westminster-confession-of-faitht

Chapter I. Of the Holy Scripture.

• I. The light of nature and creation reveal God's goodness, wisdom, and power, leaving humanity without excuse, but it is insufficient for salvation. (Romans 2:14-15, Romans 1:19-20, Psalm 19:1-3, Romans 1:32 with 2:1) (a)

  • God revealed Himself and His will to the Church at various times (Hebrews 1:1) (c).
  • This revelation was later committed to writing to preserve truth and provide assurance against corruption (Proverbs 22:19-21, Luke 1:3-4, Romans 15:4, Matthew 4:4, 7, 10, Isaiah 8:19-20) (d).
  • The Holy Scripture is now essential, as previous methods of revelation have ceased (II Timothy 3:15, II Peter 1:19) (e)(f).

• II. Holy Scripture includes all books of the Old and New Testaments.

  • Old Testament Books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I Samuel, II Samuel, I Kings, II Kings, I Chronicles, II Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi.
  • New Testament Books: The Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, John; The Acts of the Apostles; Paul’s Epistles (Romans, I Corinthians, II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I Thessalonians, II Thessalonians, I Timothy, II Timothy, Titus, Philemon); The Epistle to the Hebrews; The Epistle of James; The first and second Epistles of Peter; The first, second, and third Epistles of John; The Epistle of Jude; The Revelation of John.
  • All books are divinely inspired and serve as the rule of faith and life (Luke 16:29, 31, Ephesians 2:20, Revelation 22:18-19, II Timothy 3:16) (g).

• III. The Apocrypha lacks divine inspiration, thus it is not part of the Scripture canon and holds no authority in the Church (Luke 24:27, 44, Romans 3:2, II Peter 1:21) (h).

• IV. The authority of Holy Scripture comes solely from God, its author, not from any person or church (II Peter 1:19, 21, II Timothy 3:16, I John 5:9, I Thessalonians 2:13) (i).

• V. The Church's testimony can inspire respect for Holy Scripture (I Timothy 3:15) (k).

  • Its divine qualities and completeness demonstrate it is the Word of God.
  • Full assurance of its truth comes from the Holy Spirit's work in the heart (I John 2:20, 27, John 16:13-14, I Corinthians 2:10-12, Isaiah 59:21) (l).

• VI. Scripture contains all that is needed for God’s glory, salvation, faith, and life; nothing should be added (II Timothy 3:15-17, Galatians 1:8-9, II Thessalonians 2:2) (m).

  • The Spirit's illumination is needed for understanding the Word (John 6:45, I Corinthians 2:9-12) (n).
  • Some church worship and governance practices may be determined by natural light and Christian prudence, following general biblical principles (I Corinthians 11:13-14, 14:26, 40) (o).

• VII. Not all Scripture is equally clear (II Peter 3:16) (p).

  • Essentials for salvation are plainly revealed so that all, including the unlearned, can understand them (Psalm 119:105, 130) (q).

• VIII. The Old Testament (written in Hebrew) and the New Testament (written in Greek) are authentic, having been divinely inspired and preserved (Matthew 5:18) (r).

  • The Church refers to them in religious controversies (Isaiah 8:20, Acts 15:15, John 5:39, 46) (s).
  • Scriptures should be translated into every language so all can understand and benefit (John 5:39) (t, u).
  • That the Word of God may dwell richly in all, leading to acceptable worship and hope (Colossians 3:16, Romans 15:4) (w, x).

• IX. Scripture interprets Scripture; unclear passages should be understood through clearer ones (II Peter 1:20-21, Acts 15:15-16) (y).

• X. The Holy Spirit speaking through Scripture is the supreme judge in religious controversies (Matthew 22:29, 31, Ephesians 2:20 with Acts 28:25) (z).

Chapter II. Of God, and of the Holy Trinity.

• I. There is one, living, and true God (Deuteronomy 6:4, I Corinthians 8:4, 6; I Thessalonians 1:9, Jeremiah 10:10) (a, b).

