Reformation Day – II

 Psalm 115

What is the Reformation?  (Brief history of the Belgic Confession, 1561)

Westminster Shorter Catechism –

Question 1: What is the chief end of man?  Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him.

 The Solas of the Protestant Reformation

 *Sola Scriptura, meaning “Scripture Alone.” 
 The Bible is the sole authority and only inspired revelation and that can bind the conscience of believers absolutely (Matt. 4:4; 2 Tim. 3:16).

Belgic Confession – Articles 3 & 7

*Sola Fide
, meaning “Faith Alone.”  Justification is by faith alone. The merit of Christ imputed to us by faith is the sole ground of our acceptance by God, by which our sins are remitted (Rom. 5:1; Gal 2:16).  It is upon this doctrine that the Church of Christ stands.

{See Romans 1:16, 17; Romans 3:21 – 31} Belgic Confession – Articles 22 – 23

Article 22: The Righteousness of Faith

“We believe that for us to acquire the true knowledge of this great mystery the Holy Spirit kindles in our hearts a true faith that embraces Jesus Christ, with all his merits, and makes him its own, and no longer looks for anything apart from him.

For it must necessarily follow that either all that is required for our salvation is not in Christ or, if all is in him, then he who has Christ by faith has his salvation entirely.

Therefore, to say that Christ is not enough but that something else is needed as well is a most enormous blasphemy against God– for it then would follow that Jesus Christ is only half a Savior. And therefore we justly say with Paul that we are justified “by faith alone” or by faith “apart from works.

However, we do not mean, properly speaking, that it is faith itself that justifies us– for faith is only the instrument by which we embrace Christ, our righteousness.

But Jesus Christ is our righteousness in making available to us all his merits and all the holy works he has done for us and in our place. And faith is the instrument that keeps us in communion with him and with all his benefits.

When those benefits are made ours they are more than enough to absolve us of our sins.”

Article 23: The Justification of Sinners

“We believe that our blessedness lies in the forgiveness of our sins because of Jesus Christ, and that in it our righteousness before God is contained, as David and Paul teach us when they declare that man blessed to whom God grants righteousness apart from works.

And the same apostle says that we are justified “freely” or “by grace” through redemption in Jesus Christ.  And therefore we cling to this foundation, which is firm forever, giving all glory to God, humbling ourselves, and recognizing ourselves as we are; not claiming a thing for ourselves or our merits and leaning and resting on the sole obedience of Christ crucified, which is ours when we believe in him.

That is enough to cover all our sins and to make us confident, freeing the conscience from the fear, dread, and terror of God’s approach, without doing what our first father, Adam, did, who trembled as he tried to cover himself with fig leaves.

In fact, if we had to appear before God relying– no matter how little– on ourselves or some other creature, then, alas, we would be swallowed up.

Therefore everyone must say with David: ‘Lord, do not enter into judgment with your servants, for before you no living person shall be justified.’”

Solus Christus, meaning “Christ Alone.” 
 Christ is the only mediator between God and sinful humanity.  It is through His work that we are redeemed    (John 14:6; John 3:16).  Belgic Confession – Article 21: The Atonement

“We believe that Jesus Christ is a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek– made such by an oath– and that he presented himself in our name before his Father, to appease his wrath with full satisfaction by offering himself on the tree of the cross and pouring out his precious blood for the cleansing of our sins, as the prophets had predicted.

For it is written that “the chastisement of our peace” was placed on the Son of God and that “we are healed by his wounds.” He was “led to death as a lamb”; he was “numbered among sinners” and condemned as a criminal by Pontius Pilate, though Pilate had declared that he was innocent.

So he paid back what he had not stolen, and he suffered– the ‘just for the unjust,’ in both his body and his soul– in such a way that when he senses the horrible punishment required by our sins his sweat became like “big drops of blood falling on the ground.” He cried, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

And he endured all this for the forgiveness of our sins.

Therefore we rightly say with Paul that we “know nothing but Jesus and him crucified”; we consider all things as “dung for the excellence of the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We find all comforts in his wounds and have no need to seek or invent any other means to reconcile ourselves with God than this one and only sacrifice, once made, which renders believers perfect forever.

This is also why the angel of God called him Jesus– that is, “Savior”– because he would save his people from their sins.”

Sola Gratia, meaning “Grace Alone.” 
 Our salvation rests solely on the work of God’s grace for us, not upon our own works, merits or worthiness (Rom. 2:4; Eph. 2:8-10; Titus 3:1 – 7).

 Soli Deo Gloria, meaning “The Glory of God Alone.” 
 To God alone belongs the glory (Psalm 115:1; Isa. 42:8; Col. 3:17).

Belgic Confession – Article 1 “We all believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that there is a single and simple spiritual being, whom we call God — eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, unchangeable, infinite, almighty; completely wise, just, and good, and the overflowing source of all good.”

[* Two of the major issues of the Reformation]

Testimony: Pierre Viret

The following quote is taken from the book Pierre Viret; The Angel Of The Reformation, by R. A. Sheats.