Second Helvetic Confession, Chapter 9
Of Free Will, and Thus of Human Powers
1.** In this matter, which has always produced many conflicts in the Church, we teach that a threefold condition or state of man is to be considered.
WHAT MAN WAS BEFORE THE FALL
There is the state in which man was in the beginning before the fall, namely, upright and free, so that he could both continue in goodness and decline to evil. However, he declined to evil, and has involved himself and the whole human race in sin and death, as has been said already.
WHAT MAN WAS AFTER THE FALL
Then we are to consider what man was after the fall. To be sure, his reason was not taken from him, nor was he deprived of will, and he was not entirely changed into a stone or a tree. But they were so altered and weakened that they no longer can do what they could before the fall. For the understanding is darkened, and the will which was free has become an enslaved will. Now it serves sin, not unwillingly but willingly. And indeed, it is called a will, not an unwill (ing). [Etenim voluntas, non noluntas dicitur.]
MAN DOES EVIL BY HIS OWN FREE WILL
Therefore, in regard to evil or sin, man is not forced by God or by the devil but does evil by his own free will, and in this respect he has a most free will. But when we frequently see that the worst crimes and designs of men are prevented by God from reaching their purpose, this does not take away man's freedom in doing evil, but God by his own power prevents what man freely planned otherwise. Thus Joseph's brothers freely determined to get rid of him, but they were unable to do it because something else seemed good to the counsel of God.
MAN IS NOT CAPABLE OF GOOD Per Se
In regard to goodness and virtue man's reason does not judge rightly of itself concerning divine things. For the evangelical and apostolic Scripture requires regeneration of whoever among us wishes to be saved. Hence our first birth from Adam contributes nothing to out salvation. Paul says: "The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God," etc. (I Cor. 2:14). And in another place he denies that we of ourselves are capable of thinking anything good (II Cor. 3:5) Now it is known that the mind or intellect is the guide of the will, and when the guide is blind, it is obvious how far the will reaches. Wherefore, man not yet regenerate has no free will for good, no strength to perform what is good. The Lord says in the Gospel: "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin" (John 8:34). And the apostle Paul says: "The mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, indeed it cannot" (Rom. 8:7). Yet in regard to earthly things, fallen man is not entirely lacking in understanding.
Scripture references for paragraph 5
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
1 Corinthians 2:1414The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
2 Corinthians 3:55Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God.
John 8:3434Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
Romans 8:77because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
UNDERSTANDING OF THE ARTS
For God in his mercy has permitted the powers of the intellect to remain, though differing greatly from what was in man before the fall. God commands us to cultivate our natural talents, and meanwhile adds both gifts and success. And it is obvious that we make no progress in all the arts without God's blessing. In any case, Scripture refers all the arts to God; and, indeed, the heathen trace the origin of the arts to the gods who invented them.
OF WHAT KIND ARE THE POWERS OF THE REGENERATE, AND IN WHAT WAY THEIR WILLS ARE FREE
Finally, we must see whether the regenerate have free wills, and to what extent. In regeneration the understanding is illumined by the Holy Spirit in order that it many understand both the mysteries and the will of God. And the will itself is not only changed by the Spirit, but it is also equipped with faculties so that it wills and is able to do the good of its own accord (Rom. 8:1ff.). Unless we grant this, we will deny Christian liberty and introduce a legal bondage. But the prophet has God saying: "I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts" (Jer. 31:33; Ezek. 36:26f.). The Lord also says in the Gospel: "If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36). Paul also writes to the Philippians: "It has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake" (Phil. 1:29). Again: "I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (v. 6). Also: "God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (ch. 2:13).
Scripture references for paragraph 7
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Romans 8:1-391Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
2For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death.
3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh,
4so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
5Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
6The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace,
7because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
8Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.
9You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
10But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.
11And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.
12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.
13For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
16The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
17And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
18I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.
19The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God.
20For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope
21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.
23Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
24For in this hope we were saved; but hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see?
25But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently.
26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.
27And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.
29For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.
30And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
31What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?
33Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.
34Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us.
