Westminster Confession of Faith 9.2 “Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom and power to will and to do that which was good and well-pleasing to God; but yet mutably, so that he might fall from it.”

In this episode of Confessional Moments, we continue in Chapter 9 of the Westminster Confession of Faith by considering the will of man in his original state. Before sin entered the world, Adam was upright. He possessed true moral freedom and real power to obey God. He was not created broken, nor inclined toward evil. He was able to stand.

Yet he was mutable.

The Confession teaches that Adam’s righteousness was genuine, but not confirmed. He stood in covenant with God under probation—capable of obedience, yet capable of falling. His fall was not forced, nor inevitable, but voluntary. By understanding man’s original freedom, we better grasp the depth of our ruin in Adam and the necessity of a greater, immutable Head.

This doctrine is both humbling and hope-giving. If Adam, in paradise, could fall, then our hope cannot rest in ourselves. It must rest in Christ, the Second Adam, whose obedience cannot fail and whose righteousness cannot be lost. Where the first Adam stood and fell, the last Adam obeyed and secured an unshakable salvation for His people.

Scripture Reading & References Genesis 2:16–17 Ecclesiastes 7:29 Romans 5:12–19 Hosea 6:7

Puritan & Reformed Sources Referenced William Perkins – A Golden Chain (1591) John Owen – Various treatises on the will and original righteousness Thomas Goodwin – Works (Vol. 1) Thomas Watson – A Body of Divinity (1692) Stephen Charnock – Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God (1682)

Key Doctrinal Themes Original Righteousness Adam was created upright, endowed with knowledge, righteousness, and holiness.

Mutability Adam’s holiness was real but capable of being lost.

Covenant Probation Adam stood under the covenant of works with true ability to obey.

The Second Adam Christ’s obedience is immutable and secures an unlosable salvation for His people.

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 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

Westminster Confession of Faith 8.6 “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 forever.”

In this episode of Confessional Moments, we turn to Westminster Confession of Faith 8.6, a paragraph that unfolds the reach of Christ’s redeeming work across all of redemptive history. While Christ’s work of redemption was accomplished once in time through His incarnation, obedience, death, and resurrection, the Confession teaches that its saving power has been effectually applied to all the elect in every age.

Here we are reminded that Old Testament believers were not saved by law, ceremony, or moral effort, but by Christ Himself—revealed to them through promises, types, and sacrifices that pointed forward to the coming Redeemer. Their faith rested in the promised Seed; our faith rests in the fulfilled work. Yet the object of faith has always been the same.

This doctrine preserves the unity of the covenant of grace, the unity of Scripture, and the unity of the church. There has never been more than one Savior, one gospel, or one way of salvation. Christ’s redemption is accomplished once, but applied by God across time, ensuring that no elect sinner was ever saved apart from Christ, and none who belong to Him will ever be lost.

Scripture Reading & References Galatians 3:8 Hebrews 9:15 Romans 4:1–8 Hebrews 11:1–2 Revelation 13:8

Key Doctrinal Themes

Redemption Accomplished and Applied Christ’s saving work was accomplished once in history, yet its benefits are effectually applied by God to the elect in every age.

Salvation Before and After the Cross Old Testament believers were saved by Christ through promise and type; New Testament believers are saved by Christ through fulfillment.

Unity of the Covenant of Grace There is one Mediator, one gospel, and one people of God across all of redemptive history.

Christ’s Timeless Efficacy Christ is the Lamb slain according to God’s eternal purpose, ensuring the certainty of salvation for all the elect.

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

Westminster Confession of Faith 8.5 “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.”

In this episode of Confessional Moments, we turn to Westminster Confession of Faith 8.5, a paragraph that brings us to the very heart—or marrow—of the gospel. Here the Confession sets before us the finished work of Christ in His perfect obedience and once-for-all sacrifice.

The Confession also reminds us that redemption is richer than forgiveness alone. Christ has purchased reconciliation with God and an everlasting inheritance in the kingdom of heaven. Salvation is not a temporary pardon, but a secure and glorious future grounded entirely in Christ’s finished work and God’s eternal purpose.

Scripture Reading & References Romans 5:19 Hebrews 9:14 Romans 3:24–26 2 Corinthians 5:21 Hebrews 10:10–14

Key Doctrinal Themes

Christ’s Perfect Obedience Christ fulfilled all righteousness as the Second Adam, securing a righteousness imputed to His people.

