Article XXIX
Discerning the True Church
The true Church is identified by the pure preaching of the gospel, the right administration of the sacraments, and the exercise of church discipline.
We believe that we must carefully and wisely discern from the Word of God which is the true Church, because every sect in the world today claims the name of the Church for itself. We aren't speaking here about the hypocrites who are mixed among the faithful in the Church yet don't truly belong to it, even though they are physically present. Rather, we are speaking about distinguishing the body and fellowship of the true Church from all other sects that claim to be the Church. The marks by which the true Church may be recognized are these: it practices the pure preaching of the gospel; it administers the sacraments purely, as Christ instituted them; and it uses church discipline to correct wrongdoing. In short, it governs itself according to the pure Word of God, rejects everything contrary to it, and recognizes Jesus Christ as its only Head.✦ By these marks we can be sure that we recognize the true Church, and no one should separate from it.
The Marks of True Believers
True members of the Church are recognized by their faith, their pursuit of holiness, and their daily reliance on the work of Christ.
As for those who belong to the Church, they can be recognized by the marks of Christians: by faith, and by the fact that, having received Jesus Christ as their one and only Savior, they flee from sin and pursue righteousness; they love the true God and their neighbors, do not turn aside to the right or the left, and crucify the flesh with its deeds. This doesn't mean that they have no great weakness within them. Rather, by the Spirit they fight against it every day of their lives, continually taking refuge in the blood, death, suffering, and obedience of the Lord Jesus, through whom their sins are forgiven by faith in him.✦✦
Identifying the False Church
The false Church is characterized by its rejection of Christ's authority, corruption of the sacraments, and persecution of the godly.
As for the false Church, it gives itself and its own ordinances more authority than it gives the Word of God. It refuses to submit to the yoke of Christ.✦ It does not administer the sacraments as Christ ordained in his Word, but adds to them and takes away from them as it pleases. It bases itself more on human beings than on Jesus Christ. It persecutes those who live holy lives according to the Word of God and who rebuke it for its vices, greed, and idolatry. These two churches are easy to recognize and distinguish from each other.
Read the original Latin
Nous croyons qu'il faut bien diligemment discerner, et avec bonne prudence par la Parole de Dieu, quelle est la vraie Église, à cause que toutes les sectes qui sont aujourd'hui au monde se couvrent de ce nom d'l Église. Nous ne parlons pas ici de la compagnie des hypocrites qui sont mêlés parmi les bons en l'Église, et cependant n'en sont point, bien qu'ils y soient présents quant au corps; mais nous parlons de distinguer le corps et la communion de la vraie Église d'avec toutes autres sectes qui se disent être l'Église. Les marques pour connaître la vraie Église sont telles: Si l'Église use de la pure prédication de l'Évangile; si elle use de la pure administration des sacrements, comme Christ les a ordonnés; si la discipline ecclésiastique est en usage pour corriger les vices. Bref, si on se règle selon la pure Parole de Dieu, rejetant toutes choses contraires à elle, tenant Jésus-Christ pour le seul chef. Par cela on peut être assuré de connaître la vraie Église, et n'est le devoir d'aucun d'en être séparé. Et quant à ceux qui sont de l'Église, on les peut connaître par les marques des Chrétiens; savoir par la foi, et quand, ayant reçu un seul sauveur Jésus-Christ, ils fuient le péché et suivent justice, aimant le vrai Dieu et leurs prochains, sans se détourner à droite ou à gauche, crucifiant leur chair avec ses faits; non pas toutefois qu'il n'y ait une grande infirmité en eux, mais ils combattent contre par l'Esprit, tous les jours de leur vie, ayant continuellement recours au sang, à la mort, passion et obéissance du Seigneur Jésus, par lequel ils ont rémission de leurs péchés en la foi en lui. Quant à la fausse Église, elle s'attribue à elle et à ses ordonnances plus d'autorité qu'à la Parole de Dieu. Elle ne veut pas s'assujettir au joug de Christ.
Elle n'administre point les sacrements selon que Christ a ordonné par sa Parole; mais elle y ajoute et diminue, comme il lui plait; elle se fonde sur les hommes plus que sur Jésus-Christ; elle persécute ceux qui vivent saintement selon la Parole de Dieu, et qui la reprennent de ses vices, de ses avarices de ses idolâtries. Ces deux Églises sont aisées à connaître pour les distinguer l'une de l'autre.
Scripture echoes
- ↩Eph.1.22-Eph.1.23;Col.1.18 — And he put all things under his feet, and gave him as head over all things to the church. Eph.1.23 — which is his body, the fullness of the One who fills all in all. Col.1.18 — And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might have first place in everything.
- ↩1Tim.6.11;2Tim.2.22 — But you, O man of God, flee from these things; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. 2Tim.2.22 — Flee youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
- ↩Gal.5.24 — And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
- ↩Matt.11.29-Matt.11.30 — Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matt.11.30 — For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
The Belgic Confession companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit