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 3, point 4, point 6. 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. It pleased God, in His eternal purpose, to choose and ordain the Lord Jesus, His only begotten Son, to be the Mediator between God and man; the Prophet, Priest, and King, the Head and Saviour of His Church, the Heir of all things, and Judge of the world: unto whom He did from all eternity give a people, to be His seed, and to be by Him in time redeemed, called, justified, sanctified, and glorified.
Scripture proofs: Isa. 42:1; 1 Pet. 1:19-20; John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:5; Acts 3:22; Heb. 5:5-6; Ps. 2: 6; Luke 1:33; Eph. 5:23; Heb. 1:2; Acts 17:31; John 17:6; Ps. 22:30; Isa. 53:10; 1 Tim. 2:6; Isa. 55:4-5; 1 Cor. 1:30.
2. The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance and equal with the Father, did, when the fulness of time was come, take upon Him man’s nature, with all the essential properties and common infirmities thereof, yet without sin; being conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the virgin Mary, of her substance. So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion. Which person is very God, and very man, yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and man.
Scripture proofs: John 1:1, 14; 1 John 5:20; Phil. 2:6; Gal. 4:4; Heb 2:14, 16-17; Heb. 4:15; Luke 1:27, 31, 35; Gal 4:4; Luke 1:35; Col. 2:9; Rom. 9:5; 1 Pet. 3:18; 1 Tim. 3:16; Rom. 1:3-4; 1 Tim. 2:5.
3. The Lord Jesus, in His human nature thus united to the divine, was sanctified and anointed with the Holy Spirit, above measure, having in Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; in whom it pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell; to the end that, being holy, harmless, undefiled, and full of grace and truth, He might be thoroughly furnished to execute the office of a Mediator and Surety. Which office He took not unto Himself, but was thereunto called by His Father, who put all power and judgment into His hand, and gave Him commandment to execute the same.
Scripture proofs: Ps. 45:7; John 3:34; Col. 2:3; Col. 1:19; Heb. 7:26; John 1:14; Acts 10:38; Heb. 12:24; Heb. 7:22; Heb. 5:4-5; John 5: 22, 27; Matt. 28:18; Acts 2:36.
4. This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake; which that He might discharge, He was made under the law, and did perfectly fulfil it, endured most grievous torments immediately in His soul, and most painful sufferings in His body; was crucified, and died; was buried, and remained under the power of death; yet saw no corruption. On the third day He arose from the dead, with the same body in which He suffered, with which also He ascended into heaven, and there sitteth at the right hand of His Father, making intercession, and shall return to judge men and angels at the end of the world.
Scripture proofs: Ps. 40:7-8 with Heb. 10:5-10; John 10: 18; Phil. 2:8; Gal. 4:4; Matt. 3:15; Matt. 5:17; Matt. 26:37-38; Luke 22:44; Matt. 27:46; Matt. 26––27; Phil. 2:8; Acts 2:23- 24, 27; Acts 13:37; Rom. 6:9; 1 Cor. 15: 3-4; John 20:25, 27; Mark 16:19; Rom. 8:34; Heb. 9:24; Heb. 7:25; Rom. 14: 9-10; Acts 1:11; Acts 10:42; Matt. 13: 40-42; Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4.
5. The Lord Jesus, by His perfect obedience, and sacrifice of Himself, which He, through the eternal Spirit, once offered up unto God, hath fully satisfied the justice of His Father; and purchased, not only reconciliation, but an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven, for all those whom the Father hath given unto Him.
Scripture proofs: Rom. 5:19; Heb. 9:14, 16; Heb 10:14; Eph. 5:2; Rom. 3:25-26; Dan. 9:24, 26; Col. 1:19-20; Eph. 1:11, 14; John 17:2; Heb. 9:12, 15.
6. Although the work of redemption was not actually wrought by Christ till after His incarnation, yet the virtue, efficacy, and benefits thereof were communicated unto the elect in all ages successively from the beginning of the world, in and by those promises, types, and sacrifices, wherein He was revealed, and signified to be the seed of the woman which should bruise the serpent’s head; and the Lamb slain from the beginning of the world: being yesterday and today the same, and for ever.
Scripture proofs: Gal. 4:4-5; Gen. 3:15; Rev. 13:8; Heb. 13:8.
