Category: Netherlands Confession (Short Lessons)

Guido de Bres, author of the Netherlands’ Confession, was born in Mons in the year 1522. He was born a Roman Catholic, but was converted to Protestantism before the age of 25 after a careful study of the Scriptures. When persecution broke out in 1548, he was banished from his country, and went to England…

Article 1 treats of God. The Netherlands Confession thus begins with “God”-it is Theocentric. It differs from some other confessions which rather begin with man or salvation. The importance of this kind of beginning is obvious: the believer always begins and ends with God-and understands all truth in the light of that central truth. The…

Article 2 sets forth the two means by which we can know God: Creation and Scripture. Some have called this: “general revelation” and “special revelation”. Creation shows the power and Godhead of our God-so that all men are without excuse. Scripture sets forth both the glory of God and our salvation through Jesus Christ. Article…

Article 4 lists the books of the Old and New Testaments. These listed books have been received by the church since the Synod of Carthage, 397 A.D. The Old Testament books, we are told, were collected to form one volume by a body of learned Jewish scribes called: “The Great Synagogue” about 300 B.C. Christ…

Article 6 contrasts the “Canonical” with the “Apocryphal” books of the Bible. The latter were written probably after Malachi and perhaps before 200 A.D. The Apocryphal books are mentioned here because the Roman Catholic church added many of these to the Canon of Scripture at the Council of Trent (1545 – 1563). The Reformers, therefore,…

Article 8 presents the Trinity. It emphasizes that God is One (Deut. 6:4) while at the same time three in Persons. This doctrine distinguishes Christianity from all other religions. It is the foundation-stone upon which all doctrine rests. One cannot deny the trinity and still be called a Christian or be saved. Article 9 addresses…

In Article 10, we are shown that Jesus is true and eternal God. This can be seen from four things: (1) His Names show Him to be God; (2) His works show this; John 5:25 (3) His attributes show this; (4) the honor accorded Him shows it. Many in past years, and still today, deny…

Article 12 treats the creation of the world and of the angels. It presents creation as the work of God whereby God by His Son created of nothing, all things. The article points out that the purpose of creation is that man might serve his God. God also created the angels-also those that later fell…

Article 14 speaks of man’s creation, fall, and resultant depravity. Adam was created of the dust, formed in the image of God. Although capable of obeying God perfectly, he listened to Satan and subjected himself to sin, death and the curse. Adam lost the image of God in the fall. Though he retained a “few…

Article 16 treats predestination including both election and reprobation. Predestination is mentioned in Rom. 8:30 and Eph. 1:5. Predestination is an eternal decree of God which is immutable (unchangeable), sovereign, whose purpose is the glory of God. God elected some angels (I Tim. 5:21) and men to eternal life. The article presents election and reprobation…