Posted on 06/06/2008 9:43:28 AM PDT by Alex Murphy
1. The catholic or universal church, which is invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the Head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.a
2. The visible church, which is also catholic or universal under the gospel (not confined to one nation, as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion;b and of their children:c and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ,d the house and family of God,e out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.f
3. 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.g
4. This catholic church hath been sometimes more, sometimes less visible.h And particular churches, which are members thereof, are more or less pure, according as the doctrine of the gospel is taught and embraced, ordinances administered, and public worship performed more or less purely in them.i
5. The purest churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error;k and some have so degenerated, as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan.l Nevertheless, there shall be always a church on earth, to worship God according to his will.m
6. There is no other head of the church but the Lord Jesus Christ.n Nor can the pope of Rome, in any sense, be head thereof.o
b. 1 Cor. 1:2. … unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. 1 Cor. 12:12–13. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. Ps. 2:8. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Rev. 7:9. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. Rom. 15:9–12. … and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
c. 1 Cor. 7:14. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. Acts 2:39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Gen. 17:7–12. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. Ezek. 16:20–21. Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter, that thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for them? Rom. 11:16. For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. See Gal. 3:7, 9, 14; Rom. 4:12, 16, 24.
d. Matt. 13:47. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind. Isa. 9:7. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. Luke 1:32–33. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Acts 2:30–36. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; he seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Col. 1:13. … who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.
e. Eph. 2:19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. Eph. 3:15. … [the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,] of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.
f. Acts 2:47. [All that believed were] praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
g. 1 Cor. 12:28. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Eph. 4:11–13. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Matt. 28:19–20. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Isa. 59:12. For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them.
h. Rom. 11:3–5. … Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. Acts 9:31. Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. Acts 2:41, 47. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.… [All that believed were] praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 18:8–10. And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.
i. Acts 2:41–42. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 1 Cor. 5:6–7. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us. Rev. 2–3. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write … I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars.… Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.… And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write … I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich).… And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write … I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam.… And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write … I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.… And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write … Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent.… And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write … I know thy works.… thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.… And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write … I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot.…
k. 1 Cor. 13:12. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. Rev. 2–3. See footnote i above. Matt. 13:24–30, 47. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.… Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind.
l. Matt. 23:37–39. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Rom. 11:18–22. Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
m. Matt. 16:18. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Ps. 45:16–17. Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth. I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever. Ps. 72:17. His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. Matt. 28:19–20. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 1 Cor. 15:51–52. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Thess. 4:17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
n. Col. 1:18. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Eph. 1:22. … and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.
o. Matt. 23:8–10. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 1 Pet. 5:2–4. Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
"In 1648, the first printing of the Larger and Shorter Catechisms of the Westminster Assembly were made available for distribution and sale in England and Scotland. They remain the clearest expressions of Reformed Protestantism ever formulated..."- May 13, This Week in Religion History
Confession and Catechisms [introduction to the Westminster Confession of Faith]
The Westminster Confession of Faith
[from the Orthodox Presbyterian Church website]
Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scripture
Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity
Chapter 3: Of God’s Eternal Decree
Chapter 4: Of Creation
Chapter 5: Of Providence
Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof
Chapter 7: Of God’s Covenant with Man
Chapter 8: Of Christ the Mediator
Chapter 9: Of Free Will
Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling
Chapter 11: Of Justification
Chapter 12: Of Adoption
Chapter 13: Of Sanctification
Chapter 14: Of Saving Faith
Chapter 15: Of Repentance unto Life
Chapter 16: Of Good Works
Chapter 17: Of the Perseverance of the Saints
Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation
Chapter 19: Of the Law of God
Chapter 20: Of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience
Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day
Chapter 22: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
Chapter 23: Of the Civil Magistrate
Chapter 24: Of Marriage and Divorce
Chapter 25: Of the Church
A.That the Son of God from the beginning to the end of the world, gathers, defends, and preserves to himself by his Spirit and word, out of the whole human race, a church chosen to everlasting life, agreeing in true faith; and that I am and forever shall remain, a living member thereof.
A.That the Son of God from the beginning to the end of the world, gathers, defends, and preserves to himself by his Spirit and word, out of the whole human race, a church chosen to everlasting life, agreeing in true faith; and that I am and forever shall remain, a living member thereof.
AMEN, Lee N. Field!
Thanks, Alex, for posting this terrific series. Who can read these words and not be swayed to the faith of Christ alone?
Although some folks just focus on 6, Paragraphs 4 and 5 are really the ones that all Christians, regardless of confession, should read and ponder upon. For they apply to all who claim to be followers of Christ.
Maybe we could do an ad hoc harmony of the reformed confessions, with each new chapter of the WCF.
I've got Beeke and Ferguson's book (Reformed Confessions Harmonized) right here. My only complaint is that it needs an index of the chapters. They've rearranged it topically, so it takes a while to get used to the table of contents and then to actually find what you are looking for.
It is hard to navigate, perhaps better suited to casual reading.
VI. There is no other head of the Church but the Lord Jesus Christ: nor can the Pope of Rome, in any sense be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin and son of perdition, that exalteth himself in the Church against Christ, and all that is called God.
source. The redacted portions are struck out above.
The question is was the portion redacted because of political correctness? Or were they redacted because they were originally wrong?
Or maybe, just maybe, those popes died off.
So you believe that it was simply directed toward particular popes? Or that it was originally directed at the institution of the papacy? (Which, in the past couple of hundred years, has dramatically changed IMO)
I think you've done a pretty good job of answering your own question. The change in question was first adopted by the Presbyterian Church in the USA in 1903, and was adopted by both the OPC and the PCA at their founding.
I think you've done a pretty good job of answering your own question. The change in question was first adopted by the Presbyterian Church in the USA in 1903, and was adopted by both the OPC and the PCA at their founding.
Fair enough. Thanks.
I’ve done a bit of looking, and I’ll expand on my comment slightly. Please understand, I’m not trying to bait you with these comments, but to answer a question you asked about something that happened over a hundred years ago.
The reference that I read indicated that there were two factors in the removal of the provision. First, as already mentioned were changes in the Papacy, and indeed the Catholic church’s position in society. Second, there was a recognition that there were others who would put themselves above Christ.
I realize this. And I wouldn't have even drudged up this month-old thread as a matter of opening wounds.
I just try to understand what the various Protestant positions are on theology, rather than just lumping everybody in the same boat (calling all of y'all a bunch of proddies...)
Face it, there is a huge difference in the theology between the High-Church Anglicans, the Lutherans, the Reformed, the Anabaptists, and the Campbellites. I don't claim to know it all...or even a lot of it...but it doesn't make me an effective debater if I respond to a Reformed person the same way I would to an Adventist.
First, as already mentioned were changes in the Papacy, and indeed the Catholic church’s position in society.
The funny thing about this is if you read a medieval document like Unam Sanctum, it refers to the papacy having a superior, but spiritual authority, vice a temporal authority. Thus, I would actually agree that the pope having a temporal state was a contradiction and, although it was not a good thing the way it worked out, the loss of the papal states was about the best thing that could happen. Allows the pope to concentrate on his real job and not the minor job of dealing with temporal issues.
Second, there was a recognition that there were others who would put themselves above Christ.
Nowadays, that's just about everybody. :-(
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