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8/2/2019 Synod of Dort

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Synod of Dort

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Synod of Dordrecht (1729), by Bernard Picart

Date! in thi! article are accordin" to the #$lian %alendar So$rce! $!in" the &ld Style

calendar 'ill need to be ad$!ted by addin" ten day!

he Synod of Dort (al!o kno'n a! the Synod of Dordt or the Synod of Dordrecht) 'a! a

*ational Synod held in Dordrecht in 1+1-1+19, by the D$tch .eformed %h$rch, to!ettle a di/i!i/e contro/er!y initiated by the ri!e of 0rminiani!m he fir!t meetin" 'a! on

*o/ember 1, 1+1, and the final meetin", the 13th, 'a! on 4ay 9, 1+19 5otin"

repre!entati/e! from ei"ht forei"n .eformed ch$rche! 'ere al!o in/ited Dort 'a! a

contemporary 6n"li!h term for the to'n of Dordrecht (and it remain! the local collo$ial

pron$nciation)

%ontent!

1 Back"ro$nd

2 P$rpo!e

Dele"ate!

3 Proceedin"!

he %anon! of Dort

+ 0ftermath

7 Bible tran!lation

Political impact

9 See al!o

18 .eference!

11 *ote!

12 6ternal link!


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Simon 6pi!copi$! (1-1+3) 'a! !poke!man of the 13 .emon!trant! 'ho 'ere

!$mmoned before the Synod in 1+1 0t the openin" of the !ynod, 6pi!copi$! a!ked to

!peak

6pi!copi$! C in!i!ted on bein" permitted to be"in 'ith a ref$tation of the %al/ini!tic

doctrine!, e!pecially that of reprobation, hopin" that, by placin" hi! obection! to thi!

doctrine in front of all the re!t, he mi"ht ecite !$ch pre$dice a"ain!t the other article! of

the !y!tem, a! to !ec$re the pop$lar /oice in hi! fa/or he Synod, ho'e/er, /ery

properly, reminded him C that, a! the .emon!trant! 'ere acc$!ed of departin" from

the .eformed faith, they 'ere bo$nd fir!t to $!tify them!el/e!, by "i/in" Script$ral proof

in !$pport of their opinion! he 0rminian! 'o$ld not !$bmit to thi! plan of proced$re

beca$!e it de!troyed their 'hole !cheme of ar"$ment C and 'ere th$! compelled to

'ithdra' >pon their depart$re, the Synod proceeded 'itho$t themC+

Ee concl$ded by epre!!in" hi! di!!ati!faction 'ith the or"ani


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People

#acob$! 0rmini$!

Simon 6pi!copi$!

E$"o =roti$!

he .emon!trant!

#ohn We!ley

Doctrine

otal depra/ity

%onditional election

>nlimited atonement

Pre/enient "race

%onditional pre!er/ation

0rminiani!m portal

%al/ini!m

%al/inpn"

#ohn %al/in

C!ho'Back"ro$nd

C!ho'heolo"y

C!ho'Doc$ment!

C!ho'nfl$ence!

C!ho'%h$rche!

C!ho'People!

%al/ini!m portal

4ain articleG %anon! of Dort


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he Synod concl$ded 'ith a reection of the 0rminian /ie'!, and !et forth the .eformed

doctrine on each point, namelyG total depra/ity, $nconditional election, limited atonement

(ar"$in" the efficacy of %hri!t;! atonin" 'ork 'a! applicable only to the elect and not the

$nre"enerate 'orld), irre!i!tible (or irre/ocable) "race, and the per!e/erance of the

!aint! he!e are !ometime! referred to a! the Fi/e point! of %al/ini!m he Deci!ion of

the Synod of Dort on the Fi/e 4ain Point! of Doctrine in Di!p$te in the *etherland!,

pop$larly kno'n a! the %anon! of Dort, i! the eplanation of the $dicial deci!ion of the

Synod n the ori"inal preface, the Deci!ion i! called a

$d"ment, in 'hich both, the tr$e /ie' a"reein" 'ith =od;! 'ord concernin" the

afore!aid fi/e point! of doctrine i! eplained and, the fal!e /ie' di!a"reein" 'ith =od;!

Word i! reected

Cedit 0ftermath

he thirteen .emon!trant mini!ter!, incl$din" 6pi!copi$!, had been char"ed to remain

in Dort $ntil f$rther in!tr$ction &n 4ay 28, 1+19, the .emon!trant mini!ter! 'ho had

been pre!ent 'ere !$mmoned by the lay@commi!!ioner! of the !ynod and directed to

ab!tain from mini!terial acti/itie! !$ch a! preachin", ehortin", admini!terin" the

!acrament!, and /i!itin" the !ick F$rthermore, 6pi!copi$! 'a! commanded not to 'rite

letter! or book! promotin" the doctrine! of the .emon!trant! he .emon!trant! a"reedto refrain from mini!terin" in the "o/ernment@ordained ch$rche!, b$t confe!!ed their

d$ty to epo$nd their doctrine! 'here/er people 'o$ld a!!emble to hear themC9

&n #$ly , they 'ere called to the State!@=eneral a!!embly 'here they 'ere re$e!ted

to !i"n he 0ct of %e!!ation, the le"ali


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had a la!tin" impact on the !tandard D$tch lan"$a"e, 'hich 'a! $!t then be"innin" to

"ain 'ider acceptance and de/elopin" a literary tradition t 'o$ld remain the !tandard

tran!lation in Prote!tant ch$rche! for more than three cent$rie! and !till i! $!ed in !ome

!i!ter ch$rche! of the *etherland! .eformed %on"re"ation! and !imilar, !maller

denomination!

Cedit Political impact

he Synod condemned the reli"io$! doctrine of 0rminiani!m a! here!y here follo'ed

the political condemnation of the !tate!man #ohan /an &ldenbarne/elt 'ho had been

the protector of the .emon!trant! For the crime of "eneral pert$rbation in the !tate of

the nation, both in %h$rch and State (trea!on), he 'a! beheaded on 1 4ay 1+19, only

fo$r day! after the final meetin" of the Synod 0! con!e$ence of the 0rminian defeat

the $ri!t E$"o =roti$! 'a! "i/en a life !entence in pri!onA b$t he e!caped 'ith the help

of hi! 'ife Both 5an &ldenbarne/elt and =roti$! had been in fact been impri!oned

!ince 29 0$"$!t 1+1

he %anon! of Dordrecht

by >.% ?earnin" 0dmin

he Deci!ion of the Synod of Dort on the Fi/e 4ain Point! of Doctrine

in Di!p$te in the *etherland!

he Fir!t 4ain Point of DoctrineG Di/ine 6lection and .eprobation

he #$d"ment %oncernin" Di/ine Prede!tination

Which the Synod Declare! to Be in 0"reement 'ith the Word of =od

and 0ccepted ill *o' in the .eformed %h$rche!,

Set Forth in Se/eral 0rticle!

0rticle 1G =odH! .i"ht to %ondemn 0ll People


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Since all people ha/e !inned in 0dam and ha/e come $nder the !entence of the c$r!e

and eternal death, =od 'o$ld ha/e done no one an in$!tice if it had been hi! 'ill to

lea/e the entire h$man race in !in and $nder the c$r!e, and to condemn them on

acco$nt of their !in 0! the apo!tle !ay!G he 'hole 'orld i! liable to the condemnation

of =od (.om G19), 0ll ha/e !inned and are depri/ed of the "lory of =od (.om G2),

and he 'a"e! of !in i! death (.om +G2)

0rticle 2G he 4anife!tation of =odH! ?o/e

B$t thi! i! ho' =od !ho'ed hi! lo/eG he !ent hi! only be"otten Son into the 'orld, !o

that 'hoe/er belie/e! in him !ho$ld not peri!h b$t ha/e eternal life

0rticle G he Preachin" of the =o!pel

n order that people may be bro$"ht to faith, =od mercif$lly !end! proclaimer! of thi!

/ery oyf$l me!!a"e to the people he 'i!he! and at the time he 'i!he! By thi! mini!try

people are called to repentance and faith in %hri!t cr$cified For ho' !hall they belie/e in

him of 'hom they ha/e not heardI 0nd ho' !hall they hear 'itho$t !omeone

preachin"I 0nd ho' !hall they preach $nle!! they ha/e been !entI (.om 18G13@1)

0rticle 3G 0 'ofold .e!pon!e to the =o!pel

=odH! an"er remain! on tho!e 'ho do not belie/e thi! "o!pel B$t tho!e 'ho do accept

it and embrace #e!$! the Sa/ior 'ith a tr$e and li/in" faith are deli/ered thro$"h him

from =odH! an"er and from de!tr$ction, and recei/e the "ift of eternal life

0rticle G he So$rce! of >nbelief and of Faith

he ca$!e or blame for thi! $nbelief, a! 'ell a! for all other !in!, i! not at all in =od, b$t

in man Faith in #e!$! %hri!t, ho'e/er, and !al/ation thro$"h him i! a free "ift of =od

0! Script$re !ay!, t i! by "race yo$ ha/e been !a/ed, thro$"h faith, and thi! not from


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yo$r!el/e!A it i! a "ift of =od (6ph 2G) ?ike'i!eG t ha! been freely "i/en to yo$ to

belie/e in %hri!t (Phil 1G29)

0rticle +G =odH! 6ternal Deci!ion

he fact that !ome recei/e from =od the "ift of faith 'ithin time, and that other! do not,

!tem! from hi! eternal deci!ion For all hi! 'ork! are kno'n to =od from eternity (0ct!

1G1A 6ph 1G11) n accordance 'ith thi! deci!ion he "racio$!ly !often! the heart!,

ho'e/er hard, of hi! cho!en one! and incline! them to belie/e, b$t by hi! $!t $d"ment

he lea/e! in their 'ickedne!! and hardne!! of heart tho!e 'ho ha/e not been cho!en

0nd in thi! e!pecially i! di!clo!ed to $! hi! act-$nfathomable, and a! mercif$l a! it i!

$!t-of di!tin"$i!hin" bet'een people e$ally lo!t hi! i! the 'ell@kno'n deci!ion of

election and reprobation re/ealed in =odH! Word hi! deci!ion the 'icked, imp$re, and

$n!table di!tort to their o'n r$in, b$t it pro/ide! holy and "odly !o$l! 'ith comfortbeyond 'ord!

