The Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF)
WCF 7.5-6
5. This covenant was differently administered in the time of the Law and in the time of the Gospel. Under the Law, it was administered by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the Passover lamb, and other types and ordinances delivered to the Jewish people, all signifying in advance the Christ to come. These were sufficient and effective for that time, through the operation of the Spirit, to instruct and build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah, by whom they had full remission of sins and eternal salvation. Read more
5. This covenant was differently administered in the time of the Law and in the time of the Gospel. Under the Law, it was administered by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the Passover lamb, and other types and ordinances delivered to the Jewish people, all signifying in advance the Christ to come. These were sufficient and effective for that time, through the operation of the Spirit, to instruct and build up the elect in faith in the promised Messiah, by whom they had full remission of sins and eternal salvation. Read more
WCF 7.4
4. This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in Scripture by the name of a testament, in reference to the death of Jesus Christ, the testator, and to the everlasting inheritance bequeathed by it, with all the things belonging to it. (WCF 7.4) For the past few weeks we have been looking at the nature of the covenants that God made with humanity. First there was “the covenant of works” that was set forth in Eden with our first parents. Read more
4. This covenant of grace is frequently set forth in Scripture by the name of a testament, in reference to the death of Jesus Christ, the testator, and to the everlasting inheritance bequeathed by it, with all the things belonging to it. (WCF 7.4) For the past few weeks we have been looking at the nature of the covenants that God made with humanity. First there was “the covenant of works” that was set forth in Eden with our first parents. Read more
WCF 7.3
3. Because the man, by his fall, made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second covenant, commonly called the covenant of grace, in which he freely offers to sinners life and salvation through Jesus Christ, requiring them to have faith in him so that they may be saved, and promises to give to all those that are ordained to eternal life his Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe. Read more
3. Because the man, by his fall, made himself incapable of life by that covenant, the Lord was pleased to make a second covenant, commonly called the covenant of grace, in which he freely offers to sinners life and salvation through Jesus Christ, requiring them to have faith in him so that they may be saved, and promises to give to all those that are ordained to eternal life his Holy Spirit, to make them willing and able to believe. Read more
WCF 7.2
2. The first covenant made with mankind was a covenant of works, in which life was promised to Adam, and in him to his posterity, on condition of perfect and personal obedience. (WCF 7.2) Inherent to the human condition is a “pull” to do the right thing. Many have argued throughout human history that this internal “pull” is nothing more than the evolutionary process of people learning through their mistakes and thus by “nurture” have seen our right from wrongs. Read more
2. The first covenant made with mankind was a covenant of works, in which life was promised to Adam, and in him to his posterity, on condition of perfect and personal obedience. (WCF 7.2) Inherent to the human condition is a “pull” to do the right thing. Many have argued throughout human history that this internal “pull” is nothing more than the evolutionary process of people learning through their mistakes and thus by “nurture” have seen our right from wrongs. Read more
WCF 7.1
1. The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasoning creatures owe obedience to him as their creator, yet they could never have any fruition of him as their blessedness and reward, except by some voluntary condescension on God’s part, which he has been pleased to express by way of covenant. (WCF 7.1) Over the past few weeks in chapter 6 of the confession, we have been looking at how the sin of our first parents (original sin) and our own personal sin (actual sin) has severed us from the blessed presence of God. Read more
1. The distance between God and the creature is so great, that although reasoning creatures owe obedience to him as their creator, yet they could never have any fruition of him as their blessedness and reward, except by some voluntary condescension on God’s part, which he has been pleased to express by way of covenant. (WCF 7.1) Over the past few weeks in chapter 6 of the confession, we have been looking at how the sin of our first parents (original sin) and our own personal sin (actual sin) has severed us from the blessed presence of God. Read more
WCF 6.5-6
5. This corruption of nature remains in those who are regenerated during this life. Although it is pardoned and mortified through Christ, yet this nature itself and all the actions coming from it are truly and properly sin. 6. Every sin, both original and actual, being a transgression of the righteous law of God and contrary to it, by its nature brings guilt on the sinner, by which the sinner is bound over to the wrath of God and the curse of the law, and so made subject to death, with all manner of spiritual, temporal, and eternal miseries. Read more
5. This corruption of nature remains in those who are regenerated during this life. Although it is pardoned and mortified through Christ, yet this nature itself and all the actions coming from it are truly and properly sin. 6. Every sin, both original and actual, being a transgression of the righteous law of God and contrary to it, by its nature brings guilt on the sinner, by which the sinner is bound over to the wrath of God and the curse of the law, and so made subject to death, with all manner of spiritual, temporal, and eternal miseries. Read more
WCF 6.1-2
1. Our first parents, being seduced by the subtlety and temptation of Satan, sinned in eating the forbidden fruit. God was pleased, according to his wise and holy counsel, to permit this sin of theirs, having planned to use it to his own glory. 2. By this sin they fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and so became dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the parts and abilities of soul and body. Read more
1. Our first parents, being seduced by the subtlety and temptation of Satan, sinned in eating the forbidden fruit. God was pleased, according to his wise and holy counsel, to permit this sin of theirs, having planned to use it to his own glory. 2. By this sin they fell from their original righteousness and communion with God, and so became dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the parts and abilities of soul and body. Read more
WCF 6.3-4
3. Because they were the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation; and the same death in sin and the same corrupted nature was conveyed to their posterity. 4. All of our actual transgressions proceed from this original corruption, by which we are utterly unwilling, disabled, made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil. Read more
3. Because they were the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed to all their posterity descending from them by ordinary generation; and the same death in sin and the same corrupted nature was conveyed to their posterity. 4. All of our actual transgressions proceed from this original corruption, by which we are utterly unwilling, disabled, made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil. Read more
WCF 5.5-7
5. The most wise, righteous, and gracious God often leaves his own children for a season to various temptations and the corruption of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to show to them the hidden strength of the corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, so that they may be humbled and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon himself, also to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for various other just and holy purposes. Read more
5. The most wise, righteous, and gracious God often leaves his own children for a season to various temptations and the corruption of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to show to them the hidden strength of the corruption and deceitfulness of their hearts, so that they may be humbled and to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon himself, also to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for various other just and holy purposes. Read more
WCF 5.4
4. The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God do so far manifest themselves in his providence, that it extends even to the first fall, and all other sins of angels and people. Such do not happen by a bare permission, but are joined with a most wise and powerful bounding, ordering and governing of them, in various dispensations, for his own holy purposes, yet so that the sinfulness of them comes only from the creature, and not from God, who, being most holy and righteous, is not nor can be the author or approver of sin. Read more
4. The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God do so far manifest themselves in his providence, that it extends even to the first fall, and all other sins of angels and people. Such do not happen by a bare permission, but are joined with a most wise and powerful bounding, ordering and governing of them, in various dispensations, for his own holy purposes, yet so that the sinfulness of them comes only from the creature, and not from God, who, being most holy and righteous, is not nor can be the author or approver of sin. Read more