The Belgic Confession (Part 2)

Article 18 Of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ We confess, therefore, that God did fulfull the promise which He made to the fathers by the mouth of His holy prophets when He sent into the world, at the time appointed by Him, His own only-begotten and eternal Son, who took upon Him the form of a servant, and became like unto man, really assuming the true human nature, with all its infirmities, sin excepted, being conceived in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary, by the power of the Holy Ghost, without the means of man; and did not only assume human nature as to the body, but also a true human soul, that he might be a real man. For since the soul was lost as well as the body, it was necessary that he should take both upon him, to save both. Therefore we confess (in opposition to the heresy of the Anabaptists, who deny that Christ assumed human flesh of His mother) that Christ is become a partaker of the flesh and blood of the children; that He is a fruit of the loins of David after the flesh; made of the seed of David according to the flesh; a fruit of the womb of the Virgin Mary; made of a woman; a branch of David; a shoot of the root of Jesse; sprung from the tribe of Judah; descended from the Jews according to the flesh: of the seed of Abraham, since He took on Him the seed of Abraham, and became like unto His brethren in all things, sin excepted; so that in truth He is our Immanuel, that is to say, God with us. Isa. 11:1; Luke 1:55; Gen.

26:4; 2 Sam. 7:12; Ps. 132:11; Acts 13:23 1 Tim. 2:5; 3:16; Phil. 2:7 Heb.

2:14-15; 4:15 Luke 1:31,34-35 Matt. 26:38; John 12:27 Heb. 2:14 Acts 2:30 Ps. 132:11; Rom. 1:3 Luke 1:42 Gal.

4:4 Jer. 33:15 Isa. 11:1 Heb. 7:14 Rom. 9:5 Gen.

22:18; 2 Sam. 7:12; Matt. 1:1; Gal. 3:16 Heb. 2:15-17 Isa.

7:14; Matt. 1:23 Article 19 The Union and Distinction of the Two Natures in the Person of Christ We believe that by this conception the person of the Son is inseparably united and connected with the human nature; so that there are not two Sons of God, nor two persons, but two natures united in one single person; yet that each nature retains its own distinct properties. As then the divine nature hath always remained uncreated, without beginning of days or end of life, filling heaven and earth, so also hath the human nature not lost its properties, but remained a creature, having beginning of days, being a finite nature, and retaining all the properties of a real body. And though He hath by His resurrection given immortality to the same, nevertheless He hath not changed the reality of His human nature; forasmuch as our salvation and resurrection also depend on the reality of His body. But these two natures are so closely united in one person, that they were not separated even by His death.

Therefore that which He, when dying, commended into the hands of His Father, was a real human spirit, departing from His body. But in the meantime the divine nature always remained united with the human, even when He lay in the grave; and the Godhead did not cease to be in Him, any more than it did when He was an infant, though it did not so clearly manifest itself for a while. Wherefore we confess that He is very God and very man: very God by His power to conquer death, and very man that He might die for us according to the infirmity of His flesh. Heb. 7:3 1 Cor.

15:13,21; Phil. 3:21; Matt. 26:11; Acts 1:2,11; 3:21; Luke 24:39; John 20:25,27 Luke 23:46; Matt. 27:50 Article 20 God Hath Manifested His Justice and Mercy in Christ We believe that God, who is perfectly merciful and just, sent His Son to assume that nature in which the disobedience was committed, to make satisfaction in the same, and to bear the punishment of sin by His most bitter passion and death. God therefore manifested His justice against His Son when He laid our iniquities upon Him, and poured forth His mercy and goodness on us, who were guilty and worthy of damnation, out of mere and perfect love, giving His Son unto death for us, and raising Him for our justification, that through Him we might obtain immortality and life eternal.

Heb. 2:14; Rom. 8:3,32-33 Isa. 53:6; John 1:29; 1 John 4:9 Rom. 4:25 Article 21 The Satisfaction of Christ, Our Only High Priest, For Us We believe that Jesus Christ is ordained with an oath to be an everlasting High Priest, after the order of Melchizedek; and that He hath presented Himself in our behalf before the Father, to appease His wrath by His full satisfaction, by offering Himself on the tree of the cross, and pouring out His precious blood to purge away our sins; as the prophets had foretold.