0rticle 7G 6lection

6lection Cor choo!in" i! =odH! $nchan"eable p$rpo!e by 'hich he did the follo'in"G

Before the fo$ndation of the 'orld, by !heer "race, accordin" to the free "ood plea!$re

of hi! 'ill, he cho!e in %hri!t to !al/ation a definite n$mber of partic$lar people o$t of the

entire h$man race, 'hich had fallen by it! o'n fa$lt from it! ori"inal innocence into !in

and r$in ho!e cho!en 'ere neither better nor more de!er/in" than the other!, b$t lay

'ith them in the common mi!ery Ee did thi! in %hri!t, 'hom he al!o appointed from

eternity to be the mediator, the head of all tho!e cho!en, and the fo$ndation of their

!al/ation 0nd !o he decided to "i/e the cho!en one! to %hri!t to be !a/ed, and to call

and dra' them effecti/ely into %hri!tH! fello'!hip thro$"h hi! Word and Spirit n other

'ord!, he decided to "rant them tr$e faith in %hri!t, to $!tify them, to !anctify them, and

finally, after po'erf$lly pre!er/in" them in the fello'!hip of hi! Son, to "lorify them

=od did all thi! in order to demon!trate hi! mercy, to the prai!e of the riche! of hi!

"lorio$! "race


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0! Script$re !ay!, =od cho!e $! in %hri!t, before the fo$ndation of the 'orld, !o that 'e

!ho$ld be holy and blamele!! before him 'ith lo/eA he prede!tined $! 'hom he adopted

a! hi! children thro$"h #e!$! %hri!t, in him!elf, accordin" to the "ood plea!$re of hi!

'ill, to the prai!e of hi! "lorio$! "race, by 'hich he freely made $! plea!in" to him!elf in

hi! belo/ed (6ph 1G3@+) 0nd el!e'here, ho!e 'hom he prede!tined, he al!o calledA

and tho!e 'hom he called, he al!o $!tifiedA and tho!e 'hom he $!tified, he al!o"lorified (.om G8)

0rticle G 0 Sin"le Deci!ion of 6lection

hi! election i! not of many kind!A it i! one and the !ame election for all 'ho 'ere to be

!a/ed in the &ld and the *e' e!tament For Script$re declare! that there i! a !in"le

"ood plea!$re, p$rpo!e, and plan of =odH! 'ill, by 'hich he cho!e $! from eternity both

to "race and to "lory, both to !al/ation and to the 'ay of !al/ation, 'hich he prepared inad/ance for $! to 'alk in

0rticle 9G 6lection *ot Ba!ed on Fore!een Faith

hi! !ame election took place, not on the ba!i! of fore!een faith, of the obedience of

faith, of holine!!, or of any other "ood $ality and di!po!ition, a! tho$"h it 'ere ba!ed

on a prere$i!ite ca$!e or condition in the per!on to be cho!en, b$t rather for the

p$rpo!e of faith, of the obedience of faith, of holine!!, and !o on 0ccordin"ly, election i!

the !o$rce of each of the benefit! of !al/ation Faith, holine!!, and the other !a/in" "ift!,

and at la!t eternal life it!elf, flo' forth from election a! it! fr$it! and effect! 0! the

apo!tle !ay!, Ee cho!e $! (not beca$!e 'e 'ere, b$t) !o that 'e !ho$ld be holy and

blamele!! before him in lo/e (6ph 1G3)

0rticle 18G 6lection Ba!ed on =odH! =ood Plea!$re

B$t the ca$!e of thi! $nde!er/ed election i! ecl$!i/ely the "ood plea!$re of =od hi!

doe! not in/ol/e hi! choo!in" certain h$man $alitie! or action! from amon" all tho!e

po!!ible a! a condition of !al/ation, b$t rather in/ol/e! hi! adoptin" certain partic$lar

per!on! from amon" the common ma!! of !inner! a! hi! o'n po!!e!!ion 0! Script$re

!ay!, When the children 'ere not yet born, and had done nothin" either "ood or badJ,

!he (.ebecca) 'a! told, Khe older 'ill !er/e the yo$n"erL 0! it i! 'ritten, K#acob


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lo/ed, b$t 6!a$ hatedL (.om 9G11@1) 0l!o, 0ll 'ho 'ere appointed for eternal life

belie/ed (0ct! 1G3)

0rticle 11G 6lection >nchan"eable

#$!t a! =od him!elf i! mo!t 'i!e, $nchan"eable, all@kno'in", and almi"hty, !o the

election made by him can neither be !$!pended nor altered, re/oked, or ann$lledA

neither can hi! cho!en one! be ca!t off, nor their n$mber red$ced

0rticle 12G he 0!!$rance of 6lection

0!!$rance of thi! their eternal and $nchan"eable election to !al/ation i! "i/en to the

cho!en in d$e time, tho$"h by /ario$! !ta"e! and in differin" mea!$re S$ch a!!$rance

come! not by in$i!iti/e !earchin" into the hidden and deep thin"! of =od, b$t by

noticin" 'ithin them!el/e!, 'ith !pirit$al oy and holy deli"ht, the $nmi!takable fr$it! of

election pointed o$t in =odH! Word- !$ch a! a tr$e faith in %hri!t, a childlike fear of =od,

a "odly !orro' for their !in!, a h$n"er and thir!t for ri"hteo$!ne!!, and !o on

0rticle 1G he Fr$it of hi! 0!!$rance

n their a'arene!! and a!!$rance of thi! election =odH! children daily find "reater ca$!e

to h$mble them!el/e! before =od, to adore the fathomle!! depth of hi! mercie!, to

clean!e them!el/e!, and to "i/e fer/ent lo/e in ret$rn to him 'ho fir!t !o "reatly lo/ed

them hi! i! far from !ayin" that thi! teachin" concernin" election, and reflection $pon

it, make =odH! children la in ob!er/in" hi! commandment! or carnally !elf@a!!$red By

=odH! $!t $d"ment thi! doe! $!$ally happen to tho!e 'ho ca!$ally take for "ranted the

"race of election or en"a"e in idle and bra


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e!tament time!, and ha! !$b!e$ently been committed to 'ritin" in the Eoly

Script$re!, !o al!o today in =odH! ch$rch, for 'hich it 'a! !pecifically intended, thi!

teachin" m$!t be !et forth-'ith a !pirit of di!cretion, in a "odly and holy manner, at the

appropriate time and place, 'itho$t in$i!iti/e !earchin" into the 'ay! of the 4o!t Ei"h

hi! m$!t be done for the "lory of =odH! mo!t holy name, and for the li/ely comfort of hi!

people

0rticle 1G .eprobation

4oreo/er, Eoly Script$re mo!t e!pecially hi"hli"ht! thi! eternal and $nde!er/ed "race of

o$r election and brin"! it o$t more clearly for $!, in that it f$rther bear! 'itne!! that not

all people ha/e been cho!en b$t that !ome ha/e not been cho!en or ha/e been pa!!ed

by in =odH! eternal election- tho!e, that i!, concernin" 'hom =od, on the ba!i! of hi!

entirely free, mo!t $!t, irreproachable, and $nchan"eable "ood plea!$re, made thefollo'in" deci!ionG to lea/e them in the common mi!ery into 'hich, by their o'n fa$lt,

they ha/e pl$n"ed them!el/e!A not to "rant them !a/in" faith and the "race of

con/er!ionA b$t finally to condemn and eternally p$ni!h them (ha/in" been left in their

o'n 'ay! and $nder hi! $!t $d"ment), not only for their $nbelief b$t al!o for all their

other !in!, in order to di!play hi! $!tice

0nd thi! i! the deci!ion of reprobation, 'hich doe! not at all make =od the a$thor of !in

(a bla!phemo$! tho$"htM) b$t rather it! fearf$l, irreproachable, $!t $d"e and a/en"er

0rticle 1+G .e!pon!e! to the eachin" of .eprobation

ho!e 'ho do not yet acti/ely eperience 'ithin them!el/e! a li/in" faith in %hri!t or an

a!!$red confidence of heart, peace of con!cience, a


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for"otten =od and their Sa/ior #e!$! %hri!t and ha/e abandoned them!el/e! 'holly to

the care! of the 'orld and the plea!$re! of the fle!h-!$ch people ha/e e/ery rea!on to

!tand in fear of thi! teachin", a! lon" a! they do not !erio$!ly t$rn to =od

0rticle 17G he Sal/ation of the nfant! of Belie/er!

Since 'e m$!t make $d"ment! abo$t =odH! 'ill from hi! Word, 'hich te!tifie! that the

children of belie/er! are holy, not by nat$re b$t by /irt$e of the "racio$! co/enant in

'hich they to"ether 'ith their parent! are incl$ded, "odly parent! o$"ht not to do$bt the

election and !al/ation of their children 'hom =od call! o$t of thi! life in infancy

0rticle 1G he Proper 0ttit$de o'ard 6lection and .eprobation

o tho!e 'ho complain abo$t thi! "race of an $nde!er/ed election and abo$t the

!e/erity of a $!t reprobation, 'e reply 'ith the 'ord! of the apo!tle, Who are yo$, &

man, to talk back to =odI (.om 9G28), and 'ith the 'ord! of o$r Sa/ior, Ea/e no ri"ht

to do 'hat 'ant 'ith my o'nI (4att 28G1) We, ho'e/er, 'ith re/erent adoration of

the!e !ecret thin"!, cry o$t 'ith the apo!tleG &h, the depth! of the riche! both of the

'i!dom and the kno'led"e of =odM Eo' $n!earchable are hi! $d"ment!, and hi! 'ay!

beyond tracin" o$tM For 'ho ha! kno'n the mind of the ?ordI &r 'ho ha! been hi!

co$n!elorI &r 'ho ha! fir!t "i/en to =od, that =od !ho$ld repay himI For from him and

thro$"h him and to him are all thin"! o him be the "lory fore/erM 0men (.om 11G@

+)

.eection of the 6rror!

by Which the D$tch %h$rche! Ea/e for Some ime Been Di!t$rbed

Ea/in" !et forth the orthodo teachin" concernin" election and reprobation, the Synod

reect! the error! of tho!e


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Who teach that the 'ill of =od to !a/e tho!e 'ho 'o$ld belie/e and per!e/ere in faith

and in the obedience of faith i! the 'hole and entire deci!ion of election to !al/ation, and

that nothin" el!e concernin" thi! deci!ion ha! been re/ealed in =odH! Word

For they decei/e the !imple and plainly contradict Eoly Script$re in it! te!timony that

=od doe! not only 'i!h to !a/e tho!e 'ho 'o$ld belie/e, b$t that he ha! al!o from

eternity cho!en certain partic$lar people to 'hom, rather than to other!, he 'o$ld 'ithin

time "rant faith in %hri!t and per!e/erance 0! Script$re !ay!, ha/e re/ealed yo$r

name to tho!e 'hom yo$ "a/e me (#ohn 17G+) ?ike'i!e, 0ll 'ho 'ere appointed for

eternal life belie/ed (0ct! 1G3), and Ee cho!e $! before the fo$ndation of the 'orld !o

that 'e !ho$ld be holyJ (6ph 1G3)

