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 1, point 3. 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. God the great Creator of all things doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by His most wise and holy providence, according to His infallible fore-knowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of His own will, to the praise of the glory of His wisdom, power, justice, goodness and mercy.
Scripture proofs: Heb. 1:3; Dan. 4:34-35; Ps. 135:6; Acts 17:25-26, 28; Job 38—41; Matt. 10:29- 31; Prov. 15:3; Ps. 104:24; Ps. 145:17; Acts 15:18; Ps. 94:8-11; Eph. 1:11; Ps. 33:10-11; Isa. 63:14; Eph. 3:10; Rom. 9:17; Gen. 45:7; Ps. 145:7.
2. Although, in relation to the fore-knowledge and decree of God, the first Cause, all things come to pass immutably, and infallibly: yet, by the same providence, He ordereth them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.
Scripture proofs: Acts 2:23; Gen. 8:22; Jer. 31:35; Ex. 21:13 with Deut. 19:5; 1 Kings 22:28, 34; Isa. 10:6-7.
3. God in His ordinary providence maketh use of means, yet is free to work without, above, and against them at His pleasure.
Scripture proofs: Acts 27:31, 44; Isa. 55:10-11; Hos. 2:21- 22; Hos. 1:7; Matt. 4:4; Job 34:20; Rom. 4:19-21; 2 Kings 6:6; Dan. 3:27.
4. The almighty power, unsearchable wisdom, and infinite goodness of God so far manifest themselves in His providence, that it extendeth itself even to the first fall, and all other sins of angels and men; and that not by a bare permission, but such as hath joined with it a most wise and powerful bounding, and otherwise ordering and governing of them, in a manifold dispensation, to His own holy ends; yet so, as the sinfulness thereof proceedeth only from the creature, and not from God, who, being most holy and righteous, neither is, nor can be, the author or approver of sin.
Scripture proofs: Rom. 11:32-34; 2 Sam. 24:1 with 1 Chron. 21:1; 1 Kings 22:22-23; 1 Chron. 10:4, 13-14; 2 Sam. 16:10; Acts 2:23; Acts 4:27-28; Acts 14:16; Ps. 76:10; 2 Kings 19:28; Gen. 50:20; Isa. 10:6-7, 12; Jas. 1:13-14, 17; 1 John 2:16; Ps. 50:21.
5. The most wise, righteous, and gracious God doth oftentimes leave for a season His own children to manifold temptations, and the corruption of their own hearts, to chastise them for their former sins, or to discover unto them the hidden strength of corruption, and deceitfulness of their hearts, that they may be humbled; and, to raise them to a more close and constant dependence for their support upon Himself, and to make them more watchful against all future occasions of sin, and for sundry other just and holy ends.
Scripture proofs: 2 Chron. 32:25-26, 31; 2 Sam. 24:1; 2 Cor. 12:7-9; Ps. 73; Ps. 77:1-12; Mark 14:66-72 with John 21:15-17.
6. As for those wicked and ungodly men whom God, as a righteous Judge, for former sins doth blind and harden, from them He not only withholdeth His grace, whereby they might have been enlightened in their understandings, and wrought upon in their hearts; but sometimes also withdraweth the gifts which they had, and exposeth them to such objects as their corruption makes occasions of sin; and, withal, gives them over to their own lusts, the temptations of the world, and the power of Satan: whereby it comes to pass that they harden themselves, even under those means which God useth for the softening of others.
Scripture proofs: Rom. 1:24, 26, 28; Rom. 11:7-8; Deut. 29:4; Matt. 13:12; Matt. 25:29; Deut. 2:30; 2 Kings 8:12-13; Ps. 81:11-12; 2 Thess. 2:10-12; Ex. 7:3 with Ex. 8:15, 32; 2 Cor. 2:15-16; Isa. 8:14; 1 Pet. 2: 7-8; Isa. 6:9-10 with Acts 28:26-27.
7. As the providence of God doth in general reach to all creatures, so after a most special manner it taketh care of His Church, and disposeth all things to the good thereof.
Scripture proofs: 1 Tim. 4:10; Amos 9:8-9; Rom. 8:28; Isa. 43:3-5, 14.
Words to know
- Providence
- God’s continuing care and government of everything he made.
- Means
- The ordinary things God uses to accomplish his purposes, such as food, work, and people’s help.
WCF 5.1 · God still cares for his creation
God did not make the world and then leave it alone. He sustains and governs every creature and event, from the greatest to the smallest. His care is wise and holy, following his unchanging purpose. It displays his goodness, justice, power, and mercy.
Hebrews 1:3; Daniel 4:34-35; Psalm 135:6.
Is anything too small to be under God’s care?
WCF 5.2 · God works through real causes
Everything happens within God’s certain plan. He also works through real causes: the regular patterns of nature, people’s willing choices, and events that seem unexpected to us. His rule does not make those causes imaginary.
