The basis for Reformed Ecclesiology

[agenes]

The Church is the community of all true believers for all time. This definition understands the church to be made of all those who are truly saved. Paul says, "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Eph 2:25). Here the term "the church" is used to apply to all those whom Christ died to redeem, all those who are saved by the death of Christ. But that must include all true believers for all time, both believers in the New Testament age and believers in the Old Testament age as well. (Grudem)

WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH CHAPTER XXV Of the Church

I. The catholic or universal church, which is invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the Head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.[1]

II. The visible church, which is also catholic or universal under the gospel (not confined to one nation, as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion;[2] and of their children:[3] and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ,[4] the house and family of God,[5] out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.[6]

III. Unto this catholic visible church Christ hath given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end of the world: and doth, by his own presence and Spirit, according to his promise, make them effectual thereunto.[7]

IV. This catholic church hath been sometimes more, sometimes less visible.[8] And particular churches, which are members thereof, are more or less pure, according as the doctrine of the gospel is taught and embraced, ordinances administered, and public worship performed more or less purely in them.[9]

V. The purest churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error;[10] and some have so degenerated, as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan.[11] Nevertheless, there shall be always a church on earth, to worship God according to his will.[12]

VI. There is no other head of the church but the Lord Jesus Christ[13]. Nor can the pope of Rome, in any sense, be head thereof: but is that Antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalteth himself, in the Church, against Christ and all that is called God[14].

[1] Ephesians 1:10, 22-23. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.... And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Ephesians 5:23, 27, 32. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.... That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.... This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Colossians 1:18. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

[2] 1 Corinthians 1:2. Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. Psalm 2:8. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Revelation 7:9. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands. Romans 15:9-12. And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

[3] 1 Corinthians 7:14. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. Acts 2:39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Ezekiel 16:20-21. Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter, That thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for them? Romans 11:16. For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. Genesis 3:15. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Genesis 17:7. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

[4] Matthew 13:47. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind. Isaiah 9:7. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

[5] Ephesians 2:19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God. Ephesians 3:15. Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.

[6] Acts 2:47. Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

[7] 1 Corinthians 12:28. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Ephesians 4:11-13. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. Matthew 28:19-20. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Isaiah 59:21. As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

[8] Romans 11:3-4. Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Revelation 12:6, 14. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.... And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

[9] Revelation 2-3. 1 Corinthians 5:6-7. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.

[10] 1 Corinthians 13:12. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. Matthew 13:24-30, 47. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.... Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind.

[11] Revelation 18:2. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. Romans 11:18-22. Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

[12] Matthew 16:18. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Psalm 72:17. His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. Psalm 102:28. The children of thy servants shall continue, and their seed shall be established before thee. Matthew 28:19-20. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

[13] Colossians 1:18. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Ephesians 1:22. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.

[14] Matthew 23:8-10. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 8-9. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.... And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders. Revelation 13:6. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

 

[Koey]

My problem with "Reformed" theology is that it wants to squeeze me in a box and a time warp from Westminster. I like to think outside the square. Rather than being stuck in a Calvinist prison, I prefer to learn from both Calvin and Arminius. Rather than think I am "reformed," I prefer to be open to correction from the Holy Spirit. The theory of reformed and always reforming, does not work in real life. The word "reformed" is all that is remembered, and "reforming" is forgotten when preservation of a "confession" becomes the Reformed believer's creed. Westminster was a long time ago and the 2,000 year long discussion we call theology has also moved on.

 

[Maximus]

VI. There is no other head of the church but the Lord Jesus Christ[13]. Nor can the pope of Rome, in any sense, be head thereof: but is that Antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalteth himself, in the Church, against Christ and all that is called God[14].

Of course Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church and there is no other.

But the rest of that is absolute and utter libelous nonsense.

The Antichrist will deny Christ and insist that he himself is divine.

An antichrist, according to St. John, denies that Christ came in the flesh.

What Pope has ever done any of those things?

 

[Koey]

Of course Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church and there is no other.

But the rest of that is absolute and utter libelous nonsense.

The Antichrist will deny Christ and insist that he himself is divine.

An antichrist, according to St. John, denies that Christ came in the flesh.

What Pope has ever done any of those things?

I agree with you on this one. To call the Pope the Antichrist is not only falsely accusing the brethren, it is not even biblical. It is a prejudiced theory based upon ignorance of the Bible and Church history.

