Three Forms of Unity
The Belgic Confession (1561)
A systematic Reformed confession written by Guido de Brès under persecution — defending the faith against Rome and the Anabaptists.
The Belgic Confession is the oldest of the Three Forms of Unity. Composed in French in 1561 by Guido de Brès for the Reformed churches of the Low Countries, it was revised at Antwerp in 1566 and again at the Synod of Dort (1618–1619). “Belgica” then referred to the whole Netherlands region — today’s Belgium and the Netherlands.
At Marathon Presbyterian Church the Confession is received as a supplemental Reformed document. Our only secondary doctrinal standard remains the Westminster Confession of Faith (1647). The Belgic Confession helps us learn with Continental Reformed churches and see the same gospel confessed in another historic voice.
Full text is kept in our study archive and may be read at the CRCNA.
Articles 1–7
God and Holy Scripture
The Confession opens with the one true God and the means by which He is known — creation and providence, and above all Holy Scripture. The sixty-six canonical books are the only rule of faith; the Apocrypha may be read but do not confirm doctrine.
“We all believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that there is a single and simple spiritual being, whom we call God — eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, unchangeable, infinite, almighty; completely wise, just, and good, and the overflowing source of all good.”
Belgic Confession, Article 1
“We confess that this Word of God was not sent nor delivered by the will of men, but that holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit, as Peter says. Afterwards our God — because of the special care he has for us and his love — commanded his servants, the prophets and apostles, to commit this revealed Word to writing.”
Belgic Confession, Article 3
Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:4–6; Romans 1:19–20; 2 Peter 1:20–21; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; Revelation 22:18–19.
Articles 8–13
Trinity, Creation, and Providence
God is one in essence, distinguished in three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He created all things from nothing and governs them by providence, without being the author of sin.
“In keeping with this truth and Word of God we believe in one God, who is one single essence, in whom there are three persons, really, truly, and eternally distinct according to their incommunicable properties — namely, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
Belgic Confession, Article 8
Scripture: Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1–3; Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:16–17; James 1:13.
Articles 14–17
Humanity, Sin, and Election
Humanity was created good in God’s image, yet fell in Adam. We are corrupt by nature and unable to save ourselves. God, in mercy, elects in Christ and restores fallen humanity through the covenant of grace — without making God the author of sin.
“We believe that by the disobedience of Adam original sin has been spread through the whole human race. It is a corruption of all nature — an inherited depravity which even infects small infants in their mother’s womb, and the root which produces in humanity every sort of sin.”
Belgic Confession, Article 15
Scripture: Genesis 1:26–27; Genesis 3; Romans 5:12–19; Ephesians 2:1–5; Ephesians 1:4–6; Romans 9:10–23.
Articles 18–26
Christ, Faith, and Justification
The eternal Son took true humanity, satisfied God’s justice, and is the only Mediator. We are justified by faith alone through Christ’s imputed righteousness. Good works follow true faith but do not merit salvation. Christ intercedes for us as our only Advocate.
“We believe that Jesus Christ is a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek — made such by an oath — and that he presented himself in our name before his Father, to appease his wrath with full satisfaction by offering himself on the tree of the cross and pouring out his precious blood for the cleansing of our sins, as the prophets had predicted.”
Belgic Confession, Article 21
“We believe that for us to acquire the true knowledge of this great mystery the Holy Spirit kindles in our hearts a true faith that embraces Jesus Christ, with all his merits, and makes him its own, and no longer looks for anything apart from him.”
Belgic Confession, Article 22
Scripture: John 1:14; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:26–27; Romans 3:21–28; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8–10; 1 John 2:1–2.
Articles 27–35
Church and Sacraments
There is one catholic (universal) church. True churches are marked by the pure preaching of the gospel, the pure administration of the sacraments, and church discipline. Christ instituted two sacraments — baptism and the Lord’s Supper — as signs and seals of the covenant of grace. Infants of believers are to be baptized.
“We believe and confess one single catholic or universal church — a holy congregation and gathering of true Christian believers, awaiting their entire salvation in Jesus Christ being washed by his blood, and sanctified and sealed by the Holy Spirit.”
Belgic Confession, Article 27
“The marks by which the true church is known are these: if the pure doctrine of the gospel is preached there; if it maintains the pure administration of the sacraments as Christ instituted them; if church discipline is exercised in punishing sin.”
Belgic Confession, Article 29
Scripture: Ephesians 4:4–6; Acts 2:42; Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23–29; Genesis 17:7–14; Acts 2:38–39; Colossians 2:11–12.
Articles 36–37
Magistrates and the Last Judgment
God ordained civil government for the punishment of evil and the protection of the good. Christians are to honor magistrates in lawful things. Christ will return to judge the living and the dead — the righteous to everlasting joy, the wicked to everlasting punishment.
“Finally we believe, according to God’s Word, that when the time appointed by the Lord is come (which is unknown to all creatures) and the number of the elect is complete, our Lord Jesus Christ will come from heaven, bodily and visibly, as he ascended, with great glory and majesty to declare himself the judge of the living and the dead.”
Belgic Confession, Article 37
Scripture: Romans 13:1–7; 1 Peter 2:13–17; Acts 1:11; Matthew 25:31–46; 2 Thessalonians 1:6–10; Revelation 20:11–15.