!!!!!! BOOK OF CONFESSIONS Adopted'March'20,'2009' Amended'and'Expanded'July'14,'2016' Additional'Edits'and'Corrections'Adopted'September'6,'2016'

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1 BOOK OF CONFESSIONS Adopted'March'20,'2009' Amended'and'Expanded'July'14,'2016' Additional'Edits'and'Corrections'Adopted'September'6,'2016' 1

2 PREFACE TO OUR BOOK OF CONFESSIONS The Word of God is our only infallible and inerrant rule of faith and life. Yet, in Scripture there is abundant proof attesting to the value of the use of creeds, confessions, and catechisms. Creed is a term from the Latin, credo, I believe. Confession is based on the Greek, homologeo, I confess. The term catechism is also from a Greek word, katacheo, to answer, to echo. In the expanse of the church s victorious history, the affirmations of our faith have been as simple as Jesus is Lord (Acts 10:36, 1Cor. 12:3, Phil. 2:11) in the face of those who would require, Caesar is Lord. And, they have been as detailed as the Westminster Confession with an unparalleled definitiveness and have expressed the faith as personally and warmly as the Heidelberg Catechism. A strong Biblical basis may be gleaned for creedal statements and confessions of faith. They function to summarize biblical truths (1 Tim. 3:16) and retain the standard of sound words (II Tim. 1:13). They are used as means of confessing the gospel faith in a formal way at baptism, ordination, and similar times of spiritual significance (1Tim.. 4:14, 6:12; Acts 8:12). They are used to confess the true faith as a conscious act of the persevering believer to follow and hold fast Christ, especially in public worship (Heb. 4:14, 10:23, 3:10). The catechetical method of oral instruction was used by Jews in instructing in the Law (Rom. 2:18; cf. Deut. 6). Paul calls the church to teach in this way with a view toward achieving full understanding (1 Cor. 14:9; Gal. 6:6). The Session Members of Christ Church Missoula sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Christian faith as expressed in the following creeds, confessions, and catechisms. Apart from any exceptions indicated, we take these as reliable summaries of what Scripture, our only infallible rule, teaches. These doctrinal symbols express the system of doctrine contained in the Scriptures; as such, they function in our congregation to indicate the boundaries of orthodoxy for our confession, to remind us of the church militant and triumphant the pillar and ground of the truth, and they inspire us to a clear grasp and expression of our faith in historically and theologically informed language. We wish to qualify the spirit of our confessional use. There are two extremes to avoid. On the one hand the church must avoid an anti-creedal spirit which tends to be irrational, ignorant, and ungrateful for the church s history of defending the truth from error by the use of creeds. On the other hand, the Church must avoid a creedalistic-subscriptionalistic stance that tends to undermine or set creeds and confessions on equal par with the Bible, if not theoretically, then functionally. Again, we believe that Scripture is the only infallible Word; so we must avoid any creedalisticsubscriptionalistic stance that impedes the diligent study of the Word or impedes progress in applying the Word to our own day. The attitude we want the church to take is that the statements of the good creeds, confessions, and catechisms are verbal distillations of the truths of the Word of God and are thus, trustworthy statements deserving full acceptance (I Tim. 1:15, 3:1, 4:9: II Tim. 2:11; Tit. 3:8). What we must ever demand is their lucid formulation of the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). In this spirit, we hold to the ancient formularies as defining the faith once delivered to the saints. We hold to the truths expressed in our reformational standards, believing them to be a faithful testimony of what Scripture teaches. We furthermore approve the Westminster Confession of Faith and Shorter Catechism for use in doctrinal examination and accountability of church officers. We recommend the I Belong to God catechism for the catechizing of young covenant children. And, though Christ Church Missoula is not Anglican, we commend the To Be a Christian catechism as a good evangelistic tool for introducing modern people to the ancient faith. 2

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Ancient Formularies a. Apostle s Creed page 4 b. Nicene Creed. page 4 c. Definition of Chalcedon... page 4 d. Athanasian Creed.. page 5 II. Reformation Standard from England a. Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion page 7 III. Reformation Standards from the Continent a. Belgic Confession page 17 b. Heidelberg Catechism page 33 c. Canons of Dort page 53 IV. 17th-century Puritan/Scottish Standards a. Westminster Confession of Faith page 75 b. Westminster Shorter Catechism page 101 V. 21 st -century Reformed & Evangelical Catechisms a. I Belong to God (Rich Lusk, editor/author) page 115 b. To Be a Christian (ACNA, 2016). page 137 3

4 Apostles Creed IbelieveinGodtheFatherAlmighty;Makerofheavenandearth,andinJesusChrist,hisonly begottenson,ourlord. HewasconceivedbytheHolyGhost,andbornofthevirgin,Mary.HesufferedunderPontius Pilate,wascrucified,died,andwasburied. HedescendedintoHades. OnthethirddayHeroseagain,fromthedead,ascendedintoHeaven,andsitsattheright handofgodthefatheralmighty;fromthencehewillcometojudgethelivingandthedead. IbelieveintheHolyGhost,theholycatholicChurch,thecommunionofsaints,theforgiveness ofsins,theresurrectionofthebody,andthelifeeverlasting.amen. The Nicene Creed IbelieveinoneGod,theFatherAlmighty,Makerofheavenandearth,andofallthingsvisible andinvisible. AndinoneLordJesusChrist,theonlyGbegottenSonofGod,begottenoftheFatherbeforeall worlds;godofgod,lightoflight,verygodofverygod;begotten,notmade,beingofone substancewiththefather,bywhomallthingsweremade. Who,forusmenforoursalvation,camedownfromheaven,andwasincarnatebytheHoly SpiritofthevirginMary,andwasmademan;andwascrucifiedalsoforusunderPontius Pilate;Hesufferedandwasburied;andthethirddayHeroseagain,accordingtothe Scriptures;andascendedintoheaven,andsitsontherighthandoftheFather;andHeshall comeagain,withglory,tojudgethequickandthedead;whosekingdomshallhavenoend. AndIbelieveintheHolyGhost,theLordandGiverofLife;whoproceedsfromtheFatherand theson;whowiththefatherandthesontogetherisworshippedandglorified;whospokeby theprophets. AndIbelieveoneholycatholicandapostolicChurch.Iacknowledgeonebaptismforthe remissionofsins;andilookfortheresurrectionofthedead,andthelifeoftheworldtocome. Amen. The Definition of the Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D) Therefore,followingtheholyfathers,weallwithoneaccordteachmentoacknowledgeone andthesameson,ourlordjesuschrist,atoncecompleteingodheadandcompletein manhood,trulygodandtrulyman,consistingalsoofareasonablesoulandbody;ofone substancewiththefatherasregardshisgodhead,andatthesametimeofonesubstancewith usasregardshismanhood;likeusinallrespects,apartfromsin;asregardshisgodhead, begottenofthefatherbeforetheages,butyetasregardshismanhoodbegotten,forusmen andforoursalvation,ofmarythevirgin,thegodgbearer;oneandthesamechrist,son,lord, OnlyGbegotten,recognizedintwonatures,withoutconfusion,withoutchange,without division,withoutseparation;thedistinctionofnaturesbeinginnowayannulledbytheunion, butratherthecharacteristicsofeachnaturebeingpreservedandcomingtogethertoformone personandsubsistence,notaspartedorseparatedintotwopersons,butoneandthesame SonandOnlyGbegottenGodtheWord,LordJesusChrist;evenastheprophetsfromearliest timesspokeofhim,andourlordjesuschristhimselftaughtus,andthecreedofthefathers hashandeddowntous. 4

