Plain-language reading guide
READING HELP
Read this chapter alongside the Confession chapter on the same subject. The Testimony states what the church teaches, applies that teaching, and identifies views it rejects. Read each statement with its Scripture proofs and the surrounding paragraphs.
To find explicit rejections in this chapter, go to point 5, point 13. Read each full point to see exactly which teaching is rejected.
This reading guide is separate from the official text below.
Read the official text, or choose a simpler explanation to explore together.
Westminster Confession
1. The catholic or universal Church which is invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the Head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.
Scripture proofs: Eph. 1:10, 22-23; Eph. 5:23, 27, 32; Col. 1:18.
2. The visible Church, which is also catholic or universal under the Gospel (not confined to one nation as before under the law), consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion; and of their children: and is the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the house and family of God, out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation.
Scripture proofs: 1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Cor. 12:12-13; Ps. 2:8; Rev. 7:9; Rom. 15:9-12; 1 Cor. 7:14; Acts 2: 39; Ezek. 16:20-21; Rom. 11:16; Gen. 3:15; Gen. 17:7; Matt. 13:47; Isa. 9:7; Eph. 2:19; Eph. 3:15; Acts 2:47.
3. Unto this catholic visible Church Christ hath given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end of the world; and doth by His own presence and Spirit, according to His promise, make them effectual thereunto.
Scripture proofs: 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11-13; Matt. 28: 19-20; Isa. 59:21.
4. This catholic Church hath been sometimes more, sometimes less visible. And particular churches, which are members thereof, are more or less pure, according as the doctrine of the Gospel is taught and embraced, ordinances administered, and public worship performed more or less purely in them.
Scripture proofs: Rom. 11:3-4; Rev. 12:6, 14; Rev. 2–3; 1 Cor. 5:6-7.
5. The purest churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error; and some have so degenerated, as to become no churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan. Nevertheless, there shall be always a Church on earth, to worship God according to His will.
Scripture proofs: 1 Cor. 13:12; Rev. 2–3; Matt. 13:24-30, 47; Rev. 18:2; Rom. 11:18-22; Matt. 16:18; Ps. 72:17; Ps. 102:28; Matt. 28:19-20.
6. There is no other head of the Church, but the Lord Jesus Christ; nor can the Pope of Rome, in any sense, be head thereof; but is that Antichrist, that man of sin, and son of perdition, that exalteth himself, in the Church, against Christ and all that is called God.
Scripture proofs: Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22; Matt. 23:8-10; 2 Thess. 2:3-4, 8-9; Rev. 13:6.
Words to know
- Catholic
- Universal or worldwide; here it does not mean the Roman Catholic denomination.
- Invisible church
- All the people who truly belong to Christ, whose hearts God knows.
- Visible church
- The community of people professing the true faith, together with their children.
- Antichrist
- Someone opposing Christ or claiming his place; the Confession and Testimony discuss this in their historical wording.
WCF 25.1 · All Christ’s people belong together
The invisible church includes all God’s chosen people from the past, present, and future, gathered under Christ. He is their head; they are described as his body and bride. We cannot see every heart, but God knows everyone who truly belongs to him.
Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18.
Why does the church include believers from other times as well as our own?
WCF 25.2 · The visible church
The visible church includes people around the world who profess the true faith, together with their children. It is Christ’s kingdom and God’s household. The church is the ordinary place where God gathers and nourishes people in salvation; we should not treat life outside it as the normal Christian path. Membership itself does not automatically save us.
1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Psalm 2:8.
Why should belonging to Christ lead us to value his church?
WCF 25.3 · Christ equips his church
Christ gives his church the ministry of his Word and the practices he commands. Through them he gathers people and helps believers grow until the end of the world. His presence and Spirit make these gifts effective. The church does not accomplish its task by human strength alone.
1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11-13; Matthew 28:19-20.
What gifts does Christ use to gather and grow his people?
WCF 25.4 · Churches differ in faithfulness
The church has been more visible at some times than others. Local churches are more or less faithful depending on their teaching, response to the gospel, sacraments, and worship. We should assess faithfulness by God’s Word, not only by size or reputation.
Romans 11:3-4; Revelation 12:6; 1 Corinthians 5:6-7.
What makes a church faithful rather than merely popular?
WCF 25.5 · No earthly church is perfect
Even the best churches on earth have errors and mixed membership. Some become so corrupt that they cease to be true churches of Christ. Nevertheless, God will always preserve a church on earth that worships according to his will. Imperfection calls for reform, not a belief that Christ has abandoned his people.
1 Corinthians 13:12; Matthew 13:24-30; Revelation 18:2.
How can we seek reform without expecting a perfect earthly church?