For it is written, He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed. He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and numbered with the transgressors; and condemned by Pontius Pilate as a malefactor, though he had first declared Him innocent. Therefore, He restored that which He took not away, and suffered the just for the unjust, as well in His body as in His soul, feeling the terrible punishment which our sins had merited; insomuch that His sweat became like unto drops of blood falling on the ground. He called out, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? and hath suffered all this for the remission of our sins. Wherefore we justly say with the apostle Paul, that we know nothing but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified; we count all things but loss and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, in whose wounds we find all manner of consolation.

Neither is it necessary to seek or invent any other means of being reconciled to God, than this only sacrifice, once offered, by which believers are made perfect forever. This is also the reason why He was called by the angel of God, Jesus, that is to say, Savior, because He should save His people from their sins. Ps.110:4; Heb. 5:10 Col.

1:14; Rom. 5:8-9; Col. 2:14; Heb. 2:17; 9:14; Rom. 3:24; 8:2; John 15:3; Acts 2:24; 13:28; John 3:16; 1 Tim.

2:6 Isa. 53:5,7,12 Luke 23:22,24; Acts 13:28; Ps. 22:16; John 18:38; Ps. 69:5; 1 Pet. 3:18 Ps.

69:5 1 Pet. 3:18 Luke 22:44 Ps. 22:2; Matt. 27:46 1 Cor. 2:2 Phil.

3:8 Heb. 9:25-26; 10:14 Matt. 1:21; Acts 4:12 Article 22 Our Justification Through Faith in Jesus Christ We believe that, to attain the true knowledge of this great mystery, the Holy Ghost kindleth in our hearts an upright faith, which embraces Jesus Christ with all His merits, appropriates Him, and seeks nothing more besides Him. For it must needs follow, either that all things which are requisite to our salvation are not in Jesus Christ, or if all things are in Him, that then those who possess Jesus Christ through faith have complete salvation in Him. Therefore, for any to assert that Christ is not sufficient, but that something more is required besides Him, would be too gross a blasphemy; for hence it would follow that Christ was but half a Savior.

Therefore we justly say with Paul, that we are justified by faith alone, or by faith without works. However, to speak more clearly, we do not mean that faith itself justifies us, for it is only an instrument with which we embrace Christ our Righteousness. But Jesus Christ, imputing to us all His merits, and so many holy works which He hath done for us and in our stead, is our Righteousness. And faith is an instrument that keeps us in communion with Him in all His benefits, which, when they become ours, are more than sufficient to acquit us of our sins. Eph.

3:16-17; Ps. 51:13; Eph. 1:17-18; 1 Cor. 2:12 1 Cor. 2:2; Acts 4:12; Gal.

2:21; Jer. 23:6; 1 Cor. 1:30; Jer. 31:10 Matt. 1:21; Rom.

3:27; 8:1,33 Rom. 3:27; Gal. 2:6; 1 Pet. 1:4-5; Rom. 10:4 Jer.

23:6; 1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Tim. 1:2; Luke 1:77; Rom. 3:24-25; 4:5; Ps. 32:1-2; Phil.

3:9; Tit. 3:5; 2 Tim. 1:9 Article 23 Wherein Our Justification Before God Consists We believe that our salvation consists in the remission of our sins for Jesus Christ's sake, and that therein our righteousness before God is implied; as David and Paul teach us, declaring this to be the happiness of man, that God imputes righteousness to him without works. And the same apostle saith, that we are justified freely by His grace, through the redemption which is in Jesus Christ. And therefore we always hold fast this foundation, ascribing all the glory to God, humbling ourselves before Him, and acknowledging ourselves to be such as we really are, without presuming to trust in any thing in ourselves, or in any merit of ours, relying and resting upon the obedience of Christ crucified alone, which becomes ours when we believe in Him.