Who teach that =odH! election to eternal life i! of many kind!G one "eneral and indefinite,

the other partic$lar and definiteA and the latter in t$rn either incomplete, re/ocable,

nonperemptory (or conditional), or el!e complete, irre/ocable, and peremptory (or

ab!ol$te) ?ike'i!e, 'ho teach that there i! one election to faith and another to

!al/ation, !o that there can be an election to $!tifyin" faith apart from a peremptory

election to !al/ation

For thi! i! an in/ention of the h$man brain, de/i!ed apart from the Script$re!, 'hich

di!tort! the teachin" concernin" election and break! $p thi! "olden chain of !al/ationGho!e 'hom he prede!tined, he al!o calledA and tho!e 'hom he called, he al!o $!tifiedA

and tho!e 'hom he $!tified, he al!o "lorified (.om G8)

Who teach that =odH! "ood plea!$re and p$rpo!e, 'hich Script$re mention! in it!

teachin" of election, doe! not in/ol/e =odH! choo!in" certain partic$lar people rather

than other!, b$t in/ol/e! =odH! choo!in", o$t of all po!!ible condition! (incl$din" the

'ork! of the la') or o$t of the 'hole order of thin"!, the intrin!ically $n'orthy act of

faith, a! 'ell a! the imperfect obedience of faith, to be a condition of !al/ationA and itin/ol/e! hi! "racio$!ly 'i!hin" to co$nt thi! a! perfect obedience and to look $pon it a!

'orthy of the re'ard of eternal life

For by thi! pernicio$! error the "ood plea!$re of =od and the merit of %hri!t are robbed

of their effecti/ene!! and people are dra'n a'ay, by $nprofitable in$irie!, from the


14/39

tr$th of $nde!er/ed $!tification and from the !implicity of the Script$re! t al!o "i/e! the

lie to the!e 'ord! of the apo!tleG =od called $! 'ith a holy callin", not in /irt$e of 'ork!,

b$t in /irt$e of hi! o'n p$rpo!e and the "race 'hich 'a! "i/en to $! in %hri!t #e!$!

before the be"innin" of time (2 im 1G9)

5

Who teach that in election to faith a prere$i!ite condition i! that man !ho$ld ri"htly $!e

the li"ht of nat$re, be $pri"ht, $na!!$min", h$mble, and di!po!ed to eternal life, a!

tho$"h election depended to !ome etent on the!e factor!

For thi! !mack! of Pela"i$!, and it clearly call! into $e!tion the 'ord! of the apo!tleG

We li/ed at one time in the pa!!ion! of o$r fle!h, follo'in" the 'ill of o$r fle!h and

tho$"ht!, and 'e 'ere by nat$re children of 'rath, like e/eryone el!e B$t =od, 'ho i!rich in mercy, o$t of the "reat lo/e 'ith 'hich he lo/ed $!, e/en 'hen 'e 'ere dead in

tran!"re!!ion!, made $! ali/e 'ith %hri!t, by 'ho!e "race yo$ ha/e been !a/ed 0nd

=od rai!ed $! $p 'ith him and !eated $! 'ith him in hea/en in %hri!t #e!$!, in order

that in the comin" a"e! 'e mi"ht !ho' the !$rpa!!in" riche! of hi! "race, accordin" to

hi! kindne!! to'ard $! in %hri!t #e!$! For it i! by "race yo$ ha/e been !a/ed, thro$"h

faith (and thi! not from yo$r!el/e!A it i! the "ift of =od) not by 'ork!, !o that no one can

boa!t (6ph 2G@9)

5

Who teach that the incomplete and nonperemptory election of partic$lar per!on! to

!al/ation occ$rred on the ba!i! of a fore!een faith, repentance, holine!!, and "odline!!,

'hich ha! $!t be"$n or contin$ed for !ome timeA b$t that complete and peremptory

election occ$rred on the ba!i! of a fore!een per!e/erance to the end in faith,

repentance, holine!!, and "odline!! 0nd that thi! i! the "racio$! and e/an"elical

'orthine!!, on acco$nt of 'hich the one 'ho i! cho!en i! more 'orthy than the one 'ho

i! not cho!en 0nd therefore that faith, the obedience of faith, holine!!, "odline!!, and

per!e/erance are not fr$it! or effect! of an $nchan"eable election to "lory, b$t

indi!pen!able condition! and ca$!e!, 'hich are prere$i!ite in tho!e 'ho are to be

cho!en in the complete election, and 'hich are fore!een a! achie/ed in them

hi! r$n! co$nter to the entire Script$re, 'hich thro$"ho$t impre!!e! $pon o$r ear! and

heart! the!e !ayin"! amon" other!G 6lection i! not by 'ork!, b$t by him 'ho call! (.om

9G11@12)A 0ll 'ho 'ere appointed for eternal life belie/ed (0ct! 1G3)A Ee cho!e $! in

him!elf !o that 'e !ho$ld be holy (6ph 1G3)A :o$ did not choo!e me, b$t cho!e yo$


15/39

(#ohn 1G1+)A f by "race, not by 'ork! (.om 11G+)A n thi! i! lo/e, not that 'e lo/ed

=od, b$t that he lo/ed $! and !ent hi! Son (1 #ohn 3G18)

5

Who teach that not e/ery election to !al/ation i! $nchan"eable, b$t that !ome of the

cho!en can peri!h and do in fact peri!h eternally, 'ith no deci!ion of =od to pre/ent it

By thi! "ro!! error they make =od chan"eable, de!troy the comfort of the "odly

concernin" the !teadfa!tne!! of their election, and contradict the Eoly Script$re!, 'hich

teach that the elect cannot be led a!tray (4att 23G23), that %hri!t doe! not lo!e tho!e

"i/en to him by the Father (#ohn +G9), and that tho!e 'hom =od prede!tined, called,

and $!tified, he al!o "lorifie! (.om G8)

5

Who teach that in thi! life there i! no fr$it, no a'arene!!, and no a!!$rance of oneH!

$nchan"eable election to "lory, ecept a! conditional $pon !omethin" chan"eable and

contin"ent

For not only i! it ab!$rd to !peak of an $ncertain a!!$rance, b$t the!e thin"! al!o

militate a"ain!t the eperience of the !aint!, 'ho 'ith the apo!tle reoice from ana'arene!! of their election and !in" the prai!e! of thi! "ift of =odA 'ho, a! %hri!t $r"ed,

reoice 'ith hi! di!ciple! that their name! ha/e been 'ritten in hea/en (?$ke 18G28)A and

finally 'ho hold $p a"ain!t the flamin" arro'! of the de/ilH! temptation! the a'arene!!

of their election, 'ith the $e!tion Who 'ill brin" any char"e a"ain!t tho!e 'hom =od

ha! cho!enI (.om G)

5

Who teach that it 'a! not on the ba!i! of hi! $!t 'ill alone that =od decided to lea/e

anyone in the fall of 0dam and in the common !tate of !in and condemnation or to pa!!

anyone by in the impartin" of "race nece!!ary for faith and con/er!ion

For the!e 'ord! !tand fa!tG Ee ha! mercy on 'hom he 'i!he!, and he harden! 'hom

he 'i!he! (.om 9G1) 0nd al!oG o yo$ it ha! been "i/en to kno' the !ecret! of the

kin"dom of hea/en, b$t to them it ha! not been "i/en (4att 1G11) ?ike'i!eG "i/e "lory


16/39

to yo$, Father, ?ord of hea/en and earth, that yo$ ha/e hidden the!e thin"! from the

'i!e and $nder!tandin", and ha/e re/ealed them to little childrenA ye!, Father, beca$!e

that 'a! yo$r plea!$re (4att 11G2@2+)

N

Who teach that the ca$!e for =odH! !endin" the "o!pel to one people rather than to

another i! not merely and !olely =odH! "ood plea!$re, b$t rather that one people i!

better and 'orthier than the other to 'hom the "o!pel i! not comm$nicated

For 4o!e! contradict! thi! 'hen he addre!!e! the people of !rael a! follo'!G Behold, to

#eho/ah yo$r =od belon" the hea/en! and the hi"he!t hea/en!, the earth and 'hate/er

i! in it B$t #eho/ah 'a! inclined in hi! affection to lo/e yo$r ance!tor! alone, and cho!e

o$t their de!cendant! after them, yo$ abo/e all people!, a! at thi! day (De$t 18G13@1)0nd al!o %hri!tG Woe to yo$, Oora


17/39

0rticle G he nfinite 5al$e of %hri!tH! Death

hi! death of =odH! Son i! the only and entirely complete !acrifice and !ati!faction for

!in!A it i! of infinite /al$e and 'orth, more than !$fficient to atone for the !in! of the

'hole 'orld

0rticle 3G .ea!on! for hi! nfinite 5al$e

hi! death i! of !$ch "reat /al$e and 'orth for the rea!on that the per!on 'ho !$ffered it

i!-a! 'a! nece!!ary to be o$r Sa/ior-not only a tr$e and perfectly holy man, b$t al!o

the only be"otten Son of =od, of the !ame eternal and infinite e!!ence 'ith the Father

and the Eoly Spirit 0nother rea!on i! that thi! death 'a! accompanied by the

eperience of =odH! an"er and c$r!e, 'hich 'e by o$r !in! had f$lly de!er/ed

0rticle G he 4andate to Proclaim the =o!pel to 0ll

4oreo/er, it i! the promi!e of the "o!pel that 'hoe/er belie/e! in %hri!t cr$cified !hall

not peri!h b$t ha/e eternal life hi! promi!e, to"ether 'ith the command to repent and

belie/e, o$"ht to be anno$nced and declared 'itho$t differentiation or di!crimination to

all nation! and people, to 'hom =od in hi! "ood plea!$re !end! the "o!pel

0rticle +G >nbelief 4anH! .e!pon!ibility

Eo'e/er, that many 'ho ha/e been called thro$"h the "o!pel do not repent or belie/e in

%hri!t b$t peri!h in $nbelief i! not beca$!e the !acrifice of %hri!t offered on the cro!! i!

deficient or in!$fficient, b$t beca$!e they them!el/e! are at fa$lt

0rticle 7G Faith =odH! =ift

B$t all 'ho "en$inely belie/e and are deli/ered and !a/ed by %hri!tH! death from their

