The Book of Confessions - The Presbyterian Leader

from the dead, and any sort of commerce with spirits (Deut. 18:11). Indeed, as evangelical truth
declares, the glutton, being in torment, is denied a return to his brethren, as the divine oracle
declares in the words: "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. If they hear not
Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from the dead"
(Luke 16:29 ff.).
CHAPTER XXVII - Of Rites, Ceremonies and Things Indifferent
CEREMONIES AND RITES. Unto the ancient people were given at one time certain
ceremonies, as a kind of instruction for those who were kept under the law, as under a
schoolmaster or tutor. But when Christ, the Deliverer, came and the law was abolished, we who
believe are no more under the law (Rom. 6:14), and the ceremonies have disappeared; hence the
apostles did not want to retain or to restore them in Christ's Church to such a degree that they
openly testified that they did not wish to impose any burden upon the Church. Therefore, we
would seem to be bringing in and restoring Judaism if we were to increase ceremonies and rites in
Christ's Church according to the custom in the ancient Church. Hence, we by no means approve
of the opinion of those who think that the Church of Christ must be held in check by many
different rites, as if by some kind of training. For if the apostles did not want to impose upon
Christian people ceremonies or rites which were appointed by God, who, I pray, in his right mind
would obtrude upon them the inventions devised by man? The more the mass of rites is increased
in the Church, the more is detracted not only from Christian liberty, but also from Christ, and
from faith in him, as long as the people seek those things in ceremonies which they should seek in
the only Son of God, Jesus Christ, through faith. Wherefore a few moderate and simple rites, that
are not contrary to the Word of God, are sufficient for the godly.
DIVERSITY OF RITES. If different rites are found in churches, no one should think for
this reason the churches disagree. Socrates says: "It would be impossible to put together in
writing all the rites of churches throughout cities and countries. No religion observes the same
rites, even though it embraces the same doctrine concerning them. For those who are of the same
faith disagree among themselves about rites" (Hist. ecclesiast. V.22, 30, 62). This much says
Socrates. And we, today, having in our churches different rites in the celebration of the Lord's
Supper and in some other things, nevertheless do not disagree in doctrine and faith; nor is the
unity and fellowship of our churches thereby rent asunder. For the churches have always used
their liberty in such rites, as being things indifferent. We also do the same thing today.
THINGS INDIFFERENT. But at the same time we admonish men to be on guard lest
they reckon among things indifferent what are in fact not indifferent, as some are wont to regard
the mass and the use of images in places of worship as things indifferent. "Indifferent," wrote
Jerome to Augustine, "is that which is neither good nor bad, so that, whether you do it or not,
you are neither just nor unjust." Therefore, when things indifferent are wrested to the confession
of faith, they cease to be free; as Paul shows that it is lawful for a man to eat flesh if someone
does not remind him that it was offered to idols, for then it is unlawful, because he who eats it
seems to approve idolatry by eating it (I Cor. 8:9 ff.; 10:25 ff.).
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