The links are these:
Side-by Side Comparision of the Westminster and London Baptist Confessions
The New City Catechism, online and mobile versions; Amazon link
The New City Catechism, online and mobile versions; Amazon link
Here is an overview of the 34 theology chapters. The example provided is of Chapter 3: God's Eternal Decrees. Directly after each clarifying statement (8 total), the official Westminster or London Baptist statement is quoted word for word, along with its most important supporting Scriptures written out clearly in modern English, to help the reader evaluate and gain a rich theological understanding point by point.
Chapter 1: Holy Scripture
Chapter 2: God and the Holy Trinity
Chapter 3: God's Eternal Decrees
Chapter 4: Creation
Chapter 5: Providence
Chapter 6: Fall of Man, Sin and Punishment
Chapter 7: God's Covenants with Man
Chapter 8: Christ the Mediator
Chapter 9: Free Will
Chapter 10: Sovereignty of God
Chapter 11: Justification (Judicial Righteousness)
Chapter 12: Spiritual Adoption
Chapter 13: Sanctification (Practical Righteousness)
Chapter 14: Saving Faith
Chapter 15: Repentance
Chapter 16: Good Works
Chapter 17: Perseverance
Chapter 18: Assurance of Grace and Salvation
Chapter 19: The Law of God
Chapter 20: The Gospel and the Extent of Grace
Chapter 21: Freedom and Conscience
Chapter 22: Worship and the Lord's Day
Chapter 23: Oaths and Vows
Chapter 24: Civil Government
Chapter 25: Marriage and Divorce
Chapter 26: The Church
Chapter 27: The Fellowship
Chapter 28: The Ordinances
Chapter 29: Baptism
Chapter 30: The Lord's Supper
Chapter 31: Church Discipline
Chapter 32: Church Councils
Chapter 33: The State of Men after Death
Chapter 34: The Final Judgment
Chapter 33: The State of Men after Death
Chapter 34: The Final Judgment
Chapter
3: God’s Eternal Decrees
3.1 Before time began,
God freely determined everything that would happen in time from His perfectly
holy and wise perspective, yet He did not create evil. He does not violate the
will of His creatures, but works with their free choices to accomplish His
predetermined purposes.
Direct Quote of Westminster Confession 3.1: God, from all eternity, did by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass: yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures; nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established.
Principal Scriptures for 3.1: “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation” (Psalm 33:11). "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him ... predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will" (Ephesians 1:4, 11). "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust" (James 1:13-14). Jesus was "delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, [but] nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put to death" (Acts 2:23). Joseph said to his brothers, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good ... to preserve many people alive" (Genesis 50:20).
Direct Quote of Westminster Confession 3.1: God, from all eternity, did by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass: yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures; nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established.
Principal Scriptures for 3.1: “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation” (Psalm 33:11). "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him ... predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will" (Ephesians 1:4, 11). "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am being tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust" (James 1:13-14). Jesus was "delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, [but] nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put to death" (Acts 2:23). Joseph said to his brothers, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good ... to preserve many people alive" (Genesis 50:20).
3.2 Although God knows
exactly what would happen under any circumstance, He does not base His eternal decrees on what He foresees His creatures choosing in the future.
Direct Quote of Westminster Confession 3.2: Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions, yet hath He not decreed anything because He foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.
Principal Scriptures for 3.2: King David asked God, "Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?" The Lord answered, "They will surrender you" (1 Samuel 23:12). David and his men therefore left Keilah to prevent that betrayal from happening. Jesus said, "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago" (Matthew 11:21). Regarding Jacob and Esau in Genesis: "Though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, it was said ... 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated' [Malachi 1:2]. What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! For He says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion' [Exodus 33:19]. So then it does not depend on the man who wills ... but on God who has mercy" (Romans 9:11-16).
3.3 In a display of His divine character, God decided to appoint some men and angels to eternal life and others to eternal death.
Direct Quote of Westminster Confession 3.3: By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels are predestined unto everlasting life; and others foreordained to everlasting death.
Principal Scriptures for 3.3: God "predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace" (Ephesians 1:5-6). "What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory" (Romans 9:22-23). When Jesus returns in His glory, "He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another" (Matthew 25:31). To the wicked He will say, "Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels" (verse 41).
