In the EPC, every new member makes a simple but weighty promise: “Do you promise to promote the unity, peace, and purity of the church?” It’s easy to treat unity, peace and purity as three separate directions—as though we could prioritize one without jeopardizing the other. But Scripture and the Reformed tradition (especially the Westminster Standards) insist that peace flows from purity, not the other way around. Lose purity, and you lose peace. Seek peace at the expense of purity, and you get neither.

Biblical Peace is the Fruit of Truth, Not the Absence of Conflict

“Peace” in Scripture is never mere quiet. It is shalom—order, wholeness, integrity. And this cannot exist apart from truth. Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth” (John 17:17). Paul joins peace and purity repeatedly (2 Tim. 1:13; Titus 2:1–2). The early church enjoyed deep unity after anchoring themselves in “the apostles’ teaching” (Acts 2:42–47). The Westminster Confession agrees: the church’s holiness and peace are a mark of the Spirit’s work, not human diplomacy.

“The purest Churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error…” (WCF 25.5)

Purity is not perfection (though Christ will eventually perfect his Bride)—but it is the sincere pursuit of doctrinal and moral faithfulness. And this pursuit is what guards the church’s peace.

Pursuing Peace at the Expense of Purity Always Harms the Flock

Many churches avoid conflict by refusing to confront false teaching or unrepentant sin. That instinct feels peaceful and mercy-filled, but Scripture calls it dangerous. Paul warns that wolves will come “from among your own selves” (Acts 20:29–30). In 1 Corinthians 5:6-7 we read, “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven…” In Ephesians he writes, “There must not even be a hint of impurity among you” (Eph. 5:3). His instruction is not to avoid hard conversations, but to guard the flock and address impurity within the church. The Confession recognizes discipline as a means of grace:

“Church censures are necessary for reclaiming and gaining of offending brethren, for deterring of others… and for preventing the wrath of God… upon the whole Church.” (WCF 30.3)

In other words: Failing to guard purity is failing to guard people.

A peace-at-all-costs church allows falsehood to spread, leaves the spiritually vulnerable unprotected and, most visibly, breeds deeper division later.

The irony is evident: a church that seeks peace without purity ends up with neither peace nor safety.

Purity Creates Peace Because Purity Keeps Christ at the Center

In the Reformed tradition, “the purity of the church” has always centered on:

• faithfulness to Scripture
• right preaching of the gospel
• proper administration of the sacraments
• the loving, biblical exercise of discipline

These are Christ’s appointed means of preserving peace.

“The Lord Jesus… hath instituted in His Church… ordinances, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints.” (WCF 25.3)

Purity safeguards those ordinances, and purified doctrine leads to peaceful relationships. Where truth is clear, consciences can rest. Where sin is addressed, reconciliation will grow. And, where boundaries are honored, unity flourishes.

Purity does not threaten peace–purity produces peace. Just as pruning what is diseased enables healthly growth, so purity allow for health in the Body of Christ.

The EPC Vow Is Not Two Values but One Integrated Commitment

The EPC membership vow is not a balancing act of give and take. Too often the EPC motto “in essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity” unintentionally becomes a Trojan Horse which allows impurity to fester in the body. But we must remember: The vow to pursue the peace and purity of the church is a single, indivisible covenantal promise, grounded in the unity of truth and love.

“All synods or councils… are to handle, determine, and conclude nothing, but that which is agreeable to the Word of God.” (WCF 31.3)

That is purity—and that alone brings peace. The purpose of such purity is always the peace and edification of the church (Eph. 4:11–16). To pursue “peace” by avoiding Scripture is to abandon both Scripture and peace. To pursue “purity” with a harsh spirit is to forget the Lord of peace. But joined properly, peace and purity protect Christ’s people and reflect Christ’s character.

A Pastoral Word

We live in an age where tolerance is prized above truth, and conflict avoidance is mistaken for biblical peace. But the church’s call is higher and healthier. When peace is sought at the expense of purity, the church will be in crisis. Thankfully, Christ loves His church too much to allow her to sacrifice purity for quiet.

• A pure church will be a peaceful church.
• A peaceful church will be a protected church.
• And a protected church will be a joyful church.

So when we take the vow to pursue “the unity, peace, and purity of the church,” we are not promising three things—we are promising one thing in three parts: To uphold the truth in love, so that Christ’s people may flourish in peace.

When a church tolerates false teaching or unrepentant sin, it violates the very conditions necessary for peace. It’s like ignoring infection in the name of “keeping the body calm.” Sooner or later, the whole body suffers.