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Statement of Faith
The Bible is our rule of faith (what we believe) and life (what we do). The Bible is a large book, however, and even Bible believing Christians understand and interpret it's message differently. Therefore, it is not sufficient to just say "I believe the Bible is the Word of God." There needs to be summary statements of what the Bible teaches. Throughout the history of the church Christians have set forth what they believe the Bible to teach in creeds, catechims, confessions, and statements of faith. They are always subordinate to the Bible itself but they seek to set forth the teachings of the Bible. While many churches may have simple, short, statements of faith, the statement of faith of most historic Reformed and Presbyterian churches is The Westminster Confession of Faith.
The Origin of the Westminster Standards
What is the origin of the Westminster Standards? In 1643, the English Parliament called an assembly of 121 ministers and 31 laymen, some of the greatest biblical scholars and men of God the world has ever known, to provide a creed , a statement of faith, and a form of government for the church. This group of men became known as the Westminster Assembly because they convened at Westminster Abbey in London. During the years in which they met, 1643-1649, they penned the Westminster Confession of Faith, which many consider to be the finest statement of the Christian faith known to Christianity. Although a number of Presbyterian churches have abandoned the Westminster standards, many Reformed Presbyterian churches throughout the world still hold to them as their confession of faith. Historic Baptists even have a form of this statement of faith, the Philadelphia Confession of Faith.
The Westminster Confession of Faith
To read the Westminster Confession of Faith go to web links and click on "Reformed Writings." There you will find Historic Church Documents: Creeds, Confessions, Catechisms, and Sermons.
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