Form of Subscription

We, the undersigned, servants of the divine Word in the ______________ Christian Reformed Church in Classis _____________, by means of our signatures declare truthfully and in good conscience
       before the Lord
     that we sincerely believe
     that all the articles
       and points of doctrine
     set forth in the Belgic Confession,
     the Heidelberg Catechism,
     and the Canons of Dort fully agree with the Word of God.

We promise therefore
     to teach these doctrines diligently,
     to defend them faithfully,
     and not to contradict them,
       publicly or privately,
       directly or indirectly,
       in our preaching, teaching,
       or writing.

We pledge moreover
     not only to reject all errors
       that conflict with these doctrines,
     but also to refute them,
     and to do everything we can
       to keep the church free from them.

We promise further that if in the future
     we come to have any difficulty with
       these doctrines
       or reach views differing from them,
     we will not propose, defend, preach,
       or teach such views,
       either publicly or privately,
     until we have first disclosed them
     to the consistory, classis, or synod
       for examination. We are prepared moreover
     to submit to the judgment
     of the consistory, classis, or synod,
       realizing that the consequence
       of refusal to do so
       is suspension from office.

We promise in addition
     that if, to maintain unity
       and purity in doctrine,
     the consistory, classis, or synod
     considers it proper at any time_
       on sufficient grounds of concern_
     to require a fuller explanation
       of our views
       concerning any article
       in the three confessions
       mentioned above,
     we are always willing and ready
       to comply with such a request,
       realizing here also that
       the consequence of refusal to do so
       is suspension from office.

Should we consider ourselves wronged,
       however,
     by the judgment of the consistory
       or classis, we reserve for ourselves the right of appeal;
     but until a decision is made
       on such an appeal,
     we will acquiesce in the determination
       and judgment
     already made.

To be signed by professors, ministers, evangelists, elders, and deacons when ordained and/or installed in office. The original Form of Subscription was adopted by the Synod of Dort in 1618-19. The translation appearing here was approved by the Synod of 1912 and modified by the Synod of 1988.