The Belgic Confession of Faith (8)

Article 7

This is the last article of the Confession about the Holy Scriptures. In the subtitle we read, “The sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures, to be the only rule of faith.” In the previous article we discussed the apocryphal books and how in the past they have been added to the canon by others. But we also read that Scripture says: “that whosoever will add unto this Word or will take away from this Word, the Lord will take away his name out of the book of life.”

This article is really a confession of faith, for it says, “We believe that those Holy Scriptures fully contain the will of God.” This is not just historical faith, but this is a confession made by a true believer. We believe that these Holy Scriptures contain the complete will of God. God’s people know of a time in their life that the will of God has been revealed unto them in Scriptures. The Lord opened their eyes and the Word of God became more than a human word. It revealed His divine will to them.

The Bible which we use today is divided into sixty-six books, with chapters and verses. It has not always been so, however. The Masoretes in the ninth century after Christ divided the Old Testament into verses, and the division into chapters is believed to have been made later in the thirteenth century. This Word of God which can make us wise unto salvation is all-sufficient. This Word teaches of Christ as the only way of salvation and as “the only Name given under heaven whereby we must be saved.” It teaches us of the necessity of that union with Christ by a living, saving faith. The Word of God also speaks to us of the incorruptible inheritance preserved for God’s children. This Word gives so much comfort for the pilgrim in the wilderness. It gives many examples and is a cloud of witnesses proclaiming how the Lord has led His people from ancient days on. It also gives us many instructions and teachings which touch every aspect of living. Direction is given for personal, political, social, family, and church life. It is the touchstone of faith and the only norm for our life.

Our forefathers emphasized in this article that “Neither do we consider of equal value any writing of men, however holy these men may have been.” The Lord has given many precious writings in the past — the Doctrinal Standards, the Catechism, the Confession of Faith, the Five Articles against the Remonstrants, but also many writings of church fathers: Augustine, Calvin, Luther, and many others. We are privileged to have the Reformed Dogmatics of Rev. Kersten and also many good books which are being reprinted today. While we value them highly, we may never put them on the same level as the Word of God.

The Bible has some unique qualities, four of which we will discuss here.

1) The authority of the Word of God — it is the absolute and final rule; it is the authority for all matters of faith and practice in all areas of life.

2) The necessity of the Word of God — it is indispensable. We cannot do without it; for without the Word there is no salvation. It is the seed of regeneration.

3) The clearness of the Word of God — it is plain and clear in what is necessary for our salvation.

4) The sufficiency of the Word — it speaks of all things which are necessary for the moral and spiritual needs of people.

The authority of the Word teaches that the final decision always lies in what God says in His Word. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the pope sometimes speaks on behalf of God and he then makes known His will with respect to a certain dogma. When he speaks “ex cathedra,” from his papal chair, the pope then speaks with an authority to which everyone has to submit. We reject that teaching. Not the pope, but Scripture is the final authority. There is nothing above it — not a minister, elder, nor the most godly person. Regardless of what a certain person says, we must always question whether it is according to the Word of God. That must be the final authority. Old customs are not the final authority either. No human writings, even if they are of Comrie, Brakel, or such men, may ever be placed above the Word of God. We should always compare their words with Scripture and be careful that we do not idolize them and view them as if they have final authority. However, we should not neglect their writings either. The Lord has illuminated and enlightened many of His servants, and we deprive ourselves of something very precious if we put these writings aside. They should always, however, be subordinate to the Word of God.

The second point is the necessity of the Word of God. Why is the Word of God necessary? Certainly because it is the means of grace. The Lord works grace by means of His Word. Without the Word, there is no salvation for those who live estranged from God. The Lord always uses His Word to glorify His grace in the hearts of sinners. Again, Rome says that the Word of God is not the final means, but the church is the channel through which the Lord bestows His grace upon those who are faithful in prayer and in the use of the sacraments. The Reformation brought the Word of God back to its proper place and said “sola scriptura,” the Word of God alone. It is the Word of God which the Lord uses for salvation.

There are three different positions in regard to the Word of God as the means of salvation. First, there are the Nomists in various forms. They have quite a legalistic religion. They believe that the Bible, by its moral, ethical or intellectual influence on the people when hearing or reading it, is sufficient to work grace and to lead them on the way of salvation. They believe it is the Word of God alone which works grace. The work of the Holy Spirit is either considered to be entirely unnecessary, as with Pelagians and Rationalists, or it is just a work that urges and persuades man to accept that Word with his free will. Also Semi-Pelagians and Arminians do not believe in an inward, irresistible calling as we do. All these Nomists teach to some extent that if you are willing to learn from that Word and allow it to influence you intellectually, morally or ethically, then that Word will bring you on the right way.

Secondly, there is the position of the Antinomians who do not regard the external Word as necessary at all, but expect everything from “the inner word” or “inner light,” or from the immediate operation of the Holy Spirit. They say, “It is not the Word, but the Spirit alone. The letter killeth; the Word of God is but a dead letter.” This was stated by the Anabaptists, who in the days of the Reformation said that the work of the Spirit alone leads you on the way of salvation, that we should not make a “paper pope” of the Word of God, and it should not be esteemed too highly.

We are in danger of going to a text with our own ideas and have the text say what we would like to hear.

Thirdly, there are the Reformers who state that the Word alone is not sufficient to work faith and salvation. In the work of redemption the Word becomes efficacious by the accompanying operation of the Holy Spirit. It is Word and Spirit. The Word of God is the only means which can make us wise unto salvation. It is absolutely necessary that we have the Word of God in a pure form and that this Word not be altered, changed or darkened by human ideas. The preacher must preach the Word and nothing but the Word. We also are in danger of going to a text with our own ideas and have the text say what we would like to hear. If it is well in preaching and in listening, then we must become like Samuel when he said, “Speak, for Thy servant heareth.” The Word of God — law and gospel — have to be proclaimed.

That law is not only in the Old Testament, but in the New Testament as well. We read of it in Matthew 5:17-19 and in Romans 8:4, where “the righteousness of the law” is spoken of. In Romans 13:9 we read of the law and the commandments regarding love towards our neighbor. Likewise, the gospel is not only in the New Testament, but in the Old Testament as well. In Genesis the promise is given to Eve; in Isaiah 55:1-3 we have the gospel, “Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters....” Also in Jeremiah 31 we have the gospel preaching. The Lord said, “I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel.” “After those days ... I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know Me.” The gospel consists of promises, and the law commands obedience to the gospel. It also

commands faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a walk according to His commandments; this proves the necessity of the Word of God.

The clearness of the Word of God is the third unique quality. At times the Word of God does not seem to be very clear. Sometimes we need to have it explained from the pulpit, or in Bible Class, or we have to look in the commentaries for an explanation. Peter also said, “In which there are some things hard to be understood.” Many aspects are sometimes hidden or closed for us. Although it is true that there are many things hard to be understood, it is clear in the teaching of that which is necessary for our salvation. It is clear in the revelation of God’s will, in the revelation of who God is and of what He does in nature and in grace, in the revelation of the work of Jesus Christ, and in pointing out the only way of salvation. It is also clear in prophesying what the Lord has laid in store for His children. Those who are brought up under the Word of God will never be able to say that they were not smart enough or that they could not understand the Word. That which is necessary for their salvation is clearly explained in the Word of God. The Roman Catholics say the Word of God is not clear and therefore the people should look to the clergy for the explanation of it. However, we know that the Word of God is clear in all things which are necessary for our welfare.

Scripture reveals to us who God is in His power, in His compassion, in His anger, in His love, and in His righteousness. In all these things God is so great and we understand it not. The Lord descends so deeply in Scripture that He ascribes to Himself human emotions, passions or desires in order to proclaim His attributes. In Genesis 6:6 we read that “it repented the Lord.” This human expression reveals to us the mystery of how the Lord was grieved by sin, and how man had become a stumbling block and an enemy of God instead of becoming a blessing and a worshipper of God. The Lord uses these human expressions to reveal to us the mysteries of salvation. He will also reveal the hidden things of His Word by means of His Spirit. Many times this happens in the house of God. Sometimes while wrestling with a question or a text, a person comes into the house of God and there that text is proclaimed or explained. Then the Lord gives some instruction and confirms His own work in them. The Ethiopian could not understand what he was reading, but the Lord sent Philip as his instructor. The Lord also uses His servants to teach by means of that Word which can make us wise unto salvation. That Word is clear in all which we need to know to be saved.

