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Web transcription of the official 2026 PDF, with links (Crown & Covenant Publications), or the unchanged file. Where they differ, the PDF governs.Transcribed from the official 2026 PDF, with links (or the unchanged file). Where they differ, the PDF governs.

Contents

Chapter 20. Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience

(Larger Catechism: 28, 45, 83; Shorter Catechism: 2, 26)

Confession of Faith

1CF 20.1

The liberty which Christ hath purchased for believers under the Gospel consists in their freedom from the guilt of sin, the condemning wrath of God, the curse of the moral law; and, in their being delivered from this present evil world, bondage to Satan, and dominion of sin; from the evil of afflictions, the sting of death, the victory of the grave, and everlasting damnation; as also, in their free access to God, and their yielding obedience unto Him, not out of slavish fear, but a child-like love and willing mind. All which were common also to believers under the law. But, under the new testament, the liberty of Christians is further enlarged, in their freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, to which the Jewish Church was subjected; and in greater boldness of access to the throne of grace, and in fuller communications of the free Spirit of God, than believers under the law did ordinarily partake of.

Titus 2:14; 1 Thess. 1:10; Gal. 3:13; Gal. 1:4; Col. 1:13; Acts 26:18; Rom. 6:14; Rom. 8:28; Ps. 119:71; 1 Cor. 15:54-57; Rom. 8:1; Rom. 5:1-2; Rom. 8:14-15; 1 John 4:18; Gal. 3:9, 14; Gal. 4:1-3, 6-7; Gal. 5:1; Acts 15:10-11; Heb. 4:14, 16; Heb. 10:19-22; John 7:38-39; 2 Cor. 3:13, 17-18.

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Testimony 20.1 to 20.3

2CF 20.2

God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are in any thing contrary to His Word; or beside it, in matters of faith or worship. So that, to believe such doctrines, or to obey such commands, out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience: and the requiring of an implicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason also.

Jas. 4:12; Rom. 14:4; Acts 4:19; Acts 5:29; 1 Cor. 7:23; Matt. 23:8-10; 2 Cor. 1:24; Matt. 15:9; Col. 2:20, 22-23; Gal. 1:10; Gal. 2:4-5; Gal. 5:1; Rom. 10:17; Rom. 14:23; Isa. 8:20; Acts 17:11; John 4:22; Hos. 5:11; Rev. 13:12, 16-17; Jer. 8:9.

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Testimony 20.4

3CF 20.3

They who, upon pretence of Christian liberty, do practice any sin, or cherish any lust, do thereby destroy the end of Christian liberty, which is, that being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we might serve the Lord without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life.

Gal. 5:13; 1 Pet. 2:16; 2 Pet. 2:19; John 8:34; Luke 1:74-75.

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4CF 20.4

And because the powers which God hath ordained, and the liberty which Christ hath purchased, are not intended by God to destroy, but mutually to uphold and preserve one another; they who, upon pretence of Christian liberty, shall oppose any lawful power, or the lawful exercise of it, whether it be civil or ecclesiastical, resist the ordinance of God. And, for their publishing of such opinions, or maintaining of such practices, as are contrary to the light of nature, or to the known principles of Christianity, whether concerning faith, worship or conversation; or, to the power of godliness; or, such erroneous opinions or practices, as either in their own nature, or in the manner of publishing or maintaining them, are destructive to the external peace and order which Christ hath established in the Church, they may lawfully be called to account, and proceeded against by the censures of the Church, and by the power of the civil magistrate.

Matt. 12:25; 1 Pet. 2:13-14, 16; Rom. 13:1-8; Heb. 13:17; Rom. 1:32 with 1 Cor. 5:1, 5, 11, 13; 2 John 10-11, and 2 Thess. 3:14, and 1 Tim. 6:3-5, and Titus 1:10-11, 13, and Titus 3:10 with Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Tim. 1:19-20; Rev. 2:2, 14-15, 20; Rev. 3:9; Deut. 13:6-12; Rom. 13:3-4 with 2 John 10-11; Ezra 7:23, 25-28; Rev. 17:12, 16-17; Neh. 13:15, 17, 21-22, 25, 30; 2 Kings 23:5-6, 9, 20-21; 2 Chron. 34:33; 2 Chron. 15:12-13, 16; Dan. 3:29; 1 Tim. 2:2; Isa. 49:23; Zech. 13:2-3.

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Testimony 20.5 to 20.6

Testimony

With Confession 20.1

1T 20.1

Christian liberty consists primarily in the believer’s freedom from the guilt and power of sin, in freedom from the ceremonial law and in freedom of access to God through Christ.

