Westminster Confession of Faith 9.1

“God hath endued the will of man with that natural liberty, that it is neither forced, nor, by any absolute necessity of nature, determined to good or evil.”

In this episode of Confessional Moments, we begin Chapter 9 of the Westminster Confession of Faith, turning our attention to the doctrine of free will. The divines carefully establish that man is not a puppet nor a machine, but a willing creature who acts voluntarily according to his own desires. Yet this natural liberty must be rightly understood. Though the will is not forced, it is not morally neutral, nor is it sovereign.

This paragraph guards the biblical balance between human responsibility and divine sovereignty. Man chooses freely, but always according to his nature. The will is free from compulsion, yet—after the Fall—not free from corruption. By clarifying what freedom truly means, the Confession prepares us to understand both the depth of human inability and the necessity of sovereign grace.

This doctrine is deeply pastoral. It removes the excuse of fatalism—“I couldn’t help it”—and the illusion of self-salvation—“I can fix myself.” It humbles the sinner and magnifies grace, showing that true spiritual freedom is not found in autonomy, but in the renewing work of the Spirit who makes sinners willing in the day of Christ’s power.

Scripture Reading & References James 1:14–15 John 8:34 Psalm 110:3 Deuteronomy 30:19

Puritan & Reformed Sources Referenced Thomas Goodwin – Works (Vol. 1) John Owen – The Freedom of the Will (in various treatises) Stephen Charnock – Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God (1682) Thomas Watson – A Body of Divinity (1692)

Key Doctrinal Themes

Natural Liberty Man acts voluntarily and is not coerced by external force.

Human Responsibility Because the will acts according to desire, man is accountable before God.

Natural vs. Moral Ability The will is free from compulsion but, after the Fall, bound by corruption.

The Necessity of Grace True spiritual freedom comes only through the renewing work of the Holy Spirit.

About the Host Confessional Moments is hosted by Pastor Tim Beauchamp, teaching elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA). Pastor Tim has served in pastoral ministry since 2010 and is committed to helping God’s people grow in doctrinal clarity, spiritual maturity, and confidence in Christ through the riches of the Reformed confessional tradition.

Church Website Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) https://www.trinitypresbyterian.church

Westminster Confession of Faith 8.8 “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.”

In this episode of Confessional Moments, we conclude Chapter 8 of the Westminster Confession of Faith by considering how the redemption accomplished by Christ is effectually applied to His people. The Confession teaches that the Mediator who purchased salvation by His blood now certainly applies it by His Spirit—calling, persuading, governing, interceding, and preserving all for whom He died.

This doctrine is deeply pastoral. It steadies trembling believers with the assurance that salvation rests not upon the strength of our grip on Christ, but upon His faithful hold on us.

Scripture Reading & References John 6:37–40 Romans 8:29–34 Hebrews 7:25 Ephesians 1:19–20

Puritan & Reformed Sources Referenced

John Owen – The Death of Death in the Death of Christ (1647) Thomas Goodwin – The Heart of Christ in Heaven toward Sinners on Earth (1651) Stephen Charnock – Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God (1682) Thomas Watson – All Things for Good (1663)

Key Doctrinal Themes

The Certainty of Redemption Applied Christ effectually applies the salvation He purchased, ensuring none of His people are lost.

Christ’s Heavenly Intercession The risen Mediator continually intercedes for His people, securing every covenant blessing.

Word and Spirit Together Redemption is applied through the outward preaching of the Word and the inward work of the Spirit.

The Perseverance of the Saints Christ governs, sustains, and overcomes every enemy of His people until the final day.

About the Host Confessional Moments is hosted by Pastor Tim Beauchamp, teaching elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA). Pastor Tim has served in pastoral ministry since 2010 and is committed to helping God’s people grow in doctrinal clarity, spiritual maturity, and confidence in Christ through the riches of the Reformed confessional tradition.

Church Website Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) https://www.trinitypresbyterian.church

Westminster Confession of Faith 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.”

In this episode of Confessional Moments, we turn to Westminster Confession of Faith 8.7, a paragraph that safeguards the glory of Christ’s person in the work of our redemption. Here the Confession carefully teaches that our Lord Jesus Christ, the one Mediator between God and man, acts according to both His divine and human natures—each doing what is proper to itself—yet always as one undivided Person.

This doctrine anchors assurance, strengthens faith in suffering, and comforts weary saints with the certainty that our salvation rests on the undivided person and finished work of Jesus Christ.

Scripture Reading & References Acts 20:28 1 Corinthians 2:8 Hebrews 1:3 Philippians 2:6–8 Hebrews 4:14–16 Romans 8:34

Key Doctrinal Themes

The Two Natures of Christ Jesus Christ is truly God and truly man, possessing two distinct natures united in one Person.

The Unity of the Person Though each nature acts according to what is proper to itself, all Christ’s mediatorial work is the work of the one undivided Mediator.

The Communication of Properties Scripture may attribute to the Person what properly belongs to either nature, because the same Person is both God and man.

The Ground of Assurance Our salvation is secure because the obedience and sacrifice of the God-man carry infinite value and eternal efficacy.

About the Host Confessional Moments is hosted by Pastor Tim Beauchamp, teaching elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Guam. Pastor Tim has served in pastoral ministry since 2010 and is committed to helping God’s people grow in doctrinal clarity, spiritual maturity, and confidence in Christ through the riches of the Reformed confessional tradition.

Church Website Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) https://www.trinitychurchguam.org