The Reformed confessions embody the considered judgments of the Reformed Churches on key issues in the 16th and 17th centuries. They are not systematic theologies but conclusions on what Christians should believe and how to practice their faith. These documents reflect the theology and practice of the Reformed Churches in Europe and the British Isles during the classical period. Many have been adopted by contemporary Reformed Churches that continue to uphold the historic Reformed faith. The most widely confessed today are the Westminster Standards (i.e., the confession and catechisms) and the Three Forms of Unity (i.e., the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of the Synod of Dort), confessed by churches globally in various languages and cultures.
The Scots Confession (1560)
The Scots Confession was composed in the context of the Scottish Reformation, a movement that sought to break away from Roman Catholicism and align Scotland with the broader Reformed tradition. It was written by John Knox and five other ministers—often called the “Six Johns”—at the request of the Scottish Parliament. The confession boldly affirms core Protestant doctrines such as the authority of Scripture, salvation by grace through faith, and the rejection of the papacy. It became the first official doctrinal standard of the Church of Scotland.
The Belgic Confession (1561)
Written primarily by Guido de Brès, a Reformed pastor in the Netherlands, the Belgic Confession was a plea for religious tolerance and a defense of Protestant orthodoxy. In a time of fierce persecution under Spanish Catholic rule, de Brès and his fellow believers sought to prove that they were not rebels but faithful Christians. The confession outlines essential Reformed beliefs, including the sovereignty of God, justification by faith, and the authority of Scripture. It was later adopted as one of the Three Forms of Unity used by many Reformed churches.
The Second Helvetic Confession (1566)
The Second Helvetic Confession, written by Heinrich Bullinger of Zurich, was originally a personal statement of faith that quickly gained wide acceptance across the Reformed world. It offered a thorough and unifying summary of Reformed theology, addressing everything from Scripture and the Trinity to sacraments and church order. Adopted by many churches in Switzerland and Germany, it became one of the most influential confessions in the Reformed tradition.
The Thirty-Nine Articles (1571)
Serving as the doctrinal foundation of the Church of England, the Thirty-Nine Articles represent a middle path between Roman Catholicism and continental Protestantism. Originally drafted by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, during the reign of Edward VI, the Articles were finalized under Queen Elizabeth I in 1571. They reflect key Protestant principles while maintaining some aspects of traditional liturgy and church structure, shaping what came to be known as Anglicanism.
The Canons of Dort (1619)
The Canons of Dort were formulated at the Synod of Dort, an international Reformed council held in the Netherlands to settle a theological dispute with the Arminians—followers of Jacobus Arminius. These five main points, often summarized as TULIP (Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints), affirmed traditional Calvinist doctrine against Arminian challenges. The Canons remain a cornerstone of Reformed theology, especially in Dutch Reformed and Presbyterian circles.
The First London Baptist Confession of Faith (1646)
This confession was produced by early Particular Baptists in England, a group of Calvinistic Baptists who emphasized the doctrines of grace while also insisting on believer’s baptism. The First London Confession aimed to distinguish Baptists from both Anabaptists (often viewed as radical) and the Church of England, while demonstrating their commitment to Reformed orthodoxy. It marked the beginning of a distinctly Reformed Baptist identity.
The Westminster Confession of Faith (1647)
Drafted by the Westminster Assembly—a council of English theologians convened by the Long Parliament—the Westminster Confession became the definitive statement of faith for Presbyterian churches. Thorough and systematic, it covers doctrines ranging from the nature of God and Scripture to covenant theology and church government. While originally intended for the Church of England, it found a lasting home in Scotland and in Presbyterian churches worldwide.
The Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689)
Based heavily on the Westminster Confession, the Second London Baptist Confession was written by Particular Baptists such as Nehemiah Coxe and Benjamin Keach. It upheld the core tenets of Reformed theology—sovereignty of God, justification by faith, and covenant theology—while emphasizing credobaptism (baptism of believers only) and congregational church governance. It became a key doctrinal standard for Reformed Baptists and is still widely used today.