 

[JohnJones]

To call the Pope the Antichrist is not only falsely accusing the brethren, it is not even biblical.

I'm going to defend the Reformation idea that the Pope is antichrist for the sake of it. Moderators please do not ban me for being informative.

By Roman Catholic admission, Babylon in the New Testament refers to Rome. I say, by Roman Catholic admission, because Roman Catholic apologists use 1 Pet 5:13 "The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son" to prove that Peter was a bishop of Rome. Where is Rome in that verse? Nowhere, unless Babylon is Rome. So then, if Babylon is Rome here then also in Revelation 17, where the Harlot sits on 7 mountains/hills at Babylon. The word "mountains" there is the Greek oros which is translated as hill in Mat 5:14, Luke 1:39, Luke 1:65, Luke 4:29, Luke 9:37. So, we have Babylon with 7 hills and an harlot sitting on the hills, which the Reformers took to be Rome with its 7 hills and the RCC sitting on them. Roman Catholics object to this on the basis that the KJV says "7 mountains" (not hills) and even though it can be (and is) shown that the Greek word translated here as mountains is translated hills over and over in Scripture they still object. It can be shown then, that in Latin each of the 7 hills of Rome are called mont so-and-so, which indicates that the hill and mountain debate is pointless. The Scriptural basis for calling the pope antichrist then is that Babylon is Rome and the 7 hills are the 7 hills of Rome and the harlot sitting on the hills is the RCC. But, can it be proved that the RCC is the harlot? Well, the harlot is said to hold a cup full of adultery in Rev 17. To the reformers, the cup in the mass contains adultery. What about where Rev 17 says that the harlot has made kings to drink of the cup? Has the RCC not forced kings to partake in the mass? What about drinking the blood of the saints? Did the RCC not kill Christians in the inquisition? What about the harlot being dressed in scarlet? Is scarlet not the color worn by the cardinals? But, the most damaging comparision between the harlot of Rev 17 and the RCC is this--the harlot is called "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." Is not the RCC the mother of the Protestant churches, those harlots and abominations of the earth? Well, then we find a vindication of the Reformers' stance that the RCC is the harlot, that the churches of the Reformers are themselves daughter harlots, and the pope is antichrist.​

Obviously, the above interpretation of Revelation 17 requires that both Catholics and Protestants are fake-Christians and that only non-Catholic-non-Protestants can be Christians.

 

[Philip]

I'm going to defend the Reformation idea that the Pope is antichrist for the sake of it. Moderators please do not ban me for being informative.

By Roman Catholic admission, Babylon in the New Testament refers to Rome. I say, by Roman Catholic admission, because Roman Catholic apologists use 1 Pet 5:13 "The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son" to prove that Peter was a bishop of Rome. Where is Rome in that verse? Nowhere, unless Babylon is Rome. So then, if Babylon is Rome here then also in Revelation 17, where the Harlot sits on 7 mountains/hills at Babylon. The word "mountains" there is the Greek oros which is translated as hill in Mat 5:14, Luke 1:39, Luke 1:65, Luke 4:29, Luke 9:37. So, we have Babylon with 7 hills and an harlot sitting on the hills, which the Reformers took to be Rome with its 7 hills and the RCC sitting on them.

The Reformers erred when they identified the pagan Imperial Rome with the Church of Rome.

The Scriptural basis for calling the pope antichrist then is that Babylon is Rome and the 7 hills are the 7 hills of Rome and the harlot sitting on the hills is the RCC. But, can it be proved that the RCC is the harlot?

No, it can't. The description fits much better with the pagan Roman emperors.

Well, the harlot is said to hold a cup full of adultery in Rev 17. To the reformers, the cup in the mass contains adultery. What about where Rev 17 says that the harlot has made kings to drink of the cup? Has the RCC not forced kings to partake in the mass? What about drinking the blood of the saints? Did the RCC not kill Christians in the inquisition?

Can you find a Christian group that has not killed other Christians? Doubtful. Instead, this description fits quite well with the Roman persecutions under Domitian, Diocletian, and others.

What about the harlot being dressed in scarlet? Is scarlet not the color worn by the cardinals?

Do you mean the St Louis Cardinals? Yes, their uniforms are red, but I doubt that is what St John intended.

BTW, do you happen to know what the colors worn by the Emperors of Rome were?

