The Historical Context
In 1643, England was tearing itself apart in a brutal one of these domestic conflicts.
What is a Civil War?
Chapter 1 of the confession begins exactly here, naming these specific texts as the supreme and final authority for faith and life.
What are the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments (Scripture)?
Chapter 3 makes the bold claim that before the world was made, God had already determined everything that would come to pass, a doctrine known by this term.
What is predestination (or God's eternal decree)?
Chapter 7 introduces this central concept, defining it as a binding agreement or a solemn promise between two parties.
What is a covenant?
Chapter 10 describes this powerful, transforming work of the Holy Spirit that opens blind eyes and brings dead hearts to life.
What is effectual calling?
He was the English king reigning during the assembly, whose armies clashed across the countryside against Parliament.
Who was King Charles I?
According to the text, the Bible carries its own authority and doesn't need church validation because this entity confirms its truth in believers' hearts.
Who is the Holy Spirit?
According to Chapters 4–6, God created the world in this exact timeframe before humanity fell.
What is six days?
This is the name of the first covenant in the garden, which condemned the human race after Adam failed to meet its standard of perfect obedience.
What is the covenant of works?
Chapter 11 explains this legal declaration—credited solely through faith—that a sinner is righteous in God's sight because of Christ.
What is justification?
For decades, this religious movement had been pressing for deeper reform, arguing that the Church of England kept too many practices from Rome.
Who were the Puritans?
Though Chapter 2 paints a portrait of an infinite, unchangeable, and sovereign God, it emphasizes He is not distant because He exists in this three-person form.
What is the Trinity?
Because he was the representative head of the entire human race, his single act of disobedience passed guilt and corruption to all his descendants.
Who was Adam?
This is the name of the second covenant, in which God freely offers sinners life and salvation through a mediator.
What is the covenant of grace?
This term from Chapter 13 describes the lifelong, progressive process where the Holy Spirit weakens sin and strengthens a believer's desire for holiness.
What is sanctification?
In addition to 30 members of Parliament, this exact number of ministers met at Westminster Abbey to rewrite the church's foundations.
What is 121?
The video notes that the Confession rejects these two sources—along with human reasoning—as having any power to override the authority of Scripture.
What are church traditions and the pronouncements of kings/bishops?
The confession uses this specific theological term to describe the condition where every person is born spiritually dead and thoroughly inclined toward evil.
What is original sin?
Described as the "center of gravity" for the entire confession, Chapter 8 focuses entirely on this person who serves as the mediator.
Who is Jesus Christ?
Chapter 16 handles these actions, carefully noting they are the "fruit, not the root" of salvation, meaning they cannot earn God's favor but naturally follow true faith.
What are good works?
The famous historical London landmark where the theologians gathered to build their "Gold Standard of Faith."
What is Westminster Abbey?
The video notes that God reveals Himself in two ways: first through this, which displays His power so plainly no one has an excuse, and second through His Word.
What is creation (the natural world)?
Because of original sin, the video states that human beings left to themselves lack these two things regarding God.
What are the ability and the desire to turn to God?
Chapter 8 outlines Christ's ongoing role by identifying Him by these three distinct, traditional titles.
What are Prophet, Priest, and King?
Chapter 17 comforts believers by teaching this doctrine: the idea that those truly called by God can never finally fall away from grace.
What is the perseverance of the saints?