the westminster confession of faith

23:810, 2 Thess. 42:1, 1 Pet. 2:56, Rom. 6:12, Tit. Instead, these unworthy persons are "guilty of the body and blood of the Lord" and commit great sin; for this reason, such persons should not be admitted to the sacrament. 28:18, Acts 2:36), 4. 2:5, 2 Cor. 5:1, Acts 15:1011) and in greater boldness of access to the throne of grace, (Heb. 13:2021, Heb. 6:16, 2 Cor. Exodus 34:6-7 God's Glory. 12:23, 2 Cor. 12:2, Heb. (Rom. 8:15) have access to the throne of grace with boldness, (Eph. 16:6163) which is the act of Gods free grace in Christ; (Hos. 3:11, John 1:33, Matt. (Rom. (Matt. The Epistle of James Alere Magazine 2020: Timothy Two Project International Year in Review (Gal. 16:33), 2. 2:1920, Jude 4, 1 Pet. They who, upon pretence of Christian liberty, do practise any sin, or cherish any lust, do thereby destroy the end of Christian liberty, which is, that being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. 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. 11:19, Phil. 4:45) by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God, (Rom. Westminster Confession of Faith with Parallel Modern English Study Version. 2:10,12, Eph. By this sin they fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and so became dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body. 8:1920) which maketh the Holy Scripture to be most necessary; (2 Tim. (Ps. 1 Tim 1:13, 15), 6. 4:24) having the law of God written in their hearts, (Rom. But because these original tongues are not known to all the people of God who have right unto, and interest in, the Scriptures, and are commanded, in the fear of God, to read and search them, therefore they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, that the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship Him in an acceptable manner, and, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, may have hope. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity forbidden in the Word; nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made lawful by any law of man, or consent of parties, so as those persons may live together, as man and wife. (Rom. 13:17) And, for their publishing of such opinions, or maintaining of such practices, as are contrary to the light of nature, or to the known principles of Christianity (whether concerning faith, worship, or conversation), or to the power of godliness; or, such erroneous opinions or practices, as either in their own nature, or in the manner of publishing or maintaining them, are destructive to the external peace and order which Christ hath established in the Church, they may lawfully be called to account, and proceeded against, by the censures of the Church. 5:17, Rom. 5:1214), 3. 28:19, 2 Cor. This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion, grounded upon a fallible hope; but an infallible assurance of faith, founded upon the divine truth of the promises of salvation, the inward evidence of those graces unto which these promises are made, the testimony of the Spirit of adoption witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God; which Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption. 3:5) of remission of sins, (Mark 1:4) and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life. [16], Chapter 14 defines saving faith as that which enables people to believe to the saving of their souls. There is no other head of the Church but the Lord Jesus Christ. - Of God, and of the Holy Trinity. Man by his fall having made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second, commonly called the covenant of grace: wherein He freely offered unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in Him, that they may be saved, and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto life, His Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe. 3:17, Eph. Scripture Index. The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonor; the bodies of the just, by His Spirit, unto honor, and be made conformable to His own glorious body. And to assert and maintain that they may, is very pernicious, and to be detested. (Matt. Nehemiah 5:1) and the requiring of an implicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason also. 1:30), 2. 2:14) are effectually called unto faith in Christ by His Spirit working in due season, are justified,adopted, sanctified, (Rom. The sacraments of the old testament in regard of the spiritual things thereby signified and exhibited, were, for substance, the same with those of the new. Corinthians I 4:17, 1 Cor. (Ezra 9:1314, Ps. Those whom God effectually calleth, He also freely justifieth: not by infusing righteousness into them, but by pardoning their sins, and by accounting and accepting their persons as righteous; not for any thing wrought in them, or done by them, but for Christs sake alone; nor by imputing faith itself, the act of believing, or any other evangelical obedience to them, as their righteousness; but by imputing the obedience and satisfaction of Christ unto them, they receiving and resting on Him and His righteousness by faith; which faith they have not of themselves, it is the gift of God. It is said that Christ gave to the visible church "the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God" for the perfecting of the saints. Church censures are necessary, for the reclaiming and gaining of offending brethren, for deterring of others from like offenses, for purging out of that leaven which might infect the whole lump, for vindicating the honour of Christ, and the holy profession of the Gospel, and for preventing the wrath of God, which might justly fall upon the Church, if they should suffer His covenant, and the seals thereof, to be profaned by notorious and obstinate offenders. 4:8) But (the principal acts of saving faith) are accepting, receiving, and resting upon Christ alone for justification, sanctification, and eternal life, by virtue of the covenant of grace. About this product. "[6], Chapter 4 recounts the Genesis creation narrative and affirms that human beings were created in the image of God with immortal souls, having fellowship with God and dominion over other creatures. Nevertheless, there shall be always a church on earth, to worship God according to His will. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass upon all supposed conditions, yet hath He not decreed any thing because He foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions. 19:21, Eccl. The outward element to be used in this sacrament is water, wherewith the party is to be baptized, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, by a minister of the Gospel, lawfully called thereunto. 18:17, Matt. 23:1112, Matt. And therefore it is the duty of everyone to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure; that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper fruits of this assurance: so far is it from inclining men to looseness. [27], Chapter 25 addresses Reformed ecclesiology or the teachings about the Christian Church. 6:35, Tit. 5:45) who put all power and judgment into His hand, and gave Him commandment to execute the same. The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works, wherein life was promised to Adam, and in him to his posterity, upon condition of perfect and personal obedience. Nehemiah 4:10, John 5:23, 2 Cor. Unto this catholic visible Church Christ hath given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end of the world: and doth, by His own presence and Spirit, according to His promise, make them effectual thereunto. 