THE BELGIC CONFESSION OF FAITH
– A Commentary – By Dr. Chuck Baynard
The Belgic Confession of Faith,
Article XXIX
The Marks of the True Church,
and Wherein it Differs from the False Church
We believe that we ought diligently and circumspectly to discern from the
Word of God which is the true Church, since all sects which are in the world
assume to themselves the name of the Church. But we speak not here of
hypocrites, who are mixed in the Church with the good, yet are not of the
Church, though externally in it; but we say that the body and communion of the
true Church must be distinguished from all sects that call themselves the
Church.
The marks by which the true Church is known are these: If the pure
doctrine of the gospel is preached therein; if it maintains the pure
administration of the sacraments as instituted by Christ; if church discipline
is exercised in chastening [1] of sin; in short, if all things are managed
according to the pure Word of God, all things contrary thereto rejected, and
Jesus Christ acknowledged as the only Head of the Church. Hereby the true Church
may certainly be known, from which no man has a right to separate himself.
With respect to those who are members of the Church, they may be known by
the marks of Christians; namely, by faith, and when, having received Jesus
Christ the only Savior, they avoid sin, follow after righteousness, love the
true God and their neighbor, neither turn aside to the right or left, and
crucify the flesh with the works thereof. But this is not to be understood as if
there did not remain in them great infirmities; but they fight against them
through the Spirit all the days of their life, continually taking their refuge
in the blood, death, passion, and obedience of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom
they have remission of sins, through faith in Him.
As for the false Church, it ascribes more power and authority to itself
and its ordinances than to the Word of God, and will not submit itself to the
yoke of Christ. Neither does it administer the sacraments as appointed by Christ
in His Word, but adds to and takes from them, as it thinks proper; it relies
more upon men than upon Christ; and persecutes those who live holy according to
the Word of God and rebuke it for its errors, covetousness, and idolatry.
These two Churches are easily known and distinguished from each other.
1. "Punishing"
has been changed to "chastening".
Well written and these are the three classic marks of the “true”
church. That these churches are easily known seems at first glance to be an
overstatement. However it is written by their fruits you shall know them. In the
classic definition of salvation by faith alone (Eph. 2:8) we see Paul continue
to point out that the believer will walk in the good works that God created for
them to walk in before the foundation of the world. James words it a bit
differently but to the same end when he says that he will show you his faith by
his works.
One of the key
points to examine then is what are good works. Good works are not what is good
from the perception of man but that which bring glory to God. Thus two people
doing the same thing, one for any motivation except the glory of God and the
other in Christ for the glory of God alone defines good works. Therefore good
work is not in the deed, but in the heart of the performer of the work and the
motivation thereunto.
The last mark is Christian discipline which is never as punishment or the
extracting of the proverbial pound of flesh for deed done, but of restoration of
a brother to the fellowship of Christ (Mt. 18). Measurement of word and
sacrament being more easily ascertained from the teaching and performance of the
church.
