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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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6. Of the Church’s Succession
The Succession of the Church of God, Personal Succession, and Succession of Doctrine From the Latin word saccedo, that is, to go under, or to take the place of one, is derived the word, succession, which we, though improperly, have mixed into our Dutch language. The various branches proceeding from this root, that is, the numerous words taking their origin…
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5. Of the Church’s Obscurity
The Church of God Obscured and Rendered Almost Invisible in Some Place; and What has been the Cause of it from Ancient Times As the moon, notwithstanding her substance and body never perish, is not always seen in her full light by the human eye, either, because she sinks beneath the horizon, or, being too close to the sun, is…