But, the most damaging comparision between the harlot of Rev 17 and the RCC is this--the harlot is called "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." Is not the RCC the mother of the Protestant churches, those harlots and abominations of the earth? Well, then we find a vindication of the Reformers' stance that the RCC is the harlot, that the churches of the Reformers are themselves daughter harlots, and the pope is antichrist.

Wow, that is quite an accusation. I don't think I have ever seen all of Western Christianity condemned like that.

Obviously, the above interpretation of Revelation 17 requires that both Catholics and Protestants are fake-Christians and that only non-Catholic-non-Protestants can be Christians.

Makes me glad I am Orthodox.

(For those who don't get the irony, I count Catholics and Protestants as my Christian brothers. I merely wish to point out that JohnJones forgot to condemn the second largest communion of Christians.)

 

[JohnJones]

The description fits much better with the pagan Roman emperors.

In the next chapter, Revelation 18, the Bible says that when Babylon is destroyed it will be so utterly destroyed that not even a candle will ever be lit in it again. THIS HAS NOT BEEN FULFILLED--there are candles lit in Rome all the time. So, the destruction of Babylon was not fulfilled by the fall of the Roman Emperors.

Can you find a Christian group that has not killed other Christians? Doubtful.

The Church of Christ, which is neither Catholic (Roman nor Eastern) nor Protestant.

I don't think I have ever seen all of Western Christianity condemned like that....Makes me glad I am Orthodox.

Why does it make you so glad to be an Eastern Catholic? As you yourself said, the Eastern Catholic church has killed Chrisitans, or in your words "Can you find a Christian group that has not killed other Christians? Doubtful."

 

[Philip]

In the next chapter, Revelation 18, the Bible says that when Babylon is destroyed it will be so utterly destroyed that not even a candle will ever be lit in it again. THIS HAS NOT BEEN FULFILLED--there are candles lit in Rome all the time. So, the destruction of Babylon was not fulfilled by the fall of the Roman Emperors.

Sure it has. Imperial Rome is gone. It has not returned. No candles have been lit.

The Church of Christ, which is neither Catholic (Roman nor Eastern) nor Protestant.

Is this a hypothetical group, or can you identify it through history?

Why does it make you so glad to be an Eastern Catholic? As you yourself said, the Eastern Catholic church has killed Chrisitans,

You stated that the harlot was Rome and the Harlots are Protestantism. Orthodoxy is neither the Church of Rome, nor her child. Thus, the interpretation you gave does not include Orthodoxy. I am not saying that the members of the Orthodox Church are not guilty of violence. I am saying that we do not fit in your interpretation of Revelations.

 

[mcfly1960]

Of course Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church and there is no other.

But the rest of that is absolute and utter libelous nonsense.

The Antichrist will deny Christ and insist that he himself is divine.

An antichrist, according to St. John, denies that Christ came in the flesh.

What Pope has ever done any of those things?

Well, the Popes have decreed that Mary was sinless, haven't they, and born without the same sin-nature as the rest of the human race, and that is unique to them. I don't think the Orthodox have this doctrine. Somehow, I remember reading something along these lines, that is has something to do with Mary, is the reasoning on Christ not coming in the flesh, at least not the sin-nature part. I will have to read up more. I'm sure Calvin's and Luther's commentaries could shed some light on their thinking.

 

[mcfly1960]

"The Pope is not only the representative of Jesus Christ, but he is Jesus Christ Himself, hidden under a veil of flesh". The Catholic National, July 1895.

"We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty". Pope Leo XIII, Encyclical Letter, June 20, 1894.

"We define that the Holy Apostolic See [Vatican] and the Roman Pontiff hold the primacy over the whole world". Council of Trent, Decree, quoted in Philippe Labbe and Gabriel Cossart, The Most Holy Councils, VoL 13, col.1167.

"Christ entrusted His office to the chief pontiff... but all power in heaven and in earth has been given to Chnst... therefore the chief pontiff, who is His vicar, will have this power". Corpus Juris Canonici, 1555 ed., Vol.3, Extravagantes Communes, Book 1, chap.1, col.29.

"Hence the Pope is crowned with a triple crown, as king of heaven and of earth and of the lower regions [infernorum; the fiery place]". Lucius Ferraris, Prompta Bibliotheca, "Papa" [the Pope], art.2, 1772-1777 ed., Vol.6, p.29.