5 5 The Athanasian Creed Whosoeverwillbesaved,beforeallthingsitisnecessarythatheholdtheCatholicFaith. WhichFaithexcepteveryonedokeepwholeandundefiled,withoutdoubtheshallperisheverlastingly. AndtheCatholicFaithisthis: ThatweworshiponeGodinTrinity,andTrinityinUnity, NeitherconfoundingthePersons,nordividingtheSubstance. ForthereisonePersonoftheFather,anotheroftheSon,andanotheroftheHolySpirit. ButtheGodheadoftheFather,oftheSon,andoftheHolySpirit,isallone,theGloryequal,theMajestycoG eternal. SuchastheFatheris,suchistheSon,andsuchistheHolySpirit. TheFatheruncreated,theSonuncreated,andtheHolySpirituncreated. TheFatherunlimited,theSonunlimited,andtheHolySpiritunlimited. TheFathereternal,theSoneternal,andtheHolySpiriteternal. Andyettheyarenotthreeeternals,butoneeternal. Asalsotherearenotthreeinfinites,northreeuncreated,butoneuncreated,andoneinfinites. SolikewisetheFatherisAlmighty,theSonAlmighty,andtheHolySpiritAlmighty. AndyettheyarenotthreeAlmighties,butoneAlmighty. SotheFatherisGod,theSonisGod,andtheHolySpiritisGod. AndyettheyarenotthreeGods,butoneGod. SolikewisetheFatherisLord,theSonLord,andtheHolySpiritLord. AndyetnotthreeLords,butoneLord. ForlikeaswearecompelledbytheChristianverity:toacknowledgeeveryPersonbyhimselftobeboth GodandLord, SoareweforbiddenbythecatholicReligion,tosay,TherearethreeGods,orthreeLords. TheFatherismadeofnone,neithercreated,norbegotten. TheSonisoftheFatheralone,notmade,norcreated,butbegotten. TheHolySpiritisoftheFatherandoftheSon,neithermade,norcreated,norbegotten,butproceeding. SothereisoneFather,notthreeFathers;oneSon,notthreeSons;oneHolySpirit,notthreeHolySpirits. AndinthisTrinitynoneisbefore,orafter;noneisgreater,orlessthananother; ButthewholethreePersonsarecoGeternaltogetherandcoGequal. Sothatinallthings,asisaforesaid,theUnityinTrinityandtheTrinityinUnityistobeworshipped. HethereforethatwillbesavedmustthusthinkoftheTrinity. Furthermore,itisnecessarytoeverlastingsalvationthathealsobelieverightlytheIncarnationofourLord JesusChrist. FortherightFaithis,thatwebelieveandconfess,thatourLordJesusChrist,theSonofGod,isGodand Man; God,oftheSubstanceoftheFather,begottenbeforetheworlds;andMan,oftheSubstanceofhisMother, bornintheworld; PerfectGodandperfectMan,ofareasonablesoulandhumanfleshsubsisting; EqualtotheFather,astouchinghisGodhead;andinferiortotheFather,astouchinghisManhood. WhoalthoughheisGodandMan,yetheisnottwo,butoneChrist; One,notbyconversionoftheGodheadintoflesh,butbytakingassumptionoftheManhoodintoGod; Onealtogether,notbyconfusionofSubstance,butbyunityofPerson. Forasthereasonablesoulandfleshisoneman,soGodandManisoneChrist; Whosufferedforoursalvation,descendedintoHades,roseagainthethirddayfromthedead. Heascendedintoheaven,hesittethontherighthandoftheFather,GodAlmighty, Fromthenceheshallcometojudgethequickandthedead.5 Atwhosecomingallmenshallriseagainwiththeirbodies Andshallgiveaccountfortheirownworks. Andtheythathavedonegoodshallgointolifeeverlasting,andtheythathavedoneevilintoeverlasting fire. ThisisthecatholicFaith,whichexceptamanbelievefaithfully,hecannotbesaved.

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7 7 39 Articles of Religion I.OffaithintheHolyTrinity. ThereisbutonelivingandtrueGod,everlasting,withoutbody,parts,orpassions;ofinfinite power,wisdom,andgoodness;themakerandpreserverofallthingsbothvisibleand invisible.andinunityofthisgodheadtherebethreepersons,ofonesubstance,power,and eternity;thefather,theson,andtheholyghost. II.OftheWord,orSonofGod,whichwasmadeveryman. TheSon,whichistheWordoftheFather,begottenfromeverlastingoftheFather,thevery andeternalgod,andofonesubstancewiththefather,tookman'snatureinthewombofthe blessedvirgin,ofhersubstance:sothattwowholeandperfectnatures,thatistosay,the Godheadandmanhood,werejoinedtogetherinoneperson,nevertobedivided,whereofis onechrist,verygodandveryman,whotrulysuffered,wascrucified,dead,andburied,to reconcilehisfathertous,andtobeasacrifice,notonlyfororiginalguilt,butalsoforallactual sinsofmen. III.OfthegoingdownofChristintoHell. Christdiedforus,andwasburied,soalsoisittobebelievedthatHewentdownintoHell. IV.OftheResurrectionofChrist. Christdidtrulyriseagainfromdeath,andtookagainHisbody,withflesh,bones,andall thingsappertainingtotheperfectionofman'snature,wherefore Heascendedintoheaven,andtheresittethuntilHereturntojudgeallmenatthelastday. V.OftheHolyGhost. TheHolyGhost,proceedingfromtheFatherandtheSon,isofonesubstance,majesty,and glorywiththefatherandtheson,veryandeternalgod. VI.OfthesufficiencyoftheHolyScripturesforSalvation. HolyScripturescontainethallthingsnecessarytosalvation:sothatwhatsoeverisnotread therein,normaybeprovedthereby,isnottoberequiredofanyman,thatitshouldbe believedasanarticleofthefaith,orbethoughtrequisiteornecessarytosalvation.inthe nameofholyscripture,wedounderstandthosecanonicalbooksoftheoldandnew testament,ofwhoseauthoritywasneveranydoubtinthechurch. OfthenamesandnumberoftheCanonicalBooks. Genesis. Exodus. Leviticus. Numbers. Deuteronomy.

8 Joshua. Judges. Ruth. TheFirstBookofSamuel. TheSecondBookofSamuel. TheFirstBookofKings. TheSecondBookofKings. TheFirstBookofChronicles. TheSecondBookofChronicles. TheFirstBookofEsdras. TheSecondBookofEsdras. TheBookofEsther. TheBookofJob. ThePsalms. TheProverbs. Ecclesiastes,orthePreacher. Cantica,orSongsofSolomon. FourProphetstheGreater. TwelveProphetstheLess. Andtheotherbooks(asHieromesaith)theChurchdothreadforexampleoflifeand instructionofmanners;butyetdothitnotapplythemtoestablishanydoctrine;suchare thesefollowing: TheThirdBookofEsdras. TheFourthBookofEsdras. TheBookofTobias. TheBookofJudith. TherestoftheBookofEsther. TheBookofWisdom. JesustheSonofSirach. BaruchtheProphet. TheSongoftheThreeChildren. TheStoryofSusanna. OfBelandtheDragon. ThePrayerofManasses. TheFirstBookofMaccabees. TheSecondBookofMaccabees. AllthebooksoftheNewTestament,astheyarecommonlyreceived,wedoreceive,and accountthemcanonical. VII.OftheOldTestament. TheOldTestamentisnotcontrarytotheNew;forbothintheOldandNewTestament everlastinglifeisofferedtomankindbychrist,whoistheonlymediatorbetweengodand man,beingbothgodandman.whereforetherearenottobeheardwhichfeignthattheold fathersdidlookonlyfortransitorypromises.althoughthelawgivenfromgodbymoses,as touchingceremoniesandrites,donotbindchristianmen,northecivilpreceptsthereofought 8

