1. The Westminster Confession of Faith
Inquirer’s class #4
Forest hill Presbyterian church
February 26, 2017

2. The Westminster Assembly, 1643-1653

3. Historical Background
The English Civil War,
King Charles I tried to rule as an absolute monarch.
The King was head of the Church of England.
Parliament opposed the king, leading to a civil war.
Scotland agreed to support Parliament, if they would sign the Solemn League and Covenant, agreeing to reform the Church of England.
C of E was “high church” and had 39 Articles and the Book of Common Prayer, both of which were flawed in the eyes of Scots and Puritans.
Parliament called for an assembly of 121 leading theologians to reform the church, its worship and doctrine, starting in 1643.

4. Two Content Layout with Table
Class
Group A
Group B
Class 1 82 85
Class 2 76 88
Class 3 84 90
First bullet point here
Second bullet point here
Third bullet point here

5. Major Documents Produced
Directory for Public Worship
Jan. 3, 1645
The Confession of Faith
August 1646
Larger and Shorter Catechism
1648

6. Presbyterianism Comes to America
The Adopting Act of 1729: Westminster Confession was adopted by American Presbyterian Synod, except for one section, which was excluded:
Chap. 23, sec. 3. "The civil magistrate may not assume to himself the administration of the word and sacraments, or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven; yet he hath authority, and it is his duty, to take order that unity and peace be preserved in the Church; that the truth of God be kept pure and entire; that all blasphemies and heresies be suppressed, all corruptions and abuses in worship and discipline prevented or reformed, and all ordinances of God duly settled, administered, and observed. for the better effecting whereof he hath power to call Synods, to be present at them, and to provide that whatsoever is transacted in them be according to the mind of God."

7. So, What’s in This Confession of Faith??
Of the Holy Scripture
Of God, and of the Holy Trinity
Of God's Eternal Decree
Of Creation
Of Providence
Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and of the Punishment Thereof
Of God's Covenant with Man
Of Christ the Mediator
Of Free Will
Of Effectual Calling
Of Justification
Of Adoption
Of Sanctification
Of Saving Faith
Of Repentance unto Life
Of Good Works
Of the Perseverance of the Saints
Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation
Of the Law of God
Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience

8. Westminster Confession, Contents, cont.
Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day
Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
Of the Civil Magistrate
Of Marriage and Divorce
Of the Church
Of the Communion of Saints
Of the Sacraments
Of Baptism
Of the Lord's Supper
Of Church Censures
Of Synods and Councils
Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead
Of the Last Judgment

9. That’s a VERY LONG Statement of Faith
Confession of Faith
States the minimum
Somewhat Reductionistic
Focuses on “the Basics” of what is believed
Is signed and then usually forgotten
States fully what is believed
Somewhat comprehensive
Focuses on all major aspects of doctrine and practice for the church
Is meant to be taught, considered, discussed, etc.