The Belgic Confession of Faith, Article XXVIII
Every One Is Bound to Join Himself to the True Church
The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter XXV
Of the Church
What are the differences between the Westminster and Belgic on this point? Are they essentially saying the same thing, just nuanced differently (i.e. the Westminster is allowing for the exception while the Belgic is positing the rule)?
Discuss.
Every One Is Bound to Join Himself to the True Church
We believe, since this holy congregation is an assembly of those who are saved, and outside of it there is no salvation, that no person of whatsoever state or condition he may be, ought to withdraw from it, content to be by himself; but that all men are in duty bound to join and unite themselves with it; maintaining the unity of the Church; submitting themselves to the doctrine and discipline thereof; bowing their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ; and as mutual members of the same body, serving to the edification of the brethren, according to the talents God has given them.
The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter XXV
Of the Church
II. The visible church, which is also catholic or universal under the gospel (not confined to one nation, as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion;[2] and of their children:[3] and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ,[4] the house and family of God,[5] out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.[6]
2. I Cor. 1:2; 12:12-13; Psa. 2:8; Rev. 7:9; Rom. 15:9-12
3. I Cor. 7:14; Acts 2:39; Gen. 17:7-12; Ezek. 16:20-21; Rom. 11:16; see Gal. 3:7, 9, 14; Rom. 4:12, 16, 24
4. Matt. 13:47; Isa. 9:7; Luke 1:32-33; Acts 2:30-36; Col. 1:13
5. Eph. 2:19; 3:15
6. Acts 2:47
What are the differences between the Westminster and Belgic on this point? Are they essentially saying the same thing, just nuanced differently (i.e. the Westminster is allowing for the exception while the Belgic is positing the rule)?
Discuss.