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

Puritan & Reformed Sources Referenced

Key Doctrinal Themes

Natural Liberty

Human Responsibility

Natural vs. Moral Ability

The Necessity of Grace

About the Host

Church Website

Westminster Confession of Faith 8.8

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

Puritan & Reformed Sources Referenced

John Owen – The Death of Death in the Death of Christ (1647)

Key Doctrinal Themes

The Certainty of Redemption Applied

Christ’s Heavenly Intercession

Word and Spirit Together

The Perseverance of the Saints

About the Host

Church Website

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

Key Doctrinal Themes

The Two Natures of Christ

The Unity of the Person

The Communication of Properties

The Ground of Assurance

About the Host

Church Website

Westminster Confession of Faith 8.6

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

Key Doctrinal Themes

Redemption Accomplished and Applied

Salvation Before and After the Cross

Unity of the Covenant of Grace

Christ’s Timeless Efficacy

About the Host

Church Website

Westminster Confession of Faith 8.5 

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

Key Doctrinal Themes

Christ’s Perfect Obedience

Once-for-All Sacrifice

Full Satisfaction of Divine Justice

Reconciliation and Everlasting Inheritance

About the Host

Church Website

Confessional Moments – Westminster Confession of Faith 8.4 (Part 2)

“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

Key Doctrinal Themes

The Resurrection Confirmed

The Same Body Raised in Glory

The Ascended and Reigning Mediator

Continual Intercession for the Church

The Coming Judge and Final Vindication

Living Hope Rooted in a Living Christ

About the Host

Church Website

Confessional Moments – Westminster Confession of Faith 8.4 (Part 1)

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

Key Doctrinal Themes

Made Under the Law

Perfect Obedience Fulfilled

Suffering in Soul and Body

True Death and Certain Victory

Assurance Rooted in Christ’s Finished Work

About the Host

Church Website

Confessional Moments – Westminster Confession of Faith 8.3

Set Apart and Anointed

Was Christ merely willing to save—or was He deliberately appointed and perfectly equipped to be the Mediator of sinners?

In this episode of Confessional Moments, we examine Westminster Confession of Faith 8.3, which teaches that the Lord Jesus was sanctified and set apart by the Father, and anointed with the Holy Spirit without measure, in order to be fully fitted for the office of Mediator and Surety.

This paragraph shifts our focus from Christ’s incarnation to the Father’s gracious act of calling, authorizing, and furnishing the Son for the work of redemption. Christ did not assume this office by self-appointment, nor was He sent unprepared. Rather, the Father entrusted Him with all authority, wisdom, and fullness necessary to reconcile sinners to God.

This doctrine is essential for grounding assurance, reminding believers that salvation rests not on human resolve or spiritual strength, but on the Father’s settled purpose and provision in His perfectly appointed Mediator.

Scripture Reading & References

Hebrews 5:4–6

Key Doctrinal Themes

Christ Set Apart by the Father

Anointed Without Measure

Fully Equipped Mediator and Surety

Authority Given, Not Taken

Assurance Rooted in God’s Provision

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)

Christ the Mediator: Very God and Very Man

Salvation requires a Mediator who truly belongs to God and truly belongs to us.

In this episode of Confessional Moments, we turn to Westminster Confession of Faith 8.2, where the Confession carefully sets forth the person of Jesus Christ as the only Mediator between God and man. Here we are taught not merely what Christ does for sinners, but who He must be in order to save them.

Guided by Scripture and the clarity of the Reformed and Puritan tradition, this episode explores the incarnation of the eternal Son of God—very God and very man—united in one person without confusion, division, or change. We consider why Christ’s full deity is necessary to satisfy divine justice, and why His true humanity is required to represent us, obey for us, and suffer in our place.

This doctrine guards the heart of the gospel. It explains why Christ alone is sufficient, why no other mediator is needed, and why believers may rest securely in a Savior who both reigns in heaven and sympathizes with human weakness.

Scripture Reading & References

Key Doctrinal Themes

Authors & Works Referenced

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)

Christ the Mediator

Salvation does not rest on human effort, but on divine appointment.

In this episode of Confessional Moments, we examine Westminster Confession of Faith 8.1, which sets before us the glory of Christ the Mediator, appointed by God in His eternal purpose to stand between God and man. Before considering how salvation is applied to sinners, the Confession directs our attention to who Christ is and the offices He fulfills on behalf of His people.

Guided by Scripture and the clarity of the Reformed and Puritan tradition, this episode explores Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King, His headship over the Church, and His mediatorial work as grounded in God’s eternal decree. We consider how Christ was given a people from all eternity, and how He effectually redeems, calls, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies them in time.

This doctrine is essential for understanding why salvation is certain, why assurance rests outside of ourselves, and why the Christian life is lived in continual dependence upon a living Mediator rather than confidence in personal obedience or spiritual performance.

Scripture Reading & References

Key Doctrinal Themes

Authors & Works Referenced

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)