9 9 ofnecessitytobereceivedinanycommonwealth;yet,notwithstanding,nochristianman whatsoeverisfreefromtheobedienceofthecommandmentswhicharecalledmoral. VIII.OftheThreeCreeds. ThethreeCreeds,NiceneCreed,Athanasius'Creed,andthatwhichiscommonlycalledthe Apostles'Creed,oughtthoroughlytobereceivedandbelieved;fortheymaybeprovedby mostcertainwarrantsofholyscripture. IX.OfOriginalorBirthSin. OriginalsinstandethnotinthefollowingofAdam(asthePelagiansdovainlytalk),butitis thefaultandcorruptionofthenatureofeverymanthatnaturallyisengenderedofthe offspringofadam,wherebymanisveryfargonefromoriginalrighteousness,andisofhis ownnatureinclinedtoevil,sothatthefleshlustethalwayscontrarytothespirit;and thereforeineverypersonbornintothisworld,itdeservethgod'swrathanddamnation.and thisinfectionofnaturedothremain,yea,inthemthatareregenerated,wherebythelustofthe flesh,calledingreekphronemasarkos(whichsomedoexpoundthewisdom,some,somethe affection,somethedesireoftheflesh),isnotsubjecttothelawofgod.andalthoughthereis nocondemnationforthemthatbelieveandarebaptized,yettheapostledothconfessthat concupiscenceandlusthathitselfthenatureofsin. X.OfFreeWill. TheconditionofmanafterthefallofAdamissuch,thathecannotturnandpreparehimself, byhisownnaturalstrengthandgoodworks,tofaithandcallingupongod.whereforewe havenopowertodogoodworkspleasantandacceptabletogod,withoutthegraceofgodby Christpreventingusthatwemayhaveagoodwill,andworkingwithuswhenwehavethat goodwill. XI.OftheJustificationofMan. WeareaccountedrighteousbeforeGod,onlyforthemeritofourLordandSaviourJesus Christbyfaith,andnotforourownworksordeservings.Whereforethatwearejustifiedby faithonlyisamostwholesomedoctrine,andveryfullofcomfort;asmorelargelyisexpressed inthehomilyofjustification. XII.OfGoodWorks. Albeitthatgoodworks,whicharethefruitsoffaithandfollowafterjustification,cannotput awayoursinsandenduretheseverityofgod'sjudgement,yetaretheypleasingand acceptabletogodinchrist,anddospringoutnecessarilyofatrueandlivelyfaith,insomuch thatbythemalivelyfaithmaybeasevidentlyknownasatreediscernedbythefruit. XIII.OfWorksbeforeJustification. WorksdonebeforethegraceofChristandtheinspirationoftheHolySpirit,arenotpleasant togod,forasmuchastheyspringnotoffaithinjesuschrist,neitherdotheymakemenmeet toreceivegrace,or(astheschoolauthorssay)deservegraceofcongruity:yea,ratherforthat

10 10 theyarenotdoneasgodhathwilledandcommandedthemtobedone,wedoubtnotbutthey havethenatureofsin. XIV.OfWorksofSupererogation. Voluntaryworksbesides,overandabove,God'scommandmentswhichtheycallWorksof Supererogation,cannotbetaughtwithoutarrogancyandimpiety.Forbythemmendodeclare thattheydonotonlyrenderuntogodasmuchastheyareboundtodo,butthattheydomore forhissakethanofboundendutyisrequired:whereaschristsaithplainly,whenyehave doneallthatarecommandedtodo,say,webeunprofitableservants. XV.OfChristalonewithoutSin. Christinthetruthofournaturewasmadelikeuntousinallthings,sinonlyexcept,from whichhewasclearlyvoid,bothinhisfleshandinhisspirit.hecametobethelambwithout spot,whobysacrificeofhimselfoncemade,shouldtakeawaythesinsoftheworld:andsin, ass.johnsaith,wasnotinhim.butallwetherest,althoughbaptizedandbornagaininchrist, yetoffendinmanythings:andifwesaywehavenosin,wedeceiveourselves,andthetruthis notinus. XVI.OfSinafterBaptism. NoteverydeadlysinwillinglycommittedafterBaptismissinagainsttheHolyGhost,and unpardonable.whereforethegrantofrepentanceisnottobedeniedtosuchasfallintosin afterbaptism.afterwehavereceivedtheholyghost,wemaydepartfromgracegivenandfall intosin,andbythegraceofgodwemayariseagainandamendourlives.andthereforethey aretobecondemned,whichsaytheycannomoresinaslongastheylivehere,ordenythe placeofforgivenesstosuchastrulyrepent. XVII.OfPredestinationandElection. PredestinationtolifeistheeverlastingpurposeofGod,whereby,beforethefoundationsof theworldwerelaid,hehathconstantlydecreedbyhiscounselsecrettous,todeliverfrom curseanddamnationthosewhomhehathchoseninchristoutofmankind,andtobringthem bychristtoeverlastingsalvationasvesselsmadetohonour.whereforetheywhichbeendued withsoexcellentabenefitofgodbecalledaccordingtogod'spurposebyhisspiritworking indueseason;theythroughgraceobeythecalling;theybejustifiedfreely;theybemadesons ofgodbyadoption;theybemadeliketheimageofhisonlygbegottensonjesuschrist;they walkreligiouslyingoodworks;andatlengthbygod'smercytheyattaintoeverlastingfelicity. AsthegodlyconsiderationofPredestinationandourElectioninChristisfullofsweet, pleasant,andunspeakablecomforttogodlypersonsandsuchasfeelinginthemselvesthe workingofthespiritofchrist,mortifyingtheworksofthefleshandtheirearthlymembers anddrawinguptheirmindtohighandheavenlythings,aswellbecauseitdothgreatly establishandconfirmtheirfaithofeternalsalvationtobeenjoyedthroughchrist,asbecause itdothferventlykindletheirlovetowardsgod:soforcuriousandcarnalpersons,lackingthe SpiritofChrist,tohavecontinuallybeforetheireyesthesentenceofGod'sPredestinationisa mostdangerousdownfall,wherebythedevildoththrust themeitherintodesperationorintowretchlessnessofmostuncleanlivingnolessperilous thandesperation.

11 Furthermore,wemustreceiveGod'spromisesinsuchwiseastheybegenerallysetforthin HolyScripture;andinourdoingsthatwillofGodistobefollowedwhichwehaveexpressly declareduntousinthewordofgod. XVIII.OfobtainingeternalsalvationonlybythenameofChrist. Thealsoaretobehadaccursedthatpresumetosaythateverymanshallbesavedbythelaw orsectwhichheprofesseth,sothathebediligenttoframehislifeaccordingtothatlawand thelightofnature.forholyscripturedothsetouttousonlythenameofjesuschrist, wherebymenmustbesaved. XIX.OftheChurch. ThevisibleChurchofChristisacongregationoffaithfulmen,inthewhichthepurewordof GodispreachedandthesacramentsbedulyministeredaccordingtoChrist'sordinanceinall thosethingsthatofnecessityarerequisitetothesame.asthechurchofjerusalem, Alexandria,andAntiochhaveerred:soalsotheChurchofRomehatherred,notonlyintheir livingandmannerofceremonies,butalsoinmattersoffaith. XX.OftheAuthorityoftheChurch. TheChurchhathpowertodecreeritesorceremoniesandauthorityincontroversiesoffaith; andyetitisnotlawfulforthechurchtoordainanythingcontrarytogod'swordwritten, neithermayitsoexpoundoneplaceofscripture,thatitberepugnanttoanother.wherefore, althoughthechurchbeawitnessandakeeperofholywrit:yet,asitoughtnottodecree anythingagainstthesame,sobesidesthesameoughtitnottoenforceanythingtobebelieved fornecessityofsalvation. XXI.OftheauthorityofGeneralCouncils. GeneralCouncilsmaynotbegatheredtogetherwithoutthecommandmentandwillof princes.andwhentheybegatheredtogether,forasmuchastheybeanassemblyofmen, whereofallbenotgovernedwiththespiritandwordofgod,theymayerrandsometimehave erred,eveninthingspertainingtogod.whereforethingsordainedbythemasnecessaryto salvationhaveneitherstrengthnorauthority,unlessitmaybedeclaredthattheybetakenout ofholyscripture. XXII.OfPurgatory. TheRomishdoctrineconcerningPurgatory,Pardons,worshippingandadorationaswellof ImagesasofRelics,andalsoInvocationofSaint,isafondthingvainlyinvented,andgrounded uponnowarrantyofscripture;butratherrepugnanttothewordofgod. XXIII.OfMinisteringintheCongregation. Itisnotlawfulforanymantotakeuponhimtheofficeofpublicpreachingorministeringthe sacramentsinthecongregation,beforehebelawfullycalledandsenttoexecutethesame. Andthoseweoughttojudgelawfullycalledandsent,whichbechosenandcalledtothiswork 11