!in! and from de!tr$ction recei/e thi! fa/or !olely from =odH! "race - 'hich he o'e! to

no one - "i/en to them in %hri!t from eternity


18/39

0rticle G he Sa/in" 6ffecti/ene!! of %hri!tH! Death

For it 'a! the entirely free plan and /ery "racio$! 'ill and intention of =od the Fatherthat the enli/enin" and !a/in" effecti/ene!! of hi! SonH! co!tly death !ho$ld 'ork it!elf

o$t in all hi! cho!en one!, in order that he mi"ht "rant $!tifyin" faith to them only and

thereby lead them 'itho$t fail to !al/ation n other 'ord!, it 'a! =odH! 'ill that %hri!t

thro$"h the blood of the cro!! (by 'hich he confirmed the ne' co/enant) !ho$ld

effecti/ely redeem from e/ery people, tribe, nation, and lan"$a"e all tho!e and only

tho!e 'ho 'ere cho!en from eternity to !al/ation and "i/en to him by the FatherA that he

!ho$ld "rant them faith ('hich, like the Eoly SpiritH! other !a/in" "ift!, he ac$ired for

them by hi! death)A that he !ho$ld clean!e them by hi! blood from all their !in!, both

ori"inal and act$al, 'hether committed before or after their comin" to faithA that he

!ho$ld faithf$lly pre!er/e them to the /ery endA and that he !ho$ld finally pre!ent them

to him!elf, a "lorio$! people, 'itho$t !pot or 'rinkle

0rticle 9G he F$lfillment of =odH! Plan

hi! plan, ari!in" o$t of =odH! eternal lo/e for hi! cho!en one!, from the be"innin" of the

'orld to the pre!ent time ha! been po'erf$lly carried o$t and 'ill al!o be carried o$t in

the f$t$re, the "ate! of hell !eekin" /ainly to pre/ail a"ain!t it 0! a re!$lt the cho!en are

"athered into one, all in their o'n time, and there i! al'ay! a ch$rch of belie/er!fo$nded on %hri!tH! blood, a ch$rch 'hich !teadfa!tly lo/e!, per!i!tently 'or!hip!, and-

here and in all eternity-prai!e! him a! her Sa/ior 'ho laid do'n hi! life for her on the

cro!!, a! a bride"room for hi! bride


Ea/in" !et forth the orthodo teachin", the Synod reect! the error! of tho!e

Who teach that =od the Father appointed hi! Son to death on the cro!! 'itho$t a fied

and definite plan to !a/e anyone by name, !o that the nece!!ity, $!ef$lne!!, and 'orth

of 'hat %hri!tH! death obtained co$ld ha/e !tood intact and alto"ether perfect, complete


19/39

and 'hole, e/en if the redemption that 'a! obtained had ne/er in act$al fact been

applied to any indi/id$al

For thi! a!!ertion i! an in!$lt to the 'i!dom of =od the Father and to the merit of #e!$!

%hri!t, and it i! contrary to Script$re For the Sa/ior !peak! a! follo'!G lay do'n my life

for the !heep, and kno' them (#ohn 18G1, 27) 0nd !aiah the prophet !ay!

concernin" the Sa/iorG When he !hall make him!elf an offerin" for !in, he !hall !ee hi!

off!prin", he !hall prolon" hi! day!, and the 'ill of #eho/ah !hall pro!per in hi! hand

(!a G18) Finally, thi! $ndermine! the article of the creed in 'hich 'e confe!! 'hat

'e belie/e concernin" the %h$rch

Who teach that the p$rpo!e of %hri!tH! death 'a! not to e!tabli!h in act$al fact a ne'co/enant of "race by hi! blood, b$t only to ac$ire for the Father the mere ri"ht to enter

once more into a co/enant 'ith men, 'hether of "race or of 'ork!

For thi! conflict! 'ith Script$re, 'hich teache! that %hri!t ha! become the "$arantee

and mediator of a better - that i!, a ne'@co/enant (Eeb 7G22A 9G1), and that a 'ill i! in

force only 'hen !omeone ha! died (Eeb 9G17)

Who teach that %hri!t, by the !ati!faction 'hich he "a/e, did not certainly merit for

anyone !al/ation it!elf and the faith by 'hich thi! !ati!faction of %hri!t i! effecti/ely

applied to !al/ation, b$t only ac$ired for the Father the a$thority or plenary 'ill to relate

in a ne' 'ay 'ith men and to impo!e !$ch ne' condition! a! he cho!e, and that the

!ati!fyin" of the!e condition! depend! on the free choice of manA con!e$ently, that it

'a! po!!ible that either all or none 'o$ld f$lfill them

For they ha/e too lo' an opinion of the death of %hri!t, do not at all ackno'led"e the

foremo!t fr$it or benefit 'hich it brin"! forth, and !$mmon back from hell the Pela"ian

error

5


20/39

Who teach that 'hat i! in/ol/ed in the ne' co/enant of "race 'hich =od the Father

made 'ith men thro$"h the inter/enin" of %hri!tH! death i! not that 'e are $!tified

before =od and !a/ed thro$"h faith, in!ofar a! it accept! %hri!tH! merit, b$t rather that

=od, ha/in" 'ithdra'n hi! demand for perfect obedience to the la', co$nt! faith it!elf,

and the imperfect obedience of faith, a! perfect obedience to the la', and "racio$!ly

look! $pon thi! a! 'orthy of the re'ard of eternal life

For they contradict Script$reG hey are $!tified freely by hi! "race thro$"h the

redemption that came by #e!$! %hri!t, 'hom =od pre!ented a! a !acrifice of

atonement, thro$"h faith in hi! blood (.om G23@2) 0nd alon" 'ith the $n"odly

Socin$!, they introd$ce a ne' and forei"n $!tification of man before =od, a"ain!t the

con!en!$! of the 'hole ch$rch

5

Who teach that all people ha/e been recei/ed into the !tate of reconciliation and into the

"race of the co/enant, !o that no one on acco$nt of ori"inal !in i! liable to

condemnation, or i! to be condemned, b$t that all are free from the "$ilt of thi! !in

For thi! opinion conflict! 'ith Script$re 'hich a!!ert! that 'e are by nat$re children of

'rath

5

Who make $!e of the di!tinction bet'een obtainin" and applyin" in order to in!till in the

$n'ary and ineperienced the opinion that =od, a! far a! he i! concerned, 'i!hed to

be!to' e$ally $pon all people the benefit! 'hich are "ained by %hri!tH! deathA b$t that

the di!tinction by 'hich !ome rather than other! come to !hare in the for"i/ene!! of !in!

and eternal life depend! on their o'n free choice ('hich applie! it!elf to the "race

offered indi!criminately) b$t doe! not depend on the $ni$e "ift of mercy 'hich

effecti/ely 'ork! in them, !o that they, rather than other!, apply that "race tothem!el/e!

For, 'hile pretendin" to !et forth thi! di!tinction in an acceptable !en!e, they attempt to

"i/e the people the deadly poi!on of Pela"iani!m


21/39

5

Who teach that %hri!t neither co$ld die, nor had to die, nor did die for tho!e 'hom =od

!o dearly lo/ed and cho!e to eternal life, !ince !$ch people do not need the death of

%hri!t

For they contradict the apo!tle, 'ho !ay!G %hri!t lo/ed me and "a/e him!elf $p for me

(=al 2G28), and like'i!eG Who 'ill brin" any char"e a"ain!t tho!e 'hom =od ha!

cho!enI t i! =od 'ho $!tifie! Who i! he that condemn!I t i! %hri!t 'ho died, that i!,

for them (.om G@3) hey al!o contradict the Sa/ior, 'ho a!!ert!G lay do'n my life

for the !heep (#ohn 18G1), and 4y command i! thi!G ?o/e one another a! ha/e lo/ed

yo$ =reater lo/e ha! no one than thi!, that one lay do'n hi! life for hi! friend! (#ohn

1G12@1)

he hird and Fo$rth 4ain Point! of DoctrineG E$man %orr$ption, %on/er!ion to =od,

and the Way t &cc$r!

0rticle 1G he 6ffect of the Fall on E$man *at$re

4an 'a! ori"inally created in the ima"e of =od and 'a! f$rni!hed in hi! mind 'ith a tr$e

and !al$tary kno'led"e of hi! %reator and thin"! !pirit$al, in hi! 'ill and heart 'ith

ri"hteo$!ne!!, and in all hi! emotion! 'ith p$rityA indeed, the 'hole man 'a! holyEo'e/er, rebellin" a"ain!t =od at the de/ilH! in!ti"ation and by hi! o'n free 'ill, he

depri/ed him!elf of the!e o$t!tandin" "ift! .ather, in their place he bro$"ht $pon

him!elf blindne!!, terrible darkne!!, f$tility, and di!tortion of $d"ment in hi! mindA

per/er!ity, defiance, and hardne!! in hi! heart and 'illA and finally imp$rity in all hi!

emotion!

0rticle 2G he Spread of %orr$ption

4an bro$"ht forth children of the !ame nat$re a! him!elf after the fall hat i! to !ay,

bein" corr$pt he bro$"ht forth corr$pt children he corr$ption !pread, by =odH! $!t

$d"ment, from 0dam to all hi! de!cendant!- ecept for %hri!t alone-not by 'ay of

imitation (a! in former time! the Pela"ian! 'o$ld ha/e it) b$t by 'ay of the propa"ation

of hi! per/erted nat$re


22/39

0rticle G otal nability

herefore, all people are concei/ed in !in and are born children of 'rath, $nfit for any

!a/in" "ood, inclined to e/il, dead in their !in!, and !la/e! to !inA 'itho$t the "race of

the re"eneratin" Eoly Spirit they are neither 'illin" nor able to ret$rn to =od, to reform

their di!torted nat$re, or e/en to di!po!e them!el/e! to !$ch reform

0rticle 3G he nade$acy of the ?i"ht of *at$re

here i!, to be !$re, a certain li"ht of nat$re remainin" in man after the fall, by /irt$e of

'hich he retain! !ome notion! abo$t =od, nat$ral thin"!, and the difference bet'een

'hat i! moral and immoral, and demon!trate! a certain ea"erne!! for /irt$e and for

"ood o$t'ard beha/ior B$t thi! li"ht of nat$re i! far from enablin" man to come to a

!a/in" kno'led"e of =od and con/er!ion to him-!o far, in fact, that man doe! not $!e it

ri"htly e/en in matter! of nat$re and !ociety n!tead, in /ario$! 'ay! he completely

di!tort! thi! li"ht, 'hate/er it! preci!e character, and !$ppre!!e! it in $nri"hteo$!ne!!

n doin" !o he render! him!elf 'itho$t ec$!e before =od

0rticle G he nade$acy of the ?a'

n thi! re!pect, 'hat i! tr$e of the li"ht of nat$re i! tr$e al!o of the en %ommandment!

