Category Archives: confession

Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 23, Section 4

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As Christians we recognize that God places us under authority. When we are young, we are under the protection and authority of our parents. As we grow up, we are under the authority of other people, our teachers, boss, government, etc. All of this is given to us by God.

We recognize that no one is above the law. Even in civil matters, religious figures are still under the authority of the civil authorities. We are called to pray, honor, obey and subjected to the authorities for the sake of conscience.

Just as we are called to honor our parents in the fifth commandment, because they have been placed over us by the Lord, we too must submit ourselves to the authority of the civil government.

“It is the duty of people to pray for those in authority, to honor them, to pay them taxes or other revenue, to obey their lawful commands, and to be subject to their authority for the sake of conscience. Neither unbelief nor difference in religion makes void the just and legal authority of officeholders nor frees the people—church authorities included—from their due obedience to them. Much less does the Pope have any power or jurisdiction over civil authorities in their domains or over any of their people, nor can he deprive them of their domains or lives if he shall judge them to be heretics or on any other pretense whatever.”

Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 24, Section 3

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As we have seen from the examples in the OT where numerous men of God married foreign wives. The wives worshiped other gods and idols. And as a result these men of God were led astray to worship foreign gods.

Marriage and sex is a gift from God. In it we have one of the most intimate relationships we have between two people. In a similar manner, marriage points us to our union with Christ.

Because of this we are told in the confession to be joined with other believers, marry in the Lord. This is to guard our hearts and recognize that marriage is more than just a physical union, but it encompasses a much deeper union: emotional, spiritual, and physical.

We are not to be unequally yoked, but rather in marriage we are to be joined together in the Lord. For those who are married with unbelievers, we are told to remain in the marriage so that in it we can be a witness of God’s grace to our spouse.

To those who are single, this is a stern warning and instruction teaching us to not just go after what is pleasing to the eye, but to look deeper into potential mates, examine their lives, see if they are walking with the Lord, see if what they profess is compatible with what you profess, so that in marriage, there may be a true union of spirit and body.

And with respect to Papists, that is for a different time to discuss…

3. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry who are able to give their intelligent consent. Yet it is the duty of Christians to marry only in the Lord. Therefore, those who profess the true reformed religion should not marry unbelievers, Papists, or other idolaters; nor should Christians be unequally yoked by marrying those who are notoriously wicked in their way of living or hold to damnable heresies.

Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 23, Section 1

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This week we begin chapter 23 of the WCF, we consider what the bible says about civil magistrates or government.

When most people think about government they think about separation of church and state, but the bible is very explicit how Christians should interact with government.

We’ll look at two passages from Scripture.

When Jesus was asked whether it was lawful to pay taxes to the governments, Christ responded by asking the people to show him a coin and whose face was on it. When the crowd responded Caesar’s, Jesus responded give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. (Matthew 22:18-21)

The Apostle Paul further emphasized in Romans 13:1-5. Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Whoever rebels against what God has instituted will bring judgment on themselves. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore it is necessary to submit to the authorities not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

The context of the apostle Paul’s writing is from the time of Roman government where Christian persecution was widespread. Even with this Paul still recognized that all authority have been given from God. We recognize that civil government has its place and to administer justice and for the public good.

But we also recognize that God is the ultimate Lord and King of all the world. We recognize the God-given authority governments have to be armed in order to restrain and punish evil and upholding good of the public, and that the governments of the world will ultimately be accountable to God for how they exercised their power.

Let us as Christians be active in praying for our governments for wisdom, justice, and integrity, and the right use of the law to restrain evil and promoting good.

1. God, the supreme Lord and King of all the world, has ordained civil authorities to be, under him, over the people for his own glory and the public good. For this purpose he has armed them with the power of the sword for the defense and encouragement of those who are good, and for the punishment of those who do evil.

Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 22 Section 6

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Chapter 22 continues our look at lawful oaths and vows.

A vow is a promise we make to God. Today’s confession emphasizes when we make our vows to God it must be made voluntarily out of thankfulness for mercy or from the desire to obtain what we lack. Many examples of this in scripture… we see people offering vows as an act of worship as well as making vows in order to obtain something from the Lord. An example of this comes from 1 Sam 1 in which Hannah makes a vow that if God provides a baby to her she will give him up to the Lord.

Deut 23:21 If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the LORD your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin.

Deut 23:23 Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the LORD your God with your own mouth.