12 bymenwhohavepublicauthoritygivenuntotheminthecongregationtocallandsend ministersintothelord'svineyard. XXIV.OfspeakingintheCongregationinsuchatongueasthepeopleunderstandeth. ItisathingplainlyrepugnanttothewordofGodandthecustomoftheprimitiveChurch,to havepublicprayerinthechurch,ortoministerthesacramentsinatonguenotunderstanded ofthepeople. XXV.OftheSacraments. SacramentsordainedofChristbenotonlybadgesortokensofChristianmen'sprofession,but rathertheybecertainsurewitnessesandeffectualsignsofgraceandgod'sgoodwilltowards us,bythewhichhedothworkinvisiblyinus,anddothnotonlyquicken,butalsostrengthen andconfirm,ourfaithinhim. TherearetwoSacramentsordainedofChristourLordintheGospel,thatistosay,Baptism andthesupperofthelord. ThosefivecommonlycalledSacraments,thatistosay,Confirmation,Penance,Orders, Matrimony,andExtremeUnction,arenottobecountedforSacramentsoftheGospel,being suchashavegrownpartlyofthecorruptfollowingoftheapostles,partlyarestatesoflife allowedinthescriptures;butyethavenotthelikenatureofsacramentswithbaptismandthe Lord'sSupper,forthattheyhavenotanyvisiblesignorceremonyordainedofGod. TheSacramentswerenotordainedofChristtobegazeduponortobecarriedabout,butthat weshoulddulyusethem.andinsuchonlyasworthilyreceive thesame,havetheyawholesomeeffectoroperation:buttheythatreceivethemunworthily, purchasetothemselvesdamnation,assaintpaulsaith. XXVI.OftheunworthinessoftheMinisters,whichhindersnottheeffectofthe Sacraments. AlthoughinthevisibleChurchtheevilbeevermingledwiththegood,andsometimetheevil havechiefauthorityintheministrationofthewordandsacraments;yetforasmuchastheydo notthesameintheirownname,butinchrist's,anddoministerbyhiscommissionand authority,wemayusetheirministrybothinhearingthewordofgodandinthereceivingof thesacraments.neitheristheeffectofchrist'sordinancetakenawaybytheirwickedness,nor thegraceofgod'sgiftsdiminishedfromsuchasbyfaithandrightlydoreceivethesacraments ministereduntothem,whichbeeffectualbecauseofchrist'sinstitutionandpromise,although theybeministeredbyevilmen. NeverthelessitappertainethtothedisciplineoftheChurchthatinquirybemadeofevil ministers,andthattheybeaccusedbythosethathaveknowledgeoftheiroffences;and finally,beingfoundguiltybyjustjudgement,bedeposed. XXVII.OfBaptism. BaptismisnotonlyasignofprofessionandmarkofdifferencewherebyChristianmenare discernedfromotherthatbenotchristened,butisalsoasignofregenerationornewbirth, whereby,asbyaninstrument,theythatreceivebaptismrightlyaregraftedintothechurch; thepromisesoftheforgivenessofsin,andofouradoptiontobethesonsofgod,bytheholy Ghostarevisiblysignedandsealed;faithisconfirmed,andgraceincreasedbyvirtueofprayer 12

13 untogod.thebaptismofyoungchildrenisinanywisetoberetainedinthechurchasmost agreeablewiththeinstitutionofchrist. XXVIII.OftheLord'sSupper. TheSupperoftheLordisnotonlyasignofthelovethatChristiansoughttohaveamong themselves,onetoanother,butratheritisasacramentofourredemptionbychrist'sdeath: insomuchthattosuchasrightly,worthily,andwithfaithreceivethesame,thebreadwhich webreakisapartakingofthebodyofchrist,andlikewisethecupofblessingisapartakingof thebloodofchrist. Transubstantiation(orthechangeofthesubstanceofbreadandwine)intheSupperofthe Lord,cannotbeprovedbyHolyWrit,butisrepugnanttotheplainwordsofScripture, overthroweththenatureofasacrament,andhathgivenoccasiontomanysuperstitions. ThebodyofChristisgiven,taken,andeatenintheSupper,onlyafteranheavenlyand spiritualmanner.andthemeanwherebythebodyofchristisreceivedandeateninthe SupperisFaith. TheSacramentoftheLord'sSupperwasnotbyChrist'sordinancereserved,carriedabout, liftedup,orworshipped. XXIX.OfthewickedwhichdonoteatthebodyofChrist,intheuseoftheLord'sSupper. Thewickedandsuchasbevoidofalivelyfaith,althoughtheydocarnallyandvisiblypress withtheirteeth(ass.augustinesaith)thesacramentofthebodyandbloodofchrist,yetinno wisearetheypartakersofchrist,butrathertotheircondemnationdoeatanddrinkthesign orsacramentofsogreatathing. XXX.OfBothKinds. TheCupoftheLordisnottobedeniedtothelaypeople;forbothpartsoftheLord's sacrament,bychrist'sordinanceandcommandment,oughttobeministeredtoallchristian menalike. XXXI.OftheoneoblationofChristfinishedupontheCross. TheofferingofChristoncemadeistheperfectredemption,propitiation,andsatisfactionfor allthesinsofthewholeworld,bothoriginalandactual,andthereisnoneothersatisfaction forsinbutthatalone.whereforethesacrificesofmasses,inthewhichitwascommonlysaid thatthepriestsdidofferchristforthequickandthedeadtohaveremissionofpainorguilt, wereblasphemousfablesanddangerousdeceits. XXXII.OftheMarriageofPriests. Bishops,Priests,andDeaconsarenotcommandedbyGod'slawseithertovowtheestateof singlelifeortoabstainfrommarriage.thereforeitislawfulalsoforthem,asforallother Christianmen,tomarryattheirowndiscretion,astheyshalljudgethesametoservebetterto godliness. XXXIII.OfExcommunicatedPersons,howtheyaretobeavoided. 13

