--- title: "Chapter 20: Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience | Westminster Confession of Faith" description: "Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter 20: Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience 1. The liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers under the Gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, th" canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-20-christian-liberty-and-liberty-of-conscience/" source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=66" --- # Chapter 20: Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience | Westminster Confession of Faith 1. The liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers under the Gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of God, the curse of the moral law; and, in their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin; from the evil of afflictions, the sting of death, the victory of the grave, and everlasting damnation; as also, in their free access to God, and their yielding obedience unto Him, not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love and willing mind. All which were common also to believers under the law. But, under the new testament, the liberty of Christians is further enlarged, in their freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, to which the Jewish Church was subjected; and in greater boldness of access to the throne of grace, and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake of. Scripture proofs: Titus 2:14; 1 Thess. 1:10; Gal. 3:13; Gal. 1:4; Col. 1:13; Acts 26:18; Rom. 6:14; Rom. 8:28; Ps. 119:71; 1 Cor. 15: 54-57; Rom. 8:1; Rom. 5:1-2; Rom. 8: 14-15; 1 John 4:18; Gal. 3:9, 14; Gal. 4: 1-3, 6-7; Gal. 5:1; Acts 15:10-11; Heb. 4:14, 16; Heb. 10:19-22; John 7:38-39; 2 Cor. 3:13, 17-18. 2. God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are in any thing contrary to His Word; or beside it, in matters of faith or worship. So that, to believe such doctrines, or to obey such commands, out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience: and the requiring of an implicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason also. Scripture proofs: Jas. 4:12; Rom. 14:4; Acts 4:19; Acts 5: 29; 1 Cor. 7:23; Matt. 23:8-10; 2 Cor. 1:24; Matt. 15:9; Col. 2:20, 22-23; Gal. 1:10; Gal. 2:4-5; Gal. 5:1; Rom. 10: 17; Rom. 14:23; Isa. 8:20; Acts 17:11; John 4:22; Hos. 5:11; Rev. 13:12, 16- 17; Jer. 8:9. 3. They who, upon pretence of Christian liberty, do practice any sin, or cherish any lust, do thereby destroy the end of Christian liberty, which is, that being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. Scripture proofs: Gal. 5:13; 1 Pet. 2:16; 2 Pet. 2:19; John 8:34; Luke 1:74-75. 4. And because the powers which God hath ordained, and the liberty which Christ hath purchased, are not intended by God to destroy, but mutually to uphold and preserve one another; they who, upon pretence of Christian liberty, shall oppose any lawful power, or the lawful exercise of it, whether it be civil or ecclesiastical, resist the ordinance of God. And, for their publishing of such opinions, or maintaining of such practices, as are contrary to the light of nature, or to the known principles of Christianity, whether concerning faith, worship or conversation; or, to the power of godliness; or, such erroneous opinions or practices, as either in their own nature, or in the manner of publishing or maintaining them, are destructive to the external peace and order which Christ hath established in the Church, they may lawfully be called to account, and proceeded against by the censures of the Church, and by the power of the civil magistrate. Scripture proofs: Matt. 12:25; 1 Pet. 2:13-14, 16; Rom. 13:1-8; Heb. 13:17; Rom. 1:32 with 1 Cor. 5:1, 5, 11, 13; 2 John 10-11, and 2 Thess. 3:14, and 1 Tim. 6:3-5, and Titus 1:10-11, 13, and Titus 3:10 with Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Tim. 1:19-20; Rev. 2: 2, 14-15, 20; Rev. 3:9; Deut. 13:6-12; Rom. 13:3-4 with 2 John 10-11; Ezra 7: 23, 25-28; Rev. 17:12, 16-17; Neh. 13: 15, 17, 21-22, 25, 30; 2 Kings 23:5-6, 9, 20-21; 2 Chron. 34:33; 2 Chron. 