Belgic Confession, Article 32: The Order and Discipline of the Church
Article 32 of the Belgic Confession addresses the proper ordering and discipline of the church, asserting that while ecclesiastical leaders may establish order, they must remain bound by Christ's ordinances and reject human innovations that bind consciences. The article emphasizes that church discipline, particularly excommunication, is necessary to maintain unity and obedience to God according to Scripture. This foundational confession text is essential for understanding Reformed principles of church governance and the regulative principle of worship.
Article 32: The Order and Discipline of the Church We also believe that although it is useful and good for those who govern the churches to establish and set up a certain order among themselves for maintaining the body of the church, they ought always to guard against deviating from what Christ, our only Master, has ordained for us.Therefore we reject all human innovations and all laws imposed on us, in our worship of God, which bind and force our consciences in any way.So we accept only what...