Preamble to the Westminster Confession of Faith
The Reformed Church of Quebec adheres to the Westminster Confession of Faith (edition published in La Revue réformée, No. 153-1988/1, pp. 1-64). However,
- We allow freedom of conscience regarding articles XXIII.3 and XXXI.2, concerning the role of the civil government in the life of the Church, and article XXIV.4, concerning marriages within degrees of consanguinity or affinity.
- We accept sections XXX and XXXI insofar as they are in accordance with the ecclesiastical order and discipline, and the functioning of the Reformed Church of Quebec.
- We reaffirm, in these times of questioning the traditional pause of commercial activity in our society, the value and appropriateness of dedicating Sunday to the Lord. However, we allow freedom of conscience regarding the occupations and duties to be performed mentioned in article XXI.8.
- We acknowledge the historical context in which this confession was originally written, as well as the polemical debates of the time, thereby allowing us to mitigate the sometimes shocking or offensive language found in parts of articles XXII.7, XXIV.3, XXV.6, XXIX.2, and XXIX.6.
- We consider that in article XVIII.3, "développer l’assurance" or "affermir" would be a better french translation of "make sure" than the term "assurer" which may imply salvation by works.
- We consider that in article XXIV.5, " fiancailles " would be more appropriate in our context than "promesse de mariage".