"For thou art the shepherd, thou art the physician, thou art the director, thou art the husbandman; finally, thou art another God on Earth". Christopher Marcellus, Oration in the fifth Lateran Council, session IV (1512), in J.D. Mansi (ed.), Sacrorum Conciliorum, Vol.32, col.761.


http://www.benabraham.com/html/6_-_luther_s_separation_from_r.html

 

[Koey]

Although the Protestant reformers are to be admired for their faith and desire to correct the corruptions that had crept into the universal Church, they too incorporated some of their own corruptions and threw out many good things, which the Catholic Church retains.

Often when we are offended by the evil in something, we do not see the good and I believe that in their revulsion and anger the Protestant reformers allowed themselves to misrepresent the Scriptures in this regard.

What do the Scriptures say are descriptions of anyone who is against (anti) Christ?

• 1 John 2:22 ...He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son.​
• 1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist...
  
  [*]
  2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.​

I do not see this description fitting the recent pope.​

 

[mcfly1960]

As far as Reformed ecclesiology and liturgy are concerned, they are based on the "Regulative Principle" which states that what the Bible commands is to be adopted and practiced, what is not commanded is to be rejected.

This principle spread rapidly with the translation of the Bible into English (and other common languages), along with the invention of the printing press. Ordinary people could now read the Bible for themselves. This was at a time when both the monarchy and established church had become synonymous with tyranny.

Many of the English Puritans, who wrote the Westminster Confession of Faith, along with the Scottish Presbyterians, would eventually flee to America. Their descendants would see the adoption of the Bill of Rights, which would guarantee their freedom of worship.

 

[Koey]

As far as Reformed ecclesiology and liturgy are concerned, they are based on the "Regulative Principle" which states that what the Bible commands is to be adopted and practiced, what is not commanded is to be rejected...both the monarchy and established church had become synonymous with tyranny...

1. I agree with your regulative principle in part, but it or you seem to leave out a middle ground: that vast area of religious worship which is neither prescribed nor forbidden in the Bible. In Christian freedom, we can do many, many things which are not specifically commanded in the Bible. For instance, Christmas. The only problem comes when those things become traditions which usurp the Bible.
2. I agree that the heavy-handed overlording of the church was a major factor contributing to the Protestant Reformation. While the Catholic Church has itself reformed in many ways, the heavy-handedness continues, interfering in many areas of personal faith and practice.

 

[Unnamed Servant]

Although the Protestant reformers are to be admired for their faith and desire to correct the corruptions that had crept into the universal Church, they too incorporated some of their own corruptions and threw out many good things, which the Catholic Church retains.

Often when we are offended by the evil in something, we do not see the good and I believe that in their revulsion and anger the Protestant reformers allowed themselves to misrepresent the Scriptures in this regard.

What do the Scriptures say are descriptions of anyone who is against (anti) Christ?

• 1 John 2:22 ...He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son.​
• 1 John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist...
  
  [*]
  2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.​

I do not see this description fitting the recent pope.​

All that antichrist means is against Christ. We have no reason to believe that only what was mentioned by John defines an antichrist, but that he was simply defining some of the characteristics of those who are opposite of Christ.

 

[Koey]

Quite correct. Those who point to this or that individual as the supposed Antichrist are ignorant, and often false prophets who don't even understand Scripture. Does this mean that no Popes or Protestant leaders were against Christ? I believe that some were. Both branches of Christianity contain the histories of sinful people. The Church is not perfect; never was; never will be. Only Jesus is perfect, only he is our Savior.

 

[Peter]

I find this a very interesting thread. The OP states "The Basis for Reformed Ecclesiology," then goes on to quote the Westminster Confession. Strange, I thought Reformers only founded themselves on the Bible.

Peace.

Rdr. Peter

 

[mcfly1960]

You must have missed the WCF's scriptural footnotes.

 

[Peter]

But who needs all the rest? Just quote the Bible. The Westminster Confession is one groups interpretation of scripture (their tradition). It is not the Bible alone. It is the Bible WITH interpretation.

Peace.

Rdr. Peter

 

[mcfly1960]

The chief aim of the Westminster Assembly in 1648 England was to standardise doctrine in the Reformed Church. With the rapid spread of the Scriptures among the common people, this need came.

 

[Koey]

But who needs all the rest? Just quote the Bible. The Westminster Confession is one groups interpretation of scripture (their tradition). It is not the Bible alone. It is the Bible WITH interpretation...

Yes, that is the reason I turned down becoming a Presbyterian minister. I would have been required to completely agree with the Westminister Confession. I don't even understand the thing. It's just wheels within wheels.