  • He is infinite, a pure spirit, invisible, immutable, immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, wise, holy, free, and absolute (Job 11:7-9, 26:14; John 4:24; I Timothy 1:17; Deuteronomy 4:15-16, John 4:24 with Luke 24:39; Acts 14:11, 15; James 1:17, Malachi 3:6; I Kings 8:27, Jeremiah 23:23-24; Psalm 90:2, I Timothy 1:17; Psalm 145:3; Genesis 17:1, Revelation 4:8; Romans 16:27; Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4:8; Psalm 115:3; Exodus 3:14) (c-q).
  • He works all things according to His will for His glory, is loving, gracious, merciful, patient, and forgiving (Ephesians 1:11; Proverbs 16:4, Romans 11:36; I John 4:8, 16; Exodus 34:6-7) (r-u).
  • He rewards those who seek Him and is just in His judgments, hating sin and never clearing the guilty (Hebrews 11:6; Nehemiah 9:32-33; Psalm 5:5-6, Nahum 1:2-3, Exodus 34:7) (w-z).

• II. God possesses all life, glory, goodness, and blessedness in Himself (John 5:26; Acts 7:2; Psalm 119:68; I Timothy 6:15, Romans 9:5) (a-d).

  • He is self-sufficient and does not need anything from creation (Acts 17:24-25) (e).
  • He manifests His glory through creation and has sovereign dominion (Job 22:2-3; Romans 11:36; Revelation 4:11, I Timothy 6:15, Daniel 4:25, 35) (f-h).
  • All things are open to Him, and His knowledge is infinite and independent (Hebrews 4:13; Romans 11:33-34, Psalm 147:5; Acts 15:18, Ezekiel 11:5) (i-l).
  • He is holy in all His ways and deserves worship and obedience (Psalm 145:17, Romans 7:12; Revelation 5:12-14) (m-n).

• III. The Trinity consists of three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one in substance, power, and eternity (I John 5:7; Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14) (o).

  • The Father is unbegotten; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Ghost eternally proceeds from the Father and the Son (John 1:14, 18; John 15:26, Galatians 4:6) (p-q).

Chapter III. Of God’s Eternal Decree.

• I. God has eternally decreed all that comes to pass according to His wise and holy will (Ephesians 1:11, Romans 11:33, Hebrews 6:17, Romans 9:15, 18) (a).

  • God is not the author of sin, nor is creature's will violated; rather, liberty and secondary causes are established (James 1:13, 17, I John 1:5; Acts 2:23, Matthew 17:12, Acts 4:27-28, John 19:11, Proverbs 16:33) (b, c).

• II. God knows all possibilities, but His decrees are not based on His foresight (Acts 15:18, I Samuel 23:11-12, Matthew 11:21, 23; Romans 9:11, 13, 16, 18) (d, e).

• III. God predestines some to everlasting life and others to everlasting death, for the manifestation of His glory (I Timothy 5:21, Matthew 25:41; Romans 9:22-23, Ephesians 1:5-6, Proverbs 16:4) (f, g).

• IV. The number of the elect is definite and cannot be altered (II Timothy 2:19, John 13:18) (h).

• V. God chose the elect in Christ before the world’s foundation for His glory (Ephesians 1:4, 9, 11, Romans 8:30, II Timothy 1:9, I Thessalonians 5:9) (i).

  • This choice was based solely on His grace and love, not on foreseen faith or good works (Romans 9:11, 13, 16, Ephesians 1:4, 9) (k, l).

• VI. God has ordained the means to achieve the glory of the elect. They are redeemed by Christ, called to faith, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved (I Peter 1:2, Ephesians 1:4-5, 2:10, II Thessalonians 2:13; I Thessalonians 5:9-10, Titus 2:14; Romans 8:30, Ephesians 1:5, II Thessalonians 2:13; I Peter 1:5) (m-p).