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36As it is written: “For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Jeremiah 31:3333“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.
Ezekiel 36:26-3826I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
27And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.
28Then you will live in the land that I gave your forefathers; you will be My people, and I will be your God.
29I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will summon the grain and make it plentiful, and I will not bring famine upon you.
30I will also make the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field plentiful, so that you will no longer bear reproach among the nations on account of famine.
31Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and abominations.
32It is not for your sake that I will act, declares the Lord GOD—let it be known to you. Be ashamed and disgraced for your ways, O house of Israel!
33This is what the Lord GOD says: On the day I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be resettled and the ruins to be rebuilt.
34The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through.
35Then they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden. The cities that were once ruined, desolate, and destroyed are now fortified and inhabited.’
36Then the nations around you that remain will know that I, the LORD, have rebuilt what was destroyed, and I have replanted what was desolate. I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will do it.
37This is what the Lord GOD says: Once again I will hear the plea of the house of Israel and do for them this: I will multiply their people like a flock.
38Like the numerous flocks for sacrifices at Jerusalem during her appointed feasts, so the ruined cities will be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”
John 8:3636So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Philippians 1:2929For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,
THE REGENERATE WORK NOT ONLY PASSIVELY BUT ACTIVELY
However, in this connection we teach that there are two things to be observed: First, that the regenerate, in choosing and doing good, work not only passively but actively. For they are moved by God that they may do themselves what they do. For Augustine rightly adduces the saying that "God is said to be our helper. But no one can be helped unless he does something." The Manichaeans robbed man of all activity and made him like a stone or a block of wood.
THE FREE WILL IS WEAK IN THE REGENERATE
Secondly, in the regenerate a weakness remains. For since sin dwells in us, and in the regenerate the flesh struggles against the Spirit till the end of our lives, they do not easily accomplish in all things what they had planned. These things are confirmed by the apostle in Rom., ch. 7, and Gal., ch. 5. Therefore that free will is weak in us on account of the remnants of the old Adam and of innate human corruption remaining in us until the end of our lives. Meanwhile, since the powers of the flesh and the remnants of the old man are not so efficacious that they wholly extinguish the work of the Spirit, for that reason the faithful are said to be free, yet so that they acknowledge their infirmity and do not glory at all in their free will. For believers ought always to keep in mind what St. Augustine so many times inculcated according to the apostle: "What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?" To this he adds that what we have planned does not immediately come to pass. For the issue of things lies in the hand of God. This is the reason Paul prayed to the Lord to prosper his journey (Rom. 1:10). And this also is the reason the free will is weak.
Scripture references for paragraph 9
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Romans 7:1-251Do you not know, brothers (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?
2For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage.
3So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress, even if she marries another man.
4Therefore, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God.
5For when we lived according to the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, bearing fruit for death.
6But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
7What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”
8But sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from the law, sin is dead.
9Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died.
10So I discovered that the very commandment that was meant to bring life actually brought death.
11For sin, seizing its opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through the commandment put me to death.
12So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.
13Did that which is good, then, become death to me? Certainly not! But in order that sin might be exposed as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.
15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate, I do.
16And if I do what I do not want to do, I admit that the law is good.
17In that case, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
19For I do not do the good I want to do. Instead, I keep on doing the evil I do not want to do.
20And if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21So this is the principle I have discovered: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.
22For in my inner being I delight in God’s law.
23But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me.
24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
25Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I serve the law of God, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Galatians 5:1-261It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.
2Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.
3Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.
4You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
5But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness.
6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love.
7You were running so well. Who has obstructed you from obeying the truth?
8Such persuasion does not come from the One who calls you.
9A little leaven works through the whole batch of dough.
10I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is troubling you will bear the judgment, whoever he may be.
11Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.
12As for those who are agitating you, I wish they would proceed to emasculate themselves!
13For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.
14The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
15But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.
16So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.
18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;
20idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions,
21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.
26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.
Romans 1:1010in my prayers at all times, asking that now at last by God’s will I may succeed in coming to you.
