Belgic Confession · Article XXI

Of the satisfaction of Christ, our only high priest, for us

Note. This is the older English translation from the 1793 Constitution of the Reformed Dutch Church in North America. Later translations (for example the Christian Reformed Church's 1985 version) are in modern English and are copyrighted, so they are not used here. Scripture references appear in the text as the translation gives them.

We believe that Jesus Christ is ordained with an oath to be an everlasting high priest, after the order of Melchisedec. Who hath presented himself in our behalf before his Father, to appease his wrath by his full satisfaction, by offering himself on the tree of the cross, and pouring out His precious blood to purge away our sins; as the prophet had foretold. For it is written, “he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed: He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and numbered with the transgressors:” and condemned by Pontius Pilate as a malefactor, though he had first declared him innocent. Therefore, “he restored that which he took not away, and suffered the just for the unjust,” as well in his body as soul, feeling the terrible punishment which our sins had merited; insomuch “that his sweat became like unto drops of blood falling on the ground.” He called out, “My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” And hath suffered all this for the remission of our sins.—Wherefore we justly say with the Apostle Paul, “that we know nothing, but Jesus Christ, and him crucified; and we count all things but loss and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord:” in whose wounds we find all manner of consolation. Neither is it necessary to seek or invent any other means of being reconciled to God, than this only sacrifice, once offered, by which believers are made perfect forever. This is also the reason why he was called by the angel of God, Jesus, that is to say, Saviour, because he should save his people from their sins.

Edition & Source Public domain

Source
The Belgic Confession
Translation
English translation printed in the Constitution of the Reformed Dutch Church in North America (1793)
Published
1561; revised 1618–1619
Copyright
Public domain.
License
Public domain
Attribution
Public domain: published before 1931. Text taken from the proofread Wikisource transcription of that printing. Compared with a second English text on apuritansmind.com (a lightly modernized version of the same lineage): the two agree in substance and differ in wording, for example 'saith' against 'says'. Not yet proofread against a printed edition.

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Cite as The Belgic Confession. 1561; revised 1618–1619. https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Belgic_Confession