3.4 God elected or appointed these specific angels and men by His design. Their numbers are certain and cannot change.
Direct Quote of Westminster Confession 3.4: These angels and men, thus predestined and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.
Principal Scriptures for 3.4: "The firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, 'The Lord knows those who are His'" (2 Timothy 2:19). Jesus prayed, "Father ... glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority ... that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life" (John 17:3). "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His elect angels" (1 Timothy 5:21). We are told that after the apostle Paul preached, "As many as had been appointed to eternal life believed" (Acts 13:48). A few chapters later we read this about a wealthy merchant named Lydia: "The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul" (Acts 16:14).
Direct Quote of Westminster Confession 3.2: Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions, yet hath He not decreed anything because He foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.
Principal Scriptures for 3.2: King David asked God, "Will the men of Keilah surrender me and my men into the hand of Saul?" The Lord answered, "They will surrender you" (1 Samuel 23:12). David and his men therefore left Keilah to prevent that betrayal from happening. Jesus said, "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago" (Matthew 11:21). Regarding Jacob and Esau in Genesis: "Though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, it was said ... 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated' [Malachi 1:2]. What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! For He says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion' [Exodus 33:19]. So then it does not depend on the man who wills ... but on God who has mercy" (Romans 9:11-16).
3.3 In a display of His divine character, God decided to appoint some men and angels to eternal life and others to eternal death.
Direct Quote of Westminster Confession 3.3: By the decree of God, for the manifestation of His glory, some men and angels are predestined unto everlasting life; and others foreordained to everlasting death.
Principal Scriptures for 3.3: God "predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace" (Ephesians 1:5-6). "What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory" (Romans 9:22-23). When Jesus returns in His glory, "He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another" (Matthew 25:31). To the wicked He will say, "Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels" (verse 41).
3.4 God elected or appointed these specific angels and men by His design. Their numbers are certain and cannot change.
Direct Quote of Westminster Confession 3.4: These angels and men, thus predestined and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed, and their number so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.
Principal Scriptures for 3.4: "The firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, 'The Lord knows those who are His'" (2 Timothy 2:19). Jesus prayed, "Father ... glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You, even as You gave Him authority ... that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life" (John 17:3). "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His elect angels" (1 Timothy 5:21). We are told that after the apostle Paul preached, "As many as had been appointed to eternal life believed" (Acts 13:48). A few chapters later we read this about a wealthy merchant named Lydia: "The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul" (Acts 16:14).
3.5 God chose those appointed to eternal life in Christ before He created the world. His choice was based on His own good and unchanging intentions and virtues, not on His foreseeing any human works or acts of faith. That will bring Him well-deserved praise for all eternity.
Direct Quote of Westminster Confession 3.5: Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, hath chosen, in Christ, unto everlasting glory, out of His mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith, or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving Him thereunto; and all to the praise of His glorious grace.
Principal Scriptures for 3.5: Those whom God "predestined, He also called ... justified; and ... glorified" (Romans 8:30). "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.... He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention ... having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will" (Ephesians 1:4, 9, 11). God "has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity" (2 Timothy 1:9). "By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). God making the first move is necessary, Paul explains a few verses earlier, because we all were "dead in our trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1).
Direct Quote of Westminster Confession 3.5: Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, hath chosen, in Christ, unto everlasting glory, out of His mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith, or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving Him thereunto; and all to the praise of His glorious grace.
Principal Scriptures for 3.5: Those whom God "predestined, He also called ... justified; and ... glorified" (Romans 8:30). "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.... He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention ... having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will" (Ephesians 1:4, 9, 11). God "has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity" (2 Timothy 1:9). "By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). God making the first move is necessary, Paul explains a few verses earlier, because we all were "dead in our trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1).
3.6 God has freely determined who will be blessed throughout eternity in His glorious presence, and exactly how that will happen. All whom He has chosen from Adam's fallen race need redemption, which comes by God's Spirit working in their lives to call them to faith in Christ. By that faith they are justified or made right with God, and adopted into His family. The Spirit progressively makes them more like Christ and preserves them for their complete salvation in Christ's presence. God's Spirit works in all those ways only among those whom the Father has chosen from eternity.
Direct Quote of Westminster Confession 3.6: As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath He, by the eternal and most free purpose of His will, foreordained all the means thereunto. Wherefore, they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ by His Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by His power, through faith, unto salvation. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.
