The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience (2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith, 1689). However, in order to guard, preserve and propagate the authority of the Scripture and its message, the New Testament apostles made certain points of doctrine confessional (I Timothy 3:16, II Timothy 2:2, I John 1:1-3, Jude 3). That is to say, the Bible itself demands that a church maintain a clearly articulated understanding of what God’s word teaches on the major points of theology in order to grow and remain healthy.
The summary of Christian doctrine which best describes the biblical understanding of Emmanuel Reformed Baptist Church can be found in The 1689 Second London Baptist Confession of Faith. While this historic confession does not replace or take priority over the authority of Scripture, it is an adequate and accurate overview of the major teachings of the Law, the Prophets, and of Jesus Christ and his apostles as faithfully recorded in the inspired Scriptures. We trust that you will find this document helpful as you seek to grow in your love for the One in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3).