{"id":479,"date":"2026-08-04T22:08:54","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T02:08:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/?p=479"},"modified":"2026-08-05T22:09:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T02:09:21","slug":"1689-london-baptist-confession-chapter-23-of-lawful-oaths-and-vows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/?p=479","title":{"rendered":"1689 London Baptist Confession: CHAPTER 23; OF LAWFUL OATHS AND VOWS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Paragraph 1.<\/strong> A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein the person swearing in truth, righteousness, and judgment, solemnly calls God to witness what he swears,1 and to judge him according to the truth or falseness thereof.2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 Exod. 20:7; Deut. 10:20; Jer. 4:2
2 2 Chron. 6:22, 23<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paragraph 2.<\/strong> The name of God only is that by which men ought to swear; and therein it is to be used, with all holy fear and reverence; therefore to swear vainly or rashly by that glorious and dreadful name, or to swear at all by any other thing, is sinful, and to be abhorred;3 yet as in matter of weight and moment, for confirmation of truth, and ending all strife, an oath is warranted by the word of God;4 so a lawful oath being imposed by lawful authority in such matters, ought to be taken.5<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 Matt. 5:34,37; James 5:12
4 Heb. 6:16; 2 Cor. 1:23
5 Neh. 13:25<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paragraph 3.<\/strong> Whosoever takes an oath warranted by the word of God, ought duly to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act, and therein to avouch nothing but what he knows to be truth; for that by rash, false, and vain oaths, the Lord is provoked, and for them this land mourns.6<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 Lev. 19:12; Jer. 23:10<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paragraph 4.<\/strong> An oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words, without equivocation or mental reservation.7<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7 Ps. 24:4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paragraph 5.<\/strong> A vow, which is not to be made to any creature, but to God alone, is to be made and performed with all religious care and faithfulness;8 but popish monastical vows of perpetual single life,9 professed poverty,10 and regular obedience, are so far from being degrees of higher perfection, that they are superstitious and sinful snares, in which no Christian may entangle himself.11<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8 Ps. 76:11; Gen. 28:20-22
9 1 Cor. 7:2,9
10 Eph. 4:28
11 Matt. 19:1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paragraph 1.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an oath? What does scripture say to us? First, to address \u201cswearing\u201d:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First of all \u2013 what is a \u201clawful oath?\u201d Examples may be – a witness swearing in court to tell the truth. An officeholder taking an oath to faithfully execute civil duties. Marriage vows (though technically vows rather than oaths, they share similar solemnity). Covenants or promises made before God in serious ecclesiastical settings \u2013 such as swearing in an elder or deacon or other ecclesiastical position in the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lawful oath is part of \u201creligious worship\u201d. Full stop. What does this mean to me as a Christian? We need to step back and ask the question \u2013 \u201cwhat is worship?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Christianity, worship is the act of showing reverent honor, love, and devotion to God. Rooted in the Old English \u201cworth-ship\u201d is a response to recognizing God\u2019s supreme value. It involves giving God the glory, honor, and adoration He inherently deserves. At its foundation, worship is not just an emotion or a church service; it is a lifestyle of wholehearted submission and adoration. The Greek word most frequently translated as \u201cworship\u201d in the New Testament is \u201cproskuneo\u201d, which literally means to \u201cbow down\u201d or \u201cfall prostrate\u201d before a superior. Proskuneo (?????????) is a compound word formed from two distinct root words: Pros (????): A preposition meaning \u201ctoward\u201d or \u201cin the direction of\u201d.Kuneo (?????): A verb meaning \u201cto kiss.\u201d In this context of worship, your lawful oath you must take with the same level of seriousness as your worship, ordinances, devotions. There is no way around describing it in this way \u2013 and to be included in your \u201creasonable worship \/ service\u201d per Romans 12:1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First things \u2013 not to use the Name of God in a manner that is not worthy. Exodus 20:7 \u201cThou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.