14 ThatpersonswhichbyopendenunciationoftheChurchisrightlycutofffromtheunityofthe Churchandexcommunicated,oughttobetakenofthewholemultitudeofthefaithfulasan heathenandpublican,untilhebeopenlyreconciledbypenanceandreceivedintothechurch byajudgethathathauthoritythereto. XXXIV.OftheTraditionsoftheChurch. Itisnotnecessarythattraditionsandceremoniesbeinallplacesoneorutterlyalike;foratall timestheyhavebeendiverse,andmaybechangedaccordingtothediversityofcountries, times,andmen'smanners,sothatnothingbeordainedagainstgod'sword.whosoever throughhisprivatejudgementwillinglyandpurposelydothopenlybreakthetraditionsand ceremoniesofthechurchwhichbenotrepugnanttothewordofgod,andbeordainedand approvedbycommonauthority,oughttoberebukedopenlythatothermayfeartodothelike, ashethatoffendethagainstcommonorderofthechurch,andhurteththeauthorityofthe magistrate,andwoundeththeconscienceoftheweakbrethren. EveryparticularornationalChurchhathauthoritytoordain,change,andabolishceremonies orritesofthechurchordainedonlybyman'sauthority,sothatallthingsbedonetoedifying. XXXV.OfHomilies. ThesecondBookofHomilies,theseveraltitleswhereofwehavejoinedunderthisArticle, dothcontainagodlyandwholesomedoctrineandnecessaryforthesetimes,asdoththe formerbookofhomilieswhichweresetforthinthetimeofedwardthesixth:andtherefore wejudgethemtobereadinchurchesbytheministersdiligentlyanddistinctly,thattheymay beunderstandedofthepeople. OftheNamesoftheHomilies. 1.OftherightUseoftheChurch. 2.AgainstperilofIdolatry. 3.OftherepairingandkeepingcleanofChurches. 4.OfgoodWorks:firstofFasting. 5.AgainstGluttonyandDrunkenness. 6.AgainstExcessofApparel. 7.OfPrayer. 8.OfthePlaceandTimeofPrayer. 9.ThatCommonPrayersandSacramentsoughttobeministeredina knowntongue. 10. OfthereverendestimationofGod'sWord. 11. OfAlmsGdoing. 12. OftheNativityofChrist. 13. OfthePassionofChrist. 14. OftheResurrectionofChrist. 15.OftheworthyreceivingoftheSacramentoftheBodyandBloodofChrist. 16. OftheGiftsoftheHolyGhost. 17. FortheRogationGdays. 18. OfthestateofMatrimony. 19. OfRepentance. 20. AgainstIdleness. 21. AgainstRebellion 14

15 15 XXXVI.OfConsecrationofBishopsandMinisters. TheBookofConsecrationofArchbishopsandBishopsandorderingofPriestsandDeacons, latelysetforthinthetimeofedwardthesixthandconfirmedatthesametimebyauthorityof Parliament,dothcontainallthingsnecessarytosuchconsecrationandordering;neitherhath itanythingthatofitselfissuperstitiousorungodly.andthereforewhosoeverareconsecrate ororderedaccordingtotheritesofthatbook,sincethesecondyearofkingedwarduntothis time,orhereaftershallbeconsecratedororderedaccordingtothesamerites,wedecreeall suchtoberightly,orderly,andlawfullyconsecratedorordered. XXXVII.OftheCivilMagistrates. TheQueen'sMajestyhaththechiefpowerinthisrealmofEnglandandotherherdominions, untowhomthechiefgovernmentofallestatesofthisrealm,whethertheybeecclesiasticalor civil,inallcausesdothappertain,andisnotnoroughttobesubjecttoanyforeignjurisdiction. WhereweattributetotheQueen'sMajestythechiefgovernment,bywhichtitleswe understandthemindsofsomeslanderousfolkstobeoffended,wegivenottoourprincesthe ministeringeitherofgod'swordorofsacraments,thewhichthingtheinjunctionsalsolately setforthbyelizabethourqueendothmostplainlytestify:butthatonlyprerogativewhichwe seetohavebeengivenalwaystoallgodlyprincesinholyscripturesbygodhimself,thatis, thattheyshouldruleallestatesanddegreescommittedtotheirchargebygod,whetherthey beecclesiasticalortemporal,andrestrainwiththecivilswordthestubbornandevilgdoers. TheBishopofRomehathnojurisdictioninthisrealmofEngland. TheLawsoftheRealmmaypunishChristianmenwithdeathforheinousandgrievous offences. ItislawfulforChristianmenatthecommandmentoftheMagistratetowearweaponsand serveinthewars. XXXVIII.OfChristianmen'sgoodswhicharenotcommon. TherichesandgoodsofChristiansarenotcommon,astouchingtheright,title,andpossession ofthesame,ascertainanabaptistsdofalselyboast;notwithstandingeverymanoughtofsuch thingsashepossessethliberallytogivealmstothepoor,accordingtohisability. XXXIX.OfaChristianman'sOath. AsweconfessthatvainandrashswearingisforbiddenChristianmenbyourLordJesus Christ,sowejudgethatChristianreligiondothnotprohibitbutthatamanmayswearwhen themagistraterequirethinacauseoffaithandcharity,soitbedoneaccordingtothe Prophet'steachinginjustice,judgement,andtruth. TheRatification. ThisBookofArticlesbeforerehearsed,isagainapproved,andallowedtobeholdenand executedwithintherealm,bytheassentandconsentofoursovereignladyelizabeth,by thegraceofgod,ofengland,france,andireland,queen,defenderofthefaith,&c.which Articlesweredeliberatelyread,andconfirmedagainbythesubscriptionofthehandsofthe ArchbishopandBishopsoftheUpperGhouse,andbythesubscriptionofthewholeClergyof thenetherghouseintheirconvocation,intheyearofourlord1571.

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17 17 The Belgic Confession Article1:TheOnlyGod Weallbelieveinourheartsandconfesswithourmouthsthatthereisasingleandsimple spiritualbeing,whomwecallgod eternal,incomprehensible,invisible,unchangeable, infinite,almighty;completelywise,just,andgood,andtheoverflowingsourceofallgood. Article2:TheMeansbyWhichWeKnowGod Weknowhimbytwomeans: First,bythecreation,preservation,andgovernmentoftheuniverse,sincethatuniverseis beforeoureyeslikeabeautifulbookinwhichallcreatures,greatandsmall,areaslettersto makeuspondertheinvisiblethingsofgod:hiseternalpowerandhisdivinity,astheapostle PaulsaysinRomans1:20. Allthesethingsareenoughtoconvictmenandtoleavethemwithoutexcuse.18 Second,hemakeshimselfknowntousmoreopenlybyhisholyanddivineWord,asmuchas weneedinthislife,forhisgloryandforthesalvationofhisown. Article3:TheWrittenWordofGod WeconfessthatthisWordofGodwasnotsentnordeliveredbythewillofmen,butthatholy menofgodspoke,beingmovedbytheholyspirit,aspetersays. AfterwardsourGod becauseofthespecialcarehehasforusandoursalvation commandedhisservants,theprophetsandapostles,tocommitthisrevealedwordtowriting. Hehimselfwrotewithhisownfingerthetwotablesofthelaw. ThereforewecallsuchwritingsholyanddivineScriptures. Article4:TheCanonicalBooks WeincludeintheHolyScripturethetwovolumesoftheOldandNewTestaments.Theyare canonicalbookswithwhichtherecanbenoquarrelatall. InthechurchofGodthelistisasfollows:IntheOldTestament,thefivebooksofMoses Genesis,Exodus,Leviticus,Numbers,Deuteronomy;thebooksofJoshua,Judges,andRuth;the twobooksofsamuel,andtwoofkings;thetwobooksofchronicles,calledparalipomenon; thefirstbookofezra;nehemiah,esther,job;thepsalmsofdavid;thethreebooksof Solomon Proverbs,Ecclesiastes,andtheSong;thefourmajorprophets Isaiah,Jeremiah, Ezekiel,Daniel;andthentheothertwelveminorprophets Hosea,Joel,Amos,Obadiah, Jonah,Micah,Nahum,Habakkuk,Zephaniah,Haggai,Zechariah,Malachi. IntheNewTestament,thefourgospels Matthew,Mark,Luke,andJohn;theActsofthe Apostles;thefourteenlettersofPaul totheromans;thetwoletterstothecorinthians;to thegalatians,ephesians,philippians,andcolossians;thetwoletterstothethessalonians;the twoletterstotimothy;totitus,philemon,andtothehebrews;thesevenlettersoftheother apostles oneofjames;twoofpeter;threeofjohn;oneofjude;andtherevelationofthe apostlejohn. Article5:TheAuthorityofScripture

