Westminster Confession of Faith (Study Guide)

Systematic Theology
 

The Westminster Confession unites doctrine and devotion, calling us to worship the God who governs all things for His purposes, while equipping the church with a timeless summary of the gospel’s riches and the Bible’s authority.

OVERVIEW

Why Do We Need Creeds and Confessions?

The Westminster Confession of Faith: Edinburgh Edition (eBook)

A Topical Outline of the Westminster Confession of Faith by Ligon Duncan

The Westminster Confession of Fatih Centerpoint School of Theology Handout (.pdf)

Westminster Confession of Faith: Overview (video) by Rev. Matthew Everhard

The Reformed Companion app is a valuable resource designed for those seeking to deepen their understanding of Reformed theology and practice. It provides access to foundational documents such as the Westminster Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms, and other classic Reformed texts, all in a convenient digital format. The app includes Bible references, explanatory notes, and tools to enhance both personal study and group discussions. 
Available for download on both Google Play and the Apple App Store.

In-Depth Westminster Confession Resources: Books and Tools for Purchase ($$$)
This page (at the link) offers a carefully curated collection of high-quality, purchasable print resources designed to deepen your understanding of the Westminster Confession of Faith. From classic commentaries and modern expositions to books covering each chapter's topic, these materials are perfect for serious students and anyone seeking comprehensive study tools for the Confession.

Westminster Skeletons by David Murray (free.pdf)
Provides a structured outline for teaching the Westminster Confession. It breaks down each section of the Confession into clear topics, such as the Word of God, inspiration, canon, authority, sufficiency, clarity, and interpretation of Scripture. Each topic includes subpoints to help guide discussions on the theological foundations and implications of the Confession. This document is designed as a study aid for those teaching or studying the Westminster Confession of Faith, summarizing its doctrines in an accessible, organized format.

Chapter 1: Of the Holy Scripture

WCF Chapter 1 | Of the Holy Scripture by William Boekestein

The Necessity of Scripture, WCF 1.1

The Canon of Scripture. WCF 1.2-3

The Authority of Scripture WCF 1.4-5

The Sufficiency of Scripture WCF 1.6

The Clarity of Scripture WCF 1.7

The Preservation of Scripture WCF 1.8

The Interpretation of Scipture WCF 1.9

The Supreme Judge of Scripture WCF 1.10

 

Chapter 2: Of God, and of the Holy Trinity

Who is God? WCF 2.1-2

The Holy Trinity WCF 2.3

 

Chapter 3: Of God's Eternal Decree

The Eternal Plan of God WCF 3.1-3.2

Predestination and Foreordination - WCF 3.3-3.5

Order Of Salvation - WCF 3.6

Sovereign Reprobation - WCF 3.7-3.8

 

Chapter 4: Creation

Creation - WCF 4.1

Imago Dei - WCF 4.2

 

Chapter 5: Of Providence

Providence - WCF 5.1

Concurrence - WCF 5.2

Ordinary and Extraordinary Providence - WCF 5.3

The Question of Evil - WCF 5.4-5.5

Judicial Hardening - WCF 5.6-5.7

 

Chapter 6: Of the Fall of Man, Of Sin and of the Punishment Thereof

The Fall into Sin and its Consequences - WCF 6.1 - 6.2

Universality of Sin & Total Depravity - WCF 6.3 - 6.4

Indwelling Sin in the Believer - WCF 6.5 - 6.6

 

Chapter 7: Covenants

God's Covenants - WCF 7.1

The Covenant of Works - WCF 7.2

The Covenant of Grace WCF 7.3

Testament and Testator WCF 7.4

The Covenant of Grace in the New Testament WCF 7.5-7.6

....