Acts 2:23; Genesis 8:22; Jeremiah 31:35.
How can planting a seed be a real cause while God still rules?
WCF 5.3 · God can work beyond ordinary means
God usually provides through ordinary means, such as rain, food, and people’s help. He is also free to act without those means, beyond them, or contrary to their usual effects. Miracles do not surprise or limit him.
Acts 27:31; Isaiah 55:10-11; Hosea 2:21-22.
Why should we use ordinary help while still trusting God?
WCF 5.4 · God rules even over evil
Even the first fall and later sins fall within God’s providence. He limits and directs events toward his holy purposes, rather than merely watching helplessly. Yet the evil in sin comes from sinful creatures, never from God. He neither commits nor approves sin.
Romans 11:32-34; 2 Samuel 24:1; 1 Chronicles 21:1.
How is God’s holy purpose different from a sinner’s evil purpose?
WCF 5.5 · God teaches his children through trials
God sometimes lets believers face temptation and see the sin still in their hearts. He may correct past sins, humble them, teach them to depend on him, and make them watchful. His purposes remain wise and holy. We should not assume we know the exact reason for every hardship.
2 Chronicles 32:25-26; 2 Samuel 24:1; 2 Corinthians 12:7-9.
How can a difficult experience teach us to depend on God?
WCF 5.6 · A warning about hardened hearts
As a just judgment for sin, God can withhold or withdraw gifts and let people follow the evil they choose. They may grow harder even when hearing a message that softens others. This is a serious warning against resisting God and clinging to sin.
Romans 1:24; Romans 11:7-8; Deuteronomy 29:4.
What should we do instead of becoming stubborn toward God?
WCF 5.7 · Special care for the church
God’s providence reaches all creation, but he cares for his church in a special way. He orders events for its true good. That does not promise an easy life; it gives his people reason to trust his faithful care.
1 Timothy 4:10; Amos 9:8-9; Romans 8:28.
Does God’s care always mean an easy life?
1. We reject all theories of the continuation or dissolution of the universe due to any other cause than the will of the Creator.
2. God’s providence should lead the believer to be patient in adversity and thankful in prosperity, resting confidently in his Lord. He is to seek to understand the meaning and purpose of God’s dealings with him in the light of the Word of God. Deut. 29:29; 1 Thess. 5:18; 2 Cor. 1: 3-5; Amos 4:6-12.
3. We reject the belief that God does not exercise His providence in all parts of His creation, and in all actions of His creatures; or that some areas of life are controlled by so-called luck or chance. Amos 3:6.
4. Gambling is a sin against God because it denies His providential care and increases dependence on the erroneous notion of luck or chance. It involves and encourages greed and the desire to get something for nothing at the expense of others. Its satanic character is demonstrated in the way it obsesses individuals. Some examples of unwarranted gambling the Christian should avoid are lotteries, bingo for gain, wagerings, raffles and bets. Many of the same objections may be brought against sweepstakes, door prizes, drawings and other similar practices. The Church should testify against the dependence of public agencies on revenues derived from gambling sources. 2 Thess. 3:9-10; Prov. 15:27; Prov. 16: 33; Ex. 20:15, 17; 1 Tim. 6:9-11.
5. Satan has power in the world which includes predictions of the future, signs and wonders that deceive, and possession of persons. Satan often duplicates that which belongs to God even to the establishment of churches that serve him. Therefore Christians are to flee the working of Satan in such things as fortune telling, horoscopes, astrology, palmistry, witchcraft, conjurings, seances, drug experiences and Satan worship. 2 Kings 23:24; Acts 16:16; Eph. 6:12; Lev. 20:27; 1 Pet. 5:8-9; Dan. 4:7; Isa. 47:12-15; Deut. 18:10-14; 2 Thess. 2: 8-10; Rev. 2:11.
Words to know
- Providence
- God’s continuing care and government of everything he made.
- Means
- The ordinary things God uses to accomplish his purposes, such as food, work, and people’s help.
- Rejects
- Says that a teaching is wrong and must not be accepted.
Testimony 5.1
The Testimony rejects explanations of the universe’s survival or end that leave out the Creator’s will.
Read original point 1 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 5.2
God’s care should help believers endure hardship, give thanks in good times, and understand their lives in light of Scripture.
Read original point 2 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 5.3
The Testimony rejects the idea that some events or areas of life are governed by luck rather than God’s providence.
Read original point 3 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 5.4
The Testimony condemns gambling because it promotes reliance on luck, greed, and gain at others’ expense. It also calls the church to oppose public funding that depends on gambling.
Read original point 4 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 5.5
The Testimony warns that Satan deceives people. Christians should avoid occult practices such as fortune-telling, astrology, witchcraft, and attempts to contact spirits.
Read original point 5 and its Scripture proofs →Source: The Constitution of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, updated 2026, A-23, A-24, A-25.