The Word of God is also sufficient. We may not add to it and we may not take anything away from it. It contains everything for our soul and also for our everyday life. Sometimes we have questions, “Is this or that allowed?” We must realize that there is not a special text in the Word of God with a specific rule for each circumstance in life. It is sufficient, however, to make known the way we should walk. If we really need the guidance of God, and beg, “Lord, teach me Thy way; make known to me Thy will,” then the Lord will open His Word and will shed light. The Word of God contains the guidelines by which we must live our life — how we must live in our families and in the schools, how we must practice our political ideas, how we must rule a country, and how we must study science or theology. It is not only sufficient to show us the way of God’s commandments, but it is also sufficient to show us the way in which the Lord leads a poor, blind, and ignorant sinner in the way of salvation.

It is a Word which the Lord wants us to search, to dig into, and to investigate, “Search the Scriptures ... they are they which testify of Me.” There can be a time of praying and searching before the Lord gives an answer, but He will shed light.

Towards the end of this article it says, “for all men are of themselves liars.” That seems to be a bit exaggerated, and yet it is true. For those who learn to know themselves as liars, the Word becomes necessary. They beg for clearness in that Word, and the Word becomes precious as a lamp unto their feet. If we think we know the way we must go, know what is right and what is wrong, and can trust in our own understanding, then the Word of God is not the final authority in our life. Perhaps then we use the Word of God to support our own ideas. Calvin says conversion is “becoming true,” knowing what we are; that means “becoming a liar.” When the Lord opens His Word to us, He always starts at the beginning. We have believed the liar from the beginning. Then we begin to see the deceitfulness of our own heart and the more light the Lord gives, the more we see that we are so inclined to lie to ourselves and lift ourselves up. Then we have to be made honest and turn to the Word of God for instruction.

We also read, “more vain than vanity itself.” If we have a college degree, a good position, and think that we have become something in this world, then we must be led to see that we are more vain than vanity. Vanity is nothing, and “more vain than vanity” means more empty than emptiness. When one has learned to know that there is no “inner light,” as the Anabaptists spoke of, then he learns to know that only the Word of God can make him wise unto salvation.

The article also says, “Therefore, we reject with all our hearts, whatsoever doth not agree with this infallible rule.” The Word of God may never be adjusted to the opinions and ideas of a certain time. Some documents have to be altered after a certain time period to keep them current. That is never necessary with the Word of God. The infallible rule which the apostles have taught us, “try the spirits,” is something which is necessary today, perhaps more than ever before. We may have the truth, and the Lord has given us so many privileges, but we must not make an idol of this either. The Word of God must have preeminence and be the final authority.

Then finally, we read in this article, “likewise, if there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house.” That may sound harsh, but it just means not to have close fellowship or friendship with such a person. This does not mean that we must be impolite or disrespectful to others. It was the firm language of our forefathers that we cannot be friends with the world. How is it in our families and with you, boys and girls? Who are your friends? Are we still a separated people?

But I want to close positively. Do receive in your house, do have fellowship, do have gatherings, do have meetings, also to instruct each other, but then with those who are of the same faith and, above all, with those who have living faith. Do not receive in your house those who do not bring this doctrine, but bring, invite, and gather in your house those who believe this Word and this doctrine. May they be our friends.

May this precious Word then be our guide, a lamp unto our feet, a light unto our path. May this Word have authority over us, but also in us and our children. It would be a blessing for our churches, schools and families.

True Religion

“I will give Thee for a covenant of the people” (Is. 42:6).

This is a test of the true religion. All schemes that centre not in Christ, are to be rejected; and all schemes of the covenant, that make not Christ to be the all of it, are to be renounced: If I can find nothing in the covenant but Christ, surely I find enough, and I find all that my text makes of it; and if the world make it a new scheme at their peril be it. But this I say, that every scheme, that leads to self, and takes off from Christ, is a false and ruinous scheme; yea, every doctrine that advances any thing to be a rival with Him, and mingles our filthy rags with His excellent robes, is of a soul-ruining nature, and utterly to be detested. The second Adam came not to patch up and amend old Adam’s coat, as some express it, but to give us a wholly new garment of His own making, and dyed with His own blood: “I will give thee for a covenant.” Our chief business, as ministers of the gospel, is to trumpet forth the transcendent excellency of Christ, and desire to know nothing but Christ and Him crucified, and as the all of the covenant, for making people both happy and holy.

— Ralph Erskine

Rev. C. Vogelaar is pastor of the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Church of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.

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