Reformed confessions

[Esdra]

Hi

has anyone of you read the major reformed confessions?
are there difference between let's say the Belgic, 2nd Helvetic and Westminster confession?

I've read so far only the 2nd Helvetic confession (and the Heidelberg catechism.)

Esdra

 

[Apologetic_Warrior]

For the most part, Reformed Confessions are in agreement, even where they have (compatible) differences. Of course there are differences like Baptism, the Lord's Supper, between Reformed Confessions and Calvinistic Baptist Confessions, that are incompatible. However, there is an organic unity if I may use that phrase between the confessions, and there are a great many of them, more than I am aware of, can keep track of, remember. I am always learning more about them. Awhile back, I learned that John Calvin wrote what is known as the "French Confession", and he "peer reviewed" the Belgic Confession. To further validate the claim of "organic unity", many Reformed Churches in Europe were united by the "Three Forms of Unity" consisting of the Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Confession, and the Canons of Dordt. The RCUS uses the Three Forms of Unity with the Apostle's Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed included in their book of doctrinal standards.

Oh, and this tadbit of information might be helpful, the Westminster Confession has undergone a couple of revisions, which caused quite a stir.

 

[JM]

• A Tabular Comparison of the 1646 WCF and the 1689 LBCF (2003).
  • Just as the title indicates. Differences between these two Reformed confessions are colour-coded for ease of comparison. (PDF version available here, but note that hyperlinks do not work.)
  
  
  
• A Tabular Comparison of the 1646 Westminster Confession of Faith, the 1658 Savoy Declaration of Faith, the 1677/1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith and the 1742 Philadelphia Confession of Faith (2007).
  • Created by Don Lowe, this is an extension of my tabular comparison of the 1646 WCF and 1689 LBCF.
  
  
  
• A Tabular Comparison of the 1677/1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, the 1646 Westminster Confession of Faith, and the 1561 Belgic Confession (2012).
  • Created by Gavin Vermeulen, this is another extension of my tabular comparison of the 1646 WCF and 1689 LBCF.

 

[AngCath]

I recommend this resource to help flesh out some of the major ones: Reformed Confessions Harmonized: Various Authors - Paperback, Book | Ligonier Ministries Store