MIDLAND CONFESSION OF FAITH, 1655

1st. We believe and profess, that there is only one true God, who is our God, who is eternal, almighty, unchangeable, infinite, and incomprehensible; who is a Spirit, having His being in Himself, and giveth being to all creatures; He doth what He will, in heaven and earth; working all things according to the counsel of His own will.

2nd. That this infinite Being is set forth to be the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three agree in one. I John 5:7.

3rd. We profess and believe the Holy Scriptures, the Old and New Testament, to be the word and revealed mind of God, which are able to make men wise unto Salvation, through faith and love which is in Christ Jesus; and that they are given by inspiration of God, serving to furnish the man of God for every good work; and by them we are (in the strength of Christ) to try all things whatsoever are brought to us, under the pretence of truth. II Timothy 3:15-17; Isaiah 8:20.

4th. That though Adam was created righteous, yet he fell through the temptations of Satan; and his fall overthrew, not only himself, but his posterity, making them sinners by his disobedience; so that we are by nature children of wrath, and defiled from the womb, being shapen in iniquity and conceived in sin. Psalm 2:13; Romans 5:12-15.

5th. That God elected and chose, in His Eternal counsel, some persons to life and salvation, before the foundation of the world, whom accordingly He doth and will effectually call, and whom He doth so call, He will certainly keep by His power, through faith to salvation. Acts 13:48; Ephesians 1:2-4; II Thessalonians 2:13; I Peter1:2, etc.

6th. That election was free in God, of His own pleasure, and not at all for, or with reference to , any foreseen works of faith in the creature, as the motive thereunto. Ephesians1:4, Romans 11:5,6.

7th. That Jesus Christ was, in the fulness of time, manifested in the flesh; being born of a woman; being perfectly righteous, gave himself for the elect to redeem them to God by his blood. John 10:15; Ephesians 5:25-27; Rev. 5:9.

8th. That all men until they be quickened by Christ are dead in trespasses—Ephesians2:1; and therefore have no power of themselves to believe savingly—John 15:5. But faith is the free gift of God, and the mighty work of God in the soul, even like the rising of Christ from the dead—Ephesians 1:19. Therefore consent not with those who hold that God hath given power to all men to believe to salvation.

9th. That Christ is the only true King, Priest, and Prophet of the Church. Acts 2:22-23; Hebrews 4:14, etc; Heb 8:1, etc.

10th. That every man is justified by Christ—Romans; 8:33; I Cor. 6:11; apprehended by faith; and that no man is justified in the sight of God partly by Christ and partly by works. Romans3:20,28,30; Gal. 5:4.

11th. That Jesus of Nazareth, of whom the scriptures of the Old Testament prophesied, is the true Messiah and Saviour of men; and that He died on the cross, was buried, rose again in the same body in which He suffered and ascended to the right hand of the majesty on high, and appeareth in the presence of God, making intercession for us.

12th That all those who have faith wrought in their hearts by the power of God, according to his good pleasure, should be careful to maintain good works, and to abound in them, acting from principles of true faith and unfeigned love, looking to God’s glory as their main end. Titus3:8; Heb 11:6; I Cor 6:10, 31.

13th. That those who profess faith in Christ, and make the same appear by their fruits, are the proper subjects of Baptism. Matthew 28:18,19.

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Overview

The Midland Confession of Faith is a historical confessional statement from 1655, formulated by a group of Particular Baptist churches in the Midlands region of England. It served as a formal declaration of their shared beliefs and theological identity during a period of religious upheaval and persecution. The confession addressed various theological points, including the nature of God, the authority of Scripture, the doctrine of grace, and the practice of believer's baptism. 

Here's a more detailed look:

Purpose and Context:

• The confession was created in preparation for an Associational union of seven churches in the Midlands.
• It aimed to define the essential beliefs of these churches and to serve as an instructional tool, anticipating and refuting the teachings of other groups, particularly General Baptists and Quakers.
• The Midlands was a region where there were significant interactions with both the General Baptists (who held a different view of the atonement) and the Quakers, which likely influenced the polemical tone of the confession. 

Key Theological Points:

The Scriptures:

The confession affirms the authority and inerrancy of the Bible as the inspired word of God. 

God:

It declares the belief in one God, eternally existing in three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). 

Salvation:

The confession emphasizes the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone. 

Baptism:

It affirms believer's baptism by immersion as an ordinance of the church. 

Other Doctrines:

The confession also addresses issues like the sovereignty of God, the fall of Adam, and the second coming of Christ. 

Significance:

• The Midland Confession, along with other confessional statements, played a role in shaping the theological identity of Particular Baptists during the 17th century. 
• It helped to articulate and defend the core beliefs of these churches against those who held different views. 
• While not as widely known as some other confessions, it provides valuable insight into the theological perspectives of English Particular Baptists during a period of significant religious change.

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