CM-068 - WCF 13.1: Sin Dethroned, Holiness Begun

CM-068 - WCF 13.1: Sin Dethroned, Holiness Begun

Confessional Moments – Westminster Confession of Faith 13.1 Sin Dethroned, Holiness Begun Westminster Confession of Faith 13.1 "They, who are once effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart, and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified, really and personally, through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, by His Word and Spirit dwelling in them: the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, and the several lusts thereof are more and more weakened and mortified; and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces, to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Episode Summary What happens after God saves a sinner? Does grace merely forgive, or does it also transform? In this episode, we begin our study of the doctrine of sanctification by examining WCF 13.1. We explore how God breaks the dominion of sin, progressively conforms believers to the image of Christ, and strengthens them in true holiness through His Word and Spirit. Scripture References * Ezekiel 36:26–27 * Romans 6:6–14 * Philippians 2:12–13 * Hebrews 12:14 Glossary Effectual Calling The sovereign work of God whereby He calls His elect out of spiritual death into saving union with Christ. Regeneration The new birth; the work of the Holy Spirit in giving a sinner a new heart and new life. Sanctification God's gracious work of renewing believers after the image of Christ and enabling them to die unto sin and live unto righteousness. Mortification The ongoing putting to death of sinful desires and practices by the power of the Holy Spirit. Dominion of Sin The ruling power and mastery that sin exercises over the unregenerate person, which is broken through union with Christ. Saving Graces The spiritual virtues produced by the Holy Spirit in believers, such as faith, repentance, love, humility, and perseverance. About the Host Pastor Tim Beauchamp is the church planter and pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Guam and serves as an evangelist with Ministry to the Military & Internationals (MM&I). Through Confessional Moments, he seeks to help Christians better understand and apply the doctrines taught in the Westminster Standards and to encourage believers in the ordinary means of grace. Learn More Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA)  https://www.trinitychurchguam.org [https://www.trinitychurchguam.org] For sermons, podcast episodes, worship information, and ministry resources, visit the church website.

CM-067 - WCF 12: Received as Sons: The Grace of Adoption

Westminster Confession of Faith 12 “All those that are justified, God vouchsafeth, in and for His only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption: by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God; have His name put upon them; receive the Spirit of adoption; have access to the throne of grace with boldness; are enabled to cry, Abba, Father; are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by Him as by a Father; yet never cast off, but sealed to the day of redemption; and inherit the promises, as heirs of everlasting salvation.” In this episode of Confessional Moments, we turn to one of the warmest and most comforting doctrines in all of Scripture: adoption. After considering justification in chapter 11, the Confession now teaches what follows for those declared righteous through faith in Christ—they are received into God’s family as beloved children. The Confession reminds believers that salvation is more than forgiveness of sins or escape from condemnation. God does not merely acquit sinners in His courtroom; He welcomes them into His household. Through Christ, believers receive God’s name, God’s Spirit, access to God in prayer, fatherly care, loving discipline, and the promise of an eternal inheritance. This episode explores the difference between justification and adoption, why adoption is possible only through union with Christ, and how the doctrine gives assurance to struggling believers. WCF 12 teaches that God’s children may be disciplined, but they are never cast off. For Christians who often wonder whether God merely tolerates them, this chapter offers profound comfort: In Christ, God says more than “forgiven.” He says: “You are Mine.”   Scripture Reading & References Primary Reading: Romans 8:15–17 Additional References: John 1:12 Galatians 4:4–7 Ephesians 1:5 Hebrews 4:16 Hebrews 12:5–8 1 John 3:1–3 Romans 8:38–39   Key Doctrinal Themes Adoption Follows Justification – Those declared righteous through faith are received as children. Union with Christ – Believers become sons only through the eternal Son, Jesus Christ. Privileges of Adoption – Access to God, fatherly care, discipline, assurance, and inheritance. Perseverance and Assurance – God disciplines His children but never abandons them. Communion with God – Adoption changes the believer’s relationship from fear to sonship.   Resources Mentioned Thomas Watson, A Body of Divinity   About the Host Confessional Moments is hosted by Pastor Tim Beauchamp, teaching elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA), helping Christians grow in doctrinal clarity and confidence in Christ through the Reformed confessional tradition.   Church Website Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) www.trinitychurchguam.org [http://www.trinitychurchguam.org]   Confessional Moments — Anchoring hearts in Reformed truth.

CM-066 - WCF 11.6: One Gospel, One Faith, One Justification

Westminster Confession of Faith 11.6 “The justification of believers under the old testament was, in all these respects, one and the same with the justification of believers under the new testament.” In this episode of Confessional Moments, we conclude our study of Westminster Confession of Faith chapter 11 by examining the unity of justification across both the Old and New Testaments. The Confession teaches that believers before Christ were justified in the same way believers are justified today—by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Abraham, David, and all the saints of old were not saved by law-keeping or sacrifices, but by trusting in the promised Redeemer. While the outward administration of God’s covenant differed between the Testaments, the substance of salvation remained unchanged: one Savior, one righteousness, and one gospel for all God’s people. This episode explores the continuity of God’s redemptive plan, the gospel proclaimed beforehand in the Old Testament, and why justification has always rested upon Christ alone. Scripture Reading & References Romans 4:1–8 Genesis 15:6 Psalm 32:1–2 Galatians 3:8 John 8:56 Hebrews 10:4 Isaiah 53:4–6 Key Doctrinal Themes One Way of Salvation – God has always justified sinners by grace through faith in Christ. Unity of the Covenant of Grace – Old and New Testament believers share the same salvation. Christ in the Old Testament – Promises and sacrifices pointed forward to Christ. Imputed Righteousness – Believers in every age stand righteous before God through Christ alone. About the Host Confessional Moments is hosted by Pastor Tim Beauchamp, teaching elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA), helping Christians grow in doctrinal clarity and confidence in Christ through the Reformed confessional tradition. Church Website Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) www.trinitychurchguam.org [http://www.trinitychurchguam.org]

