Belydenisse van die Gereformeerde Kerke

Die belydenisskrifte is die kerk se samevatting van wat die Skrif leer. Hulle is oor eeue heen opgestel, dikwels in tye van stryd, om die kernwaarhede van die geloof helder en eenvormig te verwoord. Die Gereformeerde kerke aanvaar hulle as getroue weergawes van die Bybelse leer — ondergeskik aan die Skrif, maar gesagvol as belydenis van die gemeente.

Hier is die belangrikste belydenisskrifte soos die kerk hulle ontvang en bewaar het.

Confessions of the Reformed Churches

The confessional standards are the church’s summary of what Scripture teaches. They were composed over centuries, often in times of conflict, to articulate the core truths of the faith clearly and uniformly. The Reformed churches accept them as faithful expressions of biblical doctrine — subordinate to Scripture, yet authoritative as the confession of the congregation.

Here are the most important confessional standards as the church has received and preserved them.

12 ArtikelsThe Apostles' Creed

Die Apostoliese Geloofsbelydenis, ook bekend as Die Twaalf Artikels van die Algemene Ongetwyfelde Christelike Geloof, is ‘n vroeë en wyd-aanvaarde belydenis van geloof in die Christelike kerk. Dit is nie deur die apostels self geskryf nie, maar dit vat die kernwaarhede van die apostoliese leer saam. Dit dien as ‘n oorsig van die fundamentele Christelike geloofsoortuigings en word algemeen gebruik in die liturgie van baie kerke, insluitend Gereformeerde, Katolieke, en Anglikaanse tradisies.

Die Twaalf Artikels van die Geloof:

Ek glo in God die Vader, die Almagtige, die Skepper van die hemel en die aarde;
En in Jesus Christus, sy eniggebore Seun, ons Here;
Wat ontvang is van die Heilige Gees, gebore is uit die maagd Maria;
Wat gely het onder Pontius Pilatus, gekruisig is, gesterf het en begrawe is, en neergedaal het na die hel;
Wat op die derde dag weer opgestaan het uit die dood;
Wat opgevaar het na die hemel, en sit aan die regterhand van God, die almagtige Vader;
Van waar Hy sal kom om te oordeel die lewendes en die dooies;
Ek glo in die Heilige Gees;
Ek glo aan ‘n heilige, algemene, Christelike kerk – die gemeenskap van die heiliges;
Die vergewing van sondes;
Die opstanding van die vlees;
En ‘n ewige lewe. Amen.

Hierdie geloofsbelydenis word dikwels gebruik as ‘n liturgiese verklaring tydens doop, nagmaal, en geloofsverduidelikings, en dit dien as ‘n belydenis van wat alle ware Christene glo.

Uitgebrei

1. Ek glo in God die Vader, die Almagtige, die Skepper van die hemel en die aarde

Hier bely ons dat God nie net bestaan nie, maar dat Hy ons Vader is — ‘n persoonlike, liefdevolle God wat in verhouding met ons tree. As die Almagtige het Hy absolute mag, en as Skepper het Hy alles uit niks geskep (Gen. 1:1). Alles wat bestaan – sigbaar en onsigbaar – is deur Hom gemaak en word deur Hom onderhou (Kol. 1:16-17). Die woord “Vader” beklemtoon ook sy sorg en genade teenoor sy kinders (Matt. 6:9).

2. En in Jesus Christus, sy eniggebore Seun, ons Here

Hier word die belydenis Christelik in die ware sin: ons glo in Jesus, wat nie net ‘n profeet of leraar was nie, maar die Christus (Messias), die eniggebore Seun van God (Joh. 3:16). Hy is een in wese met die Vader (Joh. 10:30). Dat Hy “ons Here” is, beteken Hy het gesag oor ons lewens; ons behoort aan Hom (Rom. 10:9; 1 Kor. 6:19-20).

3. Wat ontvang is van die Heilige Gees, gebore is uit die maagd Maria

Jesus was nie bloot ‘n menslike kind nie. Hy is op bonatuurlike wyse ontvang deur die Heilige Gees, sonder ‘n aardse vader, en tog werklik gebore uit die maagd Maria (Luk. 1:35). Hy is dus ten volle God én ten volle mens – ‘n misterie wat ons nie volkome verstaan nie, maar wat fundamenteel is vir ons verlossing (Jes. 7:14; Heb. 2:14-17).

4. Wat gely het onder Pontius Pilatus, gekruisig is, gesterf het en begrawe is, en neergedaal het na die hel

Hier bely ons Jesus se werklike lyding en dood. Pontius Pilatus word genoem om die historiese werklikheid van Jesus se kruisdood te bevestig (Matt. 27). Sy kruisiging was ‘n vervulling van die Skrif (Jes. 53), en Hy sterf werklik – nie skynbaar nie – vir ons sondes. “Neergedaal na die hel” beteken Hy het die volle gewig van die goddelike oordeel gedra (Ps. 88; Ef. 4:9). Hy het daardie uiterste Godverlatenheid ervaar sodat ons dit nooit hoef te doen nie (Matt. 27:46).

5. Wat op die derde dag weer opgestaan het uit die dood

Die opstanding is die hart van die evangelie (1 Kor. 15:3-4). Dit bevestig Jesus se Godheid, Sy oorwinning oor sonde en dood, en dit is die waarborg van ons eie opstanding (Rom. 6:5; 1 Kor. 15:20). Op die derde dag het Hy liggaamlik uit die graf opgestaan, en verskyn aan baie getuies (Luk. 24).

6. Wat opgevaar het na die hemel, en sit aan die regterhand van God, die almagtige Vader

Na sy opstanding het Jesus opgevaar na die hemel (Hand. 1:9-11), waar Hy nou sit aan die regterhand van God – ‘n posisie van eer, mag en middelaarskap (Ef. 1:20-23; Heb. 7:25). Hy regeer nou oor alles en pleit vir ons voor die Vader.

7. Van waar Hy sal kom om te oordeel die lewendes en die dooies

Jesus sal terugkeer – nie meer in nederigheid nie, maar in heerlikheid – om die wêreld te oordeel (Matt. 25:31-46; Hand. 17:31). Almal – lewende en dooies – sal rekenskap gee (2 Kor. 5:10). Vir gelowiges is dit ‘n dag van hoop en verlossing; vir die onbekeerde, ‘n dag van oordeel (Openb. 20:11-15).

8. Ek glo in die Heilige Gees

Die Heilige Gees is die derde Persoon van die Drie-eenheid – volkome God. Hy werk geloof in ons harte, lei ons in waarheid, troos ons, en heilig ons (Joh. 14:26; Joh. 16:13; Rom. 8). Sonder Hom sou ons nie God kan ken of liefhê nie.

9. Ek glo aan ‘n heilige, algemene, Christelike kerk – die gemeenskap van die heiliges

Hier erken ons dat ons geloof nie iets persoonlik en geïsoleerd is nie. Ons is deel van die algemene (katolieke = universele) kerk van Christus, die heiliges wat deur die Gees afgesonder is. Hierdie gemeenskap strek oor alle nasies, tale en eeue heen (Ef. 2:19-22; 1 Kor. 12:13).

10. Die vergewing van sondes

Ons glo dat God – op grond van Christus se offer – ons sondes werklik vergewe (1 Joh. 1:9; Ps. 103:12). Sonder vergifnis sou geen mens gered kon word nie. Hierdie vergifnis is nie iets wat ons verdien nie, maar wat ons uit genade ontvang.

11. Die opstanding van die vlees

Christene glo nie net in ‘n siel wat na die dood voortleef nie, maar in die opstanding van die liggaam – ons vlees sal verheerlik word soos Christus s’n (1 Kor. 15:42-44; Fil. 3:21). Die dood het nie die laaste woord nie.

12. En ‘n ewige lewe

Ons hoop eindig nie by die graf nie. Ons glo in ‘n ewige lewe – in volle gemeenskap met God, sonder sonde, pyn of dood (Joh. 3:16; Openb. 21:3-4). Hierdie lewe begin reeds nou in Christus, maar bereik sy volheid in die nuwe hemel en nuwe aarde.

Slotgedagte

Om hierdie geloof te bely, is om jouself te verbind tot ‘n lewe van vertroue, aanbidding en gehoorsaamheid aan God. Die Apostoliese Geloofsbelydenis is nie net ‘n lys idees nie – dis ‘n lewende getuienis van die hart van die Christelike boodskap.

The Apostles’ Creed, also known as The Twelve Articles of the Universal Undoubted Christian Faith, is an early and widely accepted confession of faith in the Christian church. It was not written by the apostles themselves, but it summarises the core truths of the apostolic teaching. It serves as an overview of the fundamental Christian convictions and is commonly used in the liturgy of many churches, including Reformed, Catholic, and Anglican traditions.

The Twelve Articles of Faith:

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary;
Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell;
The third day he rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead;
I believe in the Holy Spirit;
I believe a holy, catholic church, the communion of saints;
The forgiveness of sins;
The resurrection of the body;
And the life everlasting. Amen.

This creed is often used as a liturgical declaration during baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and catechetical instruction, and it serves as a confession of what all true Christians believe.

Expanded

1. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth

Here we confess that God does not merely exist, but that he is our Father — a personal, loving God who enters into relationship with us. As the Almighty he has absolute power, and as Maker he created all things from nothing (Gen. 1:1). Everything that exists — visible and invisible — was made by him and is sustained by him (Col. 1:16-17). The word “Father” also emphasises his care and grace toward his children (Matt. 6:9).

2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord

Here the confession becomes Christian in the truest sense: we believe in Jesus, who was not merely a prophet or teacher, but the Christ (Messiah), the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16). He is one in being with the Father (John 10:30). That he is “our Lord” means he has authority over our lives; we belong to him (Rom. 10:9; 1 Cor. 6:19-20).

3. Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary

Jesus was not merely a human child. He was supernaturally conceived by the Holy Spirit, without an earthly father, and yet truly born of the virgin Mary (Luke 1:35). He is therefore fully God and fully man — a mystery we do not fully comprehend, but which is fundamental to our salvation (Isa. 7:14; Heb. 2:14-17).

4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell

Here we confess Jesus’ real suffering and death. Pontius Pilate is named to confirm the historical reality of Jesus’ crucifixion (Matt. 27). His crucifixion was a fulfilment of Scripture (Isa. 53), and he truly died — not in appearance only — for our sins. “Descended into hell” means he bore the full weight of divine judgement (Ps. 88; Eph. 4:9). He experienced that uttermost God-forsakenness so that we would never have to (Matt. 27:46).

5. The third day he rose again from the dead

The resurrection is the heart of the gospel (1 Cor. 15:3-4). It confirms Jesus’ deity, his victory over sin and death, and it is the guarantee of our own resurrection (Rom. 6:5; 1 Cor. 15:20). On the third day he bodily rose from the grave, and appeared to many witnesses (Luke 24).

6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty

After his resurrection Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-11), where he now sits at the right hand of God — a position of honour, power, and intercession (Eph. 1:20-23; Heb. 7:25). He now reigns over all things and pleads for us before the Father.

7. From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead

Jesus will return — no longer in humility, but in glory — to judge the world (Matt. 25:31-46; Acts 17:31). All — living and dead — will give an account (2 Cor. 5:10). For believers it is a day of hope and deliverance; for the unrepentant, a day of judgement (Rev. 20:11-15).

8. I believe in the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity — fully God. He works faith in our hearts, leads us into truth, comforts us, and sanctifies us (John 14:26; John 16:13; Rom. 8). Without him we could neither know nor love God.

9. I believe a holy, catholic church, the communion of saints

Here we acknowledge that our faith is not something personal and isolated. We are part of the catholic (= universal) church of Christ, the saints set apart by the Spirit. This communion extends across all nations, languages, and centuries (Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Cor. 12:13).

10. The forgiveness of sins

We believe that God — on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice — truly forgives our sins (1 John 1:9; Ps. 103:12). Without forgiveness no one could be saved. This forgiveness is not something we deserve, but something we receive by grace.

11. The resurrection of the body

Christians believe not merely in a soul that lives on after death, but in the resurrection of the body — our flesh will be glorified like Christ’s (1 Cor. 15:42-44; Phil. 3:21). Death does not have the last word.

12. And the life everlasting

Our hope does not end at the grave. We believe in life everlasting — in full communion with God, without sin, pain, or death (John 3:16; Rev. 21:3-4). This life already begins now in Christ, but reaches its fullness in the new heaven and new earth.

Closing thought

To confess this faith is to commit yourself to a life of trust, worship, and obedience to God. The Apostles’ Creed is not merely a list of ideas — it is a living testimony to the heart of the Christian message.

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Geloofsbelydenis van NicéaThe Nicene Creed

Hierdie belydenis – Die Geloofsbelydenis van Nicéa – is een van die mees gesaghebbende en omvattende uitsprake van die Christelike geloof, wat veral die Goddelikheid van Christus en die Heilige Gees duidelik en sterk formuleer. Dit het ontstaan in ‘n tyd van groot debat oor wie Jesus werklik is, spesifiek as reaksie op die dwaling van Arius, wat ontken het dat Jesus waarlik God is.

Die Geloofsbelydenis van Nicéa

(Niceno-Konstantinopolitaanse Belydenis – 381 n.C.)

Ons glo in een God, die almagtige Vader, die Skepper van hemel en aarde, van alle sigbare en onsigbare dinge;

en in een Here Jesus Christus, die eniggebore Seun van God, voor al die eeue uit die Vader gebore: God uit God, lig uit lig, ware God uit ware God, gebore, nie gemaak nie, een in wese met die Vader; deur wie alles tot stand gekom het.

Hy het ter wille van ons, mense, en ons saligheid uit die hemel neergedaal en het deur die Heilige Gees uit die maagd Maria vlees geword; Hy het mens geword.

Onder Pontius Pilatus is Hy vir ons gekruisig; Hy het gely en is begrawe. Op die derde dag het Hy volgens die Skrifte opgestaan, en Hy het na die hemel opgevaar. Hy sit aan die regterhand van die Vader, en Hy sal met heerlikheid terugkom om die lewendes en die dooies te oordeel. Aan sy koningskap sal daar geen einde wees nie.

Ons glo in die Heilige Gees, wat Here is en lewend maak. Hy gaan van die Vader en die Seun uit, en Hy word saam met die Vader en die Seun aanbid en verheerlik. Hy het deur die profete gespreek.

Ons glo aan één, heilige, algemene en apostoliese kerk. Ons bely één doop tot vergifnis van die sondes. Ons verwag die opstanding van die dooies en die lewe van die toekomstige bedeling.

Amen.

Uitgebrei

“Ons glo in een God, die almagtige Vader, die Skepper van hemel en aarde, van alle sigbare en onsigbare dinge;”

Hier bely ons dat daar net een ware God is (Deut. 6:4), nie baie gode soos in heidendom of dualisme nie. Hy is almagtig, en Hy het alles geskep – nie net die materiële wêreld nie, maar ook die onsigbare werklikheid: engele, geeste, tyd en ruimte self. Dit is ‘n bevestiging van God se absolute heerskappy en van skepping uit niks (creatio ex nihilo) – Gen. 1:1; Kol. 1:16.

“en in een Here Jesus Christus, die eniggebore Seun van God, voor al die eeue uit die Vader gebore:”

Hier verklaar die belydenis die ewige bestaan van Christus. Hy is nie geskep nie, maar ewiglik uit die Vader gebore. Dit verwerp Arius se idee dat “daar ‘n tyd was toe Hy nie was nie.” Die uitdrukking “voor alle eeue” beteken Hy is buite tyd – ewig God (Joh. 1:1-2).

“Hy is God uit God, lig uit lig, ware God uit ware God, gebore, nie gemaak nie, een in wese met die Vader, deur wie alles tot stand gekom het.”

Elke frase hier is polemies: Dit beklemtoon Christus se volkome Godheid:

God uit God: Hy is van dieselfde goddelike oorsprong.
Lig uit lig: Net soos lig nie skeiding of ongelykheid aandui nie, maar dieselfde wese.
Ware God uit ware God: Hy is nie ‘n mindere god nie; Hy is waaragtige, selfstandige God.
Gebore, nie gemaak nie: Anders as skepsels is Hy van ewigheid gebore, nie tot stand gebring nie.
Een in wese met die Vader: Grieks: homoousios – dieselfde wese/substantie.
Deur wie alles tot stand gekom het: Christus is die Logos, die instrument van skepping (Joh. 1:3; Kol. 1:16-17).

“Hy het ter wille van ons, mense, en ons saligheid uit die hemel neergedaal en het deur die Heilige Gees uit die maagd Maria vlees geword; Hy het mens geword;”

Hier bely ons die menswording (inkarnasie) van Christus (Joh. 1:14):

Hy het afgedaal (Fil. 2:6–8) om ons te red.
Hy het deur ‘n bonatuurlike wonder uit die maagd Maria gebore geword (Matt. 1:18-23).
Hy het werklik mens geword, en tog sonder sonde (Heb. 4:15).

“onder Pontius Pilatus is Hy vir ons gekruisig; Hy het gely en is begrawe.”

Die geskiedenis van verlossing is nie ‘n mite nie – dit het regtig gebeur:

Hy is onder Pontius Pilatus gekruisig – ‘n bevestiging van die tyd, plek en gesag waaronder Hy gesterf het.
Hy het gely en is begrawe: Hy was werklik dood – dit was nie ‘n skyn nie (Mark. 15:37-46).
En dit was vir ons, in ons plek (Jes. 53:5; 1 Pet. 2:24).

“Op die derde dag het Hy volgens die Skrifte opgestaan,”

Sy opstanding op die derde dag (Luk. 24:7) is ‘n bewys van oorwinning oor dood en sonde, en dit het gebeur soos voorspel in die Skrifte (Ps. 16:10; Hos. 6:2). Dit bevestig Sy Goddelikheid en is die grondslag van ons hoop (1 Kor. 15:17-20).

“en Hy het na die hemel opgevaar. Hy sit aan die regterhand van die Vader, en Hy sal met heerlikheid terugkom om die lewendes en die dooies te oordeel. Aan sy koningskap sal daar geen einde wees nie.”

Hemelvaart (Hand. 1:9-11): Hy keer terug na die Vader, nie om te rus nie, maar om te regeer en vir ons in te tree (Heb. 7:25).
Hy sal terugkom in heerlikheid (Matt. 25:31), as regter van almal.
Sy koningskap het geen einde nie – dit is die ewige koninkryk van God (Jes. 9:6-7; Dan. 7:14).

“Ons glo in die Heilige Gees, wat Here is en lewend maak. Hy gaan van die Vader en die Seun uit, en Hy word saam met die Vader en die Seun aanbid en verheerlik. Hy het deur die profete gespreek.”

Die Heilige Gees is Here (2 Kor. 3:17) en gewers van lewe (Joh. 6:63).
Hy gaan uit van die Vader en die Seun (Filioque), wat Sy goddelike oorsprong aandui.
Hy is nie minderwaardig nie, maar word saam met die Vader en die Seun aanbid en verheerlik – dus ook volkome God.
Hy is ook die inspirator van die Skrif – Hy het deur die profete gespreek (2 Pet. 1:21; 2 Tim. 3:16).

