--- title: "Chapter 20: Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience | RP Testimony" description: "Chapter 20 of the RP Testimony: Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience. Read the 2026 RPCNA Constitution text, Scripture proofs, and the corresponding Westminster Confession chapter." canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/testimony/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 | RP Testimony 1. Christian liberty consists primarily in the believer’s freedom from the guilt and power of sin, in freedom from the ceremonial law and in freedom of access to God through Christ. Titus 2:14; Rom. 6:17-19, 22; Gal. 5:1; Acts 15:10-11; Heb. 10:19-22. 2. Christ sets believers free not only from a feeling of guilt, but from actual guilt. 3. We reject the teaching that believers under the Old Testament had no such liberty as belongs to believers under the New Testament. The difference between the liberty enjoyed under the Old and New Testaments is one of degree rather than kind. Ps. 32:1-5; Ps. 130:7-8. 4. Conscience is a sense of right and wrong by which one evaluates his own thoughts and behavior. When one follows his conscience, he feels a measure of contentment; when he violates his conscience, he feels distress. Conscience is natural to man, and implies his accountability to God, but it is not the rule of faith and practice. Conscience shows the work of the law written on the heart, but is distorted by the work of Satan, by man’s sinful nature, and by the ungodly standards of the world. The Christian’s conscience is to be directed by God’s revealed law, under the illumination of the Holy Spirit, with due attention to the teaching and admonition of the brethren. Although conscience is not infallible, a person should not do what he believes to be wrong. Rom. 2:14-15; 2 Cor. 4:4; 1 Tim. 4: 2-3; Rom. 12:1-2; Matt. 15:9; 2 Tim. 3: 16-17; Ps. 143:10; Rom. 8:5-9; Col. 3: 16; Rom. 14:14, 23. 5. Liberty of conscience differs from Christian liberty. Liberty of conscience is the freedom to interpret and apply God’s Word to one’s own life. The Christian is to render due submission in the Lord to any lawful authority, but he has the right to disagree with any improper use of human authority. If that authority requires him to sin, he must obey God rather than man. Individual liberty is regulated by the principles found in Scripture and is limited by the mutual duties believers owe to one another, and by concern for the welfare of all men. Rom. 13:1-7; Acts 5:29; 1 Pet. 2:13-16; 1 Cor. 10:27-29; Rom. 14:10-15; 1 Cor. 8:9-15; Titus 3:1; Gal. 5:13-18. 6. The civil magistrate has no authority to pronounce ecclesiastical censures. ## 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.RejectsSays that a teaching is wrong and must not be accepted.CivilConcerning government and public life, rather than church government.ConscienceOur sense of right and wrong, which needs to be taught by God’s Word.DisciplineThe church’s teaching and correction to help its members follow Christ.CeremonialConcerning the Old Testament worship ceremonies that pointed forward to Christ. ### Testimony 20.1 Christian freedom means release from sin’s guilt and control, freedom from ceremonial laws, and access to God through Christ. [Read original point 1 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-20-christian-liberty-and-liberty-of-conscience/#point-1) ### Testimony 20.2 Christ removes our real guilt before God, rather than only making us feel less guilty. [Read original point 2 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-20-christian-liberty-and-liberty-of-conscience/#point-2) ### Testimony 20.3 The Testimony rejects the claim that Old Testament believers lacked Christian freedom altogether. New Testament believers enjoy it more fully, but it is the same kind of freedom. [Read original point 3 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-20-christian-liberty-and-liberty-of-conscience/#point-3) ### Testimony 20.4 Conscience helps us assess right and wrong, but can be mistaken. Scripture and the Spirit must train it, and we should not act against what we believe to be right. [Read original point 4 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-20-christian-liberty-and-liberty-of-conscience/#point-4) ### Testimony 20.5 We must obey lawful authorities while following God above all. Freedom of conscience is shaped by Scripture and by our responsibilities to others. [Read original point 5 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-20-christian-liberty-and-liberty-of-conscience/#point-5) ### Testimony 20.6 Civil rulers do not have authority to impose church discipline. [Read original point 6 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-20-christian-liberty-and-liberty-of-conscience/#point-6) ### Talk about it How can the Bible help train your conscience? ### 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/) - [Westminster Confession · Chapter 20](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-20-christian-liberty-and-liberty-of-conscience/) - [Chapter 19](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-19-law-of-god/) - [Chapter 21](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/) Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-20-christian-liberty-and-liberty-of-conscience/