CM-065 - WCF 11.5: Justified Forever, Yet Needing Daily Grace

Westminster Confession of Faith 11.5 “God doth continue to forgive the sins of those that are justified; and, although they can never fall from the state of justification, yet they may, by their sins, fall under God’s fatherly displeasure, and not have the light of His countenance restored unto them, until they humble themselves, confess their sins, beg pardon, and renew their faith and repentance.” In this episode of Confessional Moments, we continue our study of the Westminster Confession of Faith chapter 11 by examining the relationship between justification, ongoing sin, and the believer’s communion with God. This paragraph addresses one of the most important pastoral tensions in the Christian life. The Confession teaches that those who are justified by faith in Christ can never fall from the state of justification, yet believers still struggle with sin and may experience God’s fatherly displeasure and the loss of the joy of His presence. The Divines carefully distinguish between God’s judicial forgiveness in justification and His fatherly discipline within the Christian life. The Confession guards the doctrine of justification from two opposite errors. Against Rome, it affirms that justification is a once-for-all declaration grounded entirely in Christ’s righteousness and cannot be lost through sin. Against antinomianism, it teaches that sin still matters deeply in the life of the believer, disrupting communion with God and bringing loving fatherly discipline. This episode explores the vital distinction between union and communion. The believer’s union with Christ remains secure, but fellowship with God may be hindered by unconfessed sin until the believer humbles himself, confesses sin, and renews faith and repentance. WCF 11.5 reminds believers that while justification can never be overturned, the Christian life is one of continual dependence upon the mercy of God. The Father disciplines those He loves, restores the repentant, and renews the joy of communion with Himself through Christ. Scripture Reading & References 1 John 1:8–9 Psalm 32:1–5 Psalm 51:10–12 Romans 8:1 Hebrews 12:5–11 Ephesians 4:30 Key Doctrinal Themes Perseverance in Justification – Those justified in Christ can never fall from the state of justification. Fatherly Discipline – God lovingly disciplines His children when they sin, not as a judge condemning criminals, but as a Father correcting sons. Union and Communion – Sin cannot destroy the believer’s union with Christ, but it can disrupt communion and the enjoyment of God’s favor. Ongoing Repentance – The Christian life is marked by continual confession of sin, renewed faith, and humble repentance. Restored Fellowship – God restores the joy of His presence to repentant believers through His fatherly mercy and grace. About the Host Confessional Moments is hosted by Pastor Tim Beauchamp, teaching elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA). Pastor Tim is committed to helping Christians grow in doctrinal clarity, spiritual maturity, and confidence in Christ through the riches of the Reformed confessional tradition. Church Website Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) www.trinitychurchguam.org [http://www.trinitychurchguam.org]

CM-064 - WCF 11.4: Planned, Purchased, & Applied

Westminster Confession of Faith 11.4 “God did, from all eternity, decree to justify all the elect; and Christ did, in the fulness of time, die for their sins, and rise again for their justification: nevertheless, they are not justified, until the Holy Spirit doth, in due time, actually apply Christ unto them.” In this episode of Confessional Moments, we continue our study of the Westminster Confession of Faith chapter 11 by examining the timing and application of justification. This paragraph beautifully traces the work of salvation across eternity, history, and personal experience. The Confession teaches that God eternally decreed the justification of His elect, that Christ accomplished their justification through His death and resurrection in history, and that the Holy Spirit personally applies Christ to believers in due time through faith. The Divines carefully guard against confusion by distinguishing between God’s eternal purpose and the actual application of justification. While the salvation of God’s people was planned before the foundation of the world and secured at Calvary, sinners are not personally justified until they are united to Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit. In doing so, the Confession preserves both the sovereignty of divine grace and the necessity of Spirit-wrought faith. This doctrine provides profound assurance for believers. Our justification rests not upon unstable human effort, but upon the eternal decree of the Father, the finished work of the Son, and the faithful application of redemption by the Holy Spirit. Salvation is planned in eternity, purchased at the cross, and applied in time to all who belong to Christ. Scripture Reading & References Romans 4:24–25 Romans 8:29–30 Galatians 2:16 Ephesians 1:4–7 Titus 3:4–7 John 6:37–40 Key Doctrinal Themes Eternal Decree – God purposed from eternity to justify all whom He elected in Christ before the foundation of the world. Christ’s Accomplished Redemption – Christ secured justification through His obedient life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection. Application by the Holy Spirit – Justification is personally applied when the Holy Spirit unites the sinner to Christ through faith. Union with Christ – Believers receive the benefits of justification only through living union with Christ. Assurance of Salvation – The believer’s justification rests securely upon God’s eternal purpose and Christ’s finished work rather than human merit or effort. About the Host Confessional Moments is hosted by Pastor Tim Beauchamp, teaching elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA). Pastor Tim is committed to helping Christians grow in doctrinal clarity, spiritual maturity, and confidence in Christ through the riches of the Reformed confessional tradition. Church Website Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) www.trinitychurchguam.org [http://www.trinitychurchguam.org]