“Ons glo aan een, heilige, algemene en apostoliese kerk.”

Die kerk van Christus is:

Een – omdat daar een liggaam en een Gees is (Ef. 4:4).
Heilig – afgesonder vir God, nie volmaak nie, maar geheilig deur Christus (1 Pet. 2:9).
Algemeen (katoliek) – universeel, nie beperk tot ‘n plek of kultuur nie.
Apostolies – gegrond op die leer van die apostels (Ef. 2:20; Hand. 2:42).

“Ons bely een doop tot vergifnis van die sondes.”

Daar is een doop (Ef. 4:5), as sigbare teken van die vergewing van sondes (Hand. 2:38). Dit simboliseer afwassing, dood en opstanding in Christus (Rom. 6:3-4), en die toetrede tot die gemeenskap van die gelowiges.

“Ons verwag die opstanding van die dooies en die lewe van die toekomstige bedeling.”

Christene leef in hoop op:

Die fisiese opstanding van die liggaam (1 Kor. 15:42-44).
En die ewige lewe in die nuwe hemel en nuwe aarde (Openb. 21:1-4). Dit is die volheid van die koninkryk wat kom, en waarna ons met verlange uitsien.

Slot: “Amen.”

Die “Amen” is ons bevestiging: “So is dit. Ek glo dit. Dit is waar.”

This creed — The Nicene Creed — is one of the most authoritative and comprehensive statements of the Christian faith, formulating with particular clarity and force the deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit. It arose in a time of great debate over who Jesus truly is, specifically in response to the heresy of Arius, who denied that Jesus is truly God.

The Nicene Creed

(Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed — AD 381)

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible;

and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds: God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made.

Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man.

He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried. On the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven. He sits at the right hand of the Father, and he shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom shall have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets.

We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

Expanded

“We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible;”

Here we confess that there is only one true God (Deut. 6:4), not many gods as in paganism or dualism. He is almighty, and he has created all things — not only the material world, but also the invisible reality: angels, spirits, time and space itself. This is an affirmation of God’s absolute sovereignty and of creation from nothing (creatio ex nihilo) — Gen. 1:1; Col. 1:16.

“And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds:”

Here the creed declares the eternal existence of Christ. He is not created, but eternally begotten of the Father. This rejects Arius’ idea that “there was a time when he was not.” The expression “before all worlds” means he is beyond time — eternally God (John 1:1-2).

“God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made.”

Every phrase here is polemical: it emphasises Christ’s full deity:

God of God: He is of the same divine origin.
Light of Light: Just as light does not indicate separation or inequality, but the same being.
Very God of very God: He is not a lesser god; he is true, self-existent God.
Begotten, not made: Unlike creatures, he is eternally begotten, not brought into being.
Of one substance with the Father: Greek: homoousios — the same being/substance.
By whom all things were made: Christ is the Logos, the instrument of creation (John 1:3; Col. 1:16-17).

“Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man;”

Here we confess the incarnation of Christ (John 1:14):

He came down (Phil. 2:6-8) to save us.
He was born of the virgin Mary through a supernatural wonder (Matt. 1:18-23).
He truly became man, and yet without sin (Heb. 4:15).

“He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried.”

The history of redemption is not a myth — it truly happened:

He was crucified under Pontius Pilate — a confirmation of the time, place, and authority under which he died.
He suffered and was buried: He was truly dead — it was no mere appearance (Mark 15:37-46).
And it was for us, in our place (Isa. 53:5; 1 Pet. 2:24).

“On the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures,”

His resurrection on the third day (Luke 24:7) is proof of victory over death and sin, and it happened as foretold in the Scriptures (Ps. 16:10; Hos. 6:2). It confirms his deity and is the foundation of our hope (1 Cor. 15:17-20).

“And ascended into heaven. He sits at the right hand of the Father, and he shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom shall have no end.”

Ascension (Acts 1:9-11): He returns to the Father, not to rest, but to reign and to intercede for us (Heb. 7:25).
He shall come again in glory (Matt. 25:31), as judge of all.
His kingdom has no end — it is the eternal kingdom of God (Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 7:14).

“We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets.”

The Holy Spirit is Lord (2 Cor. 3:17) and giver of life (John 6:63).
He proceeds from the Father and the Son (Filioque), indicating his divine origin.
He is not inferior, but together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified — and therefore also fully God.
He is also the inspirer of Scripture — he spoke through the prophets (2 Pet. 1:21; 2 Tim. 3:16).

“We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.”

The church of Christ is:

One — because there is one body and one Spirit (Eph. 4:4).
Holy — set apart for God, not perfect, but sanctified through Christ (1 Pet. 2:9).
Catholic — universal, not limited to one place or culture.
Apostolic — founded on the teaching of the apostles (Eph. 2:20; Acts 2:42).

“We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.”

There is one baptism (Eph. 4:5), as a visible sign of the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). It symbolises washing, death, and resurrection in Christ (Rom. 6:3-4), and entry into the fellowship of believers.

“We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.”

Christians live in hope of:

The bodily resurrection (1 Cor. 15:42-44).
And eternal life in the new heaven and new earth (Rev. 21:1-4). This is the fullness of the kingdom that is coming, and for which we long with eager expectation.

Conclusion: “Amen.”

The “Amen” is our affirmation: “So it is. I believe it. It is true.”

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Geloofsbelydenis van AthanasiusThe Athanasian Creed

Vir elkeen wat salig wil word, is dit nodig dat hy die algemene geloof vashou. As iemand dit nie heeltemal en ongeskonde bewaar nie, sal hy sonder twyfel ewig verlore gaan.

En dit is die algemene geloof:

Ons eer die een God in Drieheid en die Drieheid in Eenheid – sonder vermenging van die persone of verdeling van die wese.

Want die persoon van die Vader is ‘n ander, die van die Seun ‘n ander, en die van die Heilige Gees ‘n ander;

tog het die Vader en die Seun en die Heilige Gees een Godheid, gelyke eer, en gelyke ewige heerlikheid.

Soos die Vader is, so is ook die Seun en die Heilige Gees:

ongeskape is die Vader, ongeskape is die Seun, ongeskape is die Heilige Gees.

Eweneens is die Vader almagtig, die Seun almagtig, die Heilige Gees almagtig;

en tog is daar nie drie Almagtiges nie, maar een Almagtige.

Die Vader is God, die Seun is God, die Heilige Gees is God;

en tog is daar nie drie Gode nie, maar een God.

Net so is die Vader Here, die Seun Here, die Heilige Gees Here;

en tog is daar nie drie Here nie, maar een Here.

Die Vader is deur niemand gemaak, of geskep, of gegenereer nie;

die Seun is deur die Vader alleen – nie gemaak of geskep nie, maar gegenereer;

die Heilige Gees is deur die Vader en die Seun – nie gemaak of geskep of gegenereer nie, maar Hy gaan van hulle uit.

En in hierdie Drieheid is daar nie eerste of laaste nie, nie meerder of minder nie;

maar al drie persone is gelyk in ewigheid en gelyk in heerlikheid.

So moet ons die Drieheid in Eenheid en die Eenheid in Drieheid vereer.

Wie dus salig wil word, moet dit glo.

Verder is dit nodig vir die ewige saligheid dat ons ook opreg glo in die vleeswording van ons Here Jesus Christus.

Ons glo en bely dat ons Here Jesus Christus, die Seun van God, tegelyk God én mens is:

Hy is God – uit die Wese van die Vader, voor alle tye gegenereer;

en Hy is mens – uit die wese van sy moeder, in die tyd gebore;

volkome God, volkome mens, met ‘n redelike siel en menslike liggaam.

Gelyk aan die Vader volgens sy Godheid, maar minder as die Vader volgens sy mensheid;

en tog is Hy nie twee nie, maar een Christus:

een, nie deur die Godheid in vlees te verander nie, maar deur die mensheid in God op te neem;

een, nie deur vermenging van wese nie, maar deur eenheid van Persoon;

want soos siel en liggaam een mens is, so is God en mens een Christus.

Hy het gely ter wille van ons saligheid, die lyding van die hel ondergaan, opgestaan op die derde dag, opgevaar na die hemel, sit aan die regterhand van God, en sal terugkom om te oordeel.

By sy koms sal alle mense opstaan met hulle liggame, en rekenskap gee van hulle werke:

die wat goed gedoen het, sal die ewige lewe ingaan;

maar die wat kwaad gedoen het, sal in die ewige vuur gaan.

Dit is die algemene geloof. Wie dit nie opreg en vas glo nie, sal nie salig kan word nie.

Amen.

Uitgebrei

1. “Vir elkeen wat salig wil word…”

Die belydenis begin ernstig: dit gaan oor verlossing en waarheid.
Die “algemene geloof” verwys na die orthodokse, katolieke (algemene) leer van die kerk, gegrond op Skrif.

2. “Die een God in Drieheid…”

Die belydenis verduidelik die klassieke leer van die Drie-eenheid:
- Een Wese, drie Persone.
- Nie drie gode nie, maar een God.
- Elke Persoon is volkome God, ewig, almagtig.

3. “Die Seun is gegenereer… die Gees gaan uit…”

Die Vader is die bron (nie geskep, nie gegenereer).
Die Seun is ewiglik gegenereer (nie gemaak nie).
Die Gees gaan uit van die Vader en die Seun (Joh. 15:26).
Hierdie formulering is presies om kettery te vermy:
- Arianisme (dat Christus geskep is),
- Modalisme (dat God net verskillende “vorme” aanneem),
- Tritheïsme (dat daar drie gode is).

4. “Ons glo en bely dat Jesus Christus, die Seun van God…”

Christus is volkome God én volkome mens:
- Hy het ‘n menslike liggaam én siel.
- Sy twee nature is verenig in een Persoon, nie vermeng nie.
Hierdie leer beskerm teen:
- Nestorianisme (dat Hy twee persone is),
- Eutychianisme (dat Sy nature vermeng is).

5. “Hy het gely… opgestaan… sal terugkom…”

‘n Volle Christologiese en eskatologiese belydenis:
- Christus het regtig gely, regtig opgestaan, en kom weer.
- Elke mens sal voor Hom rekenskap gee (Matt. 25; Openb. 20:11–15).

6. “Dit is die algemene geloof…”

Die belydenis sluit soos dit begin:

Hierdie waarheid is nodig tot saligheid. Nie oppervlakkige of vae geloof nie, maar ‘n geloof gegrond op die openbaring van God in Skrif en Christus.

Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith. Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.

And the catholic faith is this:

That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance.

For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Ghost.

But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one, the Glory equal, the Majesty co-eternal.

Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost.

The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate, and the Holy Ghost uncreate.

The Father Almighty, the Son Almighty, and the Holy Ghost Almighty.

And yet they are not three Almighties, but one Almighty.

The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God.

And yet they are not three Gods, but one God.

The Father is Lord, the Son is Lord, and the Holy Ghost is Lord.

And yet not three Lords, but one Lord.

The Father is made of none, neither created, nor begotten.

The Son is of the Father alone; not made, nor created, but begotten.

The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.

And in this Trinity none is afore or after another; none is greater or less than another.

But the whole three Persons are co-eternal together and co-equal.

So that in all things the Unity in Trinity, and the Trinity in Unity, is to be worshipped.

He therefore that will be saved must thus think of the Trinity.

Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believe rightly the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For the right faith is, that we believe and confess, that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and Man;

God, of the Substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds;

and Man, of the substance of his Mother, born in the world;

perfect God, and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting;

equal to the Father, as touching his Godhead; and inferior to the Father, as touching his Manhood.

Who although he be God and Man, yet he is not two, but one Christ;

one, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by taking of the Manhood into God;

one altogether, not by confusion of Substance, but by unity of Person.

For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and Man is one Christ;

who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead.

He ascended into heaven, he sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from whence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies, and shall give account for their own works.

And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting;

and they that have done evil into everlasting fire.

This is the catholic faith, which except a man believe faithfully, he cannot be saved.

Amen.

Expanded

1. “Whosoever will be saved…“

The creed begins with solemn urgency: it concerns salvation and truth.
The “catholic faith” refers to the orthodox, catholic (universal) teaching of the church, grounded in Scripture.

2. “One God in Trinity…“

The creed explains the classical doctrine of the Trinity:
- One Substance, three Persons.
- Not three gods, but one God.
- Each Person is fully God, eternal, almighty.

3. “The Son is begotten… the Spirit proceeding…“

The Father is the source (not created, not begotten).
The Son is eternally begotten (not made).
The Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son (John 15:26).
This formulation is precise in order to avoid heresy:
- Arianism (that Christ was created),
- Modalism (that God merely assumes different “modes”),
- Tritheism (that there are three gods).

4. “We believe and confess that Jesus Christ, the Son of God…“

Christ is fully God and fully man:
- He has a human body and soul.
- His two natures are united in one Person, not confused.
This doctrine guards against:
- Nestorianism (that he is two persons),
- Eutychianism (that his natures are confused).

5. “He suffered… rose again… shall come to judge…“

A full Christological and eschatological confession:
- Christ truly suffered, truly rose, and shall come again.
- Every person will give an account before him (Matt. 25; Rev. 20:11-15).

6. “This is the catholic faith…“

The creed concludes as it began:

This truth is necessary for salvation. Not a superficial or vague faith, but a faith grounded in the revelation of God in Scripture and in Christ.

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Nederlandse GeloofsbelydenisThe Belgic Confession

Inleiding

Die regsinnige Christelike belydenis van die Nederlandse kerke wat die hoofinhoud van die leer in verband met God en die ewige saligheid van siele insluit. In ’n tyd van groot vervolging van Protestantse Kerke is hierdie Belydenisskrif deur Guido de Brès opgestel. Dit was in die jaar 1561 in die Suidelike Nederlande (vandag België). Verskeie Sinodes in die 16de eeu asook die Nasionale Sinode van Dordrecht (1618-1619) het dit as een van die Belydenisskrifte van die Gereformeerde Kerke aanvaar.

Artikel 1: Die Enige God

Ons glo almal met die hart en bely met die mond¹ dat daar ‘n enige en enkelvoudige geestelike Wese is wat ons God noem². Hy is ewig³, onbegryplik⁴, onsienlik⁵, onveranderlik⁶, oneindig⁷, almagtig⁸, volkome wys⁹, regverdig¹⁰, goed¹¹ en die alleroorvloedigste fontein van alles wat goed is¹².

1: Romeine 10:10
2: Deuteronomium 6:4; Jesaja 44:6; Johannes 4:24; Romeine 1:20-21; Efesiërs 4:6; 1 Korintiërs 8:4, 6; 2 Korintiërs 3:17; 1 Timoteus 2:5
3: Psalm 90:2; Jesaja 40:28
4: Romeine 11:33
5: Kolossense 1:15; 1 Timoteus 1:17; 1 Timoteus 6:16
6: Maleagi 3:6; Jakobus 1:17
7: 1 Konings 8:27; Jeremia 23:24
8: Genesis 17:1; Matteus 19:26; Openbaring 1:8
9: Romeine 16:27
10: Jeremia 12:1; Romeine 3:25-26; Romeine 9:14; Openbaring 16:5; Openbaring 16:7
11: Matteus 19:17
12: 1 Kronieke 29:10-12; Jesaja 40:14; Jakobus 1:17

Artikel 2: Die Middele Waardeur Ons God Ken

Ons ken Hom deur twee middele:
Ten eerste deur middel van die skepping, onderhouding en regering van die hele wêreld. Dit is immers voor ons oë soos ‘n mooi boek¹ waarin alle skepsels, groot en klein, die letters is wat ons die onsigbare dinge van God, naamlik sy ewige krag en goddelikheid, duidelik laat sien, soos die apostel Paulus sê (Romeine 1:20). Al die dinge is genoegsaam om die mense te oortuig en hulle alle verontskuldiging te ontneem².
Ten tweede maak Hy Hom deur sy heilige en Goddelike Woord nog duideliker en meer volkome aan ons bekend³ en wel so veel as wat vir ons in hierdie lewe nodig is om tot sy eer en tot die saligheid van hulle wat aan Hom behoort⁴.

1: Psalm 19:2-5
2: Romeine 1:20; Efesiërs 4:6
3: Psalm 19:8-9; 1 Korintiërs 1:18-21
4: Deuteronomium 6:4; 1 Korintiërs 12:6; 1 Timoteus 2:5

Artikel 3: Die Geskrewe Woord van God

Ons bely dat hierdie Woord van God nie deur die wil van ‘n mens gestuur of voortgebring is nie, maar die heilige mense van God het dit, deur die Heilige Gees gedrywe, gespreek, soos die heilige Petrus sê¹.
Daarna het God deur sy besondere sorg vir ons en ons saligheid sy knegte (profete en apostels) beveel om sy geopenbaarde Woord op skrif te stel² en Hy self het met sy vinger die twee tafels van die wet geskrywe³.
Daarom noem ons sulke geskrifte die heilige en Goddelike Skrif⁴.

1: 2 Petrus 1:21
2: Eksodus 24:4; Eksodus 34:27; Psalm 102:19; Habakuk 2:2; Openbaring 1:11; Openbaring 1:19
3: Eksodus 31:18
4: 2 Timoteus 3:16

Artikel 4: Die Kanonieke Boeke van die Heilige Skrif

Ons vat die Heilige Skrif in twee dele saam: die Ou en die Nuwe Testament. Dit is die kanonieke boeke waarteen niks ingebring kan word nie. Hulle getal in die kerk van God is soos volg:

Die boeke van die Ou Testament:
- Die vyf boeke van Moses: Genesis, Eksodus, Levitikus, Numeri en Deuteronomium
- Josua, Rigters, Rut
- 1 en 2 Samuel, 1 en 2 Konings, 1 en 2 Kronieke (genoem Paralipomenon)
- Esra, Nehemia, Ester, Job
- Die Psalms van Dawid
- Drie boeke van Salomo: Spreuke, Prediker en Hooglied
- Die vier groot profete: Jesaja, Jeremia, Esegiël en Daniël
- Die twaalf klein profete: Hosea, Joël, Amos, Obadja, Jona, Miga, Nahum, Habakuk, Sefanja, Haggai, Sagaria en Maleagi
Die boeke van die Nuwe Testament:
- Vier evangeliste: Matteus, Markus, Lukas en Johannes
- Die Handelinge van die Apostels
- Die veertien briewe van die apostel Paulus: aan die Romeine, twee aan die Korintiërs, aan die Galasiërs, die Efesiërs, die Filippense, die Kolossense, twee aan die Tessalonisense, twee aan Timoteus, aan Titus, Filemon en die Hebreërs
- Die sewe briewe van die ander apostels: die brief van Jakobus, twee van Petrus, drie van Johannes en die brief van Judas
- Die Openbaring van die apostel Johannes

Artikel 5: Die Gesag van die Heilige Skrif

Ons aanvaar¹ al hierdie boeke en hulle alleen, as heilig en kanoniek om ons geloof daarna te rig, daarop te grondves en daarmee te bevestig².
Ons glo ook sonder twyfel alles wat daarin vervat is, nie juis omdat die kerk hulle aanvaar en as sodanig beskou nie, maar veral omdat die Heilige Gees in ons hart getuig dat hulle van God is³.
Hulle het ook die bewys daarvan in hulleself, aangesien selfs die blindes kan tas dat die dinge wat daarin voorspel is, plaasvind⁴.