7. Christ, in the work of mediation, acteth according to both natures, by each nature doing that which is proper to itself: yet, by reason of the unity of the person, that which is proper to one nature, is sometimes in Scripture attributed to the person denominated by the other nature.
Scripture proofs: Heb. 9:14; 1 Pet. 3:18; Acts 20:28; John 3:13; 1 John 3:16.
8. To all those for whom Christ hath purchased redemption, He doth certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same, making intercession for them, and revealing unto them, in and by the Word, the mysteries of salvation, effectually persuading them by His Spirit to believe and obey, and governing their hearts by His Word and Spirit, overcoming all their enemies by His almighty power and wisdom, in such manner, and ways, as are most consonant to His wonderful and unsearchable dispensation.
Scripture proofs: John 6:37, 39; John 10:15-16; 1 John 2:1-2; Rom. 8:34; John 15:13, 15; Eph. 1:7-9; John 17:6; John 14:26; Heb. 12:2; 2 Cor. 4:13; Rom. 8:9, 14; Rom. 15:18-19; John 17:17; Ps. 110:1; 1 Cor. 15:25-26; Mal. 4:2-3; Col. 2:15.
Words to know
- Mediator
- The one who brings estranged people and God together; Jesus is our only saving mediator.
- Intercession
- Jesus’ continuing representation of his people before the Father on the basis of his finished work.
- Incarnation
- The eternal Son becoming truly human without ceasing to be God.
WCF 8.1 · Jesus is our mediator
God chose his eternal Son, Jesus, to bring his people back to him. Jesus is our Prophet, Priest, and King, the head of the church and judge of the world. The Father gave him a people to redeem, bring to faith, declare righteous, make holy, and finally glorify.
Isaiah 42:1; 1 Peter 1:19-20; John 3:16.
How do Jesus’ three offices help us understand his saving work?
WCF 8.2 · Fully God and fully human
The eternal Son became human without stopping being God. By the Spirit’s power he was conceived in Mary’s womb. He has a real human body and soul and our ordinary human weaknesses, but no sin. His divine and human natures are distinct and never mixed or changed into each other. They belong forever to one person: Jesus Christ.
John 1:1; 1 John 5:20; Philippians 2:6.
Is Jesus half God and half human, or fully both?
WCF 8.3 · Equipped and appointed to save
Jesus’ human nature was filled with the Spirit’s holiness, wisdom, and grace. He was perfectly equipped to be our mediator and the one who guarantees our salvation. He did not simply appoint himself: the Father called him to this work and gave him authority.
Psalm 45:7; John 3:34; Colossians 2:3.
Why can we trust Jesus to carry out the work the Father gave him?
WCF 8.4 · Jesus obeyed, died, and rose
Jesus willingly became our mediator. He kept God’s law perfectly and suffered in body and soul. He died on the cross, was buried, and rose on the third day in the same body. He ascended to heaven and rules at the Father’s right hand. There he represents his people before the Father on the basis of his finished work. He will return to judge.
Psalm 40:7-8; Hebrews 10:5-10; John 10:18.
How does Jesus’ finished work give us confidence before the Father?
WCF 8.5 · A complete rescue
Jesus’ perfect obedience and his once-for-all sacrifice fully satisfied God’s justice for his people. He secured peace with God and an everlasting inheritance for everyone the Father gave him. Nothing needs to be added to his sacrifice to finish paying for their sins.
Romans 5:19; Hebrews 9:14; Hebrews 10:14.
Why does Jesus not need to repeat his sacrifice?
WCF 8.6 · The Savior of believers in every age
Jesus completed his saving work after becoming human. Yet its benefits reached God’s people from the beginning through promises and signs pointing forward to him. Old Testament believers were saved by this same Christ, who never changes.
Galatians 4:4-5; Genesis 3:15; Revelation 13:8.
How could people be saved before Jesus’ earthly life?
WCF 8.7 · One person acting in two natures
Jesus acts through both his divine and human natures, each doing what belongs to it. Because he is one person, the Bible can speak of what he does in either nature as the work of that same Jesus. For example, the Son of God truly suffered in his human nature; his divine nature did not become mortal.
Hebrews 9:14; 1 Peter 3:18; Acts 20:28.
When Jesus suffered as a man, was it really the eternal Son who suffered?
WCF 8.8 · Jesus brings his people to salvation
Jesus gives the salvation he purchased to everyone he redeemed. He intercedes for them, teaches them through Scripture, and brings them to believe and obey by his Spirit. He rules their hearts and overcomes their enemies with wise and mighty care. His saving work truly accomplishes its purpose.