This is sufficient to cover all our iniquities, and to give us confidence in approaching to God; freeing the conscience of fear, terror, and dread, without following the example of our first father, Adam, who, trembling, attempted to cover himself with fig-leaves. And, verily, if we should appear before God, relying on ourselves or on any other creature, though ever so little, we should, alas! be consumed. And therefore every one must pray with David: O Lord, enter not into judgment with Thy servant: for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified. Luke 1:77; Col. 1:14; Ps.

32:1-2; Rom. 4:6-7 Rom. 3:23-24; Acts 4:12 Ps. 115:1; 1 Cor. 4:7; Rom.

4:2 1 Cor. 4:7; Rom. 4:2; 1 Cor. 1:29,31 Rom. 5:19 Heb.

11:6-7; Eph. 2:8; 2 Cor. 5:19; 1 Tim. 2:6 Rom. 5:1; Eph.

3:12; 1 John 2:1 Gen. 3:7 Isa. 33:14; Deut. 27:26; James 2:10 Ps. 130:3; Matt.

18:23-26; Ps. 143:2; Luke 16:15 Article 24 Man's Sanctification and Good Works We believe that this true faith, being wrought in man by the hearing of the Word of God and the operation of the Holy Ghost, doth regenerate and make him a new man, causing him to live a new life, and freeing him from the bondage of sin. Therefore it is so far from being true, that this justifying faith makes men remiss in a pious and holy life, that on the contrary without it they would never do anything out of love to God, but only out of self-love or fear of damnation. Therefore it is impossible that this holy faith can be unfruitful in man; for we do not speak of a vain faith, but of such a faith as is called in Scripture a faith that worketh by love, which excites man to the practice of those works which God has commanded in His Word. Which works, as they proceed from the good root of faith, are good and acceptable in the sight of God, forasmuch as they are all sanctified by His grace; howbeit they are of no account towards our justification.

For it is by faith in Christ that we are justified, even before we do good works; otherwise they could not be good works, any more than the fruit of a tree can be good before the tree itself is good. Therefore we do good works, but not to merit by them (for what can we merit?) nay, we are beholden to God for the good works we do, and not He to us, since it is He that worketh in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Let us therefore attend to what is written: When ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say we are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. In the meantime we do not deny that God rewards our good works, but it is through His grace that He crowns His gifts. Moreover, though we do good works, we do not found our salvation upon them; for we can do no work but what is polluted by our flesh, and also punishable; and although we could perform such works, still the remembrance of one sin is sufficient to make God reject them.

Thus, then, we would always be in doubt, tossed to and fro without any certainty, and our poor consciences would be continually vexed if they relied not on the merits of the suffering and death of our Savior. 1 Pet. 1:23; Rom. 10:17; John 5:24 1 Thes. 1:5; Rom.

8:15; John 6:29; Col. 2:12; Phil. 1:1,29; Eph. 2:8 Acts 15:9; Rom. 6:4, 22; Tit.

2:12; John 8:36 Tit. 2:12 Tit. 3:8; John 15:5; Heb. 11:6; 1 Tim. 1:5 1 Tim.

1:5; Gal. 5:6; Tit. 3:8 2 Tim. 1:9; Rom. 9:32; Tit.

3:5 Rom. 4:4; Gen. 4:4 Heb. 11:6; Rom. 14:23; Gen.

4:4; Matt. 7:17 1 Cor. 4:7; Isa. 26:12; Gal. 3:5; 1 Thes.

2:13 Phil. 2:13 Luke 17:10 Matt. 10:42; 25:34-35; Rev. 3:12,21; Rom. 2:6; Rev.

2:11; 2 John 8; Rom. 11:6 Eph. 2:9-10 Isa. 64:6 Isa. 28:16; Rom.

10:11; Hab. 2:4 Article 25 The Abolishing of the Ceremonial Law We believe that the ceremonies and figures of the law ceased at the coming of Christ, and that all the shadows are accomplished; so that the use of them must be abolished among Christians; yet the truth and substance of them remain with us in Jesus Christ, in whom they have their completion. In the meantime we still use the testimonies taken out of the law and the prophets, to confirm us in the doctrine of the gospel, and to regulate our life in all honesty to the glory of God, according to His will. Rom. 10:4 Gal.