"i/en by =od thro$"h 4o!e! !pecifically to the #e'! For man cannot obtain !a/in"

"race thro$"h the Decalo"$e, beca$!e, altho$"h it doe! epo!e the ma"nit$de of hi! !in

and increa!in"ly con/ict him of hi! "$ilt, yet it doe! not offer a remedy or enable him to

e!cape from hi! mi!ery, and, indeed, 'eakened a! it i! by the fle!h, lea/e! the offender

$nder the c$r!e

0rticle +G he Sa/in" Po'er of the =o!pel

What, therefore, neither the li"ht of nat$re nor the la' can do, =od accompli!he! by the

po'er of the Eoly Spirit, thro$"h the Word or the mini!try of reconciliation hi! i! the

"o!pel abo$t the 4e!!iah, thro$"h 'hich it ha! plea!ed =od to !a/e belie/er!, in both

the &ld and the *e' e!tament


23/39

0rticle 7G =odH! Freedom in .e/ealin" the =o!pel

n the &ld e!tament, =od re/ealed thi! !ecret of hi! 'ill to a !mall n$mberA in the *e'

e!tament (no' 'itho$t any di!tinction bet'een people!) he di!clo!e! it to a lar"e

n$mber he rea!on for thi! difference m$!t not be a!cribed to the "reater 'orth of one

nation o/er another, or to a better $!e of the li"ht of nat$re, b$t to the free "ood plea!$re

and $nde!er/ed lo/e of =od herefore, tho!e 'ho recei/e !o m$ch "race, beyond and

in !pite of all they de!er/e, o$"ht to ackno'led"e it 'ith h$mble and thankf$l heart!A on

the other hand, 'ith the apo!tle they o$"ht to adore (b$t certainly not in$i!iti/ely !earch

into) the !e/erity and $!tice of =odH! $d"ment! on the other!, 'ho do not recei/e thi!

"race

0rticle G he Serio$! %all of the =o!pel

*e/erthele!!, all 'ho are called thro$"h the "o!pel are called !erio$!ly For !erio$!ly

and mo!t "en$inely =od make! kno'n in hi! Word 'hat i! plea!in" to himG that tho!e

'ho are called !ho$ld come to him Serio$!ly he al!o promi!e! re!t for their !o$l! and

eternal life to all 'ho come to him and belie/e

0rticle 9G E$man .e!pon!ibility for .eectin" the =o!pel

he fact that many 'ho are called thro$"h the mini!try of the "o!pel do not come and

are not bro$"ht to con/er!ion m$!t not be blamed on the "o!pel, nor on %hri!t, 'ho i!

offered thro$"h the "o!pel, nor on =od, 'ho call! them thro$"h the "o!pel and e/en

be!to'! /ario$! "ift! on them, b$t on the people them!el/e! 'ho are called Some in

!elf@a!!$rance do not e/en entertain the Word of lifeA other! do entertain it b$t do not

take it to heart, and for that rea!on, after the fleetin" oy of a temporary faith, they

relap!eA other! choke the !eed of the Word 'ith the thorn! of lifeH! care! and 'ith the

plea!$re! of the 'orld and brin" forth no fr$it! hi! o$r Sa/ior teache! in the parable of

the !o'er (4att 1)

0rticle 18G %on/er!ion a! the Work of =od

he fact that other! 'ho are called thro$"h the mini!try of the "o!pel do come and are

bro$"ht to con/er!ion m$!t not be credited to man, a! tho$"h one di!tin"$i!he! him!elf


24/39

by free choice from other! 'ho are f$rni!hed 'ith e$al or !$fficient "race for faith and

con/er!ion (a! the pro$d here!y of Pela"i$! maintain!) *o, it m$!t be credited to =odG

$!t a! from eternity he cho!e hi! o'n in %hri!t, !o 'ithin time he effecti/ely call! them,

"rant! them faith and repentance, and, ha/in" re!c$ed them from the dominion of

darkne!!, brin"! them into the kin"dom of hi! Son, in order that they may declare the

'onderf$l deed! of him 'ho called them o$t of darkne!! into thi! mar/elo$! li"ht, andmay boa!t not in them!el/e!, b$t in the ?ord, a! apo!tolic 'ord! fre$ently te!tify in

Script$re

0rticle 11G he Eoly SpiritH! Work in %on/er!ion

4oreo/er, 'hen =od carrie! o$t thi! "ood plea!$re in hi! cho!en one!, or 'ork! tr$e

con/er!ion in them, he not only !ee! to it that the "o!pel i! proclaimed to them

o$t'ardly, and enli"hten! their mind! po'erf$lly by the Eoly Spirit !o that they mayri"htly $nder!tand and di!cern the thin"! of the Spirit of =od, b$t, by the effecti/e

operation of the !ame re"eneratin" Spirit, he al!o penetrate! into the inmo!t bein" of

man, open! the clo!ed heart, !often! the hard heart, and circ$mci!e! the heart that i!

$ncirc$mci!ed Ee inf$!e! ne' $alitie! into the 'ill, makin" the dead 'ill ali/e, the e/il

one "ood, the $n'illin" one 'illin", and the !t$bborn one compliantA he acti/ate! and

!tren"then! the 'ill !o that, like a "ood tree, it may be enabled to prod$ce the fr$it! of

"ood deed!

0rticle 12G .e"eneration a S$pernat$ral Work

0nd thi! i! the re"eneration, the ne' creation, the rai!in" from the dead, and the makin"

ali/e !o clearly proclaimed in the Script$re!, 'hich =od 'ork! in $! 'itho$t o$r help B$t

thi! certainly doe! not happen only by o$t'ard teachin", by moral per!$a!ion, or by

!$ch a 'ay of 'orkin" that, after =od ha! done hi! 'ork, it remain! in manH! po'er

'hether or not to be reborn or con/erted .ather, it i! an entirely !$pernat$ral 'ork, one

that i! at the !ame time mo!t po'erf$l and mo!t plea!in", a mar/elo$!, hidden, and

inepre!!ible 'ork, 'hich i! not le!!er than or inferior in po'er to that of creation or of

rai!in" the dead, a! Script$re (in!pired by the a$thor of thi! 'ork) teache! 0! a re!$lt,all tho!e in 'ho!e heart! =od 'ork! in thi! mar/elo$! 'ay are certainly, $nfailin"ly, and

effecti/ely reborn and do act$ally belie/e 0nd then the 'ill, no' rene'ed, i! not only

acti/ated and moti/ated by =od b$t in bein" acti/ated by =od i! al!o it!elf acti/e For

thi! rea!on, man him!elf, by that "race 'hich he ha! recei/ed, i! al!o ri"htly !aid to

belie/e and to repent


25/39

0rticle 1G he ncomprehen!ible Way of .e"eneration

n thi! life belie/er! cannot f$lly $nder!tand the 'ay thi! 'ork occ$r!A mean'hile, they

re!t content 'ith kno'in" and eperiencin" that by thi! "race of =od they do belie/e

'ith the heart and lo/e their Sa/ior

0rticle 13G he Way =od =i/e! Faith

n thi! 'ay, therefore, faith i! a "ift of =od, not in the !en!e that it i! offered by =od for

man to choo!e, b$t that it i! in act$al fact be!to'ed on man, breathed and inf$!ed into

him *or i! it a "ift in the !en!e that =od be!to'! only the potential to belie/e, b$t then

a'ait! a!!ent-the act of belie/in"-from manH! choiceA rather, it i! a "ift in the !en!e that

he 'ho 'ork! both 'illin" and actin" and, indeed, 'ork! all thin"! in all people prod$ce!

in man both the 'ill to belie/e and the belief it!elf

0rticle 1G .e!pon!e! to =odH! =race

=od doe! not o'e thi! "race to anyone For 'hat co$ld =od o'e to one 'ho ha!

nothin" to "i/e that can be paid backI ndeed, 'hat co$ld =od o'e to one 'ho ha!

nothin" of hi! o'n to "i/e b$t !in and fal!ehoodI herefore the per!on 'ho recei/e! thi!"race o'e! and "i/e! eternal thank! to =od aloneA the per!on 'ho doe! not recei/e it

either doe! not care at all abo$t the!e !pirit$al thin"! and i! !ati!fied 'ith him!elf in hi!

condition, or el!e in !elf@a!!$rance fooli!hly boa!t! abo$t ha/in" !omethin" 'hich he

lack! F$rthermore, follo'in" the eample of the apo!tle!, 'e are to think and to !peak

in the mo!t fa/orable 'ay abo$t tho!e 'ho o$t'ardly profe!! their faith and better their

li/e!, for the inner chamber! of the heart are $nkno'n to $! B$t for other! 'ho ha/e not

yet been called, 'e are to pray to the =od 'ho call! thin"! that do not ei!t a! tho$"h

they did n no 'ay, ho'e/er, are 'e to pride o$r!el/e! a! better than they, a! tho$"h

'e had di!tin"$i!hed o$r!el/e! from them

0rticle 1+G .e"enerationH! 6ffect

Eo'e/er, $!t a! by the fall man did not cea!e to be man, endo'ed 'ith intellect and

'ill, and $!t a! !in, 'hich ha! !pread thro$"h the 'hole h$man race, did not aboli!h the

nat$re of the h$man race b$t di!torted and !pirit$ally killed it, !o al!o thi! di/ine "race of


26/39

re"eneration doe! not act in people a! if they 'ere block! and !tone!A nor doe! it

aboli!h the 'ill and it! propertie! or coerce a rel$ctant 'ill by force, b$t !pirit$ally

re/i/e!, heal!, reform!, and-in a manner at once plea!in" and po'erf$l-bend! it back

0! a re!$lt, a ready and !incere obedience of the Spirit no' be"in! to pre/ail 'here

before the rebellion and re!i!tance of the fle!h 'ere completely dominant t i! in thi!

that the tr$e and !pirit$al re!toration and freedom of o$r 'ill con!i!t! h$!, if themar/elo$! 4aker of e/ery "ood thin" 'ere not dealin" 'ith $!, man 'o$ld ha/e no hope

of "ettin" $p from hi! fall by hi! free choice, by 'hich he pl$n"ed him!elf into r$in 'hen

!till !tandin" $pri"ht

0rticle 17G =odH! >!e of 4ean! in .e"eneration

#$!t a! the almi"hty 'ork of =od by 'hich he brin"! forth and !$!tain! o$r nat$ral life

doe! not r$le o$t b$t re$ire! the $!e of mean!, by 'hich =od, accordin" to hi! infinite'i!dom and "oodne!!, ha! 'i!hed to eerci!e hi! po'er, !o al!o the aforementioned

!$pernat$ral 'ork of =od by 'hich he re"enerate! $! in no 'ay r$le! o$t or cancel! the

$!e of the "o!pel, 'hich =od in hi! "reat 'i!dom ha! appointed to be the !eed of

re"eneration and the food of the !o$l For thi! rea!on, the apo!tle! and the teacher!