18 Wereceiveallthesebooksandtheseonlyasholyandcanonical,fortheregulating,founding, andestablishingofourfaith. Andwebelievewithoutadoubtallthingscontainedinthem notsomuchbecausethe churchreceivesandapprovesthemassuchbutaboveallbecausetheholyspirittestifiesin ourheartsthattheyarefromgod,andalsobecausetheyprovethemselvestobefromgod. Foreventheblindthemselvesareabletoseethatthethingspredictedinthemdohappen. Article6:TheDifferenceBetweenCanonicalandApocryphalBooks Wedistinguishbetweentheseholybooksandtheapocryphalones,whicharethethirdand fourthbooksofesdras;thebooksoftobit,judith,wisdom,jesussirach,baruch;whatwas addedtothestoryofesther;thesongofthethreechildreninthefurnace;thestoryof Susannah;theStoryofBellandtheDragon;thePrayerofManasseh;andthetwobooksof Maccabees. Thechurchmaycertainlyreadthesebooksandlearnfromthemasfarastheyagreewiththe canonicalbooks.buttheydonothavesuchpowerandvirtuethatonecouldconfirmfrom theirtestimonyanypointoffaithorofthechristianreligion.muchlesscantheydetractfrom theauthorityoftheotherholybooks. Article7:TheSufficiencyofScripture WebelievethatthisHolyScripturecontainsthewillofGodcompletelyandthateverything onemustbelievetobesavedissufficientlytaughtinit.forsincetheentiremannerofservice whichgodrequiresofusisdescribedinitatgreatlength,noone evenanapostleoran angelfromheaven,aspaulsays oughttoteachotherthanwhattheholyscriptureshave alreadytaughtus.forsinceitisforbiddentoaddtoorsubtractfromthewordofgod,this plainlydemonstratesthattheteachingisperfectandcompleteinallrespects. Thereforewemustnotconsiderhumanwritings nomatterhowholytheirauthorsmay havebeen equaltothedivinewritings;normayweputcustom,northemajority,norage, northepassageoftimeorpersons,norcouncils,decrees,orofficialdecisionsabovethetruth ofgod,fortruthisaboveeverythingelse. Forallhumanbeingsareliarsbynatureandmorevainthanvanityitself. Thereforewerejectwithallourheartseverythingthatdoesnotagreewiththisinfalliblerule, aswearetaughttodobytheapostleswhentheysay,"testthespiritstoseeiftheyareof God,"andalso,"Ifanyonecomestoyouanddoesnotbringthisteaching,donotreceivehim intoyourhouse." Article8:TheTrinity InkeepingwiththistruthandWordofGodwebelieveinoneGod,whoisonesingleessence, inwhomtherearethreepersons,really,truly,andeternallydistinctaccordingtotheir incommunicableproperties namely,father,son,andholyspirit.thefatheristhecause, origin,andsourceofallthings,visibleaswellasinvisible. TheSonistheWord,theWisdom,andtheimageoftheFather. TheHolySpiritistheeternalpowerandmight,proceedingfromtheFatherandtheSon. Nevertheless,thisdistinctiondoesnotdivideGodintothree,sinceScriptureteachesusthat thefather,theson,andtheholyspiriteachhashisownsubsistencedistinguishedby characteristics yetinsuchawaythatthesethreepersonsareonlyonegod. 18

19 19 ItisevidentthenthattheFatherisnottheSonandthattheSonisnottheFather,andthat likewisetheholyspiritisneitherthefathernortheson. Nevertheless,thesepersons,thusdistinct,areneitherdividednorfusedormixedtogether. FortheFatherdidnottakeonflesh,nordidtheSpirit,butonlytheSon. TheFatherwasneverwithouthisSon,norwithouthisHolySpirit,sincealltheseareequal frometernity,inoneandthesameessence. Thereisneitherafirstnoralast,forallthreeareoneintruthandpower,ingoodnessand mercy. Article9:TheScripturalWitnessontheTrinity AllthesethingsweknowfromthetestimoniesofHolyScriptureaswellasfromtheeffectsof thepersons,especiallyfromthosewefeelwithinourselves. ThetestimoniesoftheHolyScriptures,whichteachustobelieveinthisHolyTrinity,are writteninmanyplacesoftheoldtestament,whichneednotbeenumeratedbutonlychosen withdiscretion. InthebookofGenesisGodsays,"Letusmakemaninourimage,accordingtoourlikeness."So "Godcreatedmaninhisownimage" indeed,"maleandfemalehecreatedthem.""behold, manhasbecomelikeoneofus." ItappearsfromthisthatthereisapluralityofpersonswithintheDeity,whenhesays,"Letus makemaninourimage" andafterwardsheindicatestheunitywhenhesays,"godcreated." Itistruethathedoesnotsayherehowmanypersonsthereare butwhatissomewhat obscuretousintheoldtestamentisveryclearinthenew. ForwhenourLordwasbaptizedintheJordan,thevoiceoftheFatherwasheardsaying,"This ismydearson";thesonwasseeninthewater;andtheholyspiritappearedintheformofa dove. So,inthebaptismofallbelieversthisformwasprescribedbyChrist:"Baptizeallpeopleinthe nameofthefather,andoftheson,andoftheholyspirit." IntheGospelaccordingtoLuketheangelGabrielsaystoMary,themotherofourLord:"The HolySpiritwillcomeuponyou,andthepoweroftheMostHighwillovershadowyou;and thereforethatholyonetobebornofyoushallbecalledthesonofgod." Andinanotherplaceitsays:"ThegraceofourLordJesusChrist,andtheloveofGod,andthe fellowshipoftheholyspiritbewithyou." "Therearethreewhobearwitnessinheaven thefather,theword,andtheholyspirit and thesethreeareone." Inallthesepassageswearefullytaughtthattherearethreepersonsintheoneandonly divineessence.andalthoughthisdoctrinesurpasseshumanunderstanding,wenevertheless believeitnow,throughtheword,waitingtoknowandenjoyitfullyinheaven. Furthermore,wemustnotetheparticularworksandactivitiesofthesethreepersonsin relationtous.thefatheriscalledourcreator,byreasonofhispower.thesonisoursavior andredeemer,byhisblood.theholyspiritisoursanctifier,byhislivinginourhearts. ThisdoctrineoftheholyTrinityhasalwaysbeenmaintainedinthetruechurch,fromthetime oftheapostlesuntilthepresent,againstjews,muslims,andcertainfalsechristiansand heretics,suchasmarcion,mani,praxeas,sabellius,paulofsamosata,arius,andotherslike them,whowererightlycondemnedbytheholyfathers. Andso,inthismatterwewillinglyacceptthethreeecumenicalcreeds theapostles',nicene, andathanasian aswellaswhattheancientfathersdecidedinagreementwiththem. Article10:TheDeityofChrist

