The True Church (Kirk) The Scots Confession
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it…” Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
-Matthew 16:13-20
The Scotts Confession (1560), to a great degree the work of reformer John Knox, was made possible by an interesting twist of history. Following a period of political and religious unrest (which included Knox’ colorful condemnation of Queen Mary), England permitted Scotland its sovereignty. The new Scotts parliament asked for a confession of faith that could unite the budding Church of Scotland. Knox, a student of John Calvin, ensured the confession would be truly “Reformed” in nature. The confession speaks to both the government of the church as well as its worship. It amplifies the principle marks of Christ’s true church: The Word is rightly preached (II Timothy 1:13); the sacraments are rightly administered (I Corinthians 11:23-26).
Conflict in the church has been present from the beginning of Christianity. We often dispute important theological issues, but sometimes we even disagree and hold grudges over trivial matters, such as decor in the building. One of the most important lessons from the Scots confession is not the condemnation of others whom we deem to not be the “true church”, but the desire to be faithful to the important matters of church. Are the sacraments rightly administered? Is the Word of God rightly preached? When the answer to these two questions is “yes”, then we can be assured that the other conflicts are merely trivial preferences and not salvation issues. Let’s keep the main thing the main thing and not be distracted by the rest.
Compassionate and Gentle God, you have created us in Love to be your people. As we gather for worship, we are reminded that we have lost sight of this Gift and forgotten how to really love you. We have worshiped other gods, put our faith in the riches of this world, and impressed ourselves with misguided power. Forgive us. We have looked for help in the wrong places and ignored the extravagances you lay before us. Forgive us, Lord. Send your Spirit to come and breathe its life-sustaining and life-altering presence into us in these moments of worship.
Send your Spirit of renewal and transformation. Send your Spirit that up-ends our lives and sets us on a new path.
Send your Spirit, O Lord. Hear our prayers and remake us in Your image once again. We pray these things in the name of the One who rose from the grave. Amen.