WCF 25.6 · Christ alone is the church’s head
Jesus alone is the head of the church; the pope cannot hold that place. The original Confession also identifies the pope as Antichrist, using strong language against a claim to rule Christ’s church in his place. The RP Testimony discusses many antichrists and a final man of lawlessness. Read these statements together rather than silently leaving out the original wording.
Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22; Matthew 23:8-10.
Why must every church leader remain under Christ’s authority?
1. The Church is the body of Christ, which He has redeemed with His own blood, to be a chosen people unto Himself.
2. It is the mission of the Church to preserve, maintain and proclaim to the whole world the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the whole counsel of God; to gather into her fellowship those of every race and people who accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and promise obedience to Him; to build them up in their most holy faith, and train them to be faithful witnesses for Christ in all his offices; to maintain the ordinances of divine worship in their purity; witness against all evil; and in every way to seek the advancement of the Kingdom of God on earth.
3. The Church is one among all nations, yet for the purpose of corporate worship and orderly procedures, distinct congregations and judicatories are warranted. Acts 15:22; Acts 16:4-5; 1 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:2; Phil. 1:1; Col. 4:15-16.
4. There is a visible and an invisible aspect of the Church, but these are not two churches. Heb. 12:23; Rev. 3:1, 5.
5. We reject the teaching that the Church originated in the New Testament and is an interruption of God’s plan for the Kingdom. Rom. 11:17-24; Heb. 9:13-10:18.
6. The Lord Jesus Christ has clothed His Church with power and authority. This authority is vested in the whole membership of the Church, which has the right to choose its officers from among those of its own members who possess the scriptural qualifications.
7. Christ has appointed in His Word a particular form of government for the visible church. It is government by elders (Greek: presbyters) and is therefore called presbyterian. Each congregation should be ruled by a session of ordained elders, elected by the membership of the congregation. Acts 15:22; Acts 14:23; Acts 13:1-4; Eph. 5:23; Col. 1:18; 2 Cor. 8:19; 1 Tim. 3:1-7. (See Testimony, chap. 31, par. 3; and Directory for Church Government, chap. 3, sect. I and II, and chap. 4.)
8. The permanent officers to be set apart by ordination are elders and deacons. The office of elder is restricted in Scripture to men. Women as well as men may hold the office of deacon. Ordination is a solemn setting apart to a specific office by the laying on of the hands of a court of the Church and is not to be repeated. Installation is the official constitution of a relationship between one who is ordained and the congregation. 1 Tim. 2:12; 3:2; Titus 1:6.
9. The responsibility of the elders is in teaching and ruling. Although all elders are to be able to teach, the Scripture recognizes a distinction in these functions. All elders are equal in the government of the Church. This office is referred to in Scripture by two terms used synonymously: elder, and bishop or overseer. 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9; 1 Tim. 5:17; Acts 20:28; Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:28; Titus 1:7.
10. The elders are organized in courts (the session, the presbytery and the Synod) to which is committed the power of governing the church and of ordaining officers. This power is moral and spiritual, and subject to the law of God. Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Tim 3:2; Titus 1:9; 1 Tim. 5:17; Acts 20:28; Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:28; Titus 1:7.
11. The diaconate is a spiritual office subordinate to the session and is not a teaching or ruling office. The deacons have responsibility for the ministry of mercy, the finances and property of the congregation, and such other tasks as are assigned to them by the session. Other officers mentioned in the New Testament were commissioned uniquely during the apostolic age for the establishment of the Church. Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim. 3:8-13.
12. While the New Testament does not state plainly the authority or qualifications for a continuing office of Evangelist, it does clearly set forth the ministry of evangelism in calling all men everywhere to repent and believe the Gospel. Persons displaying the gift of evangelism should minister under the oversight of the Church in given situations.
13. We deny that the exclusion of women from the office of elder can be said to result in the frustration of one’s divine vocation or the neglect of one’s spiritual gifts for ministry. 1 Cor. 12:14-26.
14. Divisions that separate believers into denominations mar the unity of the Church and are due to error and sin. It is the duty of all denominations which are true churches of Christ to seek reconciliation and union. Such organizational unity, however, should be sought only on the basis of truth and of scriptural order. It is the duty of every believer to unite with the branch of the visible church which adheres most closely to the Scriptures. Acts 15:22-29; 1 Cor. 10:17; Eph. 4:4-6; Acts 17:11-12.
15. The Church must have membership requirements based on Scripture, to which every member gives his assent. Those who give such assent and their children are church members. Acts 2:39; 1 Cor. 7:14; Rev. 2–3. (See Directory for Church Government, chap. 1, sect. I.)
16. It is the duty of Christians to pray for and seek after the purity and unity of the Church. Ps. 122:6-9; John 17:11, 21; Eph. 4:13.