'ho follo'ed them ta$"ht the people in a "odly manner abo$t thi! "race of =od, to "i/e

him the "lory and to h$mble all pride, and yet did not ne"lect mean'hile to keep the

people, by mean! of the holy admonition! of the "o!pel, $nder the admini!tration of the

Word, the !acrament!, and di!cipline So e/en today it i! o$t of the $e!tion that the

teacher! or tho!e ta$"ht in the ch$rch !ho$ld pre!$me to te!t =od by !eparatin" 'hat

he in hi! "ood plea!$re ha! 'i!hed to be clo!ely oined to"ether For "race i! be!to'ed

thro$"h admonition!, and the more readily 'e perform o$r d$ty, the more l$!tro$! the

benefit of =od 'orkin" in $! $!$ally i! and the better hi! 'ork ad/ance! o him alone,

both for the mean! and for their !a/in" fr$it and effecti/ene!!, all "lory i! o'ed fore/er

0men



Who teach that, properly !peakin", it cannot be !aid that ori"inal !in in it!elf i! eno$"h to

condemn the 'hole h$man race or to 'arrant temporal and eternal p$ni!hment!


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For they contradict the apo!tle 'hen he !ay!G Sin entered the 'orld thro$"h one man,

and death thro$"h !in, and in thi! 'ay death pa!!ed on to all men beca$!e all !inned

(.om G12)A al!oG he "$ilt follo'ed one !in and bro$"ht condemnation (.om G1+)A

like'i!eG he 'a"e! of !in i! death (.om +G2)

Who teach that the !pirit$al "ift! or the "ood di!po!ition! and /irt$e! !$ch a! "oodne!!,

holine!!, and ri"hteo$!ne!! co$ld not ha/e re!ided in manH! 'ill 'hen he 'a! fir!t

created, and therefore co$ld not ha/e been !eparated from the 'ill at the fall

For thi! conflict! 'ith the apo!tleH! de!cription of the ima"e of =od in 6phe!ian! 3G23,

'here he portray! the ima"e in term! of ri"hteo$!ne!! and holine!!, 'hich definitely

re!ide in the 'ill

Who teach that in !pirit$al death the !pirit$al "ift! ha/e not been !eparated from manH!

'ill, !ince the 'ill in it!elf ha! ne/er been corr$pted b$t only hindered by the darkne!! of

the mind and the $nr$line!! of the emotion!, and !ince the 'ill i! able to eerci!e it!

innate free capacity once the!e hindrance! are remo/ed, 'hich i! to !ay, it i! able of

it!elf to 'ill or choo!e 'hate/er "ood i! !et before it-or el!e not to 'ill or choo!e it

hi! i! a no/el idea and an error and ha! the effect of ele/atin" the po'er of free choice,

contrary to the 'ord! of #eremiah the prophetG he heart it!elf i! deceitf$l abo/e all

thin"! and 'icked (#er 17G9)A and of the 'ord! of the apo!tleG 0ll of $! al!o li/ed amon"

them (the !on! of di!obedience) at one time in the pa!!ion! of o$r fle!h, follo'in" the

'ill of o$r fle!h and tho$"ht! (6ph 2G)

5

Who teach that $nre"enerate man i! not !trictly or totally dead in hi! !in! or depri/ed of

all capacity for !pirit$al "ood b$t i! able to h$n"er and thir!t for ri"hteo$!ne!! or life and

to offer the !acrifice of a broken and contrite !pirit 'hich i! plea!in" to =od


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For the!e /ie'! are oppo!ed to the plain te!timonie! of Script$reG :o$ 'ere dead in

yo$r tran!"re!!ion! and !in! (6ph 2G1, )A he ima"ination of the tho$"ht! of manH!

heart i! only e/il all the time (=en +GA G21) Be!ide!, to h$n"er and thir!t for

deli/erance from mi!ery and for life, and to offer =od the !acrifice of a broken !pirit i!

characteri!tic only of the re"enerate and of tho!e called ble!!ed (P! 1G17A 4att G+)

5

Who teach that corr$pt and nat$ral man can make !$ch "ood $!e of common "race (by

'hich they mean the li"ht of nat$re) or of the "ift! remainin" after the fall that he i! able

thereby "rad$ally to obtain a "reater "race- e/an"elical or !a/in" "race-a! 'ell a!

!al/ation it!elfA and that in thi! 'ay =od, for hi! part, !ho'! him!elf ready to re/eal

%hri!t to all people, !ince he pro/ide! to all, to a !$fficient etent and in an effecti/e

manner, the mean! nece!!ary for the re/ealin" of %hri!t, for faith, and for repentance

For Script$re, not to mention the eperience of all a"e!, te!tifie! that thi! i! fal!eG Ee

make! kno'n hi! 'ord! to #acob, hi! !tat$te! and hi! la'! to !raelA he ha! done thi! for

no other nation, and they do not kno' hi! la'! (P! 137G19@28)A n the pa!t =od let all

nation! "o their o'n 'ay (0ct! 13G1+)A hey (Pa$l and hi! companion!) 'ere kept by the

Eoly Spirit from !peakin" =odH! 'ord in 0!iaA and When they had come to 4y!ia, they

tried to "o to Bithynia, b$t the Spirit 'o$ld not allo' them to (0ct! 1+G+@7)

5

Who teach that in the tr$e con/er!ion of man ne' $alitie!, di!po!ition!, or "ift! cannot

be inf$!ed or po$red into hi! 'ill by =od, and indeed that the faith Cor belie/in" by 'hich

'e fir!t come to con/er!ion and from 'hich 'e recei/e the name Kbelie/er!L i! not a

$ality or "ift inf$!ed by =od, b$t only an act of man, and that it cannot be called a "ift

ecept in re!pect to the po'er of attainin" faith

For the!e /ie'! contradict the Eoly Script$re!, 'hich te!tify that =od doe! inf$!e or

po$r into o$r heart! the ne' $alitie! of faith, obedience, and the eperiencin" of hi!

lo/eG 'ill p$t my la' in their mind!, and 'rite it on their heart! (#er 1G)A 'ill po$r'ater on the thir!ty land, and !tream! on the dry "ro$ndA 'ill po$r o$t my Spirit on yo$r

off!prin" (!a 33G)A he lo/e of =od ha! been po$red o$t in o$r heart! by the Eoly

Spirit, 'ho ha! been "i/en to $! (.om G) hey al!o conflict 'ith the contin$o$!

practice of the %h$rch, 'hich pray! 'ith the prophetG %on/ert me, ?ord, and !hall be

con/erted (#er 1G1)


29/39

5

Who teach that the "race by 'hich 'e are con/erted to =od i! nothin" b$t a "entle

per!$a!ion, or (a! other! eplain it) that the 'ay of =odH! actin" in manH! con/er!ion

that i! mo!t noble and !$ited to h$man nat$re i! that 'hich happen! by per!$a!ion, and

that nothin" pre/ent! thi! "race of moral !$a!ion e/en by it!elf from makin" nat$ral men

!pirit$alA indeed, that =od doe! not prod$ce the a!!ent of the 'ill ecept in thi! manner

of moral !$a!ion, and that the effecti/ene!! of =odH! 'ork by 'hich it !$rpa!!e! the

'ork of Satan con!i!t! in the fact that =od promi!e! eternal benefit! 'hile Satan

promi!e! temporal one!

For thi! teachin" i! entirely Pela"ian and contrary to the 'hole of Script$re, 'hich

reco"ni


30/39

For the early ch$rch already condemned thi! doctrine lon" a"o in the Pela"ian!, on the

ba!i! of the 'ord! of the apo!tleG t doe! not depend on manH! 'illin" or r$nnin" b$t on

=odH! mercy (.om 9G1+)A al!oG Who make! yo$ different from anyone el!eI and What

do yo$ ha/e that yo$ did not recei/eI (1 %or 3G7)A like'i!eG t i! =od 'ho 'ork! in yo$

to 'ill and act accordin" to hi! "ood plea!$re (Phil 2G1)

he Fifth 4ain Point of DoctrineG he Per!e/erance of the Saint!

0rticle 1G he .e"enerate *ot 6ntirely Free from Sin

ho!e people 'hom =od accordin" to hi! p$rpo!e call! into fello'!hip 'ith hi! Son#e!$! %hri!t o$r ?ord and re"enerate! by the Eoly Spirit, he al!o !et! free from the rei"n

and !la/ery of !in, tho$"h in thi! life not entirely from the fle!h and from the body of !in

0rticle 2G he Belie/erH! .eaction to Sin! of Weakne!!

Eence daily !in! of 'eakne!! ari!e, and blemi!he! clin" to e/en the be!t 'ork! of =odH!

people, "i/in" them contin$al ca$!e to h$mble them!el/e! before =od, to flee for ref$"e

to %hri!t cr$cified, to p$t the fle!h to death more and more by the Spirit of !$pplication

and by holy eerci!e! of "odline!!, and to !train to'ard the "oal of perfection, $ntil they

are freed from thi! body of death and rei"n 'ith the ?amb of =od in hea/en

0rticle G =odH! Pre!er/ation of the %on/erted

Beca$!e of the!e remnant! of !in d'ellin" in them and al!o beca$!e of the temptation!

of the 'orld and Satan, tho!e 'ho ha/e been con/erted co$ld not remain !tandin" inthi! "race if left to their o'n re!o$rce! B$t =od i! faithf$l, mercif$lly !tren"thenin" them

in the "race once conferred on them and po'erf$lly pre!er/in" them in it to the end

0rticle 3G he Dan"er of r$e Belie/er!H Fallin" into Serio$! Sin!


31/39

0ltho$"h that po'er of =od !tren"thenin" and pre!er/in" tr$e belie/er! in "race i! more

than a match for the fle!h, yet tho!e con/erted are not al'ay! !o acti/ated and

moti/ated by =od that in certain !pecific action! they cannot by their o'n fa$lt depart

from the leadin" of "race, be led a!tray by the de!ire! of the fle!h, and "i/e in to them

For thi! rea!on they m$!t con!tantly 'atch and pray that they may not be led into

temptation! When they fail to do thi!, not only can they be carried a'ay by the fle!h, the'orld, and Satan into !in!, e/en !erio$! and o$tra"eo$! one!, b$t al!o by =odH! $!t

permi!!ion they !ometime! are !o carried a'ay-'itne!! the !ad ca!e!, de!cribed in

Script$re, of Da/id, Peter, and other !aint! fallin" into !in!