1: 1 Tessalonisense 2:13
2: 2 Timoteus 3:16-17
3: 1 Korintiërs 12:3; 1 Johannes 4:6; 1 Johannes 5:6-7
4: Deuteronomium 18:21-22; 1 Konings 22:28; Jeremia 28:9; Esegiël 33:33

Artikel 6: Onderskeid Tussen die Kanonieke en Apokriewe Boeke

Ons onderskei hierdie heilige boeke van die apokriewe boeke:

Die derde en vierde boek van Esra, die boek van Tobias, Judit, die Wysheid, Jesus Sirag, Barug, die byvoegsel by die geskiedenis van Ester, die Gebed van die drie manne in die vuur, die Geskiedenis van Susanna, die Beeld van Bel en die Draak, die Gebed van Menasse en die twee boeke van die Makkabeërs.

Die kerk mag hierdie boeke wel lees en daaruit lering trek vir sover hulle met die kanonieke boeke ooreenstem. Hulle het egter geensins sodanige krag of gesag dat iemand deur hulle getuienis enigiets van die geloof of van die Christelike godsdiens sou kan bevestig nie. Hulle mag nie in die minste aan die gesag van ander, die heilige boeke, afbreuk doen nie.

Artikel 7: Die Volkomenheid van die Heilige Skrif

Ons glo dat hierdie Heilige Skrif die wil van God volkome bevat en dat alles wat die mens vir sy saligheid moet glo, daarin voldoende geleer word¹.
Aangesien die hele wyse waarop God deur ons gedien moet word, daarin breedvoerig beskrywe word, mag ook niemand, selfs nie die apostels nie, anders leer as wat ons reeds deur die Heilige Skrif geleer word nie² — ja, al was daar ook ‘n engel uit die hemel, soos die apostel Paulus sê (Galasiërs 1:8). En aangesien dit verbode is om iets by die Woord van God by te voeg of daarvan weg te laat (Deuteronomium 12:32)³, blyk dit duidelik dat die leer daarvan heeltemal volmaak en in alle opsigte volkome is⁴.
Ons mag ook geen geskrifte van mense, hoe heilig die mense ook al was, met die Goddelike Skrif gelykstel nie; ook mag ons nie die gewoonte of die groot getalle of oudheid of opvolging van tye of van persone of kerkvergaderings, verordeninge of besluite met dié waarheid van God gelykstel nie, want die waarheid is bo alles⁵.
Alle mense is immers uit hulleself leuenaars en nietiger as die nietigheid self (Psalm 62:10)⁶.
Ons verwerp daarom met ons hele hart alles wat nie met hierdie onfeilbare reël ooreenkom nie, soos die apostels ons leer as hulle sê: “…maar stel die geeste op die proef of hulle uit God is” (1 Johannes 4:1) en: “As iemand na julle kom en hierdie leer nie bring nie, ontvang hom nie in die huis nie…” (2 Johannes 10)⁷.

1: Spreuke 30:6; Johannes 4:25; 2 Timoteus 3:16-17; 1 Petrus 1:10-12
2: Romeine 15:4; 1 Timoteus 1:3; 1 Korintiërs 15:2-3; 2 Timoteus 3:14-15; 1 Petrus 4:11
3: Deuteronomium 4:2; Deuteronomium 12:32; Spreuke 30:6; Handelinge 26:22; 1 Korintiërs 4:6; Galasiërs 1:8; Openbaring 22:18-19
4: Psalm 19:8-9; Matteus 17:5; Johannes 15:15; Handelinge 18:28; Handelinge 20:27; Romeine 15:4; 1 Korintiërs 2:4
5: Jesaja 1:12; Matteus 15:3; Markus 7:7-9; Handelinge 4:19; Romeine 3:4; Kolossense 2:8; 2 Timoteus 4:3-4; 1 Johannes 2:19
6: Deuteronomium 4:5-6; Psalm 62:10; Jesaja 8:20; 1 Korintiërs 3:11; Efesiërs 4:4-6; 2 Tessalonisense 2:2; 2 Timoteus 3:14-15
7: 1 Johannes 4:1; 2 Johannes 10

Artikel 8: God is Een Wese en Onderskeie in Drie Persone

Ons glo volgens hierdie waarheid en hierdie Woord van God in ’n enige God¹, een enige wese, in wie drie Persone is, naamlik die Vader en die Seun en die Heilige Gees, wat in werklikheid en in waarheid en van ewigheid af onderskeie is volgens die eienskappe wat Hulle nie met mekaar deel nie².
Die Vader is die oorsaak, oorsprong en begin van alle sigbare en onsigbare dinge³.
Die Seun is die Woord, die Wysheid en die Beeld van die Vader⁴.
Die Heilige Gees is die ewige Krag en Mag wat van die Vader en die Seun uitgaan⁵.
Nogtans volg uit hierdie onderskeiding nie dat God in drie gedeel is nie, aangesien die Heilige Skrif ons leer dat die Vader en die Seun en die Heilige Gees elkeen sy eie selfstandigheid het, deur sy eienskappe op so ’n wyse onderskei dat hierdie drie Persone slegs een enige God is. Dit is dus duidelik dat die Vader nie die Seun en die Seun nie die Vader is nie; eweneens dat die Heilige Gees nie die Vader en ook nie die Seun is nie. Nogtans is hierdie Persone, wat so onderskeie is, nie gedeel nie en ook nie onderling vermeng nie. Want die Vader en die Heilige Gees het nie vlees aangeneem nie, maar slegs die Seun. Die Vader was nooit sonder sy Seun⁶ of sy Heilige Gees nie, want al drie is van gelyke ewigheid af in een en dieselfde wese. Daar is nie ’n eerste of ’n laaste nie, want al drie is een in waarheid, mag, goedheid en barmhartigheid.

1: Jesaja 43:10; 1 Korintiërs 8:4-6
2: Matteus 3:16-17; Matteus 28:19; Galasiërs 4:6; 1 Johannes 5:6-7
3: Efesiërs 3:14-16
4: Spreuke 8:22-31; Johannes 1:14; Johannes 1:18; Johannes 5:17-26; 1 Korintiërs 1:24; Filippense 2:6-8; Kolossense 1:15-20; Hebreërs 1:3; Openbaring 19:13
5: Johannes 15:26
6: Miga 5:2; Johannes 1:1-2

Artikel 9: Skrifgetuienis Oor die Leer van die Drie-Eenheid

Ons weet dit alles sowel uit die getuienisse van die Heilige Skrif¹ as uit hulle werkinge, veral uit werkinge wat ons in onsself voel. Die getuienisse van die Heilige Skrif wat ons leer om in hierdie heilige Drie-eenheid te glo, staan op baie plekke in die Ou Testament en dit is nie nodig om hulle almal op te noem nie.
Ons kan hulle onderskeidend en oordeelkundig uitkies:

Genesis 1:26-27: En God het gesê: Laat Ons mense maak na ons beeld, na ons gelykenis… En God het die mens geskape na sy beeld; man en vrou het Hy hulle geskape.
Genesis 3:22: Toe sê die Here God: Nou het die mens geword soos een van Ons.

Wanneer God sê: Laat Ons mense maak na Ons beeld, blyk daaruit dat daar meer as een Persoon in die Godheid is. En as Hy sê: God het geskep, wys Hy die eenheid van die Godheid aan. Weliswaar sê hy nie hoeveel Persone daar is nie, maar wat vir ons in die Ou Testament enigsins duister is, is in die Nuwe Testament baie duidelik. Want toe die Here in die Jordaan gedoop is, is die stem van die Vader gehoor, wat sê: Dit is my geliefde Seun (Matteus 3:17). Die Seun is in die water gesien en die Heilige Gees het Hom in die vorm van ’n duif geopenbaar².
Buitendien is vir die doop van alle gelowiges hierdie formule deur Christus vasgestel: Doop hulle in die Naam van die Vader en die Seun en die Heilige Gees (Matteus 28:19). In die Evangelie van Lukas sê die engel Gabriël aan Maria, die moeder van die Here: Die Heilige Gees sal oor jou kom en die krag van die Allerhoogste sal jou oorskadu. Daarom ook sal die Heilige wat gebore word, Seun van God genoem word (Lukas 1:35); eweneens: Die genade van die Here Jesus Christus en die liefde van God en die gemeenskap van die Heilige Gees sy met julle almal (2 Korintiërs 13:13) en: Want daar is drie wat getuig in die hemel: die Vader, die Woord en die Heilige Gees en hierdie drie is een; en daar is drie wat getuig op die aarde: die Gees en die water en die bloed en die drie is eenstemmig (1 Johannes 5:7-8)³.
Ons word op al hierdie plekke baie duidelik geleer dat daar drie persone in een enige Goddelike Wese is. Al gaan hierdie leer die menslike verstand ver te bowe, glo ons dit nou tog deur die Woord, terwyl ons verwag om die volle kennis en vrug daarvan in die hemel te geniet.
Verder moet ons ook let op die besondere ampte en op die eie werkinge van die drie Persone met betrekking tot ons: Die Vader word ons Skepper deur sy krag genoem; die Seun is ons Saligmaker en Verlosser deur sy bloed; die Heilige Gees is ons Heiligmaker deur sy inwoning in ons hart.
Die leer van die heilige Drie-eenheid is in die ware kerk van die tyd van die apostels af tot nou toe altyd onderhou en gehandhaaf teenoor die Jode, Mohammedane en sommige valse christene en ketters soos Marcion, Mani, Praxeas, Sabellius, Samosatenus, Arius en dergelike, wat tereg deur die regsinnige vaders veroordeel is.
Daarom aanvaar ons in hierdie opsig graag die drie belydenisse, naamlik dié van die Apostels, Nicéa en Atanasius en ook wat die ou vaders in ooreenstemming hiermee besluit het.

1: Johannes 14:16; Johannes 15:26; Handelinge 2:32-33; Romeine 8:9; Galasiërs 4:6; Titus 3:4-6; 1 Petrus 1:2; 1 Johannes 4:13-14; 1 Johannes 5:5-12; Judas 20-21; Openbaring 1:4-5
2: Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3:22; Psalm 45:8; Jesaja 61:1; Matteus 3:16-17
3: Matteus 28:19; Lukas 1:35; 1 Korintiërs 6:17; 2 Korintiërs 13:13; 1 Johannes 5:7-8

Artikel 10: Die Godheid van Jesus Christus

Ons glo dat Jesus Christus ten opsigte van sy Goddelike natuur die eniggebore Seun van God is¹.
Hy is van ewigheid af gebore; Hy is nie gemaak nie en nie geskep nie, want dan sou Hy ’n skepsel wees; Hy is een wese met die Vader, ewig saam met Hom, die ewebeeld van die Persoon van die Vader, ewig saam met Hom, die heerlikheid (Hebreërs 1:3) en in alles aan Hom gelyk (Filippense 2:6)².
Hy is van ewigheid die Seun van God en nie slegs sedert Hy ons natuur aangeneem het nie; so leer die volgende getuienisse ons as hulle met mekaar vergelyk word. Moses sê dat God die wêreld geskep het³ en die heilige Johannes sê dat alle dinge ontstaan het deur die Woord, wat hy God noem (Genesis 1:1 en Johannes 1:3)⁴.
Die apostel sê dat God die wêreld deur sy Seun gemaak het⁵ en ook dat God alle dinge deur Jesus Christus geskep het (Hebreërs 1:2 en Kolossense 1:16)⁶.
So moet Hy wat God, die Woord, die Seun en Jesus Christus genoem word, dus reeds bestaan het toe alles deur Hom geskep is. En daarom sê die profeet Miga: Sy uitgange is uit die voortyd, uit die dae van die ewigheid (Miga 5:1) en sê die apostel: Hy is sonder begin van dae of lewenseinde (Hebreërs 7:3). Hy is dus ware, ewige God, die Almagtige, wat ons aanroep, aanbid en dien⁷.

1: Matteus 17:5; Johannes 1:14; Johannes 1:18; Johannes 3:16; Johannes 20:17; Johannes 20:31; Romeine 1:4; Galasiërs 4:4; Hebreërs 1:1; 1 Johannes 5:5-12
2: Johannes 5:18; Johannes 5:23; Johannes 10:30; Johannes 14:9; Johannes 20:28; Romeine 9:5; Filippense 2:6-8; Kolossense 1:15; Titus 2:13; Hebreërs 1:3; Openbaring 5:13
3: Johannes 8:58; Johannes 17:5; Hebreërs 13:8
4: Genesis 1:1; Johannes 1:3
5: Johannes 1:1-3
6: Kolossense 1:16; Hebreërs 1:2
7: Miga 5:1; 1 Korintiërs 8:6; Hebreërs 7:3

Artikel 11: Die Godheid van die Heilige Gees

Ons glo en bely ook dat die Heilige Gees van ewigheid van die Vader en die Seun uitgaan; dat Hy nie gemaak of geskep of gebore is nie maar van albei slegs uitgaan¹; dat Hy in orde die derde Persoon van die Drie-eenheid is; dat Hy van een en dieselfde wese, majesteit en heerlikheid as die Vader en die Seun is; dat Hy inderdaad ware en ewige God is, soos die Heilige Skrif ons leer².

1: Psalm 33:6; Jesaja 48:16; Jesaja 61:1; Johannes 14:16-17; Johannes 14:25-26; Johannes 15:26; Romeine 8:9; Galasiërs 4:6
2: Genesis 1:2; Psalm 139:7; Matteus 28:19; Handelinge 5:3-4; 1 Korintiërs 2:10-14; 1 Korintiërs 3:16; 1 Korintiërs 6:11; 1 Korintiërs 6:19; 1 Johannes 5:6

Artikel 12: Die Skepping van Alle Dinge, Veral van die Engele

Ons glo dat die Vader, toe Hy dit goedgedink het, deur sy Woord, dit wil sê deur sy Seun, die hemel en die aarde en alle skepsels uit niks geskep het¹.
Hy het aan elke skepsel ’n eie wese, gestalte en voorkoms en onderskeie take gegee om sy skepper te dien. Hy onderhou en regeer hulle almal nou nog deur sy ewige voorsienigheid en oneindige krag om die mens te dien, sodat die mens sy God kan dien; en Hy het ook die engele goed geskep om sy boodskappers te wees en sy uitverkorenes te dien².
Sommige van die engele het uit die verhewenheid waarin God hulle geskep het, in die ewige verderf verval³, maar die ander het deur die genade van God in hulle toestand volhard en staande gebly. Die duiwels en bose geeste het só ontaard dat hulle vyande van God sowel as van alles wat goed is⁴.
Soos moordenaars loer hulle op die kerk — ook op elke lidmaat — om dit met alle mag in die verderf te stort en om alles deur hulle bedrieëry te verwoes⁵.
Daarom staan hulle deur hulle eie boosheid veroordeel tot die ewige verdoemenis en verwag hulle daagliks hulle verskriklike pyniging⁶.
Daarom verfoei ons ook die dwaling van die Saduseërs, wat ontken dat daar geeste en engele is⁷; ook verwerp ons die dwaling van die Manigeërs, wat sê dat die duiwels hulle oorsprong uit hulleself het en reeds van nature sleg is en nie sleg geword het nie.

1: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 2:3; Jesaja 40:26; Jeremia 32:17; Johannes 1:3; 1 Korintiërs 8:6; Kolossense 1:15-16; 1 Timoteus 4:3; Hebreërs 11:3; Openbaring 4:11
2: Genesis 1:29-30; Psalm 34:8; Psalm 103:20-21; Matteus 4:11; Handelinge 17:25; 1 Korintiërs 6:20; Hebreërs 1:14
3: Johannes 8:44; 2 Petrus 2:4; Judas 6
4: Genesis 3:1-5; Lukas 8:30-31; 1 Petrus 5:8
5: 2 Korintiërs 2:10-11; 2 Korintiërs 11:3; 2 Korintiërs 11:14; Efesiërs 6:12; Openbaring 12:4; Openbaring 12:13-17; Openbaring 20:7-9
6: Matteus 8:29; Matteus 25:41; Lukas 8:31; Openbaring 20:10
7: Handelinge 23:8

Artikel 13: Die Voorsienigheid van God

Ons glo dat die goeie God, nadat Hy alle dinge geskep het, dit nie laat vaar of aan die toeval of geluk oorgegee het nie¹ maar dit volgens sy heilige wil so bestuur en regeer dat in hierdie wêreld niks sonder sy beskikking gebeur nie².
Tog is God nie die bewerker van die sondes wat gedoen word nie en Hy dra ook nie die skuld daarvoor nie³.
Sy mag en goedheid is immers so groot en onbegryplik dat Hy sy werk baie goed en regverdig beskik en uitvoer, selfs al handel die duiwels en goddelose mense onregverdig⁴.
Ons wil ook nie verder as wat ons kan verstaan, nuuskierig ondersoek instel na dié dinge wat Hy bo die vermoë van die menslike verstand doen nie; inteendeel, ons eerbiedig juis in alle nederigheid en in aanbidding die regverdige oordele van God wat vir ons verborge is⁵.
Ons is tevrede daarmee dat ons leerlinge van Christus is om slegs te leer ken wat Hy aan ons in sy Woord openbaar, sonder om die grense daarvan te oorskry⁶.
Hierdie leer bied onuitspreeklike troos as ons daardeur geleer word dat niks per toeval oor ons kan kom nie maar alles deur die beskikking van ons goeie hemelse Vader oor ons kom. Hy waak oor ons met vaderlike sorg en heers so oor alle skepsels dat sonder die wil van ons Vader nie een haar van ons kop — hulle is almal getel — en ook nie een mossie op die aarde sal val nie (Matteus 10:29-30).
Ons verlaat ons hierop, omdat ons weet dat Hy die duiwels en al ons vyande in toom hou, sodat hulle ons sonder sy toelating en wil geen skade kan aandoen nie⁷.
Daarom verwerp ons ook die gruwelike dwaling van die Epikureërs, wat sê dat God Hom met niks bemoei nie en alle dinge aan die toeval oorlaat.

