BC 7.2
Belgic Confession
7.2. The Obligations of Church Members
We believe that since this holy assembly and congregation is the gathering of those who are saved and there is no salvation apart from it, people ought not to withdraw from it, content to be by themselves, regardless of their status or condition. But all people are obliged to join and unite with it, keeping the unity of the church by submitting to its instruction and discipline, by bending their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ, and by serving to build up one another, according to the gifts God has given them as members of each other in the same body. And to preserve this unity more effectively, it is the duty of all believers, according to God's Word, to separate themselves from those who do not belong to the church, in order to join this assembly wherever God has established it, even if civil authorities and royal decrees forbid and death and physical punishment result. And so, all who withdraw from the church or do not join it act contrary to God's ordinance.
Proof texts
- Matt. 16:18-19 — [18] And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. [19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
- Acts 2:47 — [47] praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
- Gal. 4:26 — [26] But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
- Eph. 5:25-27 — [25] Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, [26] that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, [27] so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
- Heb. 2:11-12 — [11] For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, [12] saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”
- Heb. 12:23 — [23] and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
- 2 Chr. 30:8 — [8] Do not now be stiff-necked as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the LORD and come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever, and serve the LORD your God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you.
- John 17:21 — [21] that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
- Col. 3:15 — [15] And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
- Heb. 13:17 — [17] Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
- Matt. 11:28-30 — [28] Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
- Eph. 4:12 — [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
- 1 Cor. 12:7, 27 — [7] To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. [27] Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
- Eph. 4:16 — [16] from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
- Num. 16:23-26 — [23] And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, [24] “Say to the congregation, Get away from the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.” [25] Then Moses rose and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. [26] And he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart, please, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be swept away with all their sins.”
- Isa. 52:11-12 — [11] Depart, depart, go out from there; touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her; purify yourselves, you who bear the vessels of the LORD. [12] For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight, for the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
- Acts 2:40 — [40] And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”
- Rom. 16:17 — [17] I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
- Rev. 18:4 — [4] Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues;
- Ps. 122:1 — [1] I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD!”
- Isa. 2:3 — [3] and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
- Heb. 10:25 — [25] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
- Acts 4:19-20 — [19] But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, [20] for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Matt. 16:18-19 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 23 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WCF 25.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- HC Q54 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?