20 WebelievethatJesusChrist,accordingtohisdivinenature,istheonlySonofGod eternally begotten,notmadenorcreated,forthenhewouldbeacreature. HeisoneinessencewiththeFather;coeternal;theexactimageofthepersonoftheFather andthe"reflectionofhisglory,"beinginallthingslikehim. HeistheSonofGodnotonlyfromthetimeheassumedournaturebutfromalleternity,asthe followingtestimoniesteachuswhentheyaretakentogether. MosessaysthatGod"createdtheworld";andJohnsaysthat"allthingswerecreatedbythe Word,"whichhecallsGod.Theapostlesaysthat"GodmadetheworldbyhisSon."Healso saysthat"godcreatedallthingsbyjesuschrist." AndsoitmustfollowthathewhoiscalledGod,theWord,theSon,andJesusChristalready existedwhenallthingswerecreatedbyhim. ThereforetheprophetMicahsaysthathisoriginis"fromancienttimes,frometernity."And theapostlesaysthathehas"neitherbeginningofdaysnorendoflife." Sothen,heisthetrueeternalGod,theAlmighty,whomweinvoke,worship,andserve. Article11:TheDeityoftheHolySpirit WebelieveandconfessalsothattheHolySpiritproceedseternallyfromtheFatherandthe Son neithermade,norcreated,norbegotten,butonlyproceedingfromthetwoofthem.in regardtoorder,heisthethirdpersonofthetrinity ofoneandthesameessence,and majesty,andglory,withthefatherandtheson. HeistrueandeternalGod,astheHolyScripturesteachus. Article12:TheCreationofAllThings WebelievethattheFathercreatedheavenandearthandallothercreaturesfromnothing, whenitseemedgoodtohim,byhisword thatistosay,byhisson. Hehasgivenallcreaturestheirbeing,form,andappearance,andtheirvariousfunctionsfor servingtheircreator. Evennowhealsosustainsandgovernsthemall,accordingtohiseternalprovidence,andby hisinfinitepower,thattheymayserveman,inorderthatmanmayservegod. Hehasalsocreatedtheangelsgood,thattheymightbehismessengersandservehiselect. SomeofthemhavefallenfromtheexcellenceinwhichGodcreatedthemintoeternal perdition;andtheothershavepersistedandremainedintheiroriginalstate,bythegraceof God. ThedevilsandevilspiritsaresocorruptthattheyareenemiesofGodandofeverythinggood. Theylieinwaitforthechurchandeverymemberofitlikethieves,withalltheirpower,to destroyandspoileverythingbytheirdeceptions. Sothen,bytheirownwickednesstheyarecondemnedtoeverlastingdamnation,daily awaitingtheirtorments. ForthatreasonwedetesttheerroroftheSadducees,whodenythattherearespiritsand angels,andalsotheerrorofthemanicheans,whosaythatthedevilsoriginatedbythemselves, beingevilbynature,withouthavingbeencorrupted. Article13:TheDoctrineofGod'sProvidence 20

21 21 WebelievethatthisgoodGod,afterhecreatedallthings,didnotabandonthemtochanceor fortunebutleadsandgovernsthemaccordingtohisholywill,insuchawaythatnothing happensinthisworldwithouthisorderlyarrangement. YetGodisnottheauthorof,norcanhebechargedwith,thesinthatoccurs.Forhispowerand goodnessaresogreatandincomprehensiblethathearrangesanddoeshisworkverywell andjustlyevenwhenthedevilsandwickedmenactunjustly. Wedonotwishtoinquirewithunduecuriosityintowhathedoesthatsurpasseshuman understandingandisbeyondourabilitytocomprehend.butinallhumilityandreverencewe adorethejustjudgmentsofgod,whicharehiddenfromus,beingcontenttobechrist's disciples,soastolearnonlywhatheshowsusinhisword,withoutgoingbeyondthoselimits. Thisdoctrinegivesusunspeakablecomfortsinceitteachesusthatnothingcanhappentous bychancebutonlybythearrangementofourgraciousheavenlyfather.hewatchesoverus withfatherlycare,keepingallcreaturesunderhiscontrol,sothatnotoneofthehairsonour heads(fortheyareallnumbered)norevenalittlebirdcanfalltothegroundwithoutthewill ofourfather. Inthisthoughtwerest,knowingthatheholdsincheckthedevilsandallourenemies,who cannothurtuswithouthispermissionandwill. ForthatreasonwerejectthedamnableerroroftheEpicureans,whosaythatGodinvolves himselfinnothingandleaveseverythingtochance. Article14:TheCreationandFallofMan WebelievethatGodcreatedmanfromthedustoftheearthandmadeandformedhiminhis imageandlikeness good,just,andholy;ablebyhisownwilltoconforminallthingstothe willofgod. Butwhenhewasinhonorhedidnotunderstanditanddidnotrecognizehisexcellence.But hesubjectedhimselfwillinglytosinandconsequentlytodeathandthecurse,lendinghisear tothewordofthedevil. Forhetransgressedthecommandmentoflife,whichhehadreceived,andbyhissinhe separatedhimselffromgod,whowashistruelife,havingcorruptedhisentirenature. Sohemadehimselfguiltyandsubjecttophysicalandspiritualdeath,havingbecomewicked, perverse,andcorruptinallhisways.helostallhisexcellentgiftswhichhehadreceivedfrom God,andheretainednoneofthemexceptforsmalltraceswhichareenoughtomakehim inexcusable. Moreover,allthelightinusisturnedtodarkness,astheScriptureteachesus:"Thelight shoneinthedarkness,andthedarknessdidnotreceiveit."herejohncallsmen"darkness." Thereforewerejecteverythingtaughttothecontraryconcerningman'sfreewill,sincemanis nothingbuttheslaveofsinandcannotdoathingunlessitis"givenhimfromheaven." Forwhocanboastofbeingabletodoanythinggoodbyhimself,sinceChristsays,"Noonecan cometomeunlessmyfatherwhosentmedrawshim"? Whocangloryinhisownwillwhenheunderstandsthat"themindofthefleshisenmity againstgod"?whocanspeakofhisownknowledgeinviewofthefactthat"thenaturalman doesnotunderstandthethingsofthespiritofgod"? Inshort,whocanproduceasinglethought,sinceheknowsthatweare"notabletothinka thing"aboutourselves,byourselves,butthat"ourabilityisfromgod"? Andtherefore,whattheapostlesaysoughtrightlytostandfixedandfirm:"Godworkswithin usbothtowillandtodoaccordingtohisgoodpleasure." ForthereisnounderstandingnorwillconformingtoGod'sunderstandingandwillapartfrom Christ'sinvolvement,asheteachesuswhenhesays,"Withoutmeyoucandonothing."

22 22 Article15:TheDoctrineofOriginalSin WebelievethatbythedisobedienceofAdamoriginalsinhasbeenspreadthroughthewhole humanrace. Itisacorruptionofallnature aninheriteddepravitywhicheveninfectssmallinfantsin theirmother'swomb,andtherootwhichproducesinmaneverysortofsin.itisthereforeso vileandenormousingod'ssightthatitisenoughtocondemnthehumanrace,anditisnot abolishedorwhollyuprootedevenbybaptism,seeingthatsinconstantlyboilsforthasthough fromacontaminatedspring. Nevertheless,itisnotimputedtoGod'schildrenfortheircondemnationbutisforgivenbyhis graceandmercy nottoputthemtosleepbutsothattheawarenessofthiscorruptionmight oftenmakebelieversgroanastheylongtobesetfreefromthe"bodyofthisdeath." ThereforewerejecttheerrorofthePelagianswhosaythatthissinisnothingelsethana matterofimitation. Article16:TheDoctrineofElection Webelievethat alladam'sdescendantshavingthusfallenintoperditionandruinbythesin ofthefirstman Godshowedhimselftobeasheis:mercifulandjust. Heismercifulinwithdrawingandsavingfromthisperditionthosewhomhe,inhiseternal andunchangeablecounsel,haselectedandchoseninjesuschristourlordbyhispure goodness,withoutanyconsiderationoftheirworks. Heisjustinleavingtheothersintheirruinandfallintowhichtheyplungedthemselves. Article17:TheRecoveryofFallenMan WebelievethatourgoodGod,byhismarvelouswisdomandgoodness,seeingthatmanhad plungedhimselfinthismannerintobothphysicalandspiritualdeathandmadehimself completelymiserable,setouttofindhim,thoughman,tremblingallover,wasfleeingfrom him. Andhecomfortedhim,promisingtogivehimhisSon,"bornofawoman,"tocrushtheheadof theserpent,andtomakehimblessed. Article18:TheIncarnation SothenweconfessthatGodfulfilledthepromisewhichhehadmadetotheearlyfathersby themouthofhisholyprophetswhenhesenthisonlyandeternalsonintotheworldatthe timesetbyhim. TheSontookthe"formofaservant"andwasmadeinthe"likenessofman,"trulyassuminga realhumannature,withallitsweaknesses,exceptforsin;beingconceivedinthewombofthe blessedvirginmarybythepoweroftheholyspirit,withoutmaleparticipation. Andhenotonlyassumedhumannatureasfarasthebodyisconcernedbutalsoarealhuman soul,inorderthathemightbearealhumanbeing.forsincethesoulhadbeenlostaswellas thebodyhehadtoassumethembothtosavethembothtogether. Thereforeweconfess,againsttheheresyoftheAnabaptistswhodenythatChristassumed humanfleshfromhismother,thathe"sharedtheveryfleshandbloodofchildren";thatheis "fruitoftheloinsofdavid"accordingtotheflesh;"bornoftheseedofdavid"accordingtothe flesh;"fruitofthewombofthevirginmary";"bornofawoman";"theseedofdavid";"ashoot

