The Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF)
WCF 9.2-3
2. Mankind, in the state of innocence, had the freedom and power to will and to do what was good and pleasing to God, but was nevertheless changeable, so that they might fall from this state. 3. By the fall into a state of sin, mankind has wholly lost all ability to will or to do any spiritual good accompanying salvation. A person in his natural state is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself or to prepare himself for it, being altogether averse to the good, and dead in sin. Read more
2. Mankind, in the state of innocence, had the freedom and power to will and to do what was good and pleasing to God, but was nevertheless changeable, so that they might fall from this state. 3. By the fall into a state of sin, mankind has wholly lost all ability to will or to do any spiritual good accompanying salvation. A person in his natural state is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself or to prepare himself for it, being altogether averse to the good, and dead in sin. Read more
WCF 9.1
God has given natural freedom to the will of each person so that it is neither forced nor determined to good or evil, by any absolute necessity of nature. (WCF 9.1) For the past several weeks we have been looking at the definite atonement that Christ’s mediatory work brings on all God’s elect, or as the Apostle Paul puts it, for those ‘whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Read more
God has given natural freedom to the will of each person so that it is neither forced nor determined to good or evil, by any absolute necessity of nature. (WCF 9.1) For the past several weeks we have been looking at the definite atonement that Christ’s mediatory work brings on all God’s elect, or as the Apostle Paul puts it, for those ‘whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Read more
WCF 8.8
Christ certainly and effectively applies and communicates his redemption to all those for whom has purchased it, making intercession for them, and revealing the mysteries of salvation to them, in and by the Word. He effectually persuades them by his Spirit to believe and obey, and he governs their hearts by his Word and Spirit, overcoming all their enemies by his almighty power and wisdom, in such ways as are most consistent with his wonderful and unsearchable arranging of things. Read more
Christ certainly and effectively applies and communicates his redemption to all those for whom has purchased it, making intercession for them, and revealing the mysteries of salvation to them, in and by the Word. He effectually persuades them by his Spirit to believe and obey, and he governs their hearts by his Word and Spirit, overcoming all their enemies by his almighty power and wisdom, in such ways as are most consistent with his wonderful and unsearchable arranging of things. Read more
WCF 8.7
Christ, in the work of mediation, acts according to both natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to itself. Yet by reason of the unity of the person, that which is proper to one nature is sometimes in Scripture attributed to name of the other nature. (WCF 8.7) As we come to the closing articles of the chapter we have been exploring on Christ’s role as mediator, the confession points our attention to what type of mediator that we really have right now in the Heavens. Read more
Christ, in the work of mediation, acts according to both natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to itself. Yet by reason of the unity of the person, that which is proper to one nature is sometimes in Scripture attributed to name of the other nature. (WCF 8.7) As we come to the closing articles of the chapter we have been exploring on Christ’s role as mediator, the confession points our attention to what type of mediator that we really have right now in the Heavens. Read more
WCF 8.6
Although the work of redemption was not actually worked by Christ until after his incarnation, yet the virtue, effectiveness, and benefits of it were communicated to God’s people in all ages successively from the beginning of the world. This occurred in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices in which he was revealed and signified to be the seed of the woman who would bruise the serpent’s head and the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world, the same yesterday and today and forever. Read more
Although the work of redemption was not actually worked by Christ until after his incarnation, yet the virtue, effectiveness, and benefits of it were communicated to God’s people in all ages successively from the beginning of the world. This occurred in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices in which he was revealed and signified to be the seed of the woman who would bruise the serpent’s head and the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world, the same yesterday and today and forever. Read more
WCF 8.5
The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of himself, which he offered up to God once, through the eternal Spirit, has fully satisfied the justice of his Father and has purchased not only reconciliation but an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven for all those whom the Father has given to him. (WCF 8.5) Statistically things are grim, one in every one of us will die. Now much of the thinking of the western world is that like with anything that dies it just ceases to exist. Read more
The Lord Jesus, by his perfect obedience and sacrifice of himself, which he offered up to God once, through the eternal Spirit, has fully satisfied the justice of his Father and has purchased not only reconciliation but an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven for all those whom the Father has given to him. (WCF 8.5) Statistically things are grim, one in every one of us will die. Now much of the thinking of the western world is that like with anything that dies it just ceases to exist. Read more
WCF 8.4
The Lord Jesus undertook this office completely willingly. So that that he might carry it out, he was made to be under the Law, and he perfectly fulfilled it. He endured grievous torments directly in his soul, and very painful sufferings in his body; he was crucified, died, was buried, and remained under the power of death, yet saw no corruption. On the third day he rose from the dead, with the same body in which he suffered, with which also he ascended to heaven, and sits there now at the right hand of his Father, making intercession; he shall return to judge people and angels at the end of the world. Read more
The Lord Jesus undertook this office completely willingly. So that that he might carry it out, he was made to be under the Law, and he perfectly fulfilled it. He endured grievous torments directly in his soul, and very painful sufferings in his body; he was crucified, died, was buried, and remained under the power of death, yet saw no corruption. On the third day he rose from the dead, with the same body in which he suffered, with which also he ascended to heaven, and sits there now at the right hand of his Father, making intercession; he shall return to judge people and angels at the end of the world. Read more
WCF 8.3
The Lord Jesus, in his human nature thus united to the divine, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit beyond measure, having in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. It pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell in him, for the purpose that, being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and truth, he might be thoroughly equipped to carry out the office of a mediator, and a payment for them. Read more
The Lord Jesus, in his human nature thus united to the divine, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit beyond measure, having in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. It pleased the Father that all fullness should dwell in him, for the purpose that, being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and truth, he might be thoroughly equipped to carry out the office of a mediator, and a payment for them. Read more
WCF 8.2
The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, being truly and eternally God, of one substance and equal with the Father, when the fullness of time came, took upon himself mankind’s nature, with all the essential properties and common infirmities of it, yet without sin, being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary, and of her substance. Thus two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion. Read more
The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, being truly and eternally God, of one substance and equal with the Father, when the fullness of time came, took upon himself mankind’s nature, with all the essential properties and common infirmities of it, yet without sin, being conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of the virgin Mary, and of her substance. Thus two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion. Read more
WCF 8.1
It pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, to be the mediator between God and mankind - the prophet, priest, and king, the head and saviour of his Church, the heir of all things, and the judge of the world. From all eternity he gave to the Lord Jesus a people to be his seed and eventually to be redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified by him. Read more
It pleased God, in his eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, his only begotten Son, to be the mediator between God and mankind - the prophet, priest, and king, the head and saviour of his Church, the heir of all things, and the judge of the world. From all eternity he gave to the Lord Jesus a people to be his seed and eventually to be redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified by him. Read more