\u201d The implication of \u201cin vain\u201d means to render the holy Name of God as common. God will not share His glory with another, and His Name is holy to Him as it should be to us. Even the Name of God is Holy unto Him as it is inextricably woven into Whom He is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are not to do anything that has regard to God that dishonors God nor fails to acknowledge that God is Holy. Failing to regard the Holy as anything less than the consummate pinnacle of the person of God is sin, and not honoring the Name of God is blasphemy. When one places any thought, word, item, action, into the same frame as God, it risks blasphemy on the part of that person \u2013 especially if that thought is less that Holy and reverent. Another version of blasphemy involves making an ungodly oath, or breaking a Godly and proper oath. This is blasphemy to associate the Name and Character of Holy God in a non-honoring way. Blasphemy isn\u2019t just a curse word, but the entire attitude and approach to the Holy matters concerning God \u2013 to regard Him or his things [character, name, word, doctrine] than less that pure. The objects of the temple were to be set apart for holy use and not touched by those outside of the priesthood; and in the same way \u2013 we as priests of the Most High God are not to be soiled with things that are ungodly. Christians as to be set apart in the same way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In ancient times and before writing the name of God, a sofer [scribe] was required to stop, mentally prepare to sanctify the Name, and undergo a ritual immersion in a mikvah [ritual bath] to achieve spiritual purity. They would also purify their writing tools: The scribe would completely wipe their pen clean before writing. Some traditions required them to use an entirely fresh, unused quill exclusively for the divine name. If a scribe made an error while writing YHWH, they were forbidden from erasing or scraping it off. Instead, they would draw a line canceling the entire page, place the damaged page in a genizah [a designated storage\/burial place for sacred texts], and begin a new page from scratch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deuteronomy 10:20 \u201cThou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.\u201d Do we care enough about the Name of God to regard it as Holy?

As swearing an oath is part of our reasonable service and worship, we need to regard Jeremiah 4:2 \u201cAnd thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.\u201d This is the proper swearing to the LORD from Book of Jeremiah. A high regard for God and His Name that He protects \u2013 and His image in us as Christians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are times legally a neighbor was to swear an oath.

2 Chronicles 6:22\u201323 \u201cIf a man sin against his neighbor, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house; Then hear thou from heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, by requiting the wicked, by recompensing his way upon his own head; and by justifying the righteous, by giving him according to his righteousness.\u201d As God sees all including all oaths, they are to be made before Him and in all truth, as God is Truth, and His Holy Name is not to be polluted or made common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knowing now what an oath is as worship, what is it to swear an oath?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, it is to be sworn in truth and righteousness as those are the character of God, and His children represent Him in all things. God will call you in truth as a witness to your sworn oath, and will judge you for breaking that oath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As with every spoken word and action, you will give account of those oaths on that great and terrible Day of the Lord. Were we to understand what it is to swear and oath before the Holy Face of God, many would repent for their common treatment of their vows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As prayer is worship- we should also approach a vow as we would prayer. The worship of prayer is a supplication to God asking Him for favor, and an oath \/ vow is to be treated as asking God for His favor in this exercise of responsibility of the one making the vow or oath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paragraph 2.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe name of God only is that by which men ought to swear; and therein it is to be used, with all holy fear and reverence\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look no further than these: Exodus 3- Moses is commanded to first remove his sandals. Joshua 5 \u2013 Joshua is commanded to remove his sandals as he was in the presence of God. In both cases when God declares His name, Moses and Joshua are commanded to remove their sandals. Do we fear and revere the Name of God? As we know the Name of God is to be revered and is Holy as it is His nature and character, those taking oaths need to remember these words:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew 5:34, 37 Verse 34: \u201cBut I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God\u2019s throne:\u201d Verse 37: \u201cBut let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.\u201d

James 5:12 \u201cBut above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.\u201d

If swearing an oath can be avoided, it must \u2013 yet certain legal matters in church and government require it. In that case, words must be few, and the proper reverence to God must be observed. Jesus\u2019 statement \u201cwhatsoever is more than these\u201d describes swearing and oaths. If an oath is demanded, the replies and swears of the Christian must be brief, and it possible keep to yes or no. There is nothing else the believer is to swear by or against other than those things that allow a yes or no. If a testimony is to be given under oath, it is to be brief as possible, direct and true, as the Judge of Creation is watching and hears your oath and testimony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People easily swear. I\u2019m not specifically referencing profanity, but a lot of people are free with their use of swearing because they have no reverence for the Name of God. The best counsel is to not make oaths since we tend to be so poor at keeping them. Jesus warned against swearing at all in Matthew 5:34. There are, however, times when oaths are appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the courts or witnesses under deposition, are trying to get to the bottom of a matter, witnesses are required to \u201cswear to tell the truth.