• VII. God passes by the non-elect, ordaining them to dishonor and wrath for their sins, to the praise of His justice (Matthew 11:25-26, Romans 9:17-18, 21-22, II Timothy 2:19-20, Jude verse 4, I Peter 2:8) (r).

• VIII. Predestination should be taught with prudence, so that believers, assured of their effectual calling, may praise and obey God (Romans 9:20, 11:33, Deuteronomy 29:29; II Peter 1:10; Ephesians 1:6, Romans 11:33) (s-u).

  • This doctrine should inspire humility, diligence, and comfort (Romans 11:5-6, 20, II Peter 1:10, Romans 8:33, Luke 10:20) (w).

Chapter IV. Of Creation.

• I. God (Father, Son, and Holy Ghost) created the world and all things in six days, to reveal His power, wisdom, and goodness (Hebrews 1:2, John 1:2-3, Genesis 1:2, Job 26:13, 33:4; Romans 1:20, Jeremiah 10:12, Psalm 104:24, 33:5-6) (a, b).

  • Everything created was very good (Genesis 1, Hebrews 11:3, Colossians 1:16, Acts 17:24) (c).

• II. God created man (male and female) with immortal souls, knowledge, righteousness, and holiness in His image (Genesis 1:27, 2:7 with Ecclesiastes 12:7, Luke 23:43, Matthew 10:28; Genesis 1:26, Colossians 3:10, Ephesians 4:24) (d-f).

  • They had God’s law written on their hearts and the ability to obey it but were able to transgress (Romans 2:14-15; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Genesis 3:6, Ecclesiastes 7:29) (g-i).
  • They were forbidden to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Obedience brought communion with God and dominion over creatures (Genesis 2:17, 3:8-11, 23; Genesis 1:26, 28) (k, l).

Chapter V. Of Providence.

• I. God upholds, directs, disposes, and governs all creatures and events by His wise providence (Hebrews 1:3; Daniel 4:34-35, Psalm 135:6, Acts 17:25-28, Job 38-41; Matthew 10:29-31; Proverbs 15:3, Psalm 104:24, 145:17) (a-d).

  • This is according to His foreknowledge and immutable will, to the praise of His attributes (Acts 15:18, Psalm 94:8-11; Ephesians 1:11, Psalm 33:10-11; Isaiah 63:14, Ephesians 3:10, Romans 9:17, Genesis 45:7, Psalm 145:7) (e-g).

• II. All things occur immutably according to God's decree but also according to the nature of secondary causes (Acts 2:23; Genesis 8:22, Jeremiah 31:35, Exodus 21:13 with Deuteronomy 19:5, I Kings 22:28, 34, Isaiah 10:6-7) (h, i).

• III. God uses means in His providence but can work without, above, or against them (Acts 27:31, 44, Isaiah 55:10-11, Hosea 2:21-22; Hosea 1:7, Matthew 4:4, Job 34:20; Romans 4:19-21; II Kings 6:6, Daniel 3:27) (k-n).

• IV. God’s providence extends to sins of angels and men, with wise bounding and governance (Romans 11:32-34, II Samuel 24:1 with I Chronicles 21:1, I Kings 22:22-23, I Chronicles 10:4, 13-14, II Samuel 16:10, Acts 2:23, 4:27-28) (o-r).

  • Sinfulness comes only from the creature, not from God (James 1:13-14, 17, I John 2:16, Psalm 50:21) (s).

• V. God allows His children often to face temptations and their own corruption to humble them and strengthen their dependence on Him (II Chronicles 32:25-26, 31, II Samuel 24:1; II Corinthians 12:7-9, Psalm 73, 77:1-12, Mark 14:66 with John 21:15-17) (t, u).

• VI. God blinds and hardens the wicked, withholding grace and exposing them to sin (Romans 1:24, 26, 28, 11:7-8; Deuteronomy 29:4; Matthew 13:12, 25:29; Deuteronomy 2:30, II Kings 8:12-13; Psalm 81:11-12, II Thessalonians 2:10-12) (w-a).