John 6:37; John 10:15-16; 1 John 2:1-2.
Does Jesus only make salvation possible, or also bring his people into it?
1. Jesus Christ, as Mediator, governs all creatures and all their actions for His own glory. Submission is due to Him from all men and angels. All men, in every possible relation and condition, are under obligation to promote His gracious purposes according to His law. The holy angels minister, under His direction, to the heirs of salvation. Eph. 1:20-22; Heb. 2:8; Phil. 2:9-11; Ps. 2; Heb. 1:4.
2. Jesus Christ, as Head over all things for the sake of the Church, rules in perfect wisdom and justice over all parts of His creation including wicked men and devils. He makes them, and all their counsels and efforts, serve God’s glory in the plan of redemption. Rom. 8:28; Eph. 1:22-23; John 17:1-5; Luke 9:26.
3. We reject any teaching that denies or obscures the truth that Jesus is both God and man in two distinct natures and one person forever.
4. We reject any teaching that would place any mediator between Christ and man.
5. It is in the office of Mediator that Christ fulfills and applies the Covenant of Grace, and in doing so, accomplishes the Covenant of Works. Heb. 1:3; Heb. 2:5-9; Col. 1:16-20; Rev. 21:24-27.
6. We reject the teaching that all men already are in Christ and have been redeemed by Him, whether they realize it or not.
7. Christ did not lay down His life to atone for the sins of all mankind, nor for an indefinite number of sinners. His sacrifice was indeed sufficient to save the whole world, had it been designed to do so; but in the purpose of God and in the undertaking of Christ, it was determined that He should make atonement for those who were elected in Him to everlasting life; these only He represented, and these only shall be saved through His redemption. This truth is commonly called limited atonement or particular redemption. John 10:14-15, 25-30; John 3:16; Acts 20:28; Rev. 5:9; John 17:9-10.
8. The reprobate, because of their connection with God’s elect who live among them, are partakers of some benefits which flow from Christ’s death; divine judgments are sometimes averted for the sake of the saints; the peace and prosperity of nations are furthered by the providence of God over His people; benevolence and temperance are promoted by the Church’s teaching and influence; and the world is continued under its present administration until all the elect are brought to salvation. Isa. 45:1-4; Matt. 5:13-14; Matt. 13:29; Isa. 65:8; Matt. 24:22; Jer. 29:7; Gen. 39:5; Gal. 6:10; Gen. 18:26; Ps. 75:3; Gen. 9:11.
Words to know
- Mediator
- The one who brings estranged people and God together; Jesus is our only saving mediator.
- Intercession
- Jesus’ continuing representation of his people before the Father on the basis of his finished work.
- Incarnation
- The eternal Son becoming truly human without ceasing to be God.
- Covenant
- A relationship God establishes with promises and responsibilities.
- Rejects
- Says that a teaching is wrong and must not be accepted.
- Covenant of grace
- God’s promise to save his people through Jesus Christ, received by faith.
Testimony 8.1
Christ’s authority extends to every creature and every part of life. All people owe him obedience, and angels serve under his direction.
Read original point 1 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 8.2
Christ rules everything for his church’s good, even making the actions of wicked people and devils serve God’s saving purposes.
Read original point 2 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 8.3
The Testimony rejects denying that Jesus remains fully God and fully human: two distinct natures united in one person forever.
Read original point 3 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 8.4
The Testimony rejects placing another mediator between people and Christ. We do not need an additional person to give us access to him.
Read original point 4 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 8.5
As our mediator, Christ carries out the covenant of grace and fulfills the obedience required by the covenant of works.
Read original point 5 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 8.6
The Testimony rejects the idea that everyone is already united to Christ and redeemed, whether or not they know it.
Read original point 6 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 8.7
Jesus’ sacrifice is worth more than we can measure. He died to certainly save the people God chose. This is called particular redemption, or limited atonement. It does not mean his sacrifice lacked value or power.
Read original point 7 and its Scripture proofs →Testimony 8.8
People who are not saved still receive benefits connected with Christ’s work and his people, including restraint of judgment and good influences in society.
Read original point 8 and its Scripture proofs →Source: The Constitution of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America, updated 2026, A-30, A-31, A-32, A-33, A-34.