5:2-4; 3:1; 4:10-11; Col. 2:16-17 2 Pet. 1:19 Article 26 Christ's Intercession We believe that we have no access unto God but alone through the only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous, Who therefore became man, having united in one person the divine and human natures, that we men might have access to the divine Majesty, which access would otherwise be barred against us. But this Mediator, whom the Father hath appointed between Him and us, ought in no wise affright us by His majesty, or cause us to seek another according to our fancy. For there is no creature, either in heaven or on earth, who loveth us more than Jesus Christ; who, though He was in the form of God, yet made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a man and of a servant for us, and was made like unto His brethren in all things.

If, then, we should seek for another mediator, who would be well affected towards us, whom could we find who loved us more than He who laid down His life for us, even when we were His enemies? And if we seek for one who hath power and majesty, who is there that hath so much of both as He who sits at the right hand of His Father, and who hath all power in heaven and on earth? And who will sooner be heard than the own well-beloved Son of God? Therefore it was only through distrust that this practice of dishonoring instead of honoring the saints was introduced, doing that which they never have done nor required, but have, on the contrary, steadfastly rejected, according to their bounden duty, as appears by their writings. Neither must we plead here our unworthiness; for the meaning is not that we should offer our prayers to God on account of our own worthiness, but only on account of the excellency and worthiness of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose righteousness is become ours by faith. Therefore the apostle, to remove this foolish fear or, rather, distrust from us, justly saith that Jesus Christ was made like unto His brethren in all things, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself hath suffered, being tempted, He is able to succor them that are tempted. And further to encourage us, he adds: Seeing, then, that we have a great High Priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

For we have not a High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. The same apostle saith: Having boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, etc. Likewise, Christ hath an unchangeable priesthood, wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. What more can be required? since Christ Himself saith: I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.

To what purpose should we then seek another advocate, since it hath pleased God to give us His own Son as our Advocate? Let us not forsake Him to take another, or rather to seek after another, without ever being able to find Him; for God well knew, when He gave Him to us, that we were sinners. Therefore, according to the command of Christ, we call upon the heavenly Father through Jesus Christ our only Mediator, as we are taught in the Lord's Prayer; being assured that whatever we ask of the Father in His Name will be granted us. 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 John 2:1; Rom. 8:33 Hos.

13:9; Jer. 2:13,33 John 10:11; 1 John 4:10; Rom. 5:8; Eph. 3:19; John 15:13 Phil. 2:7 Rom.

5:8 Mark 16:19; Col. 3:1; Rom. 8:33; Matt. 11:27; 28:18 Acts 10:26; 14:15 Dan. 9:17-18; John 16:23; Eph.

3:12; Acts 4:12; 1 Cor. 1:31; Eph. 2:18 Heb. 2:17,18 Heb. 4:14-16 Heb.

10:19,22 Heb. 7:24,25 John 14:6 Ps. 44:21 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 John 2:1; Rom. 8:33 Luke 11:2 John 4:17; 16:23; 14:13 Article 27 The Catholic Christian Church We believe and profess one catholic or universal Church, which is a holy congregation of true Christian believers, all expecting their salvation in Jesus Christ, being washed by His blood, sanctified and sealed by the Holy Ghost.

This Church hath been from the beginning of the world, and will be to the end thereof; which is evident from this, that Christ is an eternal king, which, without subjects He cannot be. And this holy Church is preserved or supported by God against the rage of the whole world; though she sometimes (for a while) appears very small, and, in the eyes of men, to be reduced to nothing; as during the perilous reign of Ahab, when nevertheless the Lord reserved unto Him seven thousand men, who had not bowed their knees to Baal. Furthermore, this holy Church is not confined, bound, or limited to a certain place or to certain persons, but is spread and dispersed over the whole world; and yet is joined and united with heart and will, by the power of faith, in one and the same spirit. Isa. 2:2; Ps.

46:5; 102:14; Jer. 31:36 Matt. 28:20; 2 Sam. 7:16 Luke 1:32-33; Ps. 89:37-38; 110:2-4 Matt.