23 23 fromtherootofjesse";"theoffspringofjudah,"havingdescendedfromthejewsaccordingto theflesh;"fromtheseedofabraham" forhe"assumedabraham'sseed"andwas"madelike hisbrothersexceptforsin." InthiswayheistrulyourImmanuel thatis:"godwithus."27 Article19:TheTwoNaturesofChrist WebelievethatbybeingthusconceivedthepersonoftheSonhasbeeninseparablyunited andjoinedtogetherwithhumannature,insuchawaythattherearenottwosonsofgod,nor twopersons,buttwonaturesunitedinasingleperson,witheachnatureretainingitsown distinctproperties. Thushisdivinenaturehasalwaysremaineduncreated,withoutbeginningofdaysorendof life,fillingheavenandearth. Hishumannaturehasnotlostitspropertiesbutcontinuestohavethoseofacreature ithas abeginningofdays;itisofafinitenatureandretainsallthatbelongstoarealbody.andeven thoughhe,byhisresurrection,gaveitimmortality,thatnonethelessdidnotchangethereality ofhishumannature;foroursalvationandresurrectiondependalsoontherealityofhisbody. Butthesetwonaturesaresounitedtogetherinonepersonthattheyarenotevenseparated byhisdeath. Sothen,whathecommittedtohisFatherwhenhediedwasarealhumanspiritwhichlefthis body.butmeanwhilehisdivinenatureremainedunitedwithhishumannatureevenwhenhe waslyinginthegrave;andhisdeityneverceasedtobeinhim,justasitwasinhimwhenhe wasalittlechild,thoughforawhileitdidnotshowitselfassuch. ThesearethereasonswhyweconfesshimtobetrueGodandtrueman truegodinorderto conquerdeathbyhispower,andtruemanthathemightdieforusintheweaknessofhis flesh. Article20:TheJusticeandMercyofGodinChrist WebelievethatGod whoisperfectlymercifulandalsoveryjust senthissontoassumethe natureinwhichthedisobediencehadbeencommitted,inordertobearinitthepunishment ofsinbyhismostbitterpassionanddeath. SoGodmadeknownhisjusticetowardhisSon,whowaschargedwithoursin,andhepoured outhisgoodnessandmercyonus,whoareguiltyandworthyofdamnation,givingtoushis Sontodie,byamostperfectlove,andraisinghimtolifeforourjustification,inorderthatby himwemighthaveimmortalityandeternallife. Article21:TheAtonement WebelievethatJesusChristisahighpriestforeveraccordingtotheorderofMelchizedek madesuchbyanoath andthathepresentedhimselfinournamebeforehisfather,to appeasehiswrathwithfullsatisfactionbyofferinghimselfonthetreeofthecrossand pouringouthispreciousbloodforthecleansingofoursins,astheprophetshadpredicted. Foritiswrittenthat"thechastisementofourpeace"wasplacedontheSonofGodandthat "wearehealedbyhiswounds."hewas"ledtodeathasalamb";hewas"numberedamong sinners"andcondemnedasacriminalbypontiuspilate,thoughpilatehaddeclaredthathe wasinnocent. Sohepaidbackwhathehadnotstolen,andhesuffered the"justfortheunjust,"inbothhis bodyandhissoul insuchawaythatwhenhesensesthehorriblepunishmentrequiredby

24 oursinshissweatbecamelike"bigdropsofbloodfallingontheground."hecried,"mygod, mygod,whyhaveyouabandonedme?" Andheenduredallthisfortheforgivenessofoursins. ThereforewerightlysaywithPaulthatwe"knownothingbutJesusandhimcrucified";we considerallthingsas"dungfortheexcellenceoftheknowledgeofourlordjesuschrist."we findallcomfortsinhiswoundsandhavenoneedtoseekorinventanyothermeansto reconcileourselveswithgodthanthisoneandonlysacrifice,oncemade,whichrenders believersperfectforever. ThisisalsowhytheangelofGodcalledhimJesus thatis,"savior" becausehewouldsave hispeoplefromtheirsins. Article22:TheRighteousnessofFaith WebelievethatforustoacquirethetrueknowledgeofthisgreatmysterytheHolySpirit kindlesinourheartsatruefaiththatembracesjesuschrist,withallhismerits,andmakes himitsown,andnolongerlooksforanythingapartfromhim. ForitmustnecessarilyfollowthateitherallthatisrequiredforoursalvationisnotinChrist or,ifallisinhim,thenhewhohaschristbyfaithhashissalvationentirely. Therefore,tosaythatChristisnotenoughbutthatsomethingelseisneededaswellisamost enormousblasphemyagainstgod foritthenwouldfollow thatjesuschristisonlyhalfasavior.andthereforewejustlysaywithpaulthatweare justified"byfaithalone"orbyfaith"apartfromworks." However,wedonotmean,properlyspeaking,thatitisfaithitselfthatjustifiesus forfaithis onlytheinstrumentbywhichweembracechrist,ourrighteousness. ButJesusChristisourrighteousnessinmakingavailabletousallhismeritsandalltheholy workshehasdoneforusandinourplace.andfaithistheinstrumentthatkeepsusin communionwithhimandwithallhisbenefits. Whenthosebenefitsaremadeourstheyaremorethanenoughtoabsolveusofoursins. Article23:TheJustificationofSinners WebelievethatourblessednessliesintheforgivenessofoursinsbecauseofJesusChrist,and thatinitourrighteousnessbeforegodiscontained,asdavidandpaulteachuswhenthey declarethatmanblessedtowhomgodgrantsrighteousnessapartfromworks. Andthesameapostlesaysthatwearejustified"freely"or"bygrace"throughredemptionin JesusChrist.Andthereforeweclingtothisfoundation,whichisfirmforever,givingallgloryto God,humblingourselves,andrecognizingourselvesasweare;notclaimingathingfor ourselvesorourmeritsandleaningandrestingonthesoleobedienceofchristcrucified, whichisourswhenwebelieveinhim. Thatisenoughtocoveralloursinsandtomakeusconfident,freeingtheconsciencefromthe fear,dread,andterrorofgod'sapproach,withoutdoingwhatourfirstfather,adam,did,who trembledashetriedtocoverhimselfwithfigleaves. Infact,ifwehadtoappearbeforeGodrelying nomatterhowlittle onourselvesorsome othercreature,then,alas,wewouldbeswallowedup. ThereforeeveryonemustsaywithDavid:"Lord,donotenterintojudgmentwithyour servants,forbeforeyounolivingpersonshallbejustified." Article24:TheSanctificationofSinners 24