  • They harden themselves even under means meant to soften others (Exodus 7:3 with 8:15, 32, II Corinthians 2:15-16, Isaiah 8:14, I Peter 2:7-8, Isaiah 6:9-10 with Acts 28:26-27) (b).

• VII. God specially cares for His Church, directing all things for its benefit (I Timothy 4:10, Amos 9:8-9, Romans 8:28, Isaiah 43:3-5, 14) (c).

Chapter VI. Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment thereof.

• I. Our first parents sinned by eating the forbidden fruit, due to Satan's temptation (Genesis 3:13, II Corinthians 11:3) (a).

  • God permitted this sin, intending to use it for His glory (Romans 11:32) (b).

• II. This sin caused them to lose righteousness and communion with God and become dead in sin, defiled in soul and body (Genesis 3:6-8, Ecclesiastes 7:29, Romans 3:23; Genesis 2:17, Ephesians 2:1; Titus 1:15, Genesis 6:5, Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 3:10-19) (c-e).

• III. As the root of mankind, their guilt and corrupted nature are passed down to their descendants (Genesis 1:27-28, 2:16-17, Acts 17:26, Romans 5:12, 15-19, I Corinthians 15:21-22, 49; Psalm 51:5, Genesis 5:3, Job 14:4, 15:14) (f, g).

• IV. Original corruption makes us unable to do good and inclined to evil, leading to transgressions (Romans 5:6, 8:7, 7:18, Colossians 1:21; Genesis 6:5, 8:21, Romans 3:10-12; James 1:14-15, Ephesians 2:2-3, Matthew 15:19) (h-k).

• V. This corruption remains in the regenerate during this life (I John 1:8, 10, Romans 7:14, 17-18, 23, James 3:2, Proverbs 20:9, Ecclesiastes 7:20) (l).

  • Though pardoned and weakened through Christ, it and its effects are truly sin (Romans 7:5, 7-8, 25, Galatians 5:17) (m).

• VI. Every sin, original and actual, violates God’s law, bringing guilt and subjecting the sinner to God’s wrath, the law’s curse, and death (I John 3:4; Romans 2:15, 3:9, 19; Ephesians 2:3; Galatians 3:10; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 4:18) (n-s).

  • This includes spiritual, temporal, and eternal miseries (Romans 8:20, Lamentations 3:39; Matthew 25:41, II Thessalonians 1:9) (t, u).

Chapter VII. Of God’s Covenant with Man.

• I. The gap between God and creation is too great for humans to have communion with Him without His voluntary condescension expressed as a covenant (Isaiah 40:13-17, Job 9:32-33, I Samuel 2:25, Psalm 113:5-6, 100:2-3, Job 22:2-3, 35:7-8, Luke 17:10, Acts 17:24-25) (a).

• II. The first covenant was a covenant of works, promising life to Adam and his descendants for perfect obedience (Galatians 3:12, Romans 10:5, 5:12-20; Genesis 2:17, Galatians 3:10) (b-d).

• III. After the fall, God made a second covenant, the covenant of grace, offering salvation through Jesus Christ to those who have faith in Him (Galatians 3:21, Romans 8:3, 3:20-21, Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 42:6; Mark 16:15-16, John 3:16, Romans 10:6, 9, Galatians 3:11) (e, f).

  • The Holy Spirit is given to enable belief in those predestined to life (Ezekiel 36:26-27, John 6:44-45) (g).

• IV. The covenant of grace is often called a Testament, referring to Christ’s death and the inheritance bequeathed (Hebrews 9:15-17, 7:22, Luke 22:20, I Corinthians 11:25) (h).

• V. This covenant was administered differently under the law and the gospel (II Corinthians 3:6-9) (i).

  • Under the Law: Promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the Passover, and types foreshadowed Christ (Hebrews 8-10, Romans 4:11, Colossians 2:11-12, I Corinthians 5:7) (k).
  • Under the Gospel: Sufficient to instruct and build faith in the Messiah (I Corinthians 10:1-4, Hebrews 11:13, John 8:56) (l).
  • Old Testament (Galatians 3:7-9, 14) (m).