1: Johannes 5:17; Hebreërs 1:3
2: Psalm 115:3; Spreuke 16:1; Spreuke 16:9; Spreuke 16:33; Spreuke 21:1; Klaagliedere 3:37-38; Efesiërs 1:11-12; Jakobus 4:13-15
3: Jakobus 1:13; 1 Johannes 2:16
4: Job 1:21; Jesaja 10:5-7; Jesaja 45:7; Amos 3:6; Handelinge 2:23; Handelinge 4:27-28
5: Genesis 45:8; 2 Samuel 16:10; 1 Konings 22:19-23; Psalm 75:7-8; Spreuke 16:4; Esegiël 14:9; Romeine 1:28; Romeine 11:33-34; 2 Tessalonisense 2:11
6: Deuteronomium 29:29; 1 Korintiërs 4:6
7: Genesis 45:8; Genesis 50:20; 2 Samuel 16:10; Job 1:12; Job 2:6; Matteus 10:29-30; Romeine 8:28; Romeine 8:38-39

Artikel 14: Die Skepping van die Mens, die Sondeval en die Gevolge Daarvan

Ons glo dat God die mens uit die stof van die aarde geskep het¹; Hy het hom volgens sy beeld en gelykenis gemaak en gevorm, dit wil sê goed, regverdig en heilig², sodat hy met sy wil in alles met die wil van God ooreenstem. Maar toe hy in aansien was, het hy dit nie verstaan nie en sy uitnemendheid nie besef nie. Hy het homself egter, deur na die woord van die duiwel te luister, willens en wetens aan die sonde en daarmee aan die dood en die vervloeking onderwerp³.
Hy het immers die gebod van die lewe wat hy ontvang het, oortree en homself deur die sonde losgeskeur van God, wat sy ware lewe was; so het hy sy hele natuur verderf en daarmee die liggaamlike en geestelike dood verdien⁴.
Hy het deurdat hy in al sy doen en late goddeloos, verkeerd en verdorwe geword het, al sy voortreflike gawes wat hy van God ontvang het, verloor⁵ en hy het niks anders daarvan oorgehou nie as slegs klein oorblyfsels, wat egter genoegsaam is om hom van alle verontskuldiging te ontneem⁶.
Al die lig wat ons het, het immers in duisternis verander⁷, soos die Skrif ons leer: En die lig skyn in die duisternis en die duisternis het dit nie oorweldig nie, waar die heilige Johannes die mense duisternis noem⁸.
Daarom verwerp ons alles wat in stryd hiermee oor die vrye wil van die mens geleer word, aangesien die mens niks anders as ’n slaaf van die sonde is nie en: ’n Mens kan niks aanneem as dit hom nie uit die hemel gegee is nie⁹.
Want wie is daar wat daarop sal roem dat hy uit homself iets goeds kan doen, terwyl Christus sê: Niemand kan na My toe kom as die Vader wat My gestuur het, hom nie trek nie?¹⁰
Wie sal op sy eie wil roem as hy verstaan dat …wat die vlees bedink, vyandskap teen God is?¹¹
Wie sal op sy eie kennis roem as die natuurlike mens die dinge van die Gees van God nie aanneem nie?¹²
Kortom: Wie sal ook maar op ’n enkele gedagte roem as hy verstaan dat ons uit onsself nie bekwaam is om iets uit onsself te bedink nie maar dat ons bekwaamheid uit God is?¹³
Daarom is dit reg dat wat die apostel sê, onwrikbaar bly, want dit is God wat in julle werk. Hy maak julle gewillig en bekwaam om sy heilige plan uit te voer¹⁴.
Want daar is geen verstand en geen wil in ooreenstemming met die verstand en die wil van God as Christus dit nie in die mens tot stand bring nie. Dit leer Hy ons as Hy sê: Sonder My kan julle niks doen nie¹⁵.

1: Genesis 2:7; Genesis 3:19; Prediker 12:7
2: Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 1:31; Efesiërs 4:24; Kolossense 3:10
3: Genesis 3:16-19; Prediker 7:29; Romeine 5:12
4: Genesis 2:17; Jesaja 59:2; Efesiërs 2:1; Efesiërs 4:17-19
5: Psalm 49:21; Psalm 94:11; Romeine 3:10; Romeine 8:6
6: Romeine 1:20-21
7: Efesiërs 5:8
8: Johannes 1:5
9: Jesaja 26:12; Johannes 3:27
10: Johannes 6:44
11: Romeine 7:5; Romeine 8:7
12: 1 Korintiërs 3:5
13: 2 Korintiërs 3:5
14: Filippense 2:13
15: Johannes 15:5

Artikel 15: Die Erfsonde

Ons glo dat die erfsonde deur die ongehoorsaamheid van Adam oor die hele menslike geslag uitgebrei het¹.
Dit is ’n verdorwenheid van die hele natuur² en ’n oorgeërfde gebrek waarmee selfs die klein kindertjies in die moederskoot besmet is³.
Dit is hierdie wortel wat in die mens allerhande sonde laat uitspruit. Dit is daarom so afskuwelik en gruwelik voor God dat dit rede genoeg is om die menslike geslag te verdoem⁴.
Dit word selfs nie deur die doop geheel en al tot niet gemaak of volkome uitgeroei nie, aangesien die sonde aanhoudend uit hierdie verdorwenheid opborrel soos water uit ’n giftige fontein⁵.
Dit word die kinders van God ewenwel nie tot verdoemenis toegereken nie maar deur sy genade en barmhartigheid vergewe⁶.
God vergewe nie sodat die gelowiges in die sonde gerus sou slaap nie maar wel sodat die besef van hierdie verdorwenheid hulle dikwels sou laat sug in die verlange om van hierdie liggaam van die dood verlos te word⁷.
Ons verwerp hiermee die dwaling van die Pelagiane, wat sê dat hierdie sonde uit niks anders as uit navolging ontstaan nie.

1: Romeine 5:12-14; Romeine 5:19
2: Romeine 3:10
3: Job 14:4; Psalm 51:7; Johannes 3:6
4: Efesiërs 2:3
5: Romeine 7:8-13; Romeine 7:17-18; Romeine 7:20-24
6: Efesiërs 2:3-5
7: Romeine 7:24

Artikel 16: Die Ewige Verkiesing van God

Ons glo dat God, toe die hele geslag van Adam deur die sonde van die eerste mens in die verderf en ondergang gestort is¹, Hom betoon het soos Hy is, naamlik barmhartig en regverdig. God is barmhartig, aangesien Hy dié wat Hy uitverkies het, uit hierdie verderf trek en verlos²; God het hulle, uit louter goedheid en sonder om hulle werke in die minste in aanmerking te neem³, in sy ewige en onveranderlike raad⁴ uitverkies in Jesus Christus, ons Here⁵.
God is regverdig deurdat Hy die ander in hulle val en verderf laat bly waarin hulle hulleself gewerp het⁶.

1: Romeine 3:12
2: 1 Samuel 12:22; Psalm 65:5; Handelinge 2:47; Handelinge 13:48; Romeine 9:15-16; Romeine 11:5-6; Titus 1:1; 1 Petrus 1:2; 1 Johannes 4:10
3: Maleagi 1:2-3; Romeine 9:11-13; Efesiërs 2:8-10; 2 Timoteus 1:9; Titus 3:4-5
4: Johannes 6:37; Johannes 6:44; Johannes 10:29; Johannes 17:2; Johannes 17:9; Johannes 17:12
5: Johannes 6:27; Johannes 15:16; Johannes 15:19; Romeine 8:29; Efesiërs 1:4-5
6: Romeine 9:17-22; 1 Petrus 2:7-8

Artikel 17: Die Verlosser Deur God Beloof

Ons glo dat ons goeie God in sy uitnemende wysheid en goedheid die mens weer opgesoek het toe Hy gesien het dat die mens homself in die liggaamlike en geestelike dood gewerp en geheel en al ellendig gemaak en al bewende van Hom weggevlug het¹.
God het die mens toe getroos met die belofte om aan hom sy Seun te gee en hom salig te maak — sy Seun, wat uit ’n vrou gebore sou word om die kop van die slang te vermorsel².

1: Genesis 3:8-9; Genesis 3:19
2: Genesis 3:15; Genesis 22:18; Jesaja 7:14; Johannes 1:14; Johannes 5:46; Johannes 7:42; Handelinge 13:32-33; Romeine 1:2-3; Galasiërs 3:16; Galasiërs 4:4; 2 Timoteus 2:8; Hebreërs 7:14

Artikel 18: Die Menswording van Jesus Christus

Ons bely dat God die belofte aan die vaders deur die mond van die heilige profete¹ inderdaad vervul het deur sy Seun in die wêreld te stuur op die tyd deur Hom bepaal².
Hy het die gestalte van ’n dienskneg aangeneem en aan die mens gelyk geword deur werklik ’n egte menslike natuur, met al sy swakhede³ maar sonder sonde, aan te neem⁴.
Hy is in die liggaam van die geseënde maagd Maria deur die krag van die Heilige Gees en sonder die toedoen van ’n man verwek⁵.
Hy het nie alleen wat die liggaam betref, die menslike natuur aangeneem nie, maar ook ’n egte menslike siel om so ’n werklike mens te wees. Want Hy moes sowel die siel as die liggaam aanneem om altwee te red, aangesien albei verlore was⁶.
Teenoor die kettery van die Wederdopers, wat ontken dat Christus die menslike vlees uit sy moeder aangeneem het, bely ons daarom dat Christus die vlees en die bloed van die kinders deelagtig geword het⁷, dat Hy, wat die vlees betref, ’n nakomeling van Dawid is, as mens gebore is uit die geslag van Dawid⁸, ’n vrug van die moederskoot van Maria⁹, gebore uit ’n vrou¹⁰, ’n spruit van Dawid¹¹, ’n loot uit die wortels van Isai¹², van die geslag van Juda afstam¹³, uit die Jode as mens gebore¹⁴, uit die geslag van Abraham, aangesien Hy die geslag van Abraham aangeneem het in alle opsigte — maar sonder sonde, aan sy broers gelyk geword het¹⁵.
Ons bely inderdaad dat Hy waarlik ons Immanuel is, dit wil sê: God met ons¹⁶.

1: Genesis 26:4; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Psalm 132:11; Lukas 1:55; Handelinge 13:23
2: Galasiërs 4:4
3: Matteus 26:38; Johannes 12:27; Filippense 2:7; 1 Timoteus 2:5; 1 Timoteus 3:16; Hebreërs 2:14
4: 2 Korintiërs 5:21; Hebreërs 7:26; 1 Petrus 2:22
5: Matteus 1:18; Lukas 1:35
6: Lukas 1:34-35
7: Hebreërs 2:14
8: Psalm 132:11; Handelinge 2:30; Romeine 1:3
9: Lukas 1:42
10: Lukas 1:31; Galasiërs 4:4
11: Jeremia 33:15
12: Jesaja 11:1
13: Hebreërs 7:14
14: Romeine 9:5
15: Hebreërs 2:16-17; Hebreërs 4:15
16: Jesaja 7:14; Matteus 1:23

Artikel 19: Die Twee Nature van Christus

Ons glo dat deur hierdie ontvangenis die Persoon van die Seun onafskeidelik met die menslike natuur verenig en verbind is¹; dat daar dus nie twee Seuns van God of twee persone is nie maar twee nature in een Persoon verenig, terwyl elke natuur nogtans sy onderskeie eienskappe behou. Net soos die Goddelike natuur altyd ongeskape gebly het, sonder begin van dae of lewenseinde (Hebreërs 7:3) en die hemel en aarde vervul², só het ook die menslike natuur sy eienskappe nie verloor nie; dit het skepsel gebly, wat wel ’n begin van dae het, eindig van natuur is en alles behou wat by ’n ware liggaam behoort.
Hoewel Hy daaraan deur sy opstanding onsterflikheid gegee het, het Hy die egtheid van sy menslike natuur nie verander nie³, omdat ons saligheid en ons opstanding ook van die egtheid van sy liggaam afhanklik is⁴.
Hierdie twee nature is só saam in een persoon verenig dat hulle selfs deur sy dood nie van mekaar geskei was nie. Dit wat Hy by sy sterwe in die hande van sy Vader oorgegee het, was dus ’n ware menslike gees wat uit sy liggaam uitgegaan het⁵.
Die Goddelike natuur het in die tussentyd steeds met die menslike natuur verenig gebly, ook toe Hy in die graf gelê het⁶.
Die Godheid het nie opgehou om in Hom te wees nie; dit was in Hom toe Hy ’n klein kindjie was, al het die Godheid Hom toe ’n klein tydjie nie geopenbaar nie. Ons bely daarom dat Hy ware God en ware mens is: ware God om deur sy krag die dood te oorwin, maar ook ware mens om deur die swakheid van sy vlees vir ons te kon sterwe.

1: Johannes 1:14; Johannes 10:30; Romeine 9:5; Filippense 2:6-8
2: Matteus 28:20; Hebreërs 7:3
3: Matteus 26:11; Lukas 24:39; Johannes 20:25; Handelinge 1:3; Handelinge 1:11; Hebreërs 2:9
4: 1 Korintiërs 15:13; 1 Korintiërs 15:21; Filippense 3:21
5: Matteus 27:50; Lukas 23:46
6: Romeine 1:4

Artikel 20: God se Regverdigheid en Barmhartigheid in Christus

Ons glo dat God, wat volkome barmhartig en regverdig is, sy Seun gestuur het om die natuur waarin die ongehoorsaamheid begaan is, aan te neem¹.
Hy moes in die menslike natuur aan die geregtigheid voldoen en die straf vir die sondes deur die allerbitterste lyding en sterwe dra².
So het God sy regverdigheid teenoor sy Seun betoon toe Hy ons sondelas op Hom gelê het en só sy goedheid en barmhartigheid uitgestort oor ons, wat skuldig was en die ewige vervloeking verdien het. Hy het immers sy Seun deur die mees volmaakte liefde vir ons in die dood gegee en Hy het Hom tot ons regverdiging opgewek³, sodat ons deur Hom die onsterflikheid en die ewige lewe kan hê⁴.

1: Romeine 8:3
2: Jesaja 53:6; Johannes 1:29; Hebreërs 2:14
3: Romeine 3:25-26; Romeine 8:32; 1 Johannes 4:9
4: Romeine 4:25

Artikel 21: Die Versoening Deur Christus

Ons glo dat Jesus Christus — kragtens ’n eed — ’n ewige Hoëpriester is volgens die orde van Melgisedek¹.
Hy het Homself in ons naam voor sy Vader gestel om sy toorn met volledige betaling te stil² deur Homself aan die kruishout te offer en sy kosbare bloed tot afwassing van ons sondes uit te stort³ soos die profete dit voorspel het⁴.
Daar staan geskrywe dat die straf wat vir ons die vrede aanbring, op die Seun van God was en deur sy wonde het daar vir ons genesing gekom⁵; dat Hy soos ’n lam na die slagpale gelei en by die misdadigers gereken is⁶; dat Hy as ’n misdadiger deur Pontius Pilatus veroordeel is al het dié Hom eers onskuldig verklaar⁷.
Hy het teruggegee wat Hy nie geroof het nie⁸; Hy het na liggaam en siel⁹ as regverdige vir die onregverdiges gely¹⁰; Hy het die verskriklike straf wat ons sondes verdien, ervaar, sodat sy sweet soos bloeddruppels geword het wat op die grond val¹¹ en Hy het uitgeroep: My God, my God, waarom het U my verlaat¹².
Dit alles het Hy ter wille van die vergewing van ons sondes gely. Ons sê daarom tereg saam met die apostel Paulus dat ons met julle oor niks praat nie as oor Jesus Christus en wel oor Hom as gekruisigde¹³; dat ons alles as waardeloos beskou, want om Christus Jesus, ons Here, te ken oortref alles in waarde¹⁴; dat ons volkome vertroosting in sy wonde vind en dat ons nie enige ander middel hoef te soek of uit te dink om ons met God te versoen nie as slegs hierdie offerande wat net een maal gebring is, waardeur die gelowiges vir altyd volmaak word¹⁵.
Dit is dan ook die rede waarom Hy deur die engel van die God Jesus, dit is Verlosser, genoem is, want Hy sou sy volk van hulle sondes verlos¹⁶.

1: Psalm 110:4; Hebreërs 5:10; Hebreërs 7:15-17
2: Romeine 3:24-25; Romeine 5:8-9; Romeine 8:32; Galasiërs 3:13; Kolossense 2:14; Hebreërs 2:9; Hebreërs 2:17; Hebreërs 9:11-15
3: Handelinge 2:23; Filippense 2:8; 1 Timoteus 1:15; 1 Timoteus 2:6; Hebreërs 9:22; 1 Petrus 1:18-19; 1 Johannes 1:7; Openbaring 7:14
4: Lukas 24:25-27; Romeine 3:21-22; 1 Korintiërs 15:3
5: 1 Petrus 2:24
6: Jesaja 53:5; Jesaja 53:7; Jesaja 53:9; Markus 15:28
7: Johannes 18:38; Handelinge 13:28
8: Psalm 69:5
9: Psalm 22:16
10: Romeine 5:6; 1 Petrus 3:18
11: Lukas 22:44
12: Psalm 22:2; Matteus 27:46
13: 1 Korintiërs 2:2
14: Filippense 3:8
15: Hebreërs 7:26-28; Hebreërs 9:24-28; Hebreërs 10:14
16: Matteus 1:21; Lukas 1:31; Handelinge 4:12

Artikel 22: Ons Regverdiging Deur die Geloof

Ons glo dat die Heilige Gees ’n opregte geloof in ons harte laat ontvlam¹ om die ware kennis van hierdie groot geheimenis te verkry².
Daar is dus net twee moontlikhede: In Jesus Christus is nie alles wat vir ons saligheid nodig is nie, óf dit is alles wél in Hom en dan het hy wat Jesus Christus deur die geloof besit, sy volle saligheid³.
Om nou te beweer dat Christus nie genoegsaam is nie maar dat daar buite Hom nog iets meer nodig is, sou gruwelike godslastering wees, want dit sou beteken dat Christus slegs ’n halwe Verlosser is. Ons sê daarom tereg saam met Paulus dat ons deur die geloof alleen of deur die geloof sonder die werke geregverdig is⁴.
Om presies te wees: Ons bedoel nie dat die geloof self ons regverdig maak nie⁵, want die geloof is slegs die middel waardeur ons Christus, ons Geregtigheid, omhels, maar wel dat Jesus Christus ons Geregtigheid is. Hý reken ons sy hele verdienste toe en ook al die heilige werke wat Hy vir ons en in ons plek gedoen het⁶, terwyl die geloof die middel is wat ons in die gemeenskap aan al sy weldade aan Hom verbind. En as die weldade ons eiendom geword het, is hulle meer as genoeg om vryspraak vir ons sondes te verkry.

