8:21; Mark 1:15; Ezek. 12:2; Col. 3:9-10; Eph. 4:22;24; Heb. 10:22-23; John 7:38"

Date: 1632

"Concerning the Swearing of Oaths we believe and confess, that the Lord Christ has set aside and forbidden, the same to His disciples, and they should not swear at all, but that yea should be yea, and nay, nay; from which we understand that all oaths, high and low are forbidden, and that instead of them we are to confirm all our promises and obligations, yea, all our declarations and testimonies of any matter, only with our word yea, in that which is yea, yet, that we must always, in all matters and with everyone, adhere to, keep, follow, and fulfill the same, as though we had confirmed it with a solemn oath. And if we do this, we trust that no one, not even the Magistracy itself, will have just reason to lay a greater burden on our mind, and conscience.

Matt. 5:34-35; James 5:12, 2 Cor. 1:17"