Chapter 2: Of God and of the Holy Trinity — Chapter 3: Of God's Decree

Of God and of the Holy Trinity

Paras
1 I. The attributes of God
A. Singularity
B. Independence (self existence, aseity)
C. Incomprehensibility (mystery)
D. Spirituality
E. Infinity
F. Sovereignty

1. Its extent
2. Its rule

3. Its goal
G. Love
H. Justice

1. Positively described: rewarding those who seek Him

2. Negatively described: punishing the guilty
2 II. The relations of God (to his creatures)
A. His self-sufficient independence from them
B. His sovereign dominion over them
C. His absolute knowledge of them
D. His utter sanctity before them
E. His intrinsic claims upon them
3 III. The tri-unity of God
A. Its affirmation

1. The unity of the three persons

2. The distinctions between the three persons
B. Its explanation
C. Its relevance

From: Samuel E. Waldron, A Modern Exposition of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, (Evangelical Press, 1989), p. 54-55. Used by permission. __________________________________________________________________

Of God's Decree

Paras
1-2 I. The general decree of all events
1 A. Its universality

1. Plainly stated
2. Carefully guarded
From [128]impugning the holiness of God
From implying the error of fatalism

3. Practically viewed
2 B. Its unconditionality
3-7 II. The specific decree of predestination to life
3-4 A. Its major attributes
3

1. Its distinguishing selectivity
4

2. Its unchanging specificity
5-6 B. Its positive outworking: the election of those predestinated
5

1. The gracious basis of election
6

2. The effectual execution of election -- its means

Their divine appointment
Their exact identity
Their exclusive objects
7 C. Its prudent handling

From: Samuel E. Waldron, A Modern Exposition of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, (Evangelical Press, 1989), p. 61-62. Used by permission. __________________________________________________________________