Chapter 8: Christ the Mediator

Christ the Chosen Mediator - WCF 8.1

Hypostatic Union: The Union of Christ's Two Natures - WCF 8.2

Christ Equipped to Fulfill All Righteousness for Us - WCF 8.3

Christ's Humiliation & Exaltation - WCF 8.4

Jesus' Passive and Active Obedience - WCF - 8.5

Christ’s Redemption in the Old Testament - WCF - 8.6

The Communication of Attributes - WCF 8.7

Redemption Applied by the Mediator - WCF 8.8

 

Chapter 9: The Will in the Four-Fold Nature of Man

The Will of Man - WCF 9.1

The State of Innocency - WCF 9.2

The State of Man After the Fall - Inability - WCF 9.3

The State of Regeneration - WCF 9.4

The State of Glory - WCF 9.5

 

Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling

Effectual Calling - WCF 10.1

The Grace of Effectual Calling - WCF 10.2

Elect Infants - WCF 10.3

Called But Not Chosen  WCF10.4

 

Chapter 11: Of Justification

Justification Defined - WCF 11.1

Faith the Instrument of Justification - WCF 11.2

Justification - Obedience and Satisfaction - WCF 11.3

Justification - Eternity, Past, Present - WCF 11.4

Fatherly Displeasure - WCF 11.5

Justification In The Old Testament WCF 11.6

 

Chapter 12: Of Adoption

Partakers Of The Grace Of Adoption - WCF 12

 

Chapter 13: Of Sanctification

Mortification Of Sin - WCF 13.1

Continual and Irreconcilable War - WCF 13.2

Perfecting Holiness - WCF 13.3

 

Chapter 14: Of Saving Faith

Ministry Of The Word And Spirit - WCF 14.1

By This Faith - WCF 14.2-14.3

 

Chapter 15: Of Repetance Unto Life

An Evangelical Grace Preached By All For All Sinners To Repent - WCF 15

 

Chapter 16: Of Good Works

Works Devised By Men - WCF 16.1

Good Works Are The Evidence Of Faith And A Gift Of God - WCF 16.2-16.7

 

Chapter 17: Of The Perseverance Of The Saints

The Believers Eternal Security - WCF 17.1

Preserved By The Love Of The Triune God - WCF 17.2-17.3 (With Bonus Material: Backsliding and Apostasy)

 

Chapter 18: Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation

Being Assured of The State Of Grace By The Inward Testimony Of The Holy Spirit - WCF 18.1-18.2

Our Infallible Assurance, Yet Sometimes Shaken - WCF 18.3-18.4

 

Chapter 19: Of The Law Of God

Covenant Made With Adam - WCF 19.1

The Ten Commandments - WCF 19.2

The Three Fold Division And Three Use Of The Law - WCF 19.3-19.7

 

Chapter 20: Of Christian Liberty, And Liberty Of Conscience 

Liberty In Christ Who Alone Binds The Conscience - WCF 20

 

Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath Day

The Regulative Principle Of Worship - WCF 21.1

Contra Idolatry - WCF 21.2

Theology Of Prayer - WCF 21.3-21.4

True Worship Of God - WCF 21.5-21.6

The Christian Sabbath - WCF 21.7-21.8

 

Chapter 22: Of Lawful Oaths and Vows

Lawful Oaths In God's Name Only - WCF 22

 

Chapter 23: Of The Civil Magistrate 

Church And State - WCF 23

 

Chapter 24: Of Marriage and Divorce

Against Polygamy - WCF 24.1

The Purpose of Marriage And Not Being Unequally Yoked - WCF 24.2-24.3

The Biblical View Of Divorce - WCF 24.5-24.6 

 

CHAPTER 25: Of The Church

The Church Universal - WCF 25 

 

CHAPTER 26: Of The Communion Of The Saints

Christian Fellowship and Charity - WCF 26

 

CHAPTER 27: Of The Sacraments

Holy Signs And Seals Of the Covenant Of Grace - WCF 27.1-27.3

Only Two Sacraments - WCF 27.4-27.5

 

CHAPTER 28: Of Baptism

A Sacramental Means Of Grace And Sign And Seal - WCF 28.1-28.3

Infant Baptism Is Covenantal Baptism - WCF 28.4

Contra Ex Opere Operato - WCF 28.5-28.7

 

CHAPTER 29: Of The Lord's Supper 

The Sacrament Of His Body And Blood - WCF 29

 

Chapter 30: Of Church Censures

Church Elders Given The Keys To The Kingdom - WCF 30.1

Church Discipline - WCF 30.2-30.4

 

Chapter 31: Of Synods And Councils 

The Church's Creed And Confessions - WCF 31

 

Chapter 32: Of the State Of Men After Death, And Of The Resurrection Of The Dead

The Intermediate State - WCF 32.1

Resurrection Of The Body - WCF 32.2

 

Chapter 33: Of The Last Judgement 

Christ's Coming On That Last Day - WCF 33 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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