\u201d Rightly understood, these oaths are not to the court, but to God, because standing behind the laws of man is the Moral Law of God which is not to be trifled with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, as bad as perjury may be in the eyes of the civil authorities, breaking that oath to God is infinitely more serious as the one offended holds a higher office than the local magistrate or judge. Breaking an oath is an offense against a thrice Holy God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a man and woman marry, their \u201cI do\u2019s\u201d are a vow, or an oath, to honor their marriage commitment – and they are not vows merely to the spouse, but to God. When a person becomes a citizen, they swear an oath of support to their new country as a citizen. St. Paul held his Roman citizenship as esteemed to his tormentors. Public servants, from policemen to politicians, are frequently sworn in to uphold the laws, and these too are to God, not man, whether those making the swear or vow realize it or not. This is why a swearing of an oath is to be a grave matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In church leadership, men take an oath to protect and uphold the Word of God as leaders. To the congregation, they are \u201cDefensor Fidelis\u201d, or \u201cdefenders of the Faith.\u201d This oath is before the face of God and witnessed by the congregation \u2013 the visible body of Christ, therefore they must be taken gravely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond these kinds of lawful oaths set forth in scripture and the Confession here, it is ungodly – to make vows; especially any of those invoking or referencing God [Ecclesiastes 5:5-6] that are outside of the frame of church or testimony to the government about legal matters. What I say next may be unpopular, but take it in the spirit of how scripture describes oaths and vows. Take it in light of what Christ already said about swearing oaths…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the Confession does not specifically address some of these matters by name as many did not exist at the time, but the sense and the principles of Scripture and the Confession still hold here: many tenets and teachings of sororities and fraternities are not compatible with Biblical Christianity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are examples of what not to and where not to swear. Those oaths include fraternities, sororities, clubs, societies whether open or secret societies, because those things done in secret will be open before the face of God. The oaths of many fraternities and societies may sound unoffensive, but bind the soul to obediences that are not approved by Scripture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, many of these oaths of fraternities and societies are made blindfolded, in dark rooms, on their knees, invocation of symbols (even those that superficially may appear Christian), under threat of having a throat cut, tongue cut out, etc.: these practices are occult in nature. There are secret signs, handshakes, grips, symbols, secrets kept from spouses and family members, rituals, initiations, rites, levels, attainments, special garb and clothing, seeking after more light, practices that are ungodly and unholy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further more, those in leadership in those groups are addressed by ritualistic titles \u2013 even to the point of their attire being different\u201d than the rest of the group. They promote secret knowledges that supposedly haven\u2019t been revealed to the common man; even with supposed secret names of God that weren\u2019t revealed even in God\u2019s Holy Scripture. There are no names God has revealed to man other than in His Word, and that should suffice every person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some other \u201creligious practices\u201d that require ungodly oaths are Mormonism, Scientology, Rosicrucians, Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Ordo Templi Orientis, Thelema, the Theosophical Society, the Temple of the East, Order of the Rose Cross, the Anthroposophical Society, Lucis Trust, Summit Lighthouse, Knights Templar. All of these contain secret initiation ceremonies, symbolic death and rebirth, progressive degrees, ritual dramas, symbolic clothing or regalia, signs or passwords, allegorical moral instruction, temple symbolism, oaths of confidentiality, and restricted knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Greek fraternities such as: Phi Beta Kappa, Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Alpha Tau Omega, Delta Tau Delta, Beta Theta Pi, Pi Kappa Alpha, Theta Chi, Zeta Psi, Sigma Pi Phi all share in many of the secrets and oaths similar to the non-Christian religions I referenced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A child of God must have nothing to do with these. Often, these groups require preference toward a fellow member above others, meaning to assist physically and materially those that are part of their group \u2013 even at the expense of helping a fellow believer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I plead to you by the mercies of God to repent of such oaths, swearings, and involvements. It is unfortunate that these occurrances are not rare in churches; the true child of God should have nothing to do with these groups that hold requirements as such for membership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now \u2013 back to lawful oaths. Yes \u2013 take them in a court of law, under legal examination or legal deposition, and inside the body of Christ visible. Your oath is before the throne of God, so be sober about your vow. We are told to simply say \u201cyes\u201d when we mean yes and \u201cno\u201d when we mean no (Matthew 5:37).