Articles of Religion (Anglican)

The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion are the defining statements of Anglican doctrine. They were issued by the Convocation of clergy of the Church of England in 1571 and are printed in the Book of Common Prayer and other Anglican prayer books. From 1673 to 1828, the Test Act made adherence to the Thirty-Nine Articles a requirement for holding civil office in England.

The Articles were not intended as a complete statement of the Christian faith, but as a statement of the position of the Church of England over against the Roman Catholic Church and some continental Reformers. The Articles highlight some of the major differences between Anglican and Catholic doctrine, as well as more conventional declarations of a Trinitarian Christianity. The Articles also argue against some Anabaptist positions such as the holding of goods in common, and the necessity of believer's baptism.

Outside the Church of England, Anglican views of the Thirty-Nine Articles vary. The Episcopal Church in the United States regards them as an historical document and does not require members to adhere to them.

Anglican clergyman John Wesley adapted the Thirty-Nine Articles for utilization by Methodists in the 18th century. The adapted Articles of Religion remain official United Methodist doctrine.

Summary of Content[]

In the order given in the Book of Common Prayer, the thirty-nine articles are:

Faith in the Holy Trinity
Of the Word or Son of God, which was made very Man
Of the going down of Christ into Hell
Of the Resurrection of Christ
Of the Holy Ghost
Of the Sufficiency of the holy Scripture for Salvation
- including a recommendation of the Apocryphal books 'for example of life and instruction in manners ... [but not] to establish any doctrine'
Of the Old Testament
Of the Three Creeds (Nicene, Athanasian, and Apostles' Creed
Of Original or Birth-sin
Of Free Will
Of the Justification of Man
Of Good Works
Of Works before Justification
Of Works of Supererogation
Of Christ Alone without Sin
Of Sin after Baptism
Of Predestination and Election
Of Obtaining Eternal Salvation only by the Name of Christ
Of the Church
Of the Authority of the Church
Of the Authority of General Councils
Of Purgatory
- The source of the phrase a fond thing vainly invented
Of Ministering in the Congregation
Of Speaking in the Congregation in such a tongue as the people understandeth
Of the Sacraments
- identifies only two sacraments, Baptism and the Eucharist
Of the Unworthiness of the Ministers, which hinders not the effect of the Sacrament
Of Baptism
Of the Lord's Supper
Of the Wicked which eat not the Body of Christ in the use of the Lord's Prayer
Of both kinds
- i.e. Communion in both kinds
Of the one Oblation of Christ finished upon the Cross
Of the Marriage of Priests
Of Excommunicate Persons, how they are to be avoided
Of the Traditions of the Church
Of the Homilies
- Includes a list of Thomas Cranmer's homilies, to be read in Churches
Of Consecration of Bishops and Ministers
Of the Civil Magistrates
Of Christian Men's Goods, which are not common
Of a Christian Man's Oath

Articles of Religion (Anglican)

Summary of Content[]

External Links to the Articles of Religion online[]

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