The familiar phrase, “it is written” occurs about 80 times in the Word of God. It is a significant statement. It pleased God to communicate his will to us in written form. We have a written Word as a better means to preserve and propagate truth, for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the world. All this from the very first chapter and section on Scripture. Therefore, tolle lege!
Fellowship & Communion
In chapter 27.1 on the Communion of Saints, the Confession states 2 glorious truths. the first is because we are united to Jesus Christ we have fellowship in our Lord’s graces, sufferings, death, resurrection and glory, and then as a consequence, we are united in fellowship with one another, and so have communion in the gifts and graces of our fellow saints, and the benefit to all is both inward and outward. What privileges and what gain.
Why Did God Do It
The Confession says in 1689.4.1 (On Creation) that, it pleased God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom and goodness, to create or make the world and all things therein…
So God did it for his glory and for the revealing of his glory. His glory is defined as his eternal power, wisdom and goodness as being on display. Creation demands a response. A response that acknowledges that God did it and in his creation we see the glory of our glorious God shining forth. This demands worship in response. In giving God the glory, we worship him. And we can focus on his power, wisdom and goodness, not limited but eternal.
The final words of the statement end with, “and all very good.” A fitting end for why God did it. He did it because it was good to be done and was good in the doing of it.
That Little Word
What a great opening statement in the Confession!
“The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience, although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and his will which is necessary unto salvation. Therefore it pleased the Lord at sundry times and in divers manners to reveal himself, and to declare that his will unto his church; and afterward for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan, and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the Holy Scriptures to be most necessary, those former ways of God’s revealing his will unto his people being now ceased.”
It is defined by the little word in the first line-only. This limits all subsequent statements that are made. The first delineation goes directly to the subject of providing us with a restrained application that we may make about Scripture. The end of the the word only is simply that as far as saving knowledge, faith and obedience are concerned – this is what achieved. And what grounds is it achieved? Scripture is the only sufficient, certain and infallible rule. What beautiful words are those! Only sufficient. Only certain. Only infallible. Sufficient in the sense it is all you you and that is required for saving you. Certain in that it does what it is intended to do. Infallible in that it cannot fail in being the only truthful standard. If we are to be saved, it will only be this revelation that can bring it about and no other.
This, all connected by this little word-only.
The Censures of the Church
Most believers take seriously the membership portion of 1689. 26. 12, 13, but not the censures. We are too good to be bad, meaning we cannot be criticized or judged for lack of faithfulness. No one has the right to step on our rights. To be admitted into the fellowship of a local church means submitting also to any disciplinary measures. If you want the privileges, then that also means you get the discipline applied, if necessary. Nobody seems to believe in discipline anymore. That’s for the really sinful person, not for the person who needs a reminder or rebuke. Well, No, not at all..