Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
1689 London Baptist Confession · 23.1–23.5
23.1. Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
A lawful Oath is a part of religious worship, wherein the person swearing in Truth, Righteousness, and Judgement, solemnly calleth God to witness what he sweareth; and to judge him according to the Truth or falseness thereof.
Proof texts
- Exodus 20:7 — [7] “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
- Deuteronomy 10:20 — [20] You shall fear the LORD your God. You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear.
- Jeremiah 4:2 — [2] and if you swear, ‘As the LORD lives,’ in truth, in justice, and in righteousness, then nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.”
- 2 Chronicles 6:22, 23 — [22] “If a man sins against his neighbor and is made to take an oath and comes and swears his oath before your altar in this house, [23] then hear from heaven and act and judge your servants, repaying the guilty by bringing his conduct on his own head, and vindicating the righteous by rewarding him according to his righteousness.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Exodus 20:7 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 4 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WCF 22.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- BC 9.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
23.2. Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
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; 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; so a lawful Oath being imposed, by lawful Authority, in such matters, ought to be taken.
Proof texts
- Matthew 5:34, 37 — [34] But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, [37] Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.
- James 5:12 — [12] But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
- Hebrews 6:16 — [16] For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.
- 2 Corinthians 1:23 — [23] But I call God to witness against me — it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth.
- Nehemiah 13:25 — [25] And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take an oath in the name of God, saying, “You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Matthew 5:34, 37 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 5 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WCF 22.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- BC 9.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
23.3. Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
Whosoever taketh an Oath warranted by the Word of God, ought duely to consider the weightiness of so solemn an act; and therein to avouch nothing, but what he knoweth to be the truth; for that by rash, false, and vain Oaths the Lord is provoked, and for them this Land mournes.
Proof texts
- Leviticus 19:12 — [12] You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the LORD.
- Jeremiah 23:10 — [10] For the land is full of adulterers; because of the curse the land mourns, and the pastures of the wilderness are dried up. Their course is evil, and their might is not right.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Leviticus 19:12 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 2 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WCF 22.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- BC 9.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
23.4. Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
An Oath is to be taken in the plain, and common sense of the words; without equivocation, or mental reservation.
Proof texts
- Psalms 24:4 — [4] He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Psalms 24:4 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- WCF 22.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- BC 9.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
23.5. Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
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: 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 intangle himself.
Proof texts
- Psalms 76:11 — [11] Make your vows to the LORD your God and perform them; let all around him bring gifts to him who is to be feared,
- Genesis 28:20-22 — [20] Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, [21] so that I come again to my father's house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God, [22] and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.”
- 1 Corinthians 7:2, 9 — [2] But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. [9] But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
- Ephesians 4:28 — [28] Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
- Matthew 19:11 — [11] But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Psalms 76:11 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 5 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WCF 22.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- BC 9.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?