2:23, Matt. 1:11, Rom. 22:129, Gen. 49:10, 1 Pet. 8:34, Heb. I. 10:39) is the work of the Spirit of Christ in their hearts, (2 Cor. 2:8) was buried, and remained under the power of death, yet saw no corruption. 13:12, 1617, Jer. 15:9, Isa. I. Repentance unto life is an evangelical grace, (Zech. 15:5457, Rom. Our Lord Jesus, in the night wherein He was betrayed, instituted the sacrament of His body and blood, called the Lords Supper, to be observed in His Church, unto the end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance of the sacrifice of Himself in His death; the sealing all benefits thereof unto true believers, their spiritual nourishment and growth in Him, their further engagement in and to all duties which they owe unto Him; and, to be a bond and pledge of their communion with Him, and with each other, as members of His mystical body. 2:7), 4. Joel 13:1517), 1. 18:1720), 3. Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men unexcusable;1 yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of His will, which is necessary (1 Cor. 15:4, Matt. 28:1920), 3. Wherefore, all ignorant and ungodly persons, as they are unfit to enjoy communion with Him, so are they unworthy of the Lords table; and cannot, without great sin against Christ, while they remain such, partake of these holy mysteries, or be admitted thereunto. 4:16, Matt. 5:1, Amos 2:7) Nor can such incestuous marriage ever be made by any law of man or consent of parties, so as those persons may live together as man and wife. (Matt. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself: and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it must be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly. Westminster Confession Of Faith - Lord's Day 46. Christ, in the work of mediation, acts according to both natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to itself; (Heb. 23:810, 2 Cor. 104:24, Ps. 14:23, Isa. 11:3334, Ps. 8:910, Acts 10:12, Rev. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture, is the Scripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any scripture (which is not manifold, but one), it may be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly. After God had made all other creatures, He created man, male and female, (Gen. 1:27) with reasonable and immortal souls, (Gen. 2:7, Ecc. 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. (2 Pet. Chapter 5: of Providence. 55:1011) yet is free to work without, (Hos. Although, in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first Cause, all things come to pass immutably, and infallibly; yet, by the same providence, He ordereth them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently. 26:29), 6. Although hypocrites, and other unregenerate men, may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions: of being in the favor of God and estate of salvation; which hope of theirs shall perish: yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love Him in sincerity, endeavoring to walk in all good conscience before Him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in a state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God: which hope shall never make them ashamed. 4:2224, Heb. A magistrate's legal authority is not lost because of unbelief or religious differences. Westminster Confession of Faith Chapters. Saints by profession, are bound to maintain an holy fellowship and communion in the worship of God, and in performing such other spiritual services as tend to their mutual edification; as also in relieving each other in outward things, according to their several abilities and necessities. Adultery or fornication committed after a contract, being detected before marriage, giveth just occasion to the innocent party to dissolve that contract. 63:13, Matt. Our first parents, being seduced by the subtilty and temptation of Satan, sinned, in eating the forbidden fruit. (Col. 2:14, 16, 17, Dan. (1 Tim. [8] The confession states that the fall and all other sins were foreordained by divine providence; however, the confession also teaches that sin "proceedeth only from the creature, and not from God". 8:6, Isa. 1:10) and is to be continued to the end of the world, as the Christian Sabbath. (Ps. XXI. Civil magistrates may not assume to themselves the administration of the Word and sacraments; (2 Chron. Chapter V Of Providence. 22:29, 31, Eph. God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified; and although they can never fall from the state of justification, yet they may by their sins fall under Gods Fatherly displeasure, and not have the light of His countenance restored unto them, until they humble themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith and repentance. 1:10, 2223, Eph. 90:2, 1 Tim. 3:5) and yet, their neglect of them is more sinful and displeasing unto God. So that to believe such doctrines, or to obey such commandments out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience; and the requiring an implicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason also. [2] It includes doctrines common to most of Christendom such as the Trinity and Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection, and it contains doctrines specific to Protestantism such as sola scriptura and sola fide. (Acts 20:7, 1 Cor. 6:1618), 2. 7:25) the abiding of the Spirit, and of the seed of God within them, (John 14:1617, 1 John 2:27, 1 John 3:9) and the nature of the covenant of grace: (Jer. (John 15:46, Ezek. Synods and councils are to handle, or conclude nothing, but that which is ecclesiastical: and are not to intermeddle with civil affairs which concern the commonwealth, unless by way of humble petition in cases extraordinary; or, by way of advice, for satisfaction of conscience, if they be thereunto required by the civil magistrate. It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, His only begotten Son, to be (the Mediator) between God and man, (Isa. 3:39) and eternal. 3:21) the Spirit of Christ subduing and enabling the will of man to do that freely, and cheerfully, which the will of God, revealed in the law, requireth to be done. 9, Heb. 19:5, I Kings 22:28, 34, Isa. On the third day He arose from the dead, with the same body in which He suffered; with which also He ascended into heaven, and there sitteth at the right hand of His Father, making intercession; and shall return to judge men and angels, at the end of the world. As it is of the law of nature, that, in general, a due proportion of time be set apart for the worship of God; so, in His Word, by a positive, moral, and perpetual commandment, binding all men in all ages, he hath particularly appointed one day in seven for a Sabbath, to be kept holy unto Him: which, from the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, was the last day of the week; and, from the resurrection of Christ, was changed into the first day of the week, which in Scripture is called the Lords Day, and is to be continued to the end of the world as the Christian Sabbath. [26], Chapter 24 covers Reformed teaching on marriage and divorce. 9:1718, 2122, 2 Tim. (Heb. 64:5, 7, 9, 2 Sam. Isaiah In the covenant of grace, God freely offered sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ. 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the westminster confession of faith