16:18; John 16:33; Gen. 22:17; 2 Tim. 2:19 Luke 12:32; Isa. 1:9; Rev. 12:6,14; Luke 17:21; Matt.

16:18 Rom. 12:4; 11:2,4; 1 Kings 19:18; Isa. 1:9; Rom. 9:29 Acts 4:32 Eph. 4:3-4 Article 28 Every One is Bound to Join Himself to the True Church We believe, since this holy congregation is an assembly of those who are saved, and out of it there is no salvation, that no person of whatsoever state or condition he may be, ought to withdraw himself to live in a separate state from it; but that all men are in duty bound to join and unite themselves with it; maintaining the unity of the Church; submitting themselves to the doctrine and discipline thereof; bowing their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ; and as mutual members of the same body, serving to the edification of the brethren, according to the talents God has given them.

And that this may be the more effectually observed, it is the duty of all believers, according to the Word of God, to separate themselves from those who do not belong to the Church, and to join themselves to this congregation, wheresoever God hath established it, even though the magistrates and edicts of princes be against it; yea, though they should suffer death or any other corporal punishment. Therefore all those who separate themselves from the same, or do not join themselves to it, act contrary to the ordinance of God. 1 Pet. 3:20; Joel 2:32 Acts 2:40; Isa. 52:11 Ps.

22:23; Eph. 4:3,12; Heb. 2:12 Ps. 2:10-12; Matt. 11:29 Eph.

4:12,16; 1 Cor. 12:12, etc. Acts 2:40; Isa. 52:11; 2 Cor. 6:17; Rev.

18:4 Matt. 12:30; 24:28; Isa. 49:22; Rev. 17:14 Dan. 3:17-18; 6:8-10; Rev.

14:14; Acts 4:17,19; 17:7; 18:13 Article 29 The Marks of the True Church, and Wherein She Differs From the False Church We believe that we ought diligently and circumspectly to discern from the Word of God which is the true Church, since all sects which are in the world assume to themselves the name of the Church. But we speak here not of hypocrites, who are mixed in the Church with the good, yet are not of the Church, though externally in it; but we say that the body and communion of the true Church must be distinguished from all sects who call themselves the Church. The marks by which the true Church is known are these: if the pure doctrine of the gospel is preached therein; if she maintains the pure administration of the sacraments as instituted by Christ; if church discipline is exercised in punishing of sin; in short, if all things are managed according to the pure Word of God, all things contrary thereto rejected, and Jesus Christ acknowledged as the only Head of the Church. Hereby the true Church may certainly be known, from which no man has a right to separate himself. With respect to those who are members of the Church, they may be known by the marks of Christians, namely, by faith; and when they have received Jesus Christ the only Savior, they avoid sin, follow after righteousness, love the true God and their neighbor, neither turn aside to the right or left, and crucify the flesh with the works thereof.

But this is not to be understood as if there did not remain in them great infirmities; but they fight against them through the Spirit all the days of their life, continually taking their refuge in the blood, death, passion, and obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom they have remission of sins through faith in Him. As for the false Church, she ascribes more power and authority to herself and her ordinances than to the Word of God, and will not submit herself to the yoke of Christ. Neither does she administer the sacraments, as appointed by Christ in His Word, but adds to and takes from them as she thinks proper; she relieth more upon men than upon Christ; and persecutes those who live holily according to the Word of God, and rebuke her for her errors, covetousness, and idolatry. These two Churches are easily known and distinguished from each other. Matt.

13:22; 2 Tim. 2:18-20; Rom. 9:6 John 10:27; Eph. 2:20; Acts 17:11-12; Col. 1:23; John 8:47 Matt.

28:19; Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:23 Matt. 18:15-18; 2 Thes. 3:14-15 Matt. 28:2; Gal.

1:6-8 Eph. 1:22-23; John 10:4-5,14 Eph. 1:13; John 17:20 1 John 4:2 1 John 3:8-10 Rom. 6:2; Gal. 5:24 Rom.

7:6,17; Gal. 5:17 Col. 1:14 Col. 2:18-19 Ps. 2:3 Rev.

12:4; John 16:2 Rev. 17:3,4,6 Click here to continue Back to the Confessions of Faith page