1: Johannes 16:13-14; 1 Korintiërs 2:12; Efesiërs 1:17-18; Efesiërs 3:16-17
2: Johannes 14:6; Handelinge 4:12; Galasiërs 2:21
3: Psalm 32:1; Matteus 1:21; Lukas 1:77; Handelinge 13:38-39; Romeine 8:1
4: Romeine 3:28; Romeine 8:1; Romeine 8:33; Romeine 10:4-11; Galasiërs 2:16; Filippense 3:9
5: 1 Korintiërs 4:7
6: Jeremia 27:5; Matteus 20:28; Romeine 8:33; 1 Korintiërs 1:30-31; 2 Korintiërs 5:21; 1 Johannes 4:10; 1 Petrus 1:4-5

Artikel 23: Ons Geregtigheid Voor God

Ons glo dat ons geluksaligheid geleë is in die vergewing van ons sondes om Jesus Christus ontwil en dat ons geregtigheid voor God daarin bestaan¹.
Die leer Dawid en Paulus ons deur te verklaar dat die mens se geluksaligheid daarin bestaan dat God hom die geregtigheid buite die wetsonderhouding om toereken. Dieselfde apostel sê dat ons verniet, dit wil sê uit genade, geregverdig is deur die verlossing wat in Jesus Christus is².
Ons hou daarom hierdie grondslag altyd vas: Ons gee aan God al die eer³, verneder ons voor Hom, erken dat ons is wat ons is en roem glad nie in onsself of in ons verdienste nie⁴ maar maak staat en steun op die gehoorsaamheid van die gekruisigde Christus alleen⁵.
Hierdie gehoorsaamheid is ons eie as ons in Hom glo⁶; dit is ook genoegsaam om al ons ongeregtighede te bedek en die gewete van vrees, verbystering en skrik te bevry en om ons vrymoedigheid te gee om na God te gaan, terwyl ons nie handel soos ons eerste vader, Adam, wat al bewende probeer het om hom met vyeblare te bedek nie⁷.
Waarlik, as ons voor God moes verskyn terwyl ons, in watter geringe mate ook al, op onsself of op enige ander skepsel sou staatmaak, sou ons — helaas! — verteer moes word⁸.
En daarom moet elkeen saam met Dawid sê: En gaan nie na die gereg met u kneg nie, want niemand wat leef, is voor u aangesig regverdig nie⁹.

1: Psalm 32:1-2; Lukas 1:77; Romeine 4:6-7; Kolossense 1:13-14; 1 Johannes 2:1
2: Psalm 32:1-2; Romeine 3:24; Romeine 4:2; Romeine 4:6; 2 Korintiërs 5:18-19; Efesiërs 2:8; 1 Timoteus 2:6
3: Psalm 115:1; Openbaring 7:10-12
4: 1 Korintiërs 4:4; 1 Korintiërs 4:7; Hebreërs 11:6-7; Jakobus 2:10
5: Handelinge 4:12; Romeine 5:19; Hebreërs 10:20
6: Romeine 4:23-25; Romeine 5:1
7: Genesis 3:7; Jesaja 33:14; Sefanja 3:11; Hebreërs 4:16; Jakobus 2:10; 1 Johannes 4:17-19
8: Deuteronomium 27:26; Psalm 130:3; Lukas 16:15; Efesiërs 3:12; Filippense 3:4-9
9: Psalm 143:2

Artikel 24: Ons Heiligmaking en Goeie Werke

Ons glo dat hierdie ware geloof in die mens voortgebring word deur die hoor van die Woord van God en deur die werking van die Heilige Gees¹, dat die geloof hom wedergebore laat word en tot ’n nuwe mens maak², hom ’n nuwe lewe laat lei en hom van die verslawing van die sonde bevry³.
Daarom is daar geen sprake van dat hierdie regverdigmakende geloof die mens vir ’n vroom en heilige lewe onverskillig sou maak nie⁴; inteendeel, hy sou daarsonder nooit iets uit liefde tot God doen nie⁵, maar slegs uit liefde tot homself en uit vrees vir die verdoemenis. Dit is daarom onmoontlik dat hierdie geloof niks in die mens tot stand sou bring nie; ons praat mos nie van ’n dooie geloof nie maar van wat die Skrif noem ’n geloof wat tot dade oorgaan, wat die mens beweeg om hom voortdurend te oefen in die werke wat deur God in sy Woord beveel het.
Hierdie werke is, as hulle uit die goeie wortel van die geloof voortspruit, goed en vir God welgevallig omdat hulle almal deur sy genade geheilig is. Tog geld hierdie werke nie vir ons regverdiging nie, want ons is in die geloof geregverdig nog voordat ons goeie werke doen⁶.
Hulle sou anders mos nie goed kon wees nie, net so min as die vrug van ’n boom goed kan wees voordat die boom self goed is⁷.
Ons doen dus die goeie werke, maar nie om iets te verdien nie — wat sou ons tog kon verdien? Veeleer is ons goeie werke wat ons doen, aan God verskuldig, terwyl Hy aan ons niks verskuldig is nie, aangesien dit Hy is wat in ons werk⁸.
Hy maak ons gewillig en bekwaam om sy heilige plan uit te voer (Filippense 2:13). Laat ons daarom let op wat geskrywe staan: …wanneer julle alles gedoen het wat julle beveel is, sê dan: Ons is onverdienstelike diensknegte, want ons het gedoen wat ons verplig was om te doen (Lukas 17:10). Tog wil ons nie ontken dat God die goeie werke beloon nie⁹, maar dit is deur sy genade dat Hy sy gawes bekroon. Verder, al doen ons ook goeie werke, maak ons dit glad nie die grond van ons saligheid nie, want ons kan geen werk doen wat nie deur ons sondige natuur besmet en ook strafwaardig is nie¹⁰.
En al kon ons ook een goeie werk lewer, is die herinnering aan net een sonde vir God genoeg om dit te verwerp¹¹.
Op hierdie manier sou ons altyd in twyfel verkeer, heen en weer geslinger sonder enige sekerheid en ons arme gewete sou altyd gekwel word as dit nie op die verdienste van die lyding en sterwe van ons Verlosser steun nie¹².

1: Handelinge 16:14; Romeine 10:17; 1 Korintiërs 12:3; 1 Tessalonisense 1:4-5
2: Esegiël 36:26-27; Johannes 1:12-13; Johannes 3:5; Johannes 6:29; Handelinge 15:9; Efesiërs 2:4-6; Titus 3:5; 1 Petrus 1:23
3: Johannes 5:24; Johannes 8:36; Romeine 6:4-6; 1 Johannes 3:9
4: Galasiërs 5:22; Titus 2:12
5: Johannes 15:5; Romeine 14:23; 1 Timoteus 1:5; 2 Timoteus 1:9; Titus 3:8; Hebreërs 11:4; Hebreërs 11:6
6: Romeine 4:5; Galasiërs 5:6; 1 Tessalonisense 2:13
7: Matteus 7:17
8: Romeine 11:6; 1 Korintiërs 1:30-31; 1 Korintiërs 4:7; Efesiërs 2:10
9: Lukas 17:10; Romeine 2:5-7; 1 Korintiërs 3:14; Filippense 2:13; 2 Johannes 8; Openbaring 2:23
10: Romeine 7:20-24
11: Jakobus 2:10
12: Habakuk 2:4; Matteus 11:28; Romeine 10:11

Artikel 25: Die Seremoniële Wet in Christus Vervul

Ons glo dat die seremonies en heenwysings na die wet met die koms van Christus opgehou het en dat alle voorafskaduwing tot ’n einde gekom het¹.
Die gebruik daarvan moet derhalwe onder die Christene afgeskaf word. Die waarheid en inhoud daarvan bly nogtans vir ons in Christus Jesus bestaan: in Hom het hierdie seremonies en heenwysings juis hulle vervulling².
Ons gaan ook nog voort om die getuienisse van die wet en die profete te gebruik om ons in die evangelie te bevestig en ook om ons lewe in alle eerbaarheid tot eer van God en volgens sy wil in te rig³.

1: Matteus 27:51; Romeine 10:4; Hebreërs 9:9-10
2: Matteus 5:17; Galasiërs 3:24; Galasiërs 5:2-4; Kolossense 2:17
3: Romeine 13:8-10; Romeine 15:4; 2 Petrus 1:19; 2 Petrus 3:2; 2 Petrus 3:18

Artikel 26: Christus Ons Voorspraak

Ons glo dat ons geen ander toegang tot God het nie as net deur die enigste Middelaar¹ en Voorspraak, Jesus Christus, die Regverdige².
Hy het juis hiervoor mens geword en in Hom die Goddelike en menslike natuur verenig, sodat ons, mense, tot die Goddelike majesteit toegang kan hê³, anders sou die toegang vir ons gesluit wees. Maar hierdie Middelaar wat die Vader tussen Homself en ons aangestel het, moet ons nie deur sy verhewenheid laat terugdeins sodat ons ’n ander middelaar na ons eie insigte sou soek nie. Want daar is niemand in die hemel of op die aarde onder die skepsels wat vir ons groter liefde het as Jesus Christus nie⁴, Hý wat, alhoewel Hy in die gestalte van God was, Homself ontledig het deur vir ons die gestalte van ’n mens en van ’n slaaf aan te neem en aan sy broers in alle opsigte gelyk geword het⁵.
As ons dus moes soek na ’n ander middelaar wat ons goedgesind sou wees, wie sou ons dan kon vind wat groter liefde vir ons sou hê as Hy wat sy lewe vir ons afgelê het, selfs toe ons nog sy vyande was?⁶
En as ons een soek wat mag en aansien het, wie besit meer as Hy wat aan die regterhand van sy Vader sit⁷ en alle mag in die hemel en op die aarde het?⁸
En wie sal eerder verhoor word as die eie, geliefde Seun van God?⁹
Dit is slegs deur gebrek aan vertroue dat hierdie gewoonte posgevat het om die heiliges te onteer in plaas van hulle te vereer. So doen hulle iets wat die heiliges nooit gedoen of gesoek het nie maar wat hulle onophoudelik en pligsgetrou verwerp het, soos dit ook uit hulle skrifte blyk¹⁰.
Hier moet ook nie ingebring word dat ons dit onwaardig is nie. Daar is mos geen sprake van dat ons ons gebede op grond van ons waardigheid voor God bring nie. Ons doen dit alleen op grond van die uitnemendheid en waardigheid van Jesus Christus¹¹, want sy geregtigheid is ons geregtigheid deur die geloof¹².
Daarom sê die apostel — wanneer hy hierdie dwase vrees of liewer gebrek aan vertroue van ons wil wegneem — dat Jesus in elke opsig aan sy broers gelyk geword het, sodat Hy ’n barmhartige en getroue Hoëpriester voor God kon wees om die sondes van die volk te versoen. Omdat Hy self versoek is en gely het, kan Hy dié help wat versoek word¹³.
En om ons nog meer moed te gee, sê die apostel vervolgens: Terwyl ons dan ’n groot Hoëpriester het wat deur die hemele deurgegaan het, naamlik Jesus, die Seun van God, laat ons die belydenis vashou. Want ons het nie ’n hoëpriester wat nie met ons swakhede medelye kan hê nie, maar een wat in alle opsigte versoek is net soos ons, maar sonder sonde. Laat ons dan met vrymoedigheid na die troon van die genade gaan, sodat ons barmhartigheid kan verkry en genade vind om op die regte tyd gehelp te word¹⁴.
Dieselfde apostel sê: Terwyl ons dan, broeders, vrymoedigheid het om in die heiligdom in te gaan deur die bloed van Jesus… laat ons dan toetree met ’n waaragtige hart in volle geloofsversekerdheid…¹⁵.
En voorts: maar Hy, omdat Hy vir ewig bly, besit ’n priesterskap wat nie op ander oorgaan nie. Daarom kan Hy ook volkome red dié wat deur Hom tot God gaan, omdat Hy altyd leef om vir hulle in te tree¹⁶.
Wat kom daar nog kort, aangesien Christus self sê: Ek is die weg en die waarheid en die lewe; niemand kom tot die Vader behalwe deur my nie¹⁷?
Waarom sal ons ’n ander voorspraak soek, aangesien dit God behaag het om ons sy Seun as Voorspraak te gee? Laat ons Hom geensins verlaat om ’n ander te neem of liewer om ’n ander een te soek sonder om hom ooit te vind nie. Want toe God Hom aan ons gegee het, het Hy goed geweet dat ons sondaars is. Volgens die bevel van Christus roep ons daarom die hemelse Vader aan deur Christus, ons enigste Middelaar¹⁸, soos dit in die gebed van die Here geleer word¹⁹; en ons is verseker dat alles wat ons die Vader in sy Naam sal bid, aan ons gegee sal word²⁰.

1: 1 Timoteus 2:5
2: 1 Johannes 2:1
3: Efesiërs 3:12
4: Matteus 11:28; Johannes 15:13; Efesiërs 3:19; 1 Johannes 4:10
5: Filippense 2:6-8; Hebreërs 2:17
6: Jeremia 2:13; Jeremia 2:33; Hosea 13:9; Johannes 10:11; Romeine 5:6-10
7: Markus 16:19; Kolossense 3:1; Hebreërs 1:3; Hebreërs 8:1
8: Matteus 28:18
9: Matteus 3:17; Johannes 11:42; Efesiërs 1:6
10: Handelinge 10:26; Handelinge 14:15
11: Jeremia 17:5; Jeremia 17:7; Daniël 9:18; Handelinge 4:12
12: 1 Korintiërs 1:30-31
13: Hebreërs 2:17-18
14: Hebreërs 4:14-16
15: Johannes 10:9; Efesiërs 2:18; Hebreërs 9:24; Hebreërs 10:19; Hebreërs 10:22
16: Romeine 8:34; Hebreërs 7:24-25
17: Johannes 14:6
18: Psalm 44:21; Hebreërs 13:15
19: Matteus 6:9-13; Lukas 11:2-4
20: Johannes 14:13; Johannes 16:23

Artikel 27: Die Algemene Christelike Kerk

Ons glo en bely ’n enige katolieke of algemene kerk¹, ’n heilige vergadering² van almal wat waarlik in Christus glo, wat almal hulle volle saligheid in Jesus Christus verwag³ en in sy bloed gewas is, geheilig en verseël deur die Heilige Gees⁴.
Hierdie kerk was daar van die begin van die wêreld af en sal tot die einde daar wees, want Christus is ’n ewige Koning, wat nooit sonder onderdane kan wees nie⁵.
Hierdie heilige kerk word deur geen plek of tyd beperk nie, maar is versprei en verstrooi oor die hele wêreld, en tog in eenheid van die ware geloof deur die krag van die Heilige Gees saamgevoeg en verenig¹.
Ons glo dat hierdie kerk deur die bloed van Christus bewaar en onderhou word, en dat dit nie deur menslike krag of instelling bestaan nie, maar deur die werking van God se Gees².
Daarom verwerp ons die dwaling van diegene wat sê dat die kerk slegs in een plek of by een bepaalde groep mense bestaan, want die kerk is die liggaam van Christus, wat deur die Heilige Gees uit alle nasies en tye versamel word³.

1: Johannes 10:16; Efesiërs 4:3-6; 1 Korintiërs 12:12-13
2: Matteus 16:18; Handelinge 20:28; Efesiërs 5:25-27
3: Openbaring 7:9; Efesiërs 2:19-22

Artikel 28: Die Verpligting om by die Ware Kerk Aan te Sluit

Ons glo dat niemand homself van hierdie heilige vergadering mag afsonder of uitsluit nie, aangesien alle gelowiges verplig is om by die kerk van God aan te sluit en in gemeenskap daarmee te lewe¹.
Hierdie kerk is die plek waar God sy Woord suiwer laat verkondig, waar die sakramente volgens Christus se instelling bedien word, en waar die kerkdissipline in liefde toegepas word².
Daarom is dit die plig van alle gelowiges om hulleself by die ware kerk te voeg, om in eenheid met ander gelowiges te lewe en om die juk van Christus te dra deur sy Woord te gehoorsaam³.
Ons verwerp die dwaling van diegene wat sê dat ’n mens buite die kerk kan lewe en nogtans gered word, want buite die kerk is daar geen saligheid nie, aangesien Christus die Hoof van sy kerk is en niemand sonder Hom kan lewe nie⁴.

1: Handelinge 2:42; Hebreërs 10:25
2: Matteus 18:15-18; Handelinge 20:28; 1 Korintiërs 5:4-5
3: Matteus 11:29-30; Johannes 15:10
4: Johannes 15:5; Efesiërs 4:15-16

Artikel 29: Die Merktekens van die Ware Kerk

Ons glo dat ons die ware kerk van God en die valse kerk moet onderskei aan die hand van die merktekens wat die Heilige Skrif ons gee. Die ware kerk word gekenmerk deur die volgende:

Die suiwer prediking van die evangelie¹.
Die suiwer bediening van die sakramente soos Christus dit ingestel het².
Die toepassing van kerkdissipline om die sonde te bestraf en te korrigeer³.

Aan hierdie merktekens kan ’n mens die liggaam van Christus en sy ware kerk duidelik uitken. Dit is nie nodig om ’n groot getal of uiterlike prag te soek nie, maar waar hierdie dinge in eenvoud en opregtheid teenwoordig is, daar is die kerk van God⁴.
Ons verwerp die valse kerk wat haar gesag op menslike instellings, tradisies of uiterlike seremonies grondves in plaas van op die Woord van God⁵.
Daarom moet alle gelowiges noukeurig ondersoek waar die ware kerk is en hulleself daarby aansluit, terwyl hulle die valse kerk vermy wat die Woord van God verdraai⁶.

1: Galasiërs 1:8-9; 1 Timoteus 3:15
2: Matteus 28:19; 1 Korintiërs 11:23-25
3: Matteus 18:15-18; 1 Korintiërs 5:11-13
4: Handelinge 2:42; Efesiërs 2:20
5: Matteus 15:9; Kolossense 2:22-23
6: 2 Timoteus 2:17-20

Artikel 30: Die Regering van die Kerk

Ons glo dat die ware kerk volgens die Woord van God geregeer moet word en nie deur menslike uitvindsels nie¹.
Daarom moet die kerk amptedraers hê — leraars, ouderlinge en diakens — wat volgens die reëls van die Skrif aangestel word om die gemeente te lei, die Woord te verkondig, die sakramente te bedien en die armes te versorg².
Hierdie ampsbediening word nie ingestel om oor die gemeente te heers nie, maar om te dien en om die orde en eenheid in die kerk te bevorder³.
Ons verwerp daarom alle menslike uitvindsels en ampsbedienings wat nie op die Woord van God gegrond is nie, soos die pousdom en ander hiërargiese strukture wat die vryheid van die kerk onderdruk⁴.

1: 1 Timoteus 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9
2: Handelinge 6:1-4; Handelinge 20:28; Efesiërs 4:11-12
3: Matteus 20:25-28; 1 Petrus 5:1-4
4: Matteus 23:8-10; Kolossense 2:18-19

Artikel 31: Die Aanstelling van Ampsdraers

Ons glo dat die leraars, ouderlinge en diakens deur ’n wettige verkiesing deur die kerk aangestel moet word, met gebed en in die vrees van God, volgens die reëls wat in die Heilige Skrif gegee word¹.
Hulle wat aangestel word, moet bevoeg wees en ’n goeie getuienis hê, sodat die kerk deur hul diens opgebou word².
Ons verwerp die aanstelling van ampsdraers deur menslike mag of dwang, want die gesag van die ampsdraers kom uit die Woord van God en nie uit menslike gesag nie³.
Daarom moet die kerk met groot sorg en gebed hierdie ampsdraers kies, sodat die eer van God en die welstand van die gemeente bevorder word⁴.