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paragraph 3.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Oaths warranted by the Word of God to revisit Paragraph 1 again: A witness swearing in court to tell the truth. An officeholder taking an oath to faithfully execute civil duties. Marriage vows (though technically vows rather than oaths, they share similar solemnity). Covenants or promises made before God in serious ecclesiastical settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your false testimony can injure you, the body of Christ, and your country. Don\u2019t do it rashly, quickly offhand, or lightly. You are making a vow before the Most High God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paragraph 4.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAn oath is to be taken in the plain and common sense of the words, without equivocation or mental reservation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do not fully understand the terms, language, use of the word, you are not to swear or make a vow. Language is plain enough and can be made plain enough so you can understand, and if you do not understand, you either ought not to swear \/ vow, of have the language arranged in such a matter that it is plain and can be easily understood by you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paragraph 5.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA vow, which is not to be made to any creature, but to God alone, is to be made and performed with all religious care and faithfulness; but popish monastical vows of perpetual single life, professed poverty, and regular obedience, are so far from being degrees of higher perfection, that they are superstitious and sinful snares, in which no Christian may entangle himself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being self-explanatory, this paragraph largely covers the vows that are demanded by the church of Rome to it\u2019s male and female leader adherents. Priests and nuns. Those that have made these vows have violated scripture, and God\u2019s Word as it is referenced by the \u201cPopish\u201d language that would have been common to the reader in the late 1600\u2019s. The updated language would be the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox churches \u2013 Eastern Orthodox, and Russian Orthodox \u2013 which both require celibacy in the bishop position and above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul said that in some cases, it would be better not to marry for the service of God, but he also said it is better to marry than to burn [1 Corinthians 7:1-9, but especially verse 9]. Paul was single for the service of Christ [verse 7]. This context of 1 Corinthians 7 has been made a caricature by the church of Rome and Orthodox Churches requiring celibacy – causing men and women to make a vow that scripture does not demand \u2013 therefore it is outside the limit of scripture and to be refused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for poverty. There is no special blessing in being poor, and there is no special entry into heaven because of poverty. Even Paul worked as a tent-maker for income, as well as others maintaining an income producing occupation. God blesses work, especially hard work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the Confession states, these vows are a snare. One can look no further than the news to see the snares and gross sins and abuses that have been done by those entangled in these godless and unholy vows required by the Roman church. For centuries the Roman church winked at and did not mention these sins, but litigation has been bringing them to the surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First \u2013 I refuse to miss the opportunity to declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is being recorded, so it may be heard in some future time by someone that does not know Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only-begotten Son of God, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified, died, and was buried. On the third day He arose from the dead, was seen by multitudes, then ascended into Heaven where He is now seated on the right hand of the Father. That\u2019s the Gospel<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 Peter 4:17 \u201cFor the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An oath is worship to God. Never forget that. It is not some light thing. Have we made oaths that we should repent of? Do we need to change our attitude about lawful oaths and refuse an oath that is less than our \u201creasonable worship?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes. I hope so. God commands it. You will stand before Him one day and answer for every word of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Paragraph 1. A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, wherein the person swearing in truth, righteousness, and judgment, solemnly calls God to witness what he swears,1 and to judge him according to the truth or falseness thereof.2 1 Exod. 20:7; Deut. 10:20; Jer. 4:22 2 Chron. 6:22, 23 Paragraph 2. The name of … <\/p>\n

Read more “1689 London Baptist Confession: CHAPTER 23; OF LAWFUL OATHS AND VOWS”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-479","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/479","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=479"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/479\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":480,"href":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/479\/revisions\/480"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=479"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=479"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.habersack.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=479"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}