Belgic Art. 31: The Ministers, Elders, and Deacons
Source: Belgic Confession (1561) (Article 31) · creed
We believe that the ministers of God's Word, the elders, and the deacons ought to be chosen to their respective offices by a lawful election of the Church, with calling upon the name of the Lord, and in that order which the Word of God teaches.
Witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15)
- manuscript_tradition: Original French 1561 — Guido de Bres
- translation: Dutch translation (Synod of Antwerp 1566)
- critical_edition: Synod of Dort revision (1618-19)
- republication: CCEL — Belgic Confession
- proof_text: Scripture proof texts