1: Handelinge 1:23-26; Handelinge 6:3; 1 Timoteus 3:1-7
2: 1 Timoteus 3:8-10; Titus 1:7-9
3: Johannes 10:1-2; Handelinge 20:28
4: Handelinge 14:23; Titus 1:5

Artikel 32: Die Orde en Dissipline in die Kerk

Ons glo dat die kerk ’n orde en dissipline moet hê om die suiwerheid van die leer en die heiligheid van die lewe van sy lede te bewaar¹.
Hierdie dissipline moet in liefde en met wysheid toegepas word, volgens die voorskrifte van die Woord van God, om die sondaar tot bekering te lei en die gemeente te beskerm teen die kwaad van die sonde².
Ons verwerp die oormatige strengheid of laksheid in die kerkdissipline, want dit moet altyd tot die eer van God en die opbou van die gemeente strek³.
Daarom moet die ampsdraers en die gemeente saamwerk om hierdie orde te handhaaf, met geduld en gebed, sodat die kerk in vrede en heiligheid kan lewe⁴.

1: Matteus 18:15-18; 1 Korintiërs 5:4-5
2: 2 Korintiërs 2:6-8; Galasiërs 6:1
3: 1 Korintiërs 14:40; 1 Tessalonisense 5:14
4: Hebreërs 12:11; Jakobus 5:16

Artikel 33: Die Sakramente

Ons glo dat ons goeie God, uit insig in ons swakheid, twee sakramente in sy kerk ingestel het om ons geloof te versterk en ons aan Christus te verbind: die Doop en die Nagmaal van die Here¹.
Hierdie sakramente is sigbare tekens en seëls van die onsigbare genade van God, wat ons deur die Heilige Gees met Christus se verdienste verenig².
Ons verwerp die opvatting dat die sakramente uit hulleself krag of genade besit, want die krag daarvan lê in die belofte van God en die geloof van die ontvanger³.
Daarom moet die sakramente in ooreenstemming met Christus se instelling bedien word, en ons verwerp alle byvoegings of veranderinge wat die eenvoud van hierdie instelling verdraai⁴.

1: Matteus 28:19; 1 Korintiërs 11:23-25
2: Romeine 4:11; Handelinge 2:38; 1 Korintiërs 10:16-17
3: Hebreërs 11:6; 1 Petrus 3:21
4: 1 Korintiërs 11:20-22; Galasiërs 5:2-4

Artikel 34: Die Heilige Doop

Ons glo dat die doop met water ingestel is om die afwassing van ons sondes deur die bloed van Christus aan te dui¹.
Die doop is ’n teken en seël van die verbond van God se genade, waardeur ons in die gemeenskap van die kerk opgeneem word en as lede van Christus se liggaam gekenmerk word².
Ons glo ook dat die kinders van gelowiges in hierdie verbond ingesluit is en daarom gedoop moet word, aangesien die belofte ook aan hulle en hul nageslag gegee is³.
Ons verwerp die dwaling van die Wederdopers, wat die kinderdoop verwerp en sê dat die doop slegs vir volwasse gelowiges is, want die Skrif leer dat die verbond van God ook die kinders insluit⁴.
Die doop moet eenvoudig met water in die Naam van die Vader, die Seun en die Heilige Gees bedien word, volgens die instelling van Christus⁵.

1: Handelinge 2:38; Handelinge 22:16; 1 Petrus 3:21
2: Romeine 6:3-4; Galasiërs 3:27
3: Genesis 17:7; Handelinge 2:39; 1 Korintiërs 7:14
4: Matteus 19:14; Handelinge 16:15; Handelinge 16:33
5: Matteus 28:19

Artikel 35: Die Nagmaal van die Here

Ons glo en bely dat ons Here Jesus Christus die Nagmaal ingestel het om ons geloof te voed en te versterk deur die gemeenskap aan sy liggaam en bloed¹.
In hierdie sakrament word ons, deur die werking van die Heilige Gees, met die gekruisigde en opgestane Christus verenig, sodat ons sy verdienste ontvang en in Hom versterk word².
Ons verwerp die opvatting dat die brood en wyn in die Nagmaal letterlik in die liggaam en bloed van Christus verander, want die Skrif leer dat die brood en wyn tekens bly, maar dat ons deur geloof waarlik aan Christus deel het³.
Ons verwerp ook die misbruik van die Nagmaal waar dit as ’n offerande vir die sondes beskou word, want Christus se offer aan die kruis was eenmalig en voldoende vir alle tye⁴.
Daarom moet die Nagmaal in ooreenstemming met Christus se instelling gevier word, met danksegging en in gemeenskap met die gelowiges⁵.

1: Matteus 26:26-28; 1 Korintiërs 11:23-25
2: 1 Korintiërs 10:16-17; Johannes 6:56
3: 1 Korintiërs 11:24-25; Johannes 6:63
4: Hebreërs 7:27; Hebreërs 9:26; Hebreërs 10:10
5: Handelinge 2:42; 1 Korintiërs 11:33

Artikel 36: Die Owerheid

Ons glo dat ons goeie God, uit sy barmhartigheid, die owerheid ingestel het om orde in die samelewing te handhaaf, die goeie te beskerm en die kwaad te straf¹.
Daarom is dit die plig van die owerheid om die prediking van die Woord van God te bevorder en te beskerm, sodat die kerk in vrede kan bestaan en God se eer bevorder word².
Ons glo ook dat alle mense die owerheid moet gehoorsaam en respek betoon, vir sover dit nie met die Woord van God in stryd is nie, en dat ons vir die owerheid moet bid sodat God hul werk sal seën³.
Ons verwerp die dwaling van diegene wat die owerheid verag of oproer teen haar aanstig, want dit is teen die orde van God⁴.
Tog erken ons dat, waar die owerheid ons dwing om teen God se Woord te handel, ons eerder God as mense moet gehoorsaam⁵.

1: Romeine 13:1-4; 1 Petrus 2:13-14
2: 1 Timoteus 2:1-2; Psalm 82:1-4
3: Romeine 13:7; 1 Timoteus 2:1-2
4: Romeine 13:2; Judas 8-10
5: Handelinge 4:19; Handelinge 5:29

Artikel 37: Die Laaste Oordeel

Ons glo dat die Here Jesus Christus op die laaste dag met groot majesteit en heerlikheid sal terugkom om die lewendes en die dooies te oordeel¹.
Op daardie dag sal die goddelose mense veroordeel word tot die ewige straf in die hel, waar hulle die verskriklike toorn van God sal ervaar².
Maar die gelowiges, wat in Christus se geregtigheid beklee is, sal die ewige lewe ontvang en in die nuwe hemel en nuwe aarde met God verenig word, waar daar geen sonde, pyn of dood meer sal wees nie³.
Ons verwerp die dwaling van diegene wat ontken dat daar ’n opstanding van die liggaam of ’n laaste oordeel sal wees, want die Skrif leer duidelik dat Christus sal terugkom om die wêreld te oordeel⁴.
Daarom leef ons in die verwagting van sy koms, met waaksaamheid en gebed, sodat ons gereed sal wees om Hom te ontmoet wanneer Hy kom⁵.

1: Matteus 25:31-46; Handelinge 1:11; Openbaring 20:11-15
2: Matteus 13:41-42; 2 Tessalonisense 1:7-9; Openbaring 21:8
3: Johannes 5:28-29; 1 Korintiërs 15:51-54; Openbaring 21:1-4
4: Handelinge 17:31; Hebreërs 9:27
5: Matteus 24:42-44; 1 Tessalonisense 5:2-6

Introduction

The orthodox Christian confession of the Dutch churches, containing the main substance of the doctrine concerning God and the eternal salvation of souls. In a time of great persecution of the Protestant churches, this confession was composed by Guido de Bres. It was written in the year 1561 in the Southern Netherlands (present-day Belgium). Various synods in the 16th century, as well as the National Synod of Dort (1618-1619), adopted it as one of the confessional standards of the Reformed churches.

Article 1: The Only God

We all believe with the heart and confess with the mouth¹ that there is one only simple and spiritual Being, which we call God². He is eternal³, incomprehensible⁴, invisible⁵, immutable⁶, infinite⁷, almighty⁸, perfectly wise⁹, just¹⁰, good¹¹, and the overflowing fountain of all good¹².

1: Romans 10:10 2: Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 44:6; John 4:24; Romans 1:20-21; Ephesians 4:6; 1 Corinthians 8:4, 6; 2 Corinthians 3:17; 1 Timothy 2:5 3: Psalm 90:2; Isaiah 40:28 4: Romans 11:33 5: Colossians 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:17; 1 Timothy 6:16 6: Malachi 3:6; James 1:17 7: 1 Kings 8:27; Jeremiah 23:24 8: Genesis 17:1; Matthew 19:26; Revelation 1:8 9: Romans 16:27 10: Jeremiah 12:1; Romans 3:25-26; Romans 9:14; Revelation 16:5; Revelation 16:7 11: Matthew 19:17 12: 1 Chronicles 29:10-12; Isaiah 40:14; James 1:17

Article 2: The Means by Which We Know God

We know him by two means: First, by the creation, preservation, and government of the universe. For it is before our eyes as a most elegant book¹, wherein all creatures, great and small, are as so many letters leading us to perceive clearly the invisible things of God, namely, his eternal power and divinity, as the apostle Paul says (Romans 1:20). All which things are sufficient to convince men and leave them without excuse². Second, he makes himself more clearly and fully known to us by his holy and divine Word³, that is to say, as far as is necessary for us to know in this life, to his glory and our salvation⁴.

1: Psalm 19:2-5 2: Romans 1:20; Ephesians 4:6 3: Psalm 19:8-9; 1 Corinthians 1:18-21 4: Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 12:6; 1 Timothy 2:5

Article 3: The Written Word of God

We confess that this Word of God was not sent nor delivered by the will of man, but that holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit, as the apostle Peter says¹. Afterwards God, from a special care which he has for us and our salvation, commanded his servants, the prophets and apostles, to commit his revealed Word to writing² and he himself wrote with his own finger the two tables of the law³. Therefore we call such writings holy and divine Scriptures⁴.

1: 2 Peter 1:21 2: Exodus 24:4; Exodus 34:27; Psalm 102:19; Habakkuk 2:2; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 1:19 3: Exodus 31:18 4: 2 Timothy 3:16

Article 4: The Canonical Books of Holy Scripture

We comprehend the Holy Scripture in two parts: the Old and the New Testament. They are the canonical books against which nothing can be alleged. Their number in the church of God is as follows:

The books of the Old Testament:
- The five books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy
- Joshua, Judges, Ruth
- 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles (called Paralipomenon)
- Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job
- The Psalms of David
- Three books of Solomon: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon
- The four major prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel
- The twelve minor prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi
The books of the New Testament:
- Four evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
- The Acts of the Apostles
- The fourteen epistles of the apostle Paul: to the Romans, two to the Corinthians, to the Galatians, the Ephesians, the Philippians, the Colossians, two to the Thessalonians, two to Timothy, to Titus, Philemon, and the Hebrews
- The seven epistles of the other apostles: the epistle of James, two of Peter, three of John, and the epistle of Jude
- The Revelation of the apostle John

Article 5: The Authority of Holy Scripture

We receive¹ all these books, and these only, as holy and canonical, for the regulation, foundation, and confirmation of our faith². We believe without any doubt all things contained in them, not so much because the church receives and approves them as such, but especially because the Holy Spirit witnesses in our hearts that they are from God³. They also carry the evidence of this in themselves, since even the blind can perceive that the things foretold in them are being fulfilled⁴.

1: 1 Thessalonians 2:13 2: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 3: 1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 John 4:6; 1 John 5:6-7 4: Deuteronomy 18:21-22; 1 Kings 22:28; Jeremiah 28:9; Ezekiel 33:33

Article 6: The Difference Between the Canonical and Apocryphal Books

We distinguish these holy books from the apocryphal books:

The third and fourth books of Esdras, the book of Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Jesus Sirach, Baruch, the appendix to the history of Esther, the Prayer of the Three Men in the Furnace, the History of Susanna, the Image of Bel and the Dragon, the Prayer of Manasseh, and the two books of the Maccabees.

The church may certainly read these books and learn from them insofar as they agree with the canonical books. However, they have no such power or authority that anyone could confirm any point of faith or of the Christian religion from their testimony. They may in no way detract from the authority of the other, the holy books.

Article 7: The Sufficiency of Holy Scripture

We believe that this Holy Scripture fully contains the will of God and that everything that man must believe for salvation is sufficiently taught therein¹. Since the entire manner of worship which God requires of us is written in them at length, no one, not even an apostle, ought to teach otherwise than what the Holy Scriptures have already taught us² — not even if it were an angel from heaven, as the apostle Paul says (Galatians 1:8). And since it is forbidden to add to or take away from the Word of God (Deuteronomy 12:32)³, it is evident that the doctrine thereof is most perfect and complete in all respects⁴. Neither may we equate any writings of men, however holy the men may have been, with the divine Scriptures; nor may we equate custom or the great multitude or antiquity or succession of times or of persons or church councils, ordinances, or decrees with the truth of God, for the truth is above all⁵. For all men are of themselves liars and more vain than vanity itself (Psalm 62:10)⁶. We therefore reject with all our hearts whatever does not agree with this infallible rule, as the apostles teach us: “test the spirits, whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1) and: “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house…” (2 John 10)⁷.

1: Proverbs 30:6; John 4:25; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:10-12 2: Romans 15:4; 1 Timothy 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:2-3; 2 Timothy 3:14-15; 1 Peter 4:11 3: Deuteronomy 4:2; Deuteronomy 12:32; Proverbs 30:6; Acts 26:22; 1 Corinthians 4:6; Galatians 1:8; Revelation 22:18-19 4: Psalm 19:8-9; Matthew 17:5; John 15:15; Acts 18:28; Acts 20:27; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 2:4 5: Isaiah 1:12; Matthew 15:3; Mark 7:7-9; Acts 4:19; Romans 3:4; Colossians 2:8; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; 1 John 2:19 6: Deuteronomy 4:5-6; Psalm 62:10; Isaiah 8:20; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 4:4-6; 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 2 Timothy 3:14-15 7: 1 John 4:1; 2 John 10

Article 8: God Is One in Essence, Yet Distinguished in Three Persons

According to this truth and this Word of God, we believe in one only God¹, one single essence, in whom are three Persons, namely the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who are really and truly and eternally distinct according to their incommunicable properties². The Father is the cause, origin, and beginning of all things visible and invisible³. The Son is the Word, the Wisdom, and the Image of the Father⁴. The Holy Spirit is the eternal Power and Might proceeding from the Father and the Son⁵. Nevertheless, this distinction does not divide God into three, since the Holy Scriptures teach us that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit each has his own personal existence, distinguished by their properties in such a way that these three Persons are only one God. It is therefore evident that the Father is not the Son, nor the Son the Father; likewise that the Holy Spirit is neither the Father nor the Son. Nevertheless, these Persons, who are thus distinguished, are not divided nor mixed together. For the Father and the Holy Spirit did not assume flesh, but the Son only. The Father was never without his Son⁶ or without his Holy Spirit, for all three are co-eternal in one and the same essence. There is neither first nor last, for all three are one in truth, power, goodness, and mercy.

1: Isaiah 43:10; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 2: Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19; Galatians 4:6; 1 John 5:6-7 3: Ephesians 3:14-16 4: Proverbs 8:22-31; John 1:14; John 1:18; John 5:17-26; 1 Corinthians 1:24; Philippians 2:6-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:3; Revelation 19:13 5: John 15:26 6: Micah 5:2; John 1:1-2

Article 9: The Scriptural Witness on the Doctrine of the Trinity

All this we know both from the testimonies of Holy Scripture¹ and from the operations of the Persons, especially those we perceive in ourselves. The testimonies of Holy Scripture that teach us to believe in this holy Trinity are written in many places of the Old Testament, which are not necessary to enumerate but only to select with discretion:

Genesis 1:26-27: And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness… So God created man in his own image; male and female he created them.
Genesis 3:22: Then the Lord God said, Behold, the man has become like one of us.

When God says: Let us make man in our image, it appears that there is more than one Person in the Godhead. And when he says: God created, he indicates the unity of the Godhead. It is true that he does not say how many Persons there are, but that which seems somewhat obscure to us in the Old Testament is very clear in the New Testament. For when the Lord was baptised in the Jordan, the voice of the Father was heard, saying: This is my beloved Son (Matthew 3:17). The Son was seen in the water, and the Holy Spirit appeared in the form of a dove². Furthermore, for the baptism of all believers this formula has been instituted by Christ: Baptise them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). In the Gospel of Luke the angel Gabriel said to Mary, the mother of the Lord: The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God (Luke 1:35); likewise: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Corinthians 13:13) and: For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one (1 John 5:7-8)³. In all these places we are fully taught that there are three Persons in one single divine Being. And although this doctrine far surpasses human understanding, we now believe it by means of the Word, while we wait to know and enjoy it fully in heaven. Furthermore, we must observe the particular offices and operations of the three Persons toward us: The Father is called our Creator by his power; the Son is our Saviour and Redeemer by his blood; the Holy Spirit is our Sanctifier by his dwelling in our hearts. The doctrine of the holy Trinity has always been maintained and preserved in the true church since the time of the apostles until now, against Jews, Muslims, and certain false Christians and heretics such as Marcion, Mani, Praxeas, Sabellius, Samosatenus, Arius, and the like, who have been rightly condemned by the orthodox fathers. Therefore, in this respect, we gladly accept the three creeds — namely, that of the Apostles, of Nicaea, and of Athanasius — and likewise what the ancient fathers decided in agreement with them.

1: John 14:16; John 15:26; Acts 2:32-33; Romans 8:9; Galatians 4:6; Titus 3:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 4:13-14; 1 John 5:5-12; Jude 20-21; Revelation 1:4-5 2: Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3:22; Psalm 45:8; Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 3:16-17 3: Matthew 28:19; Luke 1:35; 1 Corinthians 6:17; 2 Corinthians 13:13; 1 John 5:7-8

Article 10: The Deity of Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ, according to his divine nature, is the only-begotten Son of God¹. He is begotten from eternity; he is not made nor created, for then he would be a creature; he is one in essence with the Father, co-eternal with him, the express image of the Person of the Father, co-eternal with him, the brightness of his glory (Hebrews 1:3) and in all things like unto him (Philippians 2:6)². He is from eternity the Son of God, and not only since he assumed our nature; as the following testimonies teach us when compared with each other. Moses says that God created the world³ and the apostle John says that all things were made by the Word, which he calls God (Genesis 1:1 and John 1:3)⁴. The apostle says that God made the world by his Son⁵ and also that God created all things through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:2 and Colossians 1:16)⁶. Therefore he who is called God, the Word, the Son, and Jesus Christ must have existed already when all things were created by him. And therefore the prophet Micah says: His goings forth are from of old, from everlasting (Micah 5:2) and the apostle says: He is without beginning of days or end of life (Hebrews 7:3). He is therefore the true, eternal God, the Almighty, whom we invoke, worship, and serve⁷.