Once-for-All Sacrifice Christ offered Himself to God in a complete and unrepeatable atonement for sin.

Full Satisfaction of Divine Justice The justice of God is fully satisfied in Christ, leaving no condemnation for those who are in Him.

Reconciliation and Everlasting Inheritance Christ has secured peace with God and an eternal inheritance for His redeemed people.

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

Confessional Moments – Westminster Confession of Faith 8.4 (Part 2) The Living Mediator, Our Certain Hope

“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.”

In this episode of Confessional Moments, we conclude our study of Westminster Confession of Faith 8.4 by turning from Christ’s death and burial to His resurrection, ascension, ongoing intercession, and promised return in glory. The Confession teaches that the Mediator who willingly suffered and died for sinners did not remain under the power of death, but rose again on the third day with the same body in which He suffered, ascended into heaven, and now reigns at the right hand of the Father.

This paragraph completes the picture of Christ’s mediatorial work by showing that redemption is not only accomplished by His death, but confirmed by His resurrection, administered by His intercession, and brought to its final consummation at His return. The risen Christ is not absent from His church, but actively governs all things for her good, continually pleads His finished obedience before the Father, and will one day return as Judge of men and angels.

This doctrine is essential for sustaining hope and strengthening assurance. Because Christ lives, reigns, and intercedes, the believer’s salvation is not fragile or uncertain. The same Mediator who bore judgment for His people now rules on their behalf and will publicly vindicate them on the last day.

Scripture Reading & References Romans 4:25 1 Corinthians 15:17–20 Philippians 3:20–21 Hebrews 7:25 Romans 8:34 Acts 1:9–11 Matthew 25:31–32

Key Doctrinal Themes

The Resurrection Confirmed Christ’s resurrection declares the Father’s full acceptance of His finished work and secures the justification of His people.

The Same Body Raised in Glory Redemption restores and glorifies human nature rather than discarding it, guaranteeing the believer’s bodily resurrection.

The Ascended and Reigning Mediator Christ now reigns at the Father’s right hand with all authority in heaven and on earth.

Continual Intercession for the Church The risen Christ actively intercedes for His people, ensuring their perseverance and final salvation.

The Coming Judge and Final Vindication The Mediator who was judged in our place will return to judge the world in righteousness and publicly vindicate His redeemed people.

Living Hope Rooted in a Living Christ Because Christ lives, the believer’s hope, assurance, and future are secure.

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

Confessional Moments – Westminster Confession of Faith 8.4 (Part 1) A Willing Mediator, A Finished Obedience

In this episode of Confessional Moments, we examine Westminster Confession of Faith 8.4 (Part 1), which sets before us the willing obedience of Christ—His deliberate undertaking of the office of Mediator and His finished work under the law on behalf of sinners.

This paragraph draws our attention to the unity of Christ’s redemptive work. His obedience, suffering, death, and burial are not isolated moments, but one coherent act of covenant faithfulness. Christ most willingly undertook this office, placed Himself under the law Adam broke, fulfilled it perfectly, endured grievous torments in soul and body, bore the wrath of God for His people, truly died, and was laid in the grave—yet without corruption.

This doctrine is essential for grounding assurance. Our salvation does not rest on chance, coercion, or human effort, but on a Savior who freely gave Himself, perfectly satisfied God’s righteous law, and exhausted divine justice on behalf of His people. Because Christ obeyed willingly and completely, nothing remains undone for those who are in Him.

Scripture Reading & References John 10:17–18 Philippians 2:6–8 Galatians 4:4–5 Romans 5:19 Matthew 26:38 Matthew 27:46 Isaiah 53:10 Romans 8:1 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 Hebrews 10:14

Key Doctrinal Themes A Willing Mediator Christ freely undertook the office of Mediator in love and covenant faithfulness.

Made Under the Law The Son placed Himself under God’s law to redeem those bound by it.

Perfect Obedience Fulfilled Christ obeyed where Adam failed, providing the righteousness sinners need.

Suffering in Soul and Body The Mediator endured both inward anguish and outward pain, bearing God’s wrath fully.

True Death and Certain Victory Christ truly died and was buried, yet death could not hold Him nor corruption touch Him.

Assurance Rooted in Christ’s Finished Work Believers rest not in their obedience to Christ, but in Christ’s obedience for them.

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