Text of WCF 1.1: "Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men unexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of His will, which is necessary unto salvation. Therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal Himself, and to declare that His will unto His Church; and afterwards for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which makes the Holy Scripture to be most necessary; those former ways of God’s revealing His will unto His people being now ceased."
Detailed Exposition of WCF 1.1
General Revelation and Its Limitations:
- The Confession begins by acknowledging "the light of nature" and "the works of creation and providence." These reveal God's goodness, wisdom, and power (Rom. 1:19–20; Ps. 19:1–4).
- Despite their clarity, these forms of revelation are insufficient to provide "the knowledge of God, and of His will, which is necessary unto salvation" (1 Cor. 1:21). This underscores humanity’s inability, due to sin, to deduce saving truth from nature alone.
Special Revelation:
- In response to humanity’s fallen condition, "it pleased the Lord" to provide special revelation. Historically, God revealed Himself "at sundry times, and in divers manners" (Heb. 1:1), speaking through prophets, visions, and direct interventions.
- The purpose of this revelation was to declare God's will to His Church, guiding them toward faith and obedience.
Commitment of Revelation to Writing:
- For the preservation and propagation of truth, and to protect the Church from "the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world," God’s revelation was committed "wholly unto writing." This written form, Scripture, is described as "most necessary" for the Church's life and faith (2 Tim. 3:15–17; John 20:31).
- The written Word serves as the infallible and sufficient guide for doctrine and practice, ensuring believers are grounded in unchanging truth.
Cessation of Extraordinary Revelation:
- The Confession concludes by affirming that "former ways of God’s revealing His will unto His people being now ceased." This refers to the end of extraordinary modes of revelation (e.g., visions, dreams, audible voices) with the closing of the biblical canon (Jude 3; Rev. 22:18–19).
- The Church no longer relies on new revelations but looks solely to Scripture for guidance, comfort, and correction.
Theology of WCF 1.1
The Doctrine of Revelation:
- General Revelation: This form of revelation holds all people accountable before God, rendering them "unexcusable" (Rom. 2:14–15). However, it is not redemptive in nature and cannot reveal the gospel of salvation.
- Special Revelation: Scripture is God’s gracious provision to communicate His will and plan of salvation. It is necessary, sufficient, and authoritative.
The Sufficiency of Scripture:
- Scripture alone (sola Scriptura) is the final authority for faith and life, containing all that is necessary for salvation. This doctrine serves as a safeguard against human error, the traditions of men, and the influence of Satan.
The Cessation of Revelation:
- The statement that "former ways…being now ceased" reflects the Reformed rejection of ongoing revelation as claimed by Roman Catholicism (e.g., papal decrees and church tradition) or by radical sects of the time (e.g., Anabaptists claiming new visions). The Confession emphasizes that God’s final and complete revelation is found in the canonical Scriptures.
Notes on Historical Debates
One major debate surrounding this section revolved around the sufficiency and finality of Scripture. Roman Catholic theology upheld that tradition and the magisterium had equal authority alongside Scripture, while radical sects often claimed private revelations and new prophecies. The Westminster divines rejected both errors, emphasizing that Scripture alone is the ultimate and complete rule of faith. This principle distinguished the Reformed tradition from both Rome and radical Protestant movements.
Questions for Study Group
- What does WCF 1.1 teach about the relationship between general and special revelation? How does this inform our understanding of the necessity of Scripture for salvation?
- Why does the Confession assert that former ways of God revealing His will have ceased? How does this shape our approach to modern claims of ongoing revelation?
- How does Scripture’s necessity protect the Church from "the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world" as described in WCF 1.1?
- Why does the Confession emphasize that God committed His will "wholly unto writing"? How does this compare with other sources of authority, such as church tradition or personal experience?
- How does the sufficiency of Scripture challenge contemporary beliefs that we need new revelations or insights to understand God’s will fully?