Titus 2:14; Rom. 6:17-19, 22; Gal. 5:1; Acts 15:10-11; Heb. 10:19-22.

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2T 20.2

Christ sets believers free not only from a feeling of guilt, but from actual guilt.

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3T 20.3

We reject the teaching that believers under the Old Testament had no such liberty as belongs to believers under the New Testament. The difference between the liberty enjoyed under the Old and New Testaments is one of degree rather than kind.

Ps. 32:1-5; Ps. 130:7-8.

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With Confession 20.2

4T 20.4

Conscience is a sense of right and wrong by which one evaluates his own thoughts and behavior. When one follows his conscience, he feels a measure of contentment; when he violates his conscience, he feels distress. Conscience is natural to man, and implies his accountability to God, but it is not the rule of faith and practice. Conscience shows the work of the law written on the heart, but is distorted by the work of Satan, by man’s sinful nature, and by the ungodly standards of the world. The Christian’s conscience is to be directed by God’s revealed law, under the illumination of the Holy Spirit, with due attention to the teaching and admonition of the brethren. Although conscience is not infallible, a person should not do what he believes to be wrong.

Rom. 2:14-15; 2 Cor. 4:4; 1 Tim. 4:2-3; Rom. 12:1-2; Matt. 15:9; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Ps. 143:10; Rom. 8:5-9; Col. 3:16; Rom. 14:14, 23.

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With Confession 20.4

5T 20.5

Liberty of conscience differs from Christian liberty. Liberty of conscience is the freedom to interpret and apply God’s Word to one’s own life. The Christian is to render due submission in the Lord to any lawful authority, but he has the right to disagree with any improper use of human authority. If that authority requires him to sin, he must obey God rather than man. Individual liberty is regulated by the principles found in Scripture and is limited by the mutual duties believers owe to one another, and by concern for the welfare of all men.

Rom. 13:1-7; Acts 5:29; 1 Pet. 2:13-16; 1 Cor. 10:27-29; Rom. 14:10-15; 1 Cor. 8:9-15; Titus 3:1; Gal. 5:13-18.

printed 1 Cor. 8:9-15, read as 1 Corinthians 8:9-13: printed '1 Cor. 8:9-15' among the proofs of T 20:5 on page A-60; 1 Corinthians 8 ends at verse 13, so the upper bound is the printed text's own arithmetic and the proof runs 8:9-13 — reviewed by Bryan Schneider, 2026-08-26

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6T 20.6

The civil magistrate has no authority to pronounce ecclesiastical censures.

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Connections

Connections · CF 20.1

Printed beside

Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience

Cited at the chapter head

Index entries citing this

Index: ACCESS Freedom of
Index: GOSPEL Gives believers more boldness in prayer than did law
Index: LAW—CEREMONIAL It is abrogated under the New Testament
Index: LIBERTY Christian

Proof texts

Titus 2:14
KJV
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
also cited by 3
1 Thessalonians 1:10
KJV
1 Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
Galatians 3:13
KJV
Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
also cited by 2
- CF 19.6
- LC 49
Galatians 1:4
KJV
Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
Colossians 1:13
KJV
Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
also cited by 1
- CF 9.4
Acts 26:18
KJV
Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
also cited by 6
Romans 6:14
KJV
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
also cited by 6
Romans 8:28
KJV
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
also cited by 3
Psalm 119:71
KJV
Psalm 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
1 Corinthians 15:54-57
KJV
1 Corinthians 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
Romans 8:1
KJV
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
also cited by 5
Romans 5:1-2
KJV
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
also cited by 4
Romans 8:14-15
KJV
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
1 John 4:18
KJV
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Galatians 3:9
KJV
Galatians 3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
also cited by 4
Galatians 3:14
KJV
Galatians 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
also cited by 5
Galatians 4:1-3
KJV
Galatians 4:1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
also cited by 1
- CF 19.3
Galatians 4:6-7
KJV
Galatians 4:6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Galatians 5:1
KJV
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
also cited by 2
- CF 20.2
- T 20.1
Acts 15:10-11
KJV
Acts 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
also cited by 1
- T 20.1
Hebrews 4:14
KJV
Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Hebrews 4:16
KJV
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
also cited by 2
- LC 39
- LC 55
Hebrews 10:19-22
KJV
Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
also cited by 2
- T 20.1
- T 21.1
John 7:38-39
KJV
John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
2 Corinthians 3:13
KJV
2 Corinthians 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
KJV
2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

References

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Chapter 20. Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty of Conscience

Confession of Faith

Testimony

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