0rticle G he 6ffect! of S$ch Serio$! Sin!

By !$ch mon!tro$! !in!, ho'e/er, they "reatly offend =od, de!er/e the !entence of

death, "rie/e the Eoly Spirit, !$!pend the eerci!e of faith, !e/erely 'o$nd thecon!cience, and !ometime! lo!e the a'arene!! of "race for a time-$ntil, after they ha/e

ret$rned to the 'ay by "en$ine repentance, =odH! fatherly face a"ain !hine! $pon them

0rticle +G =odH! Sa/in" nter/ention

For =od, 'ho i! rich in mercy, accordin" to hi! $nchan"eable p$rpo!e of election doe!

not take hi! Eoly Spirit from hi! o'n completely, e/en 'hen they fall "rie/o$!ly *either

doe! he let them fall do'n !o far that they forfeit the "race of adoption and the !tate of

$!tification, or commit the !in 'hich lead! to death (the !in a"ain!t the Eoly Spirit), and

pl$n"e them!el/e!, entirely for!aken by him, into eternal r$in

0rticle 7G .ene'al to .epentance

For, in the fir!t place, =od pre!er/e! in tho!e !aint! 'hen they fall hi! imperi!hable !eed

from 'hich they ha/e been born a"ain, le!t it peri!h or be di!lod"ed Secondly, by hi!

Word and Spirit he certainly and effecti/ely rene'! them to repentance !o that they ha/e

a heartfelt and "odly !orro' for the !in! they ha/e committedA !eek and obtain, thro$"h

faith and 'ith a contrite heart, for"i/ene!! in the blood of the 4ediatorA eperience a"ain

the "race of a reconciled =odA thro$"h faith adore hi! mercie!A and from then on more

ea"erly 'ork o$t their o'n !al/ation 'ith fear and tremblin"


32/39

0rticle G he %ertainty of hi! Pre!er/ation

So it i! not by their o'n merit! or !tren"th b$t by =odH! $nde!er/ed mercy that they

neither forfeit faith and "race totally nor remain in their do'nfall! to the end and are lo!t

With re!pect to them!el/e! thi! not only ea!ily co$ld happen, b$t al!o $ndo$btedly

'o$ld happenA b$t 'ith re!pect to =od it cannot po!!ibly happen, !ince hi! plan cannot

be chan"ed, hi! promi!e cannot fail, the callin" accordin" to hi! p$rpo!e cannot be

re/oked, the merit of %hri!t a! 'ell a! hi! intercedin" and pre!er/in" cannot be n$llified,

and the !ealin" of the Eoly Spirit can neither be in/alidated nor 'iped o$t

0rticle 9G he 0!!$rance of hi! Pre!er/ation

%oncernin" thi! pre!er/ation of tho!e cho!en to !al/ation and concernin" the

per!e/erance of tr$e belie/er! in faith, belie/er! them!el/e! can and do become

a!!$red in accordance 'ith the mea!$re of their faith, by 'hich they firmly belie/e that

they are and al'ay! 'ill remain tr$e and li/in" member! of the ch$rch, and that they

ha/e the for"i/ene!! of !in! and eternal life

0rticle 18G he =ro$nd of hi! 0!!$rance

0ccordin"ly, thi! a!!$rance doe! not deri/e from !ome pri/ate re/elation beyond or

o$t!ide the Word, b$t from faith in the promi!e! of =od 'hich he ha! /ery plentif$lly

re/ealed in hi! Word for o$r comfort, from the te!timony of the Eoly Spirit te!tifyin" 'ith

o$r !pirit that 'e are =odH! children and heir! (.om G1+@17), and finally from a !erio$!

and holy p$r!$it of a clear con!cience and of "ood 'ork! 0nd if =odH! cho!en one! in

thi! 'orld did not ha/e thi! 'ell@fo$nded comfort that the /ictory 'ill be their! and thi!

reliable "$arantee of eternal "lory, they 'o$ld be of all people mo!t mi!erable

0rticle 11G Do$bt! %oncernin" hi! 0!!$rance

4ean'hile, Script$re te!tifie! that belie/er! ha/e to contend in thi! life 'ith /ario$!

do$bt! of the fle!h and that $nder !e/ere temptation they do not al'ay! eperience thi!

f$ll a!!$rance of faith and certainty of per!e/erance B$t =od, the Father of all comfort,

doe! not let them be tempted beyond 'hat they can bear, b$t 'ith the temptation he


33/39

al!o pro/ide! a 'ay o$t (1 %or 18G1), and by the Eoly Spirit re/i/e! in them the

a!!$rance of their per!e/erance

0rticle 12G hi! 0!!$rance a! an ncenti/e to =odline!!

hi! a!!$rance of per!e/erance, ho'e/er, !o far from makin" tr$e belie/er! pro$d and

carnally !elf@a!!$red, i! rather the tr$e root of h$mility, of childlike re!pect, of "en$ine

"odline!!, of end$rance in e/ery conflict, of fer/ent prayer!, of !teadfa!tne!! in

cro!!bearin" and in confe!!in" the tr$th, and of 'ell@fo$nded oy in =od .eflectin" on

thi! benefit pro/ide! an incenti/e to a !erio$! and contin$al practice of thank!"i/in" and

"ood 'ork!, a! i! e/ident from the te!timonie! of Script$re and the eample! of the

!aint!

0rticle 1G 0!!$rance *o nd$cement to %arele!!ne!!

*either doe! the rene'ed confidence of per!e/erance prod$ce immorality or lack of

concern for "odline!! in tho!e p$t back on their feet after a fall, b$t it prod$ce! a m$ch

"reater concern to ob!er/e caref$lly the 'ay! of the ?ord 'hich he prepared in ad/ance

hey ob!er/e the!e 'ay! in order that by 'alkin" in them they may maintain the

a!!$rance of their per!e/erance, le!t, by their ab$!e of hi! fatherly "oodne!!, the face

of the "racio$! =od (for the "odly, lookin" $pon hi! face i! !'eeter than life, b$t it!

'ithdra'al i! more bitter than death) t$rn a'ay from them a"ain, 'ith the re!$lt that they

fall into "reater an"$i!h of !pirit

0rticle 13G =odH! >!e of 4ean! in Per!e/erance

0nd, $!t a! it ha! plea!ed =od to be"in thi! 'ork of "race in $! by the proclamation of

the "o!pel, !o he pre!er/e!, contin$e!, and complete! hi! 'ork by the hearin" and

readin" of the "o!pel, by meditation on it, by it! ehortation!, threat!, and promi!e!, and

al!o by the $!e of the !acrament!

0rticle 1G %ontra!tin" .eaction! to the eachin" of Per!e/erance


34/39

hi! teachin" abo$t the per!e/erance of tr$e belie/er! and !aint!, and abo$t their

a!!$rance of it-a teachin" 'hich =od ha! /ery richly re/ealed in hi! Word for the "lory

of hi! name and for the comfort of the "odly and 'hich he impre!!e! on the heart! of

belie/er!-i! !omethin" 'hich the fle!h doe! not $nder!tand, Satan hate!, the 'orld

ridic$le!, the i"norant and the hypocrite! ab$!e, and the !pirit! of error attack he bride

of %hri!t, on the other hand, ha! al'ay! lo/ed thi! teachin" /ery tenderly and defendedit !teadfa!tly a! a pricele!! trea!$reA and =od, a"ain!t 'hom no plan can a/ail and no

!tren"th can pre/ail, 'ill en!$re that !he 'ill contin$e to do thi! o thi! =od alone,

Father, Son, and Eoly Spirit, be honor and "lory fore/er 0men


%oncernin" the eachin" of the Per!e/erance of the Saint!


Who teach that the per!e/erance of tr$e belie/er! i! not an effect of election or a "ift of

=od prod$ced by %hri!tH! death, b$t a condition of the ne' co/enant 'hich man, before

'hat they call hi! KperemptoryL election and $!tification, m$!t f$lfill by hi! free 'ill

For Eoly Script$re te!tifie! that per!e/erance follo'! from election and i! "ranted to the

cho!en by /irt$e of %hri!tH! death, re!$rrection, and interce!!ionG he cho!en obtained

itA the other! 'ere hardened (.om 11G7)A like'i!e, Ee 'ho did not !pare hi! o'n !on,

b$t "a/e him $p for $! all-ho' 'ill he not, alon" 'ith him, "rant $! all thin"!I Who 'ill

brin" any char"e a"ain!t tho!e 'hom =od ha! cho!enI t i! =od 'ho $!tifie! Who i!

he that condemn!I t i! %hri!t #e!$! 'ho died-more than that, 'ho 'a! rai!ed-'ho

al!o !it! at the ri"ht hand of =od, and i! al!o intercedin" for $! Who !hall !eparate $!

from the lo/e of %hri!tI (.om G2@)

Who teach that =od doe! pro/ide the belie/er 'ith !$fficient !tren"th to per!e/ere and

i! ready to pre!er/e thi! !tren"th in him if he perform! hi! d$ty, b$t that e/en 'ith all

tho!e thin"! in place 'hich are nece!!ary to per!e/ere in faith and 'hich =od i!


35/39

plea!ed to $!e to pre!er/e faith, it !till al'ay! depend! on the choice of manH! 'ill

'hether or not he per!e/ere!

For thi! /ie' i! ob/io$!ly Pela"ianA and tho$"h it intend! to make men free it make!

them !acrile"io$! t i! a"ain!t the end$rin" con!en!$! of e/an"elical teachin" 'hich

take! from man all ca$!e for boa!tin" and a!cribe! the prai!e for thi! benefit only to

=odH! "race t i! al!o a"ain!t the te!timony of the apo!tleG t i! =od 'ho keep! $!

!tron" to the end, !o that 'e 'ill be blamele!! on the day of o$r ?ord #e!$! %hri!t (1

%or 1G)

Who teach that tho!e 'ho tr$ly belie/e and ha/e been born a"ain not only can forfeit

$!tifyin" faith a! 'ell a! "race and !al/ation totally and to the end, b$t al!o in act$al factdo often forfeit them and are lo!t fore/er

For thi! opinion n$llifie! the /ery "race of $!tification and re"eneration a! 'ell a! the

contin$al pre!er/ation by %hri!t, contrary to the plain 'ord! of the apo!tle Pa$lG f %hri!t

died for $! 'hile 'e 'ere !till !inner!, 'e 'ill therefore m$ch more be !a/ed from =odH!

