The Confession of Faith (31)

Last month we published something about the marks of the true church. In the churches around us, we found so much lacking that we must say of many of these that they have departed from the Word of God. This is a very serious offense, for the Lord Himself has said, “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

However, when we are busy with others, there is a danger that we forget ourselves. The question must be asked, “How is it with the marks of the true church in our midst?” I dare not say that we are the only church where the truth is yet taught, nor do we deny that the Lord is yet in our midst, and the work of the Holy Spirit is yet found here and there, but there is a big difference from former days. In our days we hear so little of the experience of God’s people who, by the grace of God, may speak about that which the Lord has done for them and in them. It is a privilege when persons may know what the Lord has done for them, but before comfort and strength is received of it the application of it cannot be missing. Because so little is expressed by God’s people, nobody becomes jealous of them. In this way the authority of true religion is undermined, and the world is given our attention, causing world conformity to come into our midst. This can be seen in our homes, in our pursuit of fashion, of hair styles, etc., but can also be seen in our churches. Where is the simplicity of former times?

Does this have something to do with the marks of the true church? We may not deny that these are great dangers. Usually, the changes in the church are gradual so that, step by step, the marks of the true church become vaguer and more indiscernible. Notwithstanding these concerns, we may believe that the pure preaching is still among us, namely, death in Adam and life in Christ. Paul expressed it in this way: “But we preach Christ crucified.” To this pure preaching also belongs the maintaining of the forms of unity. These are not the same as God’s Word, but they are according to the Truth.

Another concern is the pure administration of the sacraments. We must be careful that the administration of the Lord’s Supper does not become the same as in other churches where an historical faith is held for the true saving faith. This is then a ground used to partake at the Lord’s table. The knowledge is often so little of the Lord and ourselves, and it is then incomprehensible how the people dare to take the bread of the children.

The third mark of the true church was discipline. It is yet found in the preaching and in practice but not as strictly as in former times. This is also a handwriting on the wall. All these things together show us the need for carefulness in our midst and an asking of the Lord for the presence of His Spirit so that we may not be left to ourselves.

The marks of the true church are to be known, but it is so necessary that we come to the assurance that you and I, each personally, are living members of this church. Although it is often forgotten, how necessary it is to examine ourselves. Our fathers not only gave the marks of the true church but also of the true Christian since they added: “With respect to those who are members of the Church, they may be known by the marks of Christians, namely, by faith; and when they have received Jesus Christ the only Saviour, they avoid sin, follow after righteousness, love the true God and their neighbor, neither turn aside to the right or to the left, and crucify the flesh with the works thereof.” These words of the confession include the practice of true religion in personal experience.

With historical faith we are left outside of Christ, but living faith becomes visible. When the Lord begins, He gives faith and we are implanted in Christ. At God’s time such speak of what the Lord has done. The true and living members of the Church receive faith as a gift of God, and they begin to hate sin and to ask for the Lord and His service. However, this obedience is only in a small beginning. The struggle between the old and the new man continues to the end of their life. In us there is no strength in that warfare, but the Lord promises in John 16:33 to be of good courage, for He has overcome the world and all enemies.

Under the administration of the Holy Spirit, we not only learn our misery, but at God’s time He will make room in our heart for Christ so that we may flee to Him. Christ Himself has said, “I am the resurrection, and the life”, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” It will remain a church militant, but they will receive the victory at the end, for the Lord will not forsake the work of His hands.

Just as the true church and the true Christian have their marks, likewise the false church does also. She takes power and authority to herself. All churches which give more power and authority to men than to God are false churches. Another mark of this false church is that the sacraments are not administered according to God’s Word but rather according to their own insight. Neither is church discipline administered. Besides all this, they persecute the true church, those who want to live according to God’s will. You can understand that in this the authors of the confession speak especially of Rome.

In the 146th session of the Synod of Dort, the representatives of the foreign churches unanimously testified that in the confession not one dogma was found which was against the Word of God. They urged their hearers to stay with this doctrine. It is my desire, and I hope also yours, to live and die in accordance with this doctrine of free grace.

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