1: Matthew 17:5; John 1:14; John 1:18; John 3:16; John 20:17; John 20:31; Romans 1:4; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 1:1; 1 John 5:5-12 2: John 5:18; John 5:23; John 10:30; John 14:9; John 20:28; Romans 9:5; Philippians 2:6-8; Colossians 1:15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:3; Revelation 5:13 3: John 8:58; John 17:5; Hebrews 13:8 4: Genesis 1:1; John 1:3 5: John 1:1-3 6: Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2 7: Micah 5:1; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Hebrews 7:3

Article 11: The Deity of the Holy Spirit

We believe and confess also that the Holy Spirit from eternity proceeds from the Father and the Son; that he is neither made nor created nor begotten but only proceeds from both of them¹; that he is in order the third Person of the Trinity; that he is of one and the same essence, majesty, and glory with the Father and the Son; that he is indeed true and eternal God, as the Holy Scriptures teach us².

1: Psalm 33:6; Isaiah 48:16; Isaiah 61:1; John 14:16-17; John 14:25-26; John 15:26; Romans 8:9; Galatians 4:6 2: Genesis 1:2; Psalm 139:7; Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 2:10-14; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 1 John 5:6

Article 12: The Creation of All Things, Especially the Angels

We believe that the Father, when it seemed good to him, by his Word — that is to say, by his Son — created from nothing the heaven, the earth, and all creatures¹. He gave to every creature its being, form, and appearance, and several offices to serve its Creator. He still upholds and governs them all by his eternal providence and infinite power for the service of man, to the end that man may serve his God; and he also created the angels good, to be his messengers and to serve his elect². Some of the angels fell from the excellence in which God created them into everlasting perdition³, but the others have by the grace of God remained steadfast and continued in their first estate. The devils and evil spirits have so degenerated that they are enemies of God and of everything that is good⁴. They lie in wait like murderers for the church — and for every member of it — to destroy and lay waste everything by their wiles⁵. They are therefore by their own wickedness condemned to everlasting damnation and daily expect their horrible torments⁶. Therefore we reject also the error of the Sadducees, who deny that there are spirits and angels⁷; and also the error of the Manicheans, who say that the devils have their origin from themselves and are wicked by their own nature and not by their corruption.

1: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 2:3; Isaiah 40:26; Jeremiah 32:17; John 1:3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:15-16; 1 Timothy 4:3; Hebrews 11:3; Revelation 4:11 2: Genesis 1:29-30; Psalm 34:8; Psalm 103:20-21; Matthew 4:11; Acts 17:25; 1 Corinthians 6:20; Hebrews 1:14 3: John 8:44; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6 4: Genesis 3:1-5; Luke 8:30-31; 1 Peter 5:8 5: 2 Corinthians 2:10-11; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 2 Corinthians 11:14; Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 12:4; Revelation 12:13-17; Revelation 20:7-9 6: Matthew 8:29; Matthew 25:41; Luke 8:31; Revelation 20:10 7: Acts 23:8

Article 13: The Providence of God

We believe that the good God, after he created all things, did not abandon them or give them up to fortune or chance¹ but so rules and governs them according to his holy will that nothing happens in this world without his orderly arrangement². Yet God is not the author of the sins which are committed, nor does he bear the blame for them³. His power and goodness are so great and incomprehensible that he ordains and executes his work in the most excellent and just manner, even when the devils and wicked men act unjustly⁴. We do not wish to inquire with undue curiosity into what he does that surpasses human understanding; but in all humility and reverence we adore the just judgements of God which are hidden from us⁵. We are content to be disciples of Christ, to learn only what he reveals to us in his Word, without going beyond those limits⁶. This doctrine affords us unspeakable consolation, for we learn thereby that nothing can befall us by chance but only by the arrangement of our gracious heavenly Father. He watches over us with fatherly care and so rules over all creatures that not a hair from our head — for they are all numbered — nor even a sparrow shall fall to the ground without the will of our Father (Matthew 10:29-30). In this we trust, because we know that he holds the devils and all our enemies in check, so that they cannot hurt us without his permission and will⁷. Therefore we reject the damnable error of the Epicureans, who say that God involves himself in nothing and leaves all things to chance.

1: John 5:17; Hebrews 1:3 2: Psalm 115:3; Proverbs 16:1; Proverbs 16:9; Proverbs 16:33; Proverbs 21:1; Lamentations 3:37-38; Ephesians 1:11-12; James 4:13-15 3: James 1:13; 1 John 2:16 4: Job 1:21; Isaiah 10:5-7; Isaiah 45:7; Amos 3:6; Acts 2:23; Acts 4:27-28 5: Genesis 45:8; 2 Samuel 16:10; 1 Kings 22:19-23; Psalm 75:7-8; Proverbs 16:4; Ezekiel 14:9; Romans 1:28; Romans 11:33-34; 2 Thessalonians 2:11 6: Deuteronomy 29:29; 1 Corinthians 4:6 7: Genesis 45:8; Genesis 50:20; 2 Samuel 16:10; Job 1:12; Job 2:6; Matthew 10:29-30; Romans 8:28; Romans 8:38-39

Article 14: The Creation of Man, the Fall, and Its Consequences

We believe that God created man out of the dust of the earth¹; he made and formed him after his own image and likeness, good, righteous, and holy², so that with his will he might in all things agree with the will of God. But when he was in honour he understood it not, neither knew his excellency. He willingly subjected himself to sin and consequently to death and the curse, lending his ear to the word of the devil³. For he transgressed the commandment of life which he had received and by his sin separated himself from God, who was his true life; so he corrupted his whole nature and thereby deserved temporal and eternal death⁴. Having become wicked, perverse, and corrupt in all his ways, he lost all his excellent gifts which he had received from God⁵ and retained none of them except for small remnants, which, however, are sufficient to leave him without excuse⁶. For all the light which is in us has changed into darkness⁷, as the Scripture teaches us: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it, where the apostle John calls men darkness⁸. Therefore we reject all that is taught contrary to this concerning the free will of man, since man is nothing but a slave of sin and: A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven⁹. For who will boast that he of himself can do any good, since Christ says: No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him?¹⁰ Who will glory in his own will, since he understands that the mind of the flesh is enmity against God?¹¹ Who will boast of his own knowledge, since the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God?¹² In short, who shall presume upon any thought, since he understands that we are not sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves, but that our sufficiency is of God?¹³ Therefore what the apostle says ought justly to stand firm, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure¹⁴. For there is no understanding and no will conformable to the understanding and will of God unless Christ has wrought it in man. This he teaches us when he says: Without me you can do nothing¹⁵.

1: Genesis 2:7; Genesis 3:19; Ecclesiastes 12:7 2: Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 1:31; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10 3: Genesis 3:16-19; Ecclesiastes 7:29; Romans 5:12 4: Genesis 2:17; Isaiah 59:2; Ephesians 2:1; Ephesians 4:17-19 5: Psalm 49:21; Psalm 94:11; Romans 3:10; Romans 8:6 6: Romans 1:20-21 7: Ephesians 5:8 8: John 1:5 9: Isaiah 26:12; John 3:27 10: John 6:44 11: Romans 7:5; Romans 8:7 12: 1 Corinthians 3:5 13: 2 Corinthians 3:5 14: Philippians 2:13 15: John 15:5

Article 15: Original Sin

We believe that through the disobedience of Adam original sin is extended to all mankind¹. It is a corruption of the whole nature² and a hereditary defect with which even infants in the mother’s womb are infected³. It is this root which produces in man every sort of sin. It is therefore so vile and abominable in the sight of God that it is sufficient to condemn all mankind⁴. It is not even abolished or wholly eradicated by baptism, since sin always streams forth from this woeful source as water from a poisonous spring⁵. Nevertheless, it is not imputed to the children of God unto condemnation, but by his grace and mercy is forgiven them⁶. Not that they may rest securely in sin, but that the awareness of this corruption may make them often groan in the desire to be delivered from this body of death⁷. We therefore reject the error of the Pelagians, who say that this sin proceeds from nothing other than imitation.

1: Romans 5:12-14; Romans 5:19 2: Romans 3:10 3: Job 14:4; Psalm 51:7; John 3:6 4: Ephesians 2:3 5: Romans 7:8-13; Romans 7:17-18; Romans 7:20-24 6: Ephesians 2:3-5 7: Romans 7:24

Article 16: The Eternal Election of God

We believe that, when the entire offspring of Adam plunged into perdition and ruin by the sin of the first man¹, God showed himself to be as he is, namely merciful and just. God is merciful, since he delivers and preserves from this perdition all whom he in his eternal and unchangeable counsel² has elected in Christ Jesus our Lord³, out of his mere goodness and without any regard to their works⁴. God is just in that he leaves the others in the fall and perdition into which they have cast themselves⁵.

1: Romans 3:12 2: 1 Samuel 12:22; Psalm 65:5; Acts 2:47; Acts 13:48; Romans 9:15-16; Romans 11:5-6; Titus 1:1; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 4:10 3: Malachi 1:2-3; Romans 9:11-13; Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:4-5 4: John 6:37; John 6:44; John 10:29; John 17:2; John 17:9; John 17:12 5: Romans 9:17-22; 1 Peter 2:7-8

Article 17: The Recovery of Fallen Man

We believe that our gracious God, in his admirable wisdom and goodness, seeing that man had thus thrown himself into temporal and eternal death and made himself wholly miserable, was pleased to seek and comfort him when he tremblingly fled from his presence¹. God comforted him with the promise of giving him his Son, who would be born of a woman to bruise the head of the serpent and to make him blessed².

1: Genesis 3:8-9; Genesis 3:19 2: Genesis 3:15; Genesis 22:18; Isaiah 7:14; John 1:14; John 5:46; John 7:42; Acts 13:32-33; Romans 1:2-3; Galatians 3:16; Galatians 4:4; 2 Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 7:14

Article 18: The Incarnation of Jesus Christ

We confess that God fulfilled the promise which he made to the fathers by the mouth of the holy prophets¹ when he sent into the world, at the time appointed by him, his own only-begotten and eternal Son². He took the form of a servant and became like man, truly assuming a real human nature with all its infirmities³, sin excepted⁴. He was conceived in the womb of the blessed virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit without the means of man⁵. He did not only assume human nature as to the body but also a true human soul, that he might be a real man. For since the soul was lost as well as the body, it was necessary that he should take both upon him to save both⁶. Against the heresy of the Anabaptists, who deny that Christ assumed human flesh from his mother, we therefore confess that Christ partook of the flesh and blood of the children⁷; that he is a fruit of the loins of David, according to the flesh⁸; a fruit of the womb of Mary⁹; born of a woman¹⁰; a branch of David¹¹; a shoot from the root of Jesse¹²; sprung from the tribe of Judah¹³; descended from the Jews as to the flesh¹⁴; of the seed of Abraham, since he took on him the seed of Abraham, being made in all things like his brethren — yet without sin¹⁵. We confess indeed that he is truly our Immanuel, that is to say, God with us¹⁶.

1: Genesis 26:4; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Psalm 132:11; Luke 1:55; Acts 13:23 2: Galatians 4:4 3: Matthew 26:38; John 12:27; Philippians 2:7; 1 Timothy 2:5; 1 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 2:14 4: 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22 5: Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:35 6: Luke 1:34-35 7: Hebrews 2:14 8: Psalm 132:11; Acts 2:30; Romans 1:3 9: Luke 1:42 10: Luke 1:31; Galatians 4:4 11: Jeremiah 33:15 12: Isaiah 11:1 13: Hebrews 7:14 14: Romans 9:5 15: Hebrews 2:16-17; Hebrews 4:15 16: Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23

Article 19: The Two Natures of Christ

We believe that by this conception the Person of the Son is inseparably united and joined with the human nature¹; so that there are not two Sons of God, nor two persons, but two natures united in one single Person, yet each nature retaining its own distinct properties. Just as the divine nature has always remained uncreated, without beginning of days or end of life (Hebrews 7:3), filling heaven and earth², so also the human nature has not lost its properties; it remained a creature, having beginning of days, being a finite nature and retaining all the properties of a true body. Although he gave it immortality by his resurrection, he did not change the reality of his human nature³, since our salvation and resurrection also depend on the reality of his body⁴. These two natures are so closely united in one person that they were not separated even by his death. What he committed to his Father when he died was therefore a real human spirit departing from his body⁵. In the meantime the divine nature always remained united with the human, even when he lay in the grave⁶. The Godhead did not cease to be in him, just as it was in him when he was a little child, although it did not manifest itself for a while. Therefore we confess that he is true God and true man: true God in order to conquer death by his power, and true man in order that he might die for us according to the infirmity of his flesh.

1: John 1:14; John 10:30; Romans 9:5; Philippians 2:6-8 2: Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 7:3 3: Matthew 26:11; Luke 24:39; John 20:25; Acts 1:3; Acts 1:11; Hebrews 2:9 4: 1 Corinthians 15:13; 1 Corinthians 15:21; Philippians 3:21 5: Matthew 27:50; Luke 23:46 6: Romans 1:4

Article 20: God’s Justice and Mercy in Christ

We believe that God, who is perfectly merciful and just, sent his Son to assume that nature in which the disobedience was committed¹. He had to make satisfaction in the human nature and bear the punishment of sin by his most bitter suffering and death². God therefore manifested his justice against his Son when he laid our iniquities upon him and poured out his goodness and mercy upon us, who were guilty and worthy of damnation. For out of a most perfect love he gave his Son to die for us and raised him for our justification³, that through him we might obtain immortality and life eternal⁴.

1: Romans 8:3 2: Isaiah 53:6; John 1:29; Hebrews 2:14 3: Romans 3:25-26; Romans 8:32; 1 John 4:9 4: Romans 4:25

Article 21: The Atonement Through Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is — ordained with an oath — an eternal High Priest after the order of Melchizedek¹. He presented himself in our behalf before his Father to appease his wrath by his full satisfaction² by offering himself on the tree of the cross and pouring out his precious blood to purge away our sins³, as the prophets had foretold⁴. For it is written that the chastisement for our peace was upon the Son of God and by his stripes we are healed⁵; he was led as a lamb to the slaughter and numbered with the transgressors⁶; he was condemned as a criminal by Pontius Pilate, who first declared him innocent⁷. He restored what he had not stolen⁸; he suffered in body and soul⁹ as the just for the unjust¹⁰; he felt the terrible punishment which our sins had deserved, so that his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground¹¹ and he cried out: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me¹². All this he endured for the forgiveness of our sins. We therefore rightly say with the apostle Paul that we know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified¹³; that we count all things as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord¹⁴; that we find all consolation in his wounds and have no need to seek or invent any other means of reconciliation with God than this one sacrifice, once offered, by which the believers are perfected forever¹⁵. This is also the reason why he was called by the angel of God Jesus, that is, Saviour, because he would save his people from their sins¹⁶.

1: Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:10; Hebrews 7:15-17 2: Romans 3:24-25; Romans 5:8-9; Romans 8:32; Galatians 3:13; Colossians 2:14; Hebrews 2:9; Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 9:11-15 3: Acts 2:23; Philippians 2:8; 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Timothy 2:6; Hebrews 9:22; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 7:14 4: Luke 24:25-27; Romans 3:21-22; 1 Corinthians 15:3 5: 1 Peter 2:24 6: Isaiah 53:5; Isaiah 53:7; Isaiah 53:9; Mark 15:28 7: John 18:38; Acts 13:28 8: Psalm 69:5 9: Psalm 22:16 10: Romans 5:6; 1 Peter 3:18 11: Luke 22:44 12: Psalm 22:2; Matthew 27:46 13: 1 Corinthians 2:2 14: Philippians 3:8 15: Hebrews 7:26-28; Hebrews 9:24-28; Hebrews 10:14 16: Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:31; Acts 4:12

Article 22: Our Justification Through Faith

We believe that the Holy Spirit kindles a true faith in our hearts¹ to obtain the true knowledge of this great mystery². There are therefore only two possibilities: either all that is necessary for our salvation is not in Jesus Christ, or all is in him and then he who possesses Jesus Christ through faith has complete salvation³. To claim that Christ is not sufficient but that something more is needed besides him would be a most outrageous blasphemy, for it would mean that Christ is only a half-Saviour. We therefore rightly say with Paul that we are justified by faith alone, or by faith apart from works⁴. To be precise: we do not mean that faith itself justifies us⁵, for faith is only the instrument by which we embrace Christ our righteousness; but Jesus Christ is our righteousness. He imputes to us all his merits and all the holy works he has done for us and in our place⁶, while faith is the instrument that keeps us in communion with all his benefits. And when those benefits have become ours, they are more than sufficient to acquit us of our sins.

1: John 16:13-14; 1 Corinthians 2:12; Ephesians 1:17-18; Ephesians 3:16-17 2: John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Galatians 2:21 3: Psalm 32:1; Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:77; Acts 13:38-39; Romans 8:1 4: Romans 3:28; Romans 8:1; Romans 8:33; Romans 10:4-11; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9 5: 1 Corinthians 4:7 6: Jeremiah 27:5; Matthew 20:28; Romans 8:33; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 4:10; 1 Peter 1:4-5

Article 23: Our Righteousness Before God

We believe that our blessedness lies in the forgiveness of our sins for Jesus Christ’s sake, and that therein our righteousness before God consists¹. David and Paul teach us this when they declare that man is blessed to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works. The same apostle says that we are freely, that is, by grace, justified through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus². We therefore always hold fast to this foundation: We give all the glory to God³, humble ourselves before him, acknowledge ourselves to be what we are, and do not presume upon ourselves or our merits⁴, but rest and rely solely upon the obedience of the crucified Christ⁵. This obedience is ours when we believe in him⁶; it is also sufficient to cover all our iniquities and to free the conscience from fear, dismay, and terror, and to give us boldness to approach God, while we do not act as our first father Adam, who tremblingly tried to hide himself with fig leaves⁷. Truly, if we were to appear before God relying, in however small a measure, upon ourselves or any other creature, we should — alas! — be consumed⁸. And therefore everyone must say with David: Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you⁹.