15: 12-13, 16; Dan. 3:29; 1 Tim. 2:2; Isa. 49:23; Zech. 13:2-3. ## For kids — a study explanation (ages 10–13) These explanations are separate from the official text above. Words to knowChristian libertyThe freedom Christ gives from sin’s guilt and rule, so we may approach and serve God.Liberty of conscienceFreedom from being required to treat unbiblical human rules as God’s commands. ### WCF 20.1 · Freedom to come to God Christ frees believers from sin’s guilt and rule, Satan’s bondage, final condemnation, and death’s ultimate victory. They can approach God and obey with a child’s love rather than a slave’s fear. Old Testament believers shared this freedom; now it is fuller, without ceremonial burdens and with greater access and experience of the Spirit. Trials and bodily death still occur, but cannot destroy Christ’s people. Explore the ScripturesTitus 2:14; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Galatians 3:13. Talk about itWhat are we freed from, and what are we freed to do? [Read original paragraph 1 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-20-christian-liberty-and-liberty-of-conscience/#paragraph-1) ### WCF 20.2 · God rules our conscience Only God has final authority over conscience. We must not accept human commands that contradict Scripture, or extra human requirements for faith and worship, as though they were God’s law. Demanding blind belief or unlimited obedience to people destroys this freedom. We should test teaching by the Word. Explore the ScripturesJames 4:12; Romans 14:4; Acts 4:19. Talk about itWhat should you do if someone says you must believe them without checking Scripture? [Read original paragraph 2 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-20-christian-liberty-and-liberty-of-conscience/#paragraph-2) ### WCF 20.3 · Freedom is not permission to sin Christian freedom does not mean we may do whatever sinful desires suggest. Jesus freed us so we can serve God in holiness without fear of our enemies. Using freedom as an excuse for sin defeats its very purpose. Explore the ScripturesGalatians 5:13; 1 Peter 2:16; 2 Peter 2:19. Talk about itIs freedom in Christ the same as freedom to ignore Christ? [Read original paragraph 3 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-20-christian-liberty-and-liberty-of-conscience/#paragraph-3) ### WCF 20.4 · Freedom and proper authority Christian freedom does not remove lawful civil or church authority. Defying its proper exercise resists God’s order. Harmful teaching and conduct may require accountability and church discipline. The original paragraph also speaks of action by civil authorities; the Testimony’s teaching on church and state helps explain their distinct responsibilities. Freedom should uphold peace and obedience, not become an excuse for disorder. Read with the RP TestimonyRead this with Testimony chapter 23, which explains the different responsibilities of church and government. [Read the Testimony’s explanation](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-23-civil-magistrate/#point-19)Explore the ScripturesMatthew 12:25; 1 Peter 2:13-14; Romans 13:1-8. Talk about itHow can freedom and accountability belong together? [Read original paragraph 4 →](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-20-christian-liberty-and-liberty-of-conscience/#paragraph-4) ### Discuss and remember Read the chapter together, then choose a question to talk about. - What has Christ freed His people from? - Why is Christian freedom a reason to serve others rather than please ourselves? #### Scripture to remember Galatians 5:13 [Read the memory passage in our Bible reader →](https://ctkrp.org/bible/?q=Galatians%205%3A13) Read the passage in context. Explain it in your own words, then practice one short phrase at a time. Review it together during the week. #### Put it into practice Use a freedom you have to help someone else today. [Find help for family worship](https://ctkrp.org/family-worship/) Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=66) ## Related reading - [What does “Reformed” mean?](https://ctkrp.org/learn/what-is-reformed/) - [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 19: Of the Law of God](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-19-law-of-god/) - [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 39: What is the duty which God requireth of man?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-39-what-is-the-duty-which-god-requireth-of-man/) - [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 91: What is the duty which God requireth of man?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-91-what-is-the-duty-which-god-requireth-of-man/) - [Read RP Testimony chapter 20](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-20-christian-liberty-and-liberty-of-conscience/) - [Chapter 19](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-19-law-of-god/) - [Chapter 21](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/) Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-20-christian-liberty-and-liberty-of-conscience/