• VI. Under the gospel, the covenant is administered through preaching, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper (Colossians 2:17; Matthew 28:19-20, I Corinthians 11:23-25) (n, o).

  • New Testament (Hebrews 12:22-28, Jeremiah 31:33-34; Matthew 28:19, Ephesians 2:15-19; Luke 22:20) (p-r).
  • These ordinances are fewer and simpler but have greater spiritual efficacy. One covenant of grace exists under various administrations (Galatians 3:14, 16, Romans 3:21-23, 30, Psalm 32:1 with Romans 4:3, 6, 16-17, 23-24, Hebrews 13:8, Acts 15:11) (s).

Chapter VIII. Of Christ the Mediator.

• I. God chose Jesus Christ to be the Mediator between God and man (Isaiah 42:1, I Peter 1:19-20, John 3:16, I Timothy 2:5) (a).

  • Christ is Prophet, Priest, and King, Head and Saviour of the Church, Heir of all things, and Judge (Acts 3:22; Hebrews 5:5-6; Psalm 2:6, Luke 1:33; Ephesians 5:23; Hebrews 1:2; Acts 17:31) (b-g).
  • God gave Him a people to redeem, call, justify, sanctify, and glorify (John 17:6, Psalm 22:30, Isaiah 53:10; I Timothy 2:6, Isaiah 55:4-5, I Corinthians 1:30) (h, i).

• II. The Son of God took on human nature, with its properties and infirmities, yet without sin (John 1:1, 14, I John 5:20, Philippians 2:6, Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 2:14, 16-17, 4:15) (k, l).

  • He was conceived by the Holy Ghost in the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:27, 31, 35, Galatians 4:4) (m).
  • The Godhead and manhood were inseparably joined in one person, Jesus Christ (Luke 1:35, Colossians 2:9, Romans 9:5, I Peter 3:18, I Timothy 3:16; Romans 1:3-4, I Timothy 2:5) (n, o).

• III. Jesus was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit without measure, possessing all wisdom and knowledge (Psalm 45:7, John 3:34; Colossians 2:3; Colossians 1:19) (p-r).

  • He was fully equipped to be a mediator and surety, being holy, harmless, and full of grace (Hebrews 7:26, John 1:14; Acts 10:38, Hebrews 12:24, 7:22) (s, t).
  • He was called to this office by the Father, who gave Him all power and judgment (Hebrews 5:4-5; John 5:22, 27, Matthew 28:18, Acts 2:36) (u, w).

• IV. Jesus willingly undertook this office and was made under the law, which He perfectly fulfilled (Psalm 40:7-8 with Hebrews 10:5-10, John 10:18, Philippians 2:8; Galatians 4:4; Matthew 3:15, 5:17) (x-z).

  • He endured soul and body torments, was crucified, died, buried, and remained under death’s power without decay (Matthew 26:37-38, Luke 22:44, Matthew 27:46; Matthew 26-27; Philippians 2:8; Acts 2:23-24, 27, 13:37, Romans 6:9) (a-d).
  • On the third day, He resurrected with the same body, ascended to heaven, sits at the Father's right hand, interceding for us, and will judge all (I Corinthians 15:3-4; John 20:25, 27; Mark 16:19; Romans 8:34, Hebrews 9:24, 7:25; Romans 14:9-10, Acts 1:11, 10:42, Matthew 13:40-42, Jude verse 6, II Peter 2:4) (e-i).

• V. Jesus, by His obedience and sacrifice, fully satisfied the Father’s justice and purchased an everlasting inheritance for those given to Him (Romans 5:19, Hebrews 9:14, 16, 10:14, Ephesians 5:2, Romans 3:25-26; Daniel 9:24, 26, Colossians 1:19-20, Ephesians 1:11, 14, John 17:2, Hebrews 9:12, 15) (k, l).