'rath thro$"h him, !ince 'e ha/e no' been $!tified by hi! blood (.om G@9)A and

contrary to the apo!tle #ohnG *o one 'ho i! born of =od i! intent on !in, beca$!e =odH!

!eed remain! in him, nor can he !in, beca$!e he ha! been born of =od (1 #ohn G9)A

al!o contrary to the 'ord! of #e!$! %hri!tG "i/e eternal life to my !heep, and they !hallne/er peri!hA no one can !natch them o$t of my hand 4y Father, 'ho ha! "i/en them to

me, i! "reater than allA no one can !natch them o$t of my FatherH! hand (#ohn 18G 2@

29)

5

Who teach that tho!e 'ho tr$ly belie/e and ha/e been born a"ain can commit the !in

that lead! to death (the !in a"ain!t the Eoly Spirit)

For the !ame apo!tle #ohn, after makin" mention of tho!e 'ho commit the !in that lead!

to death and forbiddin" prayer for them (1 #ohn G 1+@17), immediately add!G We kno'

that anyone born of =od doe! not commit !in (that i!, that kind of !in), b$t the one 'ho

'a! born of =od keep! him!elf !afe, and the e/il one doe! not to$ch him (/ 1)


36/39

5

Who teach that apart from a !pecial re/elation no one can ha/e the a!!$rance of f$t$re

per!e/erance in thi! life

For by thi! teachin" the 'ell@fo$nded con!olation of tr$e belie/er! in thi! life i! taken

a'ay and the do$btin" of the .omani!t! i! reintrod$ced into the ch$rch Eoly Script$re,

ho'e/er, in many place! deri/e! the a!!$rance not from a !pecial and etraordinary

re/elation b$t from the mark! pec$liar to =odH! children and from =odH! completely

reliable promi!e! So e!pecially the apo!tle Pa$lG *othin" in all creation can !eparate $!

from the lo/e of =od that i! in %hri!t #e!$! o$r ?ord (.om G9)A and #ohnG hey 'ho

obey hi! command! remain in him and he in them 0nd thi! i! ho' 'e kno' that he

remain! in $!G by the Spirit he "a/e $! (1 #ohn G23)

5

Who teach that the teachin" of the a!!$rance of per!e/erance and of !al/ation i! by it!

/ery nat$re and character an opiate of the fle!h and i! harmf$l to "odline!!, "ood

moral!, prayer, and other holy eerci!e!, b$t that, on the contrary, to ha/e do$bt abo$t

thi! i! prai!e'orthy

For the!e people !ho' that they do not kno' the effecti/e operation of =odH! "race and

the 'ork of the ind'ellin" Eoly Spirit, and they contradict the apo!tle #ohn, 'ho a!!ert!

the oppo!ite in plain 'ord!G Dear friend!, no' 'e are children of =od, b$t 'hat 'e 'ill

be ha! not yet been made kno'n B$t 'e kno' that 'hen he i! made kno'n, 'e !hall

be like him, for 'e !hall !ee him a! he i! 6/eryone 'ho ha! thi! hope in him p$rifie!

him!elf, $!t a! he i! p$re (1 #ohn G2@) 4oreo/er, they are ref$ted by the eample! of

the !aint! in both the &ld and the *e' e!tament, 'ho tho$"h a!!$red of their

per!e/erance and !al/ation yet 'ere con!tant in prayer and other eerci!e! of

"odline!!

5

Who teach that the faith of tho!e 'ho belie/e only temporarily doe! not differ from

$!tifyin" and !a/in" faith ecept in d$ration alone

For %hri!t him!elf in 4atthe' 1G28ff and ?$ke G1ff clearly define! the!e f$rther

difference! bet'een temporary and tr$e belie/er!G he !ay! that the former recei/e the


37/39

!eed on rocky "ro$nd, and the latter recei/e it in "ood "ro$nd, or a "ood heartA the

former ha/e no root, and the latter are firmly rootedA the former ha/e no fr$it, and the

latter prod$ce fr$it in /aryin" mea!$re, 'ith !teadfa!tne!!, or per!e/erance

5

Who teach that it i! not ab!$rd that a per!on, after lo!in" hi! former re"eneration, !ho$ld

once a"ain, indeed $ite often, be reborn

For by thi! teachin" they deny the imperi!hable nat$re of =odH! !eed by 'hich 'e are

born a"ain, contrary to the te!timony of the apo!tle PeterG Born a"ain, not of peri!hable

!eed, b$t of imperi!hable (1 Pet 1G2)

N

Who teach that %hri!t no'here prayed for an $nfailin" per!e/erance of belie/er! in faith

For they contradict %hri!t him!elf 'hen he !ay!G ha/e prayed for yo$, Peter, that yo$r

faith may not fail (?$ke 22G2)A and #ohn the "o!pel 'riter 'hen he te!tifie! in #ohn 17

that it 'a! not only for the apo!tle!, b$t al!o for all tho!e 'ho 'ere to belie/e by their

me!!a"e that %hri!t prayedG Eoly Father, pre!er/e them in yo$r name (/ 11)A and 4y

prayer i! not that yo$ take them o$t of the 'orld, b$t that yo$ pre!er/e them from thee/il one (/ 1)

%oncl$!ionG .eection of Fal!e 0cc$!ation!

0nd !o thi! i! the clear, !imple, and !trai"htfor'ard eplanation of the orthodo teachin"

on the fi/e article! in di!p$te in the *etherland!, a! 'ell a! the reection of the error! by

'hich the D$tch ch$rche! ha/e for !ome time been di!t$rbed hi! eplanation and

reection the Synod declare! to be deri/ed from =odH! Word and in a"reement 'ith theconfe!!ion! of the .eformed ch$rche! Eence it clearly appear! that tho!e of 'hom one

co$ld hardly epect it ha/e !ho'n no tr$th, e$ity, and charity at all in 'i!hin" to make

the p$blic belie/eG


38/39

-that the teachin" of the .eformed ch$rche! on prede!tination and on the point!

a!!ociated 'ith it by it! /ery nat$re and tendency dra'! the mind! of people a'ay from

all "odline!! and reli"ion, i! an opiate of the fle!h and the de/il, and i! a !tron"hold of

Satan 'here he lie! in 'ait for all people, 'o$nd! mo!t of them, and fatally pierce!

many of them 'ith the arro'! of both de!pair and !elf@a!!$ranceA

-that thi! teachin" make! =od the a$thor of !in, $n$!t, a tyrant, and a hypocriteA and i!

nothin" b$t a ref$rbi!hed Stoici!m, 4anichei!m, ?ibertini!m, and 4ohammedani!mA

-that thi! teachin" make! people carnally !elf@a!!$red, !ince it per!$ade! them that

nothin" endan"er! the !al/ation of the cho!en, no matter ho' they li/e, !o that they may

commit the mo!t o$tra"eo$! crime! 'ith !elf@a!!$ranceA and that on the other hand

nothin" i! of $!e to the reprobate for !al/ation e/en if they ha/e tr$ly performed all the

'ork! of the !aint!A

-that thi! teachin" mean! that =od prede!tined and created, by the bare and $n$alified

choice of hi! 'ill, 'itho$t the lea!t re"ard or con!ideration of any !in, the "reate!t part of

the 'orld to eternal condemnationA that in the !ame manner in 'hich election i! the

!o$rce and ca$!e of faith and "ood 'ork!, reprobation i! the ca$!e of $nbelief and

$n"odline!!A that many infant children of belie/er! are !natched in their innocence from

their mother!H brea!t! and cr$elly ca!t into hell !o that neither the blood of %hri!t nor

their bapti!m nor the prayer! of the ch$rch at their bapti!m can be of any $!e to themA

and /ery many other !landero$! acc$!ation! of thi! kind 'hich the .eformed ch$rche!not only di!a/o' b$t e/en deno$nce 'ith their 'hole heart

herefore thi! Synod of Dort in the name of the ?ord plead! 'ith all 'ho de/o$tly call on

the name of o$r Sa/ior #e!$! %hri!t to form their $d"ment abo$t the faith of the

.eformed ch$rche!, not on the ba!i! of fal!e acc$!ation! "athered from here or there,

or e/en on the ba!i! of the per!onal !tatement! of a n$mber of ancient and modern

a$thoritie!-!tatement! 'hich are al!o often either $oted o$t of contet or mi!$oted

and t'i!ted to con/ey a different meanin"-b$t on the ba!i! of the ch$rche!H o'n official

confe!!ion! and of the pre!ent eplanation of the orthodo teachin" 'hich ha! beenendor!ed by the $nanimo$! con!ent of the member! of the 'hole Synod, one and all

4oreo/er, the Synod earne!tly 'arn! the fal!e acc$!er! them!el/e! to con!ider ho'

hea/y a $d"ment of =od a'ait! tho!e 'ho "i/e fal!e te!timony a"ain!t !o many


39/39

ch$rche! and their confe!!ion!, tro$ble the con!cience! of the 'eak, and !eek to

pre$dice the mind! of many a"ain!t the fello'!hip of tr$e belie/er!

Finally, thi! Synod $r"e! all fello' mini!ter! in the "o!pel of %hri!t to deal 'ith thi!

teachin" in a "odly and re/erent manner, in the academic in!tit$tion! a! 'ell a! in the

ch$rche!A to do !o, both in their !peakin" and 'ritin", 'ith a /ie' to the "lory of =odH!

name, holine!! of life, and the comfort of anio$! !o$l!A to think and al!o !peak 'ith

Script$re accordin" to the analo"y of faithA and, finally, to refrain from all tho!e 'ay! of

!peakin" 'hich "o beyond the bo$nd! !et for $! by the "en$ine !en!e of the Eoly

Script$re! and 'hich co$ld "i/e impertinent !ophi!t! a $!t occa!ion to !coff at the

teachin" of the .eformed ch$rche! or e/en to brin" fal!e acc$!ation! a"ain!t it

4ay =odH! Son #e!$! %hri!t, 'ho !it! at the ri"ht hand of =od and "i/e! "ift! to men,

!anctify $! in the tr$th, lead to the tr$th tho!e 'ho err, !ilence the mo$th! of tho!e 'holay fal!e acc$!ation! a"ain!t !o$nd teachin", and e$ip faithf$l mini!ter! of hi! Word

'ith a !pirit of 'i!dom and di!cretion, that all they !ay may be to the "lory of =od and

the b$ildin" $p of their hearer! 0men

synod of dort 多特會議

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