1: Psalm 32:1-2; Luke 1:77; Romans 4:6-7; Colossians 1:13-14; 1 John 2:1 2: Psalm 32:1-2; Romans 3:24; Romans 4:2; Romans 4:6; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Ephesians 2:8; 1 Timothy 2:6 3: Psalm 115:1; Revelation 7:10-12 4: 1 Corinthians 4:4; 1 Corinthians 4:7; Hebrews 11:6-7; James 2:10 5: Acts 4:12; Romans 5:19; Hebrews 10:20 6: Romans 4:23-25; Romans 5:1 7: Genesis 3:7; Isaiah 33:14; Zephaniah 3:11; Hebrews 4:16; James 2:10; 1 John 4:17-19 8: Deuteronomy 27:26; Psalm 130:3; Luke 16:15; Ephesians 3:12; Philippians 3:4-9 9: Psalm 143:2

Article 24: Our Sanctification and Good Works

We believe that this true faith, produced in man by the hearing of the Word of God and by the working of the Holy Spirit¹, regenerates him and makes him a new man², causes him to live a new life, and frees him from the slavery of sin³. It is therefore impossible that this justifying faith should make men indifferent to living a pious and holy life⁴; on the contrary, without it they would never do anything out of love for God⁵ but only out of self-love and fear of condemnation. It is therefore impossible that this faith should remain idle in man; for we do not speak of an empty faith but of what Scripture calls a faith working through love, which moves man to continually exercise himself in those works which God has commanded in his Word. These works, when they spring from the good root of faith, are good and acceptable in the sight of God, since they are all sanctified by his grace. Yet they do not count toward our justification, for it is by faith in Christ that we are justified, even before we do good works⁶. Otherwise they could not be good, any more than the fruit of a tree can be good before the tree itself is good⁷. We therefore do good works, but not to merit anything — for what could we merit? Rather, we are indebted to God for the good works we do, and not he to us, since it is he who works in us⁸. He makes us willing and able to do his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Let us therefore attend to what is written: When you have done all that you are commanded, say, We are unworthy servants; we have done what was our duty (Luke 17:10). In the meantime we do not wish to deny that God rewards good works⁹, but it is through his grace that he crowns his gifts. Furthermore, although we do good works, we do not at all make them the basis of our salvation, for we can do no work that is not polluted by our flesh and also worthy of punishment¹⁰. And even if we could produce one good work, the remembrance of one sin is enough for God to reject it¹¹. In this way we would always be in doubt, tossed back and forth without any certainty, and our poor conscience would be continually tormented if it did not rest on the merit of the suffering and death of our Saviour¹².

1: Acts 16:14; Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 2: Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 1:12-13; John 3:5; John 6:29; Acts 15:9; Ephesians 2:4-6; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:23 3: John 5:24; John 8:36; Romans 6:4-6; 1 John 3:9 4: Galatians 5:22; Titus 2:12 5: John 15:5; Romans 14:23; 1 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:8; Hebrews 11:4; Hebrews 11:6 6: Romans 4:5; Galatians 5:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:13 7: Matthew 7:17 8: Romans 11:6; 1 Corinthians 1:30-31; 1 Corinthians 4:7; Ephesians 2:10 9: Luke 17:10; Romans 2:5-7; 1 Corinthians 3:14; Philippians 2:13; 2 John 8; Revelation 2:23 10: Romans 7:20-24 11: James 2:10 12: Habakkuk 2:4; Matthew 11:28; Romans 10:11

Article 25: The Ceremonial Law Fulfilled in Christ

We believe that the ceremonies and symbols of the law ceased at the coming of Christ and that all shadows have been accomplished¹. Their use must therefore be abolished among Christians. Yet the truth and substance of them remain for us in Jesus Christ, in whom they have their fulfilment². We continue to use the testimonies of the law and the prophets to confirm us in the gospel and also to regulate our life in all honesty to the glory of God, according to his will³.

1: Matthew 27:51; Romans 10:4; Hebrews 9:9-10 2: Matthew 5:17; Galatians 3:24; Galatians 5:2-4; Colossians 2:17 3: Romans 13:8-10; Romans 15:4; 2 Peter 1:19; 2 Peter 3:2; 2 Peter 3:18

Article 26: Christ Our Intercessor

We believe that we have no access to God except through the only Mediator¹ and Advocate, Jesus Christ the Righteous². For this purpose he became man and united the divine and human natures in himself, so that we men might have access to the divine Majesty³, which access would otherwise be closed to us. But this Mediator whom the Father has appointed between himself and us must not by his majesty make us afraid, so that we should seek another mediator according to our own fancy. For there is no creature in heaven or on earth who loves us more than Jesus Christ⁴, who, though he was in the form of God, emptied himself, taking the form of a man and of a servant for us, and was made in all things like his brethren⁵. If then we had to find another mediator who would be favourably inclined toward us, whom could we find who loves us more than he who laid down his life for us, even while we were still his enemies?⁶ And if we seek one who has power and authority, who has more than he who sits at the right hand of his Father⁷ and has all power in heaven and on earth?⁸ And who will sooner be heard than the own beloved Son of God?⁹ It was only through a distrust that this custom of dishonouring the saints instead of honouring them was introduced. They did what the saints never did and never sought, but what they steadfastly and faithfully rejected, as appears from their writings¹⁰. Here it must not be alleged that we are unworthy. For it is not a question of offering our prayers on the basis of our own worthiness. We do it only on the basis of the excellence and worthiness of Jesus Christ¹¹, whose righteousness is ours by faith¹². Therefore the apostle — in order to remove from us this foolish fear or rather this distrust — rightly says that Jesus was made in all things like his brethren, so that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest before God to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted¹³. And to encourage us more to approach him, the apostle says: Since then we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need¹⁴. The same apostle says: Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus… let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…¹⁵. And further: But he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them¹⁶. What more is needed, since Christ himself says: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me¹⁷? Why should we seek another advocate, since it has pleased God to give us his Son as our Advocate? Let us not leave him to take another, or rather to seek another, without ever finding one. For God well knew, when he gave him to us, that we were sinners. According to the command of Christ, we therefore call upon the heavenly Father through Christ, our only Mediator¹⁸, as we are taught in the Lord’s Prayer¹⁹; and we are assured that everything we ask the Father in his name will be given to us²⁰.

1: 1 Timothy 2:5 2: 1 John 2:1 3: Ephesians 3:12 4: Matthew 11:28; John 15:13; Ephesians 3:19; 1 John 4:10 5: Philippians 2:6-8; Hebrews 2:17 6: Jeremiah 2:13; Jeremiah 2:33; Hosea 13:9; John 10:11; Romans 5:6-10 7: Mark 16:19; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 8:1 8: Matthew 28:18 9: Matthew 3:17; John 11:42; Ephesians 1:6 10: Acts 10:26; Acts 14:15 11: Jeremiah 17:5; Jeremiah 17:7; Daniel 9:18; Acts 4:12 12: 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 13: Hebrews 2:17-18 14: Hebrews 4:14-16 15: John 10:9; Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 9:24; Hebrews 10:19; Hebrews 10:22 16: Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:24-25 17: John 14:6 18: Psalm 44:21; Hebrews 13:15 19: Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4 20: John 14:13; John 16:23

Article 27: The Catholic Christian Church

We believe and confess one single catholic or universal church¹, a holy congregation² of all true Christian believers, who expect their entire salvation in Jesus Christ³, are washed by his blood, and are sanctified and sealed by the Holy Spirit⁴. This church has existed from the beginning of the world and will last until the end, for Christ is an eternal King, who cannot be without subjects⁵. This holy church is not confined to any one place or limited to any one time, but is spread and dispersed over the whole world, and yet is joined and united in heart and will, in one and the same spirit, by the power of faith¹. We believe that this church is preserved and sustained by the blood of Christ, and that it exists not by human power or institution, but by the working of God’s Spirit². Therefore we reject the error of those who say that the church exists only in one place or among one group of people, for the church is the body of Christ, gathered by the Holy Spirit from all nations and all ages³.

1: John 10:16; Ephesians 4:3-6; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 2: Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:25-27 3: Revelation 7:9; Ephesians 2:19-22

Article 28: The Obligation to Join the True Church

We believe that no one ought to withdraw from or separate himself from this holy assembly, since all believers are obliged to join the church of God and to live in communion with it¹. This church is the place where God has his Word purely preached, where the sacraments are administered according to the institution of Christ, and where church discipline is applied in love². It is therefore the duty of all believers to join themselves to the true church, to live in unity with other believers, and to bear the yoke of Christ by obeying his Word³. We reject the error of those who say that a person can live outside the church and still be saved, for outside the church there is no salvation, since Christ is the Head of his church and no one can live apart from him⁴.

1: Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10:25 2: Matthew 18:15-18; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 5:4-5 3: Matthew 11:29-30; John 15:10 4: John 15:5; Ephesians 4:15-16

Article 29: The Marks of the True Church

We believe that the true church of God must be distinguished from the false church by the marks which the Holy Scripture gives us. The true church is marked by the following:

The pure preaching of the gospel¹.
The pure administration of the sacraments as Christ instituted them².
The exercise of church discipline to correct sin³.

By these marks the body of Christ and his true church can be clearly recognised. It is not necessary to seek a great multitude or outward splendour, but where these things are present in simplicity and sincerity, there is the church of God⁴. We reject the false church which bases its authority on human institutions, traditions, or outward ceremonies rather than on the Word of God⁵. Therefore all believers must carefully examine where the true church is and join themselves to it, while avoiding the false church that distorts the Word of God⁶.

1: Galatians 1:8-9; 1 Timothy 3:15 2: Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 3: Matthew 18:15-18; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 4: Acts 2:42; Ephesians 2:20 5: Matthew 15:9; Colossians 2:22-23 6: 2 Timothy 2:17-20

Article 30: The Government of the Church

We believe that the true church must be governed according to the Word of God and not by human inventions¹. Therefore the church must have officebearers — ministers, elders, and deacons — who are appointed according to the rules of Scripture, to lead the congregation, preach the Word, administer the sacraments, and care for the poor². This ministry is not instituted to lord it over the congregation but to serve, and to promote order and unity in the church³. We therefore reject all human inventions and ministries not grounded in the Word of God, such as the papacy and other hierarchical structures that oppress the freedom of the church⁴.

1: 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9 2: Acts 6:1-4; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11-12 3: Matthew 20:25-28; 1 Peter 5:1-4 4: Matthew 23:8-10; Colossians 2:18-19

Article 31: The Appointment of Officebearers

We believe that ministers, elders, and deacons ought to be elected to their offices by a lawful election by the church, with prayer and in the fear of God, according to the rules given in Holy Scripture¹. Those who are appointed must be competent and have a good testimony, so that the church may be built up by their service². We reject the appointment of officebearers by human power or force, for the authority of the officebearers comes from the Word of God and not from human authority³. Therefore the church must choose these officebearers with great care and prayer, so that the glory of God and the welfare of the congregation may be advanced⁴.

1: Acts 1:23-26; Acts 6:3; 1 Timothy 3:1-7 2: 1 Timothy 3:8-10; Titus 1:7-9 3: John 10:1-2; Acts 20:28 4: Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5

Article 32: The Order and Discipline of the Church

We believe that the church must have an order and discipline to preserve the purity of doctrine and the holiness of the lives of its members¹. This discipline must be applied in love and with wisdom, according to the precepts of the Word of God, to lead the sinner to repentance and to protect the congregation from the evil of sin². We reject excessive severity or laxity in church discipline, for it must always serve the glory of God and the edification of the congregation³. Therefore the officebearers and the congregation must work together to maintain this order, with patience and prayer, so that the church may live in peace and holiness⁴.

1: Matthew 18:15-18; 1 Corinthians 5:4-5 2: 2 Corinthians 2:6-8; Galatians 6:1 3: 1 Corinthians 14:40; 1 Thessalonians 5:14 4: Hebrews 12:11; James 5:16

Article 33: The Sacraments

We believe that our gracious God, having regard to our weakness, has ordained two sacraments in his church to strengthen our faith and to unite us with Christ: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper¹. These sacraments are visible signs and seals of the invisible grace of God, uniting us through the Holy Spirit with the merits of Christ². We reject the view that the sacraments possess power or grace in themselves, for their power lies in the promise of God and the faith of the recipient³. Therefore the sacraments must be administered in accordance with the institution of Christ, and we reject all additions or alterations that corrupt the simplicity of this institution⁴.

1: Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 2: Romans 4:11; Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 3: Hebrews 11:6; 1 Peter 3:21 4: 1 Corinthians 11:20-22; Galatians 5:2-4

Article 34: Holy Baptism

We believe that baptism with water was instituted to signify the washing away of our sins through the blood of Christ¹. Baptism is a sign and seal of the covenant of God’s grace, by which we are received into the fellowship of the church and marked as members of Christ’s body². We also believe that the children of believers are included in this covenant and therefore ought to be baptised, since the promise has been given to them and to their offspring³. We reject the error of the Anabaptists, who deny infant baptism and say that baptism is only for adult believers, for Scripture teaches that the covenant of God also includes children⁴. Baptism must be administered simply with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, according to the institution of Christ⁵.

1: Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21 2: Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27 3: Genesis 17:7; Acts 2:39; 1 Corinthians 7:14 4: Matthew 19:14; Acts 16:15; Acts 16:33 5: Matthew 28:19

Article 35: The Lord’s Supper

We believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper to nourish and sustain our faith through the communion with his body and blood¹. In this sacrament we are, through the working of the Holy Spirit, united with the crucified and risen Christ, so that we receive his merits and are strengthened in him². We reject the view that the bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper are literally changed into the body and blood of Christ, for Scripture teaches that the bread and wine remain signs, but that through faith we truly partake of Christ³. We also reject the abuse of the Lord’s Supper where it is regarded as a sacrifice for sins, for Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was once for all and sufficient for all time⁴. Therefore the Lord’s Supper must be celebrated in accordance with the institution of Christ, with thanksgiving and in communion with the believers⁵.

1: Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 2: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; John 6:56 3: 1 Corinthians 11:24-25; John 6:63 4: Hebrews 7:27; Hebrews 9:26; Hebrews 10:10 5: Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:33

Article 36: The Civil Government

We believe that our gracious God, because of human depravity, has appointed the civil government to maintain order in society, to protect the good, and to punish the evil¹. It is therefore the duty of the government to promote and protect the preaching of the Word of God, so that the church may exist in peace and the glory of God may be advanced². We also believe that all people must obey and respect the government insofar as this does not conflict with the Word of God, and that we should pray for the government so that God may bless their work³. We reject the error of those who despise the government or incite rebellion against it, for this is contrary to the ordinance of God⁴. Yet we acknowledge that where the government compels us to act contrary to God’s Word, we must obey God rather than men⁵.

1: Romans 13:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13-14 2: 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Psalm 82:1-4 3: Romans 13:7; 1 Timothy 2:1-2 4: Romans 13:2; Jude 8-10 5: Acts 4:19; Acts 5:29

Article 37: The Last Judgement

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ will return on the last day with great majesty and glory to judge the living and the dead¹. On that day the wicked will be condemned to eternal punishment in hell, where they will experience the terrible wrath of God². But the believers, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, will receive eternal life and will be united with God in the new heaven and new earth, where there will be no more sin, pain, or death³. We reject the error of those who deny that there will be a resurrection of the body or a last judgement, for Scripture clearly teaches that Christ will return to judge the world⁴. Therefore we live in expectation of his coming, with vigilance and prayer, so that we may be ready to meet him when he comes⁵.

1: Matthew 25:31-46; Acts 1:11; Revelation 20:11-15 2: Matthew 13:41-42; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 21:8 3: John 5:28-29; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; Revelation 21:1-4 4: Acts 17:31; Hebrews 9:27 5: Matthew 24:42-44; 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6

Lees VerderRead More

BelydenisseConfessions

Belydenisse van die Gereformeerde Kerke

Confessions of the Reformed Churches

12 ArtikelsThe Apostles' Creed

Die Twaalf Artikels van die Geloof:

Uitgebrei

1. Ek glo in God die Vader, die Almagtige, die Skepper van die hemel en die aarde

2. En in Jesus Christus, sy eniggebore Seun, ons Here

3. Wat ontvang is van die Heilige Gees, gebore is uit die maagd Maria

4. Wat gely het onder Pontius Pilatus, gekruisig is, gesterf het en begrawe is, en neergedaal het na die hel

5. Wat op die derde dag weer opgestaan het uit die dood

6. Wat opgevaar het na die hemel, en sit aan die regterhand van God, die almagtige Vader

7. Van waar Hy sal kom om te oordeel die lewendes en die dooies

8. Ek glo in die Heilige Gees

9. Ek glo aan ‘n heilige, algemene, Christelike kerk – die gemeenskap van die heiliges

10. Die vergewing van sondes

11. Die opstanding van die vlees

12. En ‘n ewige lewe

Slotgedagte

The Twelve Articles of Faith:

Expanded

1. I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth

2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord

3. Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary

4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell

5. The third day he rose again from the dead

6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty

7. From thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead

8. I believe in the Holy Spirit

9. I believe a holy, catholic church, the communion of saints

10. The forgiveness of sins

11. The resurrection of the body

12. And the life everlasting

Closing thought

Geloofsbelydenis van NicéaThe Nicene Creed

Die Geloofsbelydenis van Nicéa

Uitgebrei

“Ons glo in een God, die almagtige Vader, die Skepper van hemel en aarde, van alle sigbare en onsigbare dinge;”

“en in een Here Jesus Christus, die eniggebore Seun van God, voor al die eeue uit die Vader gebore:”

“Hy is God uit God, lig uit lig, ware God uit ware God, gebore, nie gemaak nie, een in wese met die Vader, deur wie alles tot stand gekom het.”

“Hy het ter wille van ons, mense, en ons saligheid uit die hemel neergedaal en het deur die Heilige Gees uit die maagd Maria vlees geword; Hy het mens geword;”

“onder Pontius Pilatus is Hy vir ons gekruisig; Hy het gely en is begrawe.”

“Op die derde dag het Hy volgens die Skrifte opgestaan,”

“en Hy het na die hemel opgevaar. Hy sit aan die regterhand van die Vader, en Hy sal met heerlikheid terugkom om die lewendes en die dooies te oordeel. Aan sy koningskap sal daar geen einde wees nie.”

“Ons glo in die Heilige Gees, wat Here is en lewend maak. Hy gaan van die Vader en die Seun uit, en Hy word saam met die Vader en die Seun aanbid en verheerlik. Hy het deur die profete gespreek.”

“Ons glo aan een, heilige, algemene en apostoliese kerk.”

“Ons bely een doop tot vergifnis van die sondes.”

“Ons verwag die opstanding van die dooies en die lewe van die toekomstige bedeling.”

Slot: “Amen.”

The Nicene Creed

Expanded

“We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible;”

“And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds:”

“God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made.”

“Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man;”

“He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried.”

“On the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures,”

“And ascended into heaven. He sits at the right hand of the Father, and he shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom shall have no end.”

“We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life. He proceeds from the Father and the Son, and with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets.”

“We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.”

“We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.”

“We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.”

Conclusion: “Amen.”

Geloofsbelydenis van AthanasiusThe Athanasian Creed

Uitgebrei

1. “Vir elkeen wat salig wil word…”

2. “Die een God in Drieheid…”

3. “Die Seun is gegenereer… die Gees gaan uit…”

4. “Ons glo en bely dat Jesus Christus, die Seun van God…”

5. “Hy het gely… opgestaan… sal terugkom…”

6. “Dit is die algemene geloof…”

Expanded

1. “Whosoever will be saved…“

2. “One God in Trinity…“

3. “The Son is begotten… the Spirit proceeding…“

4. “We believe and confess that Jesus Christ, the Son of God…“

5. “He suffered… rose again… shall come to judge…“

6. “This is the catholic faith…“

Nederlandse GeloofsbelydenisThe Belgic Confession

Inleiding