IN EXTERNAL THINGS THERE IS LIBERTY
Moreover, no one denies that in external things both the regenerate and the unregenerate enjoy free will. For man has in common with other living creatures (to which he is not inferior) this nature to will some things and not to will others. Thus he is able to speak or to keep silent, to go out of his house or to remain at home, etc. However, even here God's power is always to be observed, for it was the cause that Balaam could not go as far as he wanted (Num., ch. 24), and Zacharias upon returning from the temple could not speak as he wanted (Luke, ch.1).
Scripture references for paragraph 10
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
Numbers 24:1-251And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorcery as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness.
2When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him,
3and he lifted up an oracle, saying: “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,
4the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:
5How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel!
6They spread out like palm groves, like gardens beside a stream, like aloes the LORD has planted, like cedars beside the waters.
7Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted.
8God brought him out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows.
9He crouches, he lies down like a lion; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him? Blessed are those who bless you and cursed are those who curse you.”
10Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times.
11Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would richly reward you, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”
12Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me
13that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I will speak whatever the LORD says.
14Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”
15Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying, “This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,
16the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open:
17I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come forth from Jacob, and a scepter will arise from Israel. He will crush the skulls of Moab and strike down all the sons of Sheth.
18Edom will become a possession, as will Seir, his enemy; but Israel will perform with valor.
19A ruler will come from Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.”
20Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.”
21Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in a cliff.
22Yet Kain will be destroyed when Asshur takes you captive.”
23Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it?
24Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus; they will subdue Asshur and Eber, but they too will perish forever.”
25Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.
Luke 1:1-801Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us,
2just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
3Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus,
4so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
5In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and whose wife Elizabeth was a daughter of Aaron.
6Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.
7But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.
8One day while Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God,
9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.
10And at the hour of the incense offering, the whole congregation was praying outside.
11Just then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.
12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear.
13But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.
14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,
15for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.
16Many of the sons of Israel he will turn back to the Lord their God.
17And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
18“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”
19“I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
20And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this comes to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”
21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he took so long in the temple.
22When he came out and was unable to speak to them, they realized he had seen a vision in the temple. He kept making signs to them but remained speechless.
23And when the days of his service were complete, he returned home.
24After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. She declared,
25“The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”
26In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
27to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.
28The angel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
31Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.
32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David,
33and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”
34“How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.
36Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month.
37For no word from God will ever fail.”
38“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.
39In those days Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judah,
40where she entered the home of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42In a loud voice she exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43And why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44For as soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord’s word to her will be fulfilled.”
46Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
47and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.
49For the Mighty One has done great things for me. Holy is His name.
50His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
51He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.
53He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.
54He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful,
55as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”
56Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
57When the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, she gave birth to a son.
58Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.
59On the eighth day, when they came to circumcise the child, they were going to name him after his father Zechariah.
60But his mother replied, “No! He shall be called John.”
61They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who bears this name.”
62So they made signs to his father to find out what he wanted to name the child.
63Zechariah asked for a tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they were all amazed.
64Immediately Zechariah’s mouth was opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak, praising God.
65All their neighbors were filled with awe, and people throughout the hill country of Judea were talking about these events.
66And all who heard this wondered in their hearts and asked, “What then will this child become?” For the Lord’s hand was with him.
67Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people.
69He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,
70as He spoke through His holy prophets, those of ages past,
71salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us,
72to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
73the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,
75in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our lives.
76And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,
77to give to His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
78because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the Dawn will visit us from on high,
79to shine on those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
80And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until the time of his public appearance to Israel.
HERESIES
In this matter we condemn the Manichaeans who deny that the beginning of evil was for man [created] good, from his free will. We also condemn the Pelagians who assert that an evil man has sufficient free will to do the good that is commanded. Both are refuted by Holy Scripture which says to the former, "God made man upright" and to the latter, "If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36).
Scripture references for paragraph 11
Berean Standard Bible. Public domain text and source credits.
John 8:3636So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Source and edition
Second Helvetic Confession. NonlinearFruit/Creeds.json, Unlicense. Creeds.json, English transcription
Unlicense. Source transcription.
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