• Thieleman J. Van Braght, Martyrs Mirror

    12. The Third Confession

    Third Confession Drawn up at Dort, at a certain peace convention on the 21st of April, 1632, being a statement of the chief articles of our general Christian faith, as the same are taught and practiced throughout in our church. I. Of God and the Creation of All Things Since we find it testified that without faith it is impossible to please God, and that he that would come to God must believe that there is a God, and that He is a rewarder of them that seek Him; therefore, we confess with the mouth, and believe with the heart, with all the pious, according to the holy Scriptures, in one eternal, almighty, and incomprehensible God, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and in none…

  • Thieleman J. Van Braght, Martyrs Mirror

    11. The Second Confession

    Second Confession Also drawn up at Amsterdam, on the 7th of October, 1630, called: Confession of Faith, and the principal articles of the Christian doctrine. [Not divided into separate articles, except the articles of belief in God, and the manner of life in the church.] We believe with the heart, and confess with the mouth, that there is one only, eternal, incomprehensible, spiritual Being, which, in Scripture, is called God; to whom alone is ascribed omnipotence, mercy, righteousness, perfection, wisdom, all goodness, and omniscience, and who is called a fountain of life, and the source of all good, the Creator of all things; and the Preserver of the same; who in the Old Testament bears various appellations—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God…

  • Thieleman J. Van Braght, Martyrs Mirror

    10. The First Confession

    First Confession Drawn up at Amsterdam, the 27th of September, 1627, called Scriptural Instruction, concerning who the people are, on whom the peace of God rests, and,how they are bound to peace and unity; given in answer to the following several questions, of which the first is: What are the fundamental and unmistakable marks by which the children of God and members of Jesus Christ (being the church of God) can and must be known, according to the testimony of the word of the Lord? In order to answer this question correctly, we must consider what the means are, by which men become children of God, members of Jesus Christ, and the church of God. For although the blessed Lord Jesus Christ is the only…

  • Thieleman J. Van Braght, Martyrs Mirror

    9. The Apostles’ Creed

    To give evidence, then, of the faith professed by us, we declare, that we believe in our heart, and confess with our mouth: The Apostles’ Creed 1. I believe in one God, the Father, the almighty Creator of heaven and earth; 2. And in Jesus Christ, His only-begotten Son, our Lord; 3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the virgin Mary; 4. Who suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; 5. Rose from the dead on the third day; 6. Ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the almighty Father; 7. From whence He will come to judge the living and the dead; 8. I believe in the Holy Ghost; 9. I believe in…

  • Thieleman J. Van Braght, Martyrs Mirror

    8. Of Doctrinal Succession

    Succession of Doctrine Here the words of Tertullian are applicable. He says: "The Christian church is called apostolic not just because of the succession of persons, but on account of the kinship of doctrine, since she holds the doctrine of the apostles." Lib. de praescript, etc. This doctrine everyone who boasts ["Let no man glory in men," says Paul, I Cor. 3:21. We may not glory, therefore, in the succession of eminent persons, if they do not derive their eminence from the eminence and truth of the word of God. The prophet Jeremiah, going further yet in this point, has cursed that man who trusts in man, and maketh flesh his arm. Jer. 17:5.] of the true succession, must prove from the true apostolic writings,…

  • Thieleman J. Van Braght, Martyrs Mirror

    7. Of Personal Succession

    Personal Succession As a great building, house, or castle, can be considered, firstly, with regard to it as a whole, and, secondly, with respect to its different parts, so also the whole church of Christ can properly be considered: firstly, in the whole or in general, as comprising all the congregations in the whole world, which have in common the most holy faith, and the practice, which, according to God's holy Word, must follow therefrom; secondly, in any particular part of the same, as, this or that church which is in accord with it, as for instance, the church at Amsterdam, Harlem, Dort, etc. Likewise there is also (or, certainly can be) a twofold personal succession: (1) a general, (2) a particular one. By the…