The confession also says that we bind ourselves more strictly to necessary duties meaning we must be diligent to fulfill those duties. Deut 23:21 tells us to not be slow in fulfilling our vows and Deut 23:23 we must do what our lips say because our words matter to God.

Have you made any vows before God? Have you made promises to him with your mouth? Then turn to Christ who is the author and perfecter of our faith, who enables us with the power of the Holy Spirit to be faithful and diligent in fulfilling the vows we make before our God.

6. A vow is to be made only to God and not to any created being. In order for it to be acceptable, it is to be made voluntarily, out of faith and conviction of duty, either from thankfulness for mercy or from the desire to obtain what we lack. By taking a vow we bind ourselves more strictly to necessary duties, or to other things to the extent that they contribute to the performance of these duties.
At this time, I’d like to invite Ray to lead us for our prayer of supplication.

Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 22, Section 4

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army people making an oath. Chapter 22. Oaths and Vows

As we have seen in previous sections of chapter 22, oaths are promises we make to others before God. We have already witnessed God’s faithfulness to us to the extent of his son Jesus Christ coming to die to atone for our sins.

God is the ultimate witness to every oath we swear (Heb. 4:13), no matter its form, and a mere change in formula will not enable us to escape His chastisement should we fail to keep our promises.

One commentator noted that “the frequent requiring and using of oaths, is a poor reflection on Christians, who should be of such acknowledged fidelity, as that their sober words should be as sacred as their solemn oaths.” Believers are to be people so known for their truthfulness that they have no need to vow that they will keep their word. Let us not make promises that we cannot keep and be faithful to do what we say in big and small things.

Psalm 15:4 who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the LORD; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind;

Even when it means that keeping your promises even if they may hurt. When we take an oath, it means we follow through because we make our oaths before the Lord.

Any godly commitment we make must be honored, for the Lord prizes truth and fidelity. If you tend not to follow through on your promises, consider whether you are making more of them than you can keep. Pledge to do only those things you know you have time to fulfill.

4. The oath is to be taken in the plain and usual sense of the words, without equivocation or mental reservation. It cannot oblige a person to sin, but when it is taken in matters which are not sinful, it obligates performance of the oath even though it may hurt. The oath is not to be violated even though it is made to heretics or unbelievers.

Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 22, Section 1

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Chapter 22 deals with Legal Oaths and Vows.

When we look throughout Scripture we see God’s faithfulness in keeping the covenant he made with the people of Israel. We see him fulfilling his promises. What then should our response be?

James says, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.
— James 5:12

So should we then make oaths? If we are, how should we do it? Scripture tells us not to make oaths by heaven or earth or by any other name except by the name of God.

DEU 10:20 Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name.

Lawful oaths is made in the name of God. The confession calls it a part of religious worship because it is an act where we call upon the name of God as our witness to judge us according to our truthfulness of our promises.

Have you used the Lord’s name in vain? Have you made promises but failed to keep them?

As we read today’s confession, let us be mindful of the vows and oaths we have made before God recognizing that we will be judged for the promises we make.

Chapter 22 Section 1

1. A lawful oath is a part of religious worship, in which—on an appropriate occasion—the person taking the oath solemnly calls upon God to witness what he asserts or promises and to judge him according to the truth or falsehood of what he swears.

Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 21, Section 6

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We learn today that religious worship and prayer is not limited to any one place. We are taught by Jesus in John 4:24 that God is spirit and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.

The regular worship of God is to be conducted in three ways: publicly, as in our Church worship service today; as a family; and privately. What we do publicly in a Church worship service helps us to understand how worship is to be conducted as a family, and privately.

Worship doesn’t happen only on Sunday mornings, but it is a part of our every day lives. The confession says God should be worshiped daily in families and privately by individuals. It warns us not to neglect or forsake worship.

So as we read today’s confession, let us affirm God’s call for us to worship him publicly, in our families, and privately.

6. Under the gospel, neither prayer nor any other part of religious worship is now limited to—or made more acceptable by—any particular place where it is performed or toward which it is directed. On the contrary, God is to be worshiped everywhere in spirit and truth. He should be worshiped daily in families, and privately by individuals, and with greater solemnity in public worship services. Such worship services are not to be carelessly or willfully neglected or forsaken when God by his Word or his providence calls people to them.

Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 21, Section 5

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So what do we look for in a public worship service? Today’s confession gives us some of the elements of a worship service including: reading, preaching, and hearing of the Word of God; prayer, singing of psalms and spiritual songs; and the administration of the sacraments as commanded by our Lord.

In the reading of and proper preaching of the Word of God, God speaks to us. We worship God, by receiving that word, by hearing with reverence, paying careful attention, applying the scriptures in our lives in obedience to God.

When we pray and sing to our Lord God, we worship God through our holy affections and feelings, along with holy desires and thanksgivings as inspired in us through the Holy Spirit.

In the sacraments, God actually communes with us in an intimate and even physical way as the physical elements of each sacrament point us to the spiritual reality of God’s presence and work in our lives. Also in the sacraments God enters into covenant with our souls, and likewise we commune with God and enter into a covenant with God.

In all these elements, our hearts are looking towards Christ, we respond with faith and repentance… if you notice the words used in the confession: reverence, grace, holy and devout… there is an attitude we have when we worship our God.

As we say today’s confession, let us also examine our hearts and attitude concerning worship:

5. The various elements of the ordinary religious worship of God are the reading of the Scriptures with reverence; the sound preaching and conscientious hearing of the Word in obedience to God, with understanding, faith, and reverence; the singing of psalms with grace in the heart; and the proper administration and worthy receiving of the sacraments instituted by Christ. Also, on special occasions and at appropriate times, there are other elements of worship, namely, religious oaths, vows, solemn fasts, and thanksgivings. These are to be used in a holy and devout manner.

Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 21 Section 3

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Today’s confession looks at a special part of worship that is required by God:
Prayer with Thanksgiving. As Christians we are instructed to go to God for all
things but how is that connected to worship?

1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your
bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper
worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will
is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which
transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

There is an intimate relationship between our hearts and minds with worship. We
recognize in these two verses that unless our hearts and minds are renewed by
Christ, guarded in Christ, conformed to Christ, our worship is not true or proper.
So how do we get our minds and hearts right? Prayer with thanksgiving.

We recognize the Trinitarian nature of prayer where we pray in Jesus name,
where we are helped by the Holy Spirit and we pray according to the will of the
Father. When our hearts and mind recognize the finished work of Christ and our
new standing as sons, when we trust God in all situations; when we know we are
loved by God; when we are empowered to believe Him and to walk in faith with
him… that is our life of worship… and that is why praying with thanksgiving is so
necessary.

As we confess today’s confession, we recognize it is our hearts and minds that
God wants to conform to Christ. Let us then humbly pray with thanksgiving in all
situations.

Read with me today’s confession:

3. Prayer with thanksgiving is a special part of religious worship and is required
by God of all men. In order that prayer may be accepted, it is to be made in the
name of the Son, by the help of his Spirit, and according to his will. Prayer is to
be offered with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love, and
perseverance. If vocal, it must be offered in a language that is understood.

Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter 20 Section 3

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As we continue on the topic of Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience, we see today that it
speaks directly to our personal desires.

When the bible says Christ has set us free, that he has forgiven our sins and offered us new life,
does that mean we can now do whatever we want?

Two verses that describe how we should exercise our liberties.

1 Cor 10:23 Everything is permissible but not all things are beneficial. Everything is
permissible—but not everything is constructive.

1 Corinthians 8:9 Be careful however that the exercise of your freedom does not become a
stumbling block to the weak.

An example of this:
The only prohibition in the bible against alcohol is that we should not get drunk. However, the
bible does say to not be a stumbling block to the weak. If I had a brother who struggled with
alcoholism, my exercise of freedom would not be loving or beneficial to him. So I forgo my beer
in order to serve my Lord by loving my brother. Just because we could do something, doesn’t
mean we have to do it so that we may love God.

Because Jesus Christ has set us free, we now subject our motives to serving God and our brother
in love. We look not at “what can we get away with,” but how can I most glorify God in my
freedom, [which also means that we should not cherish any sin].

So, look at your own life, do you freely do things without thinking about either God or your
brother in Christ? Then you actually going against Christ. Instead we should look not to our own
interests but to the interest of others, we should be careful in the exercise of our freedom and be
charitable to others.

Those who, on the pretext of Christian liberty, practice any sin or cherish any evil desire destroy
the purpose of Christian liberty. This purpose is that, having been delivered out of the hand of our
enemies, we may serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all the
days of our life.
–WCF 20.3 – Christian Liberty and Liberty of Conscience (MESV)