The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum What makes a church confessional

Can a non-denominational, independent Reformed Baptist church be confessional? They may have their own confessional beliefs, but they can change any confessions within the local church without having the approval of a larger body. When we say a confessional church what do we mean?

Sure, why not? It can either choose to be consistent with the name, "Reformed" by adopting one of the historic Reformed Confessions, or they can choose to be consistent with the name "Baptist" by adopting any confession that emphasizes credo baptism, or they can choose to be consistent with the entire title "Reformed Baptist" by adopting the LBCF or perhaps one of the earlier Calvinistic Baptist confessions..... OR, even if they reject any historic confession, they can do what most do today which is to write their own confession. Even if a local church chooses to do none of the above, and they teach any doctrine consistently and upon that teaching either accept, reject or discipline anyone who is of a different view than that which they teach, then they are 'confessional'.

Independent churches are certainly free to do that. Those who would deny the right of a local church to change their OWN confession also deny the independence of the local church, e.g., those who hold to Presbyterianism and the Dutch version of it would deny this. I am one who hasn't found Scripture to teach denominationalism. But, at the same time, I think it is the height of arrogance for a local church to think that it is more qualified to write a confession that is superior to the historic Reformed Confessions, e.g., The WCF, LBCF, Savoy. I believe in the independence of every local church, but I do not believe the local church is independent of the visible Church that God has preserved throughout history.

That all depends on who you ask. Generally speaking, as expressed above, every local church is 'confessional' since they have a body of statements to which they believe, whether written or unwritten. Specifically speaking, confessional can mean an adherence to an existing formal confession.

I'm hearing 'we are a confessional church' thrown around a lot these days in discussing denominational debates. By Pilgrim's definition, even the very liberal PCUSA is a confessional church. I was just thinking there was more to it

Again, it all depends on what a person means by "confessional". I think I would be safe to say that in your statement above, "confessional" is referring to a local church or denomination which has adopted one of the historic Reformed confessions; WCF, Belgic, Savoy, LBCF, etc.

Doesn't that normally refer to churches that use Confessions such as the WCF/LBCF, bit could they also take on lessor known ones such as the 1925 Baptist faith and doctines, or maybe the New Hampshire one?

I'm very happy in a two fold way, my church body is confessional and independent,.. its a blessing to hold to the historical confession known as the Westminster Standards, and the 3 forms of Unity,.. I pray that those who are holding to the past works of godly men who penned the confession, pray that their church continue with the rich tradition as we stay linked to the universal body of the past.

I think that normally that refers to those churches that use a Confession of Faith such as the WCF/LBCF!