My wife and I have begun to write a Confession of Faith for our family. It is a wonderful exercise! We have spent much time in study in the scriptures and in the great Protestant creeds and confessions of history. We are using as guides, The Westminster Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, The Belgic Confession, and the Baptist Confession of Faith (1689). We have learned a lot so far and we only got through one article! We have completed article 1 "Of the Holy Scriptures". We will be adding them up here as each article is completed. The Westminster Confession was written over five years, so we are going to add a "Lord Willing" after our lofty goal of one new article a week. Our projected articles are as follows...
1. Of The Holy Scriptures
2. Of God
3. Of Providence
4. Of Man
5. Of Sin
6. Of Divine Election
7. Of The Finished Work of Christ
8. Of The Resurrection and Ascension of Christ
9. Of The Gift of Regeneration
10. Of The Justification of Believers
11. Of The Church
12. Of Sanctification and The Perseverance of the Saints
13. Of The Means of Grace
14. Of The Christian Commission
15. Of The Second Advent of Christ
16. Of Eternity
Expect modification! This will be a great challenge for us and we encourage you all to try the same! Let's compare and sharpen each other!
Here is Article 1...
Article 1: Of The Holy Scriptures
I. We believe that from creation, God has made known His eternal power and Godhead and that the heavens declare the wrath and glory of God so that sinners are without excuse. Nevertheless, man without scripture cannot by searching find out the means of his justification before his Maker. A further revelation is required to know this way of salvation. This is God's word.
Scripture References: Rom 1:18-20; Ps 19:1-3; Job 11:7-9; Job 25:4-6
II. We believe that God has given to men His Word, the Holy Bible which consists of sixty six books divided into two Testaments, the Old and the New. No man should add to or take away from this revelation. These are the following: In the Old Testament, the five books of Moses-- Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy; the books of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth; the two books of Samuel, and two of Kings; the two books of Chronicles; the first book of Ezra; Nehemiah, Esther, Job; the Psalms; the three books of Solomon-- Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs; the prophets-- Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. In the New Testament, the four gospels-- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; the Acts of the Apostles; the letters of Paul-- to the Romans; the two letters to the Corinthians; to the Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians; the two letters to the Thessalonians; the two letters to Timothy; to Titus, Philemon, and to the Hebrews; the letters of the other apostles-- one of James; two of Peter; three of John; one of Jude; and the Revelation of Jesus Christ by John.
Scripture References: Deut 4:2; Prv 30:6; Rev 22:18-19
III. We believe that since the Bible is given by inspiration of God, it is infallible, inerrant, and sufficient for discerning all truth and especially for discovering the way of salvation. It has been penned by human authors, as they were moved of the Holy Ghost. There are many historical evidences of the authenticity and veracity of scripture, however, it is the inward testimony of its Divine Author, the Holy Spirit that persuades us and assures us of its truth and authority.
Scripture References: 2 Tim 3:15; 2 Pet 1:21; 1 Cor 2:14; Jn 3:27; Jn 10:27
IV. We believe that the chief end of the Bible is to set forth Jesus Christ as most wonderful and praiseworthy in His accomplishment for salvation to all who believe on Him. This is called 'the gospel', which is interpreted, “the good news”. The first appearance of this gospel is found in Genesis 3:15, promising that the Seed of the woman would crush the serpent. The gospel was subsequently preached to Abraham. Moses, David, and all the prophets also wrote of the coming of Jesus. All scripture is either looking forward to or back upon this glorious Savior, Jesus Christ, so it can properly be said that the volume of the book is written of Him.
Scripture References: Rom 10:4; Gal 3:24; Mt 5:17; Gen 3:15; Gal 3:8; Jn 8:56; Jn 5:39, 45-46, Act 2:29-31; Act 10:43; Lk 24:25-27, 44-45; Ps 40:7
V. We believe that the Word of God written is to be the rule of faith and life. This is true for the Church as a whole as well as for each individual Christian. The Bible is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness to all. It is to be read consistently, meditated upon frequently, and treasured constantly. The manner in which we are to approach such a wondrous revelation of the one true God, is one of reverence and humility. It is to be read not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God. We are commanded to take captive every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, always subjecting ourselves to that which is written. The infallible commentary on the Scripture is Scripture itself. Every passage is in harmony with the rest, seeing as it has been given by one Author. It is with this guide for interpretation that we must seek to understand the text.
Scripture References: 2 Tim 3:16-17; Josh 1:8; Ps 1:1-2; Ps 119:97, 163; Neh 8:5-6; Isa 66:2; 1 Th 2:13; 2 Cor 1:5
VI. We believe it is appropriate and important that the Bible be translated from the original Hebrew and Greek into every language so that every tongue, tribe, and nation may come to a saving knowledge of Christ. We acknowledge that not every teaching of the Bible is plain to all, but rather that some things are hard to be understood. Diligent study of and meditation on the Word are the means by which spiritual insight come. Nevertheless, by the grace of God, all things necessary for salvation by grace through faith in Christ Jesus are clearly manifest in its pages, so that even a child could understand and be saved. If this gospel is hidden to eyes of any, it is hid to those who are lost because Satan has blinded them lest the glorious light of the gospel of Christ should shine unto them.
Scripture References: Rev 14:6; Rev 7:9-10; 2 Pet 3:16; 2 Tim 2:15; Ps 119:99; Prv 2:1-6; Rom 1:16-17; 2 Tim 3:15; Mt 18:2-4; 2 Cor 4:3-4
Fully Versed Scripture References
I.
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" Rom 1:18-20
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard." Ps 19:1-3
"Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea." Job 11:7-9
"How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman? Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight. How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?" Job 25:4-6
II.
"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you." Deut 4:2
"Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." Prv 30:6
"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." Rev 22:18-19
III.
"… the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim 3:15
"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Pet 1:21
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Cor 2:14
"John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven." Jn 3:27
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" Jn 10:27
IV.
"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." Rom 10:4
"Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." Gal 3:24
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil." Mt 5:17
"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel." Gen 3:15
"And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed." Gal 3:8
"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad." Jn 8:56
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. … Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me." Jn 5:39, 45-46
"Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 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." Acts 2:29-31
"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Acts 10:43
"Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. … And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures" Lk 24:25-27, 44-45
"Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me" Ps 40:7
V.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim 3:16-17
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." Josh 1:8
"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." Ps 1:1-2
"O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. … I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love." Ps 119:97, 163
"And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; (for he was above all the people;) and when he opened it, all the people stood up: And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground." Neh 8:5-6
"… to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." Isa 66:2
"For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." 1 Th 2:13
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" 2 Cor 10:5
VI.
"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people" Rev 14:6
"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; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb." Rev 7:9-10
"As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." 2 Pet 3:16
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Tim 2:15
"I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation." Ps 119:99
"My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding." Prv 2:1-6
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Rom 1:16-17
"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Tim 3:15
"And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Mt 18:2-4
"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." 2 Cor 4:3-4
Grace and Peace unto you all in Christ!
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