17. When any church imposes sinful requirements for membership; when its constitution or creedal statements are fundamentally unscriptural; when its administration is corrupt; or when sound preaching and proper discipline are neglected, it is the duty of Christians to attempt its reformation. Then if such efforts prove ineffectual, it is their duty to separate from it, and to unite with a sound church. Rev. 2:20-23; Acts 19:8-9; 2 Cor. 6:16-17.
18. Many antichrists will be present in the world throughout history. Prior to Christ’s coming the final “man of lawlessness” will be revealed. He will be destroyed by Christ. 1 John 2:18; 1 John 4:3; 2 Thess. 2:8.
19. Christians should walk in the light. Their beliefs, purposes, manner of life, and their rules of action and conduct should be based on the Word of God and should not be concealed. Oathbound societies usually involve an improper requirement of secrecy, aims which are immoral, intimate fellowship with unbelievers or participation in unbiblical worship. Membership in such organizations is inconsistent with a Christian profession, however good their announced purposes may be. 1 John 1:7; 1 Thess. 5:5; Matt. 5:14; 2 John 1:7-11; John 3:20-21; Eph. 5:8-14; Matt. 15:9.
Words to know
- Catholic
- Universal or worldwide; here it does not mean the Roman Catholic denomination.
- Invisible church
- All the people who truly belong to Christ, whose hearts God knows.
- Visible church
- The community of people professing the true faith, together with their children.
- Antichrist
- Someone opposing Christ or claiming his place; the Confession and Testimony discuss this in their historical wording.
- Rejects
- Says that a teaching is wrong and must not be accepted.
- Synod
- A wider gathering of church elders who make decisions together under Christ.
- Ordained
- Set apart by the church for a church office.
- Gospel
- The good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Testimony 25.1
The church is Christ’s people, purchased by his blood and belonging to him.
Read original point 1 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 25.2
The church must proclaim the gospel and all God’s teaching, gather and train believers, preserve faithful worship, oppose evil, and advance Christ’s kingdom.
Read original point 2 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 25.3
Christ’s church is one worldwide body. Local congregations and wider assemblies provide orderly worship and government within that unity.
Read original point 3 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 25.4
The church’s visible membership and its invisible reality of true believers are two aspects of the same church, rather than two separate churches.
Read original point 4 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 25.5
The Testimony rejects treating the church as a New Testament invention or a temporary interruption of God’s kingdom plan.
Read original point 5 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 25.6
Christ gives the church authority, including the members’ right to choose qualified officers from among them.
Read original point 6 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 25.7
Christ directs the church to be governed by elders. A local congregation elects ordained elders who together form its governing session; this is presbyterian government.
Read original point 7 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 25.8
The continuing church offices are elder and deacon. Only men may be elders; both women and men may be deacons. Ordination sets someone apart for an office. Installation places that person in service in a particular church.
Read original point 8 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 25.9
Elders teach and govern, with some especially devoted to teaching. All elders have equal governing authority; elder and overseer describe the same office.
Read original point 9 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 25.10
Elders govern together in the session, presbytery, and Synod, which also ordain officers. Their authority is spiritual and remains under God’s law.
Read original point 10 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 25.11
Deacons help people in need and care for church money, property, and other assigned tasks under the elders. They do not have the elders’ teaching and governing authority. Some offices in the apostles’ time had a special role in founding the church.
Read original point 11 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 25.12
The church should guide and oversee people gifted in sharing the gospel. The Testimony does not find clear biblical support for a continuing church office called Evangelist.
Read original point 12 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 25.13
The Testimony rejects the claim that reserving the office of elder for men prevents women from fulfilling God’s calling or using their spiritual gifts.
Read original point 13 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 25.14
Church divisions arise from error and sin, so true churches should seek unity grounded in biblical truth and order. Christians should join the branch most faithful to Scripture.
Read original point 14 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 25.15
Church membership requires agreement with scriptural membership standards. Those who give that agreement and their children belong to the church.
Read original point 15 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 25.16
Christians should pray and work for both the church’s faithfulness and its unity.
Read original point 16 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 25.17
When a church imposes sinful requirements or seriously abandons sound belief and practice, Christians should seek reform. If reform fails, they should leave and join a faithful church.
Read original point 17 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 25.18
Many opponents of Christ will appear throughout history. A final man of lawlessness will be revealed before Christ’s return and destroyed by him.
Read original point 18 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 25.19
Christians should openly follow the Bible. The Testimony rejects joining secret societies whose required promises involve wrong secrecy, goals, partnerships, or worship.
Read original point 19 and its Scripture proofs →Source: The Constitution of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, updated 2026, A-86, A-87, A-88, A-89, A-90.