Principal Scriptures for 3.6: Peter describes Christians as "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:2). "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). "God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that ... we will live together with Him" (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10). "You have received a spirit of adoption.... The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:15-16). Those whom God "predestined, He also called ... justified; and ... glorified" (Romans 8:30). Jesus "knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe" and declared, "No one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father" (John 6:64-65). Those who belong to Christ "are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation" (1 Peter 1:5).
3.7 The rest of mankind God has not chosen for His own good reasons that are beyond our full knowledge. They will be punished for their own sins, which displays God's justice, wrath, power, and sovereignty just as surely as salvation displays His mercy and grace.
Direct Quote of Westminster Confession 3.7: The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of His own will, whereby He extendeth or withholdeth mercy, as He pleaseth, for the glory of His sovereign power over His creatures, to pass by; and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin, to the praise of His glorious justice.
Principal Scriptures for 3.7: Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight" (Matthew 11:25-26). "Certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:4). Jesus is precious to those who believe, but to those who disbelieve, He is "'a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense' [Isaiah 8:14] for they stumble because they are disobedient to the Word, and to this doom they were also appointed" (1 Peter 2:7-8). God, "although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction." He did that "to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory" (Romans 9:22-23).
3.8 The doctrine of predestination, rightly understood, brings great encouragement and assurance of salvation to people characterized by obedience God's will as revealed in His Word. That produces within them humility, increasing diligence, and adoration of God, who is worthy of highest praise.
Direct Quote of Westminster Confession 3.8: The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, that men, attending the will of God revealed in His Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election. So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God; and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the Gospel.
Principal Scriptures for 3.8: "Who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'" (Romans 9:20). "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this Law" (Deuteronomy 29:29). "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!" (Romans 11:33). "Brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things [goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love], you will never stumble" (2 Peter 1:10). "We know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you ... for you welcomed the [Gospel] message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit" (1 Thessalonians 1:4-6). "They were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear" (Rom 11:20). "Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies" (Romans 8:33).
Direct Quote of Westminster Confession 3.6: As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath He, by the eternal and most free purpose of His will, foreordained all the means thereunto. Wherefore, they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ by His Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by His power, through faith, unto salvation. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.
Principal Scriptures for 3.6: Peter describes Christians as "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:2). "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). "God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that ... we will live together with Him" (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10). "You have received a spirit of adoption.... The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God" (Romans 8:15-16). Those whom God "predestined, He also called ... justified; and ... glorified" (Romans 8:30). Jesus "knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe" and declared, "No one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father" (John 6:64-65). Those who belong to Christ "are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation" (1 Peter 1:5).
3.7 The rest of mankind God has not chosen for His own good reasons that are beyond our full knowledge. They will be punished for their own sins, which displays God's justice, wrath, power, and sovereignty just as surely as salvation displays His mercy and grace.
Direct Quote of Westminster Confession 3.7: The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of His own will, whereby He extendeth or withholdeth mercy, as He pleaseth, for the glory of His sovereign power over His creatures, to pass by; and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin, to the praise of His glorious justice.
Principal Scriptures for 3.7: Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight" (Matthew 11:25-26). "Certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:4). Jesus is precious to those who believe, but to those who disbelieve, He is "'a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense' [Isaiah 8:14] for they stumble because they are disobedient to the Word, and to this doom they were also appointed" (1 Peter 2:7-8). God, "although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction." He did that "to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory" (Romans 9:22-23).
3.8 The doctrine of predestination, rightly understood, brings great encouragement and assurance of salvation to people characterized by obedience God's will as revealed in His Word. That produces within them humility, increasing diligence, and adoration of God, who is worthy of highest praise.
Direct Quote of Westminster Confession 3.8: The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, that men, attending the will of God revealed in His Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election. So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God; and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the Gospel.
Principal Scriptures for 3.8: "Who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'" (Romans 9:20). "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this Law" (Deuteronomy 29:29). "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out!" (Romans 11:33). "Brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things [goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love], you will never stumble" (2 Peter 1:10). "We know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you ... for you welcomed the [Gospel] message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit" (1 Thessalonians 1:4-6). "They were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear" (Rom 11:20). "Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies" (Romans 8:33).
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