• VI. Redemption's virtue was communicated to the elect through promises, types, and sacrifices from the beginning of the world (Galatians 4:4-5, Genesis 3:15, Revelation 13:8, Hebrews 13:8) (m).

• VII. Christ acts in mediation according to both natures, yet actions of one nature are attributed to the person (Hebrews 9:14, I Peter 3:18; Acts 20:28, John 3:13, I John 3:16) (n, o).

• VIII. Christ applies and communicates redemption, intercedes, reveals salvation mysteries, persuades belief and obedience, and governs hearts (John 6:37, 39, 10:15-16; I John 2:1-2, Romans 8:34; John 15:13, 15, Ephesians 1:7-9, John 17:6; John 14:26, Hebrews 12:2, II Corinthians 4:13, Romans 8:9, 14, 15:18-19, John 17:17) (p-s).

  • He overcomes enemies in ways consistent with His nature (Psalm 110:1, I Corinthians 15:25-26, Malachi 4:2-3, Colossians 2:15) (t).

Chapter IX. Of Free Will.

• I. God endowed man's will with natural liberty, not forced nor determined to good or evil (Matthew 17:12, James 1:14, Deuteronomy 30:19) (a).

• II. In innocence, man could will and do what pleased God but could fall from it (Ecclesiastes 7:29, Genesis 1:26; Genesis 2:16-17, 3:6) (b, c).

• III. After the fall, man lost all ability to will spiritual good related to salvation (Romans 5:6, 8:7, John 15:5; Romans 3:10, 12; Ephesians 2:1, 5, Colossians 2:13; John 6:44, 65, Ephesians 2:2-5, I Corinthians 2:14, Titus 3:3-5) (d-g).

  • Man cannot convert or prepare himself.

• IV. God frees converts from sin's bondage, enabling them to will and do spiritual good (Colossians 1:13, John 8:34, 36; Philippians 2:13, Romans 6:18, 22) (h, i).

  • Because of remaining corruption, they still will evil (Galatians 5:17, Romans 7:15, 18-19, 21, 23) (k).

• V. Only glory brings perfect freedom to do good alone (Ephesians 4:13, Hebrews 12:23, I John 3:2, Jude verse 24) (l).

Chapter X. Of Effectual Calling.

• I. God effectually calls the predestined to life in His time (Romans 8:30, 11:7, Ephesians 1:10-11; II Thessalonians 2:13-14, II Corinthians 3:3, 6) (a, b).

  • Calling is out of sin and death to grace and salvation through Christ (Romans 8:2, Ephesians 2:1-5, II Timothy 1:9-10) (c).
  • He enlightens their minds, gives them a heart of flesh, renews their wills, and draws them to Christ (Acts 26:18, I Corinthians 2:10, 12, Ephesians 1:17-18; Ezekiel 36:26; Ezekiel 11:19, Philippians 2:13, Deuteronomy 30:6, Ezekiel 36:27; Ephesians 1:19, John 6:44-45) (d-g).
  • They come freely, made willing by His grace (Song of Solomon 1:4, Psalm 110:3, John 6:37, Romans 6:16-18) (h).

• II. This call is by God’s grace alone, not from anything foreseen in man (II Timothy 1:9, Titus 3:4-5, Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9, Romans 9:11) (i).

  • Man is altogether passive until quickened by the Spirit (I Corinthians 2:14, Romans 8:7, Ephesians 2:5) (k).
  • He is enabled to answer the call and embrace grace (John 6:37, Ezekiel 36:27, John 5:25) (l).

• III. Elect infants dying in infancy are saved by Christ through the Spirit (Luke 18:15-16, Acts 2:38-39, John 3:3, 5, I John 5:12, Romans 8:9) (m).

  • So are all other elect incapable of being called outwardly (I John 5:12, Acts 4:12) (o).

• IV. Those not elected may be called and have some operations of the Spirit, but never come to Christ and cannot be saved (Matthew 22:14, 7:22, 13:20-21, Hebrews 6: