Week 11: Tudor - The 38 Articles

These articles were written in 1571, and were a statement of the beliefs and doctrines of the Church of England. These were established during the English Reformation as a response to the controversies surrounding Catholic doctrines and practices.

I. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity

- There is only one true God who exists eternally in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

II. Of the Word or Son of God

- The Son, who is the Word of the Father, is both fully God and fully man and was incarnated through the Virgin Mary. He suffered and died to reconcile humanity to God.

III. Of the Going Down of Christ into Hell

- It is believed that Christ descended into Hell after His death.

IV. Of the Resurrection of Christ

- Christ rose from the dead with a physical body and ascended into Heaven, where He will return to judge humanity.

V. Of the Holy Ghost

- The Holy Ghost, of the same substance as the Father and the Son, is also fully God.

VI. Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation

- The Scriptures contain all necessary teachings for salvation. The canonical books include both the Old and New Testaments.

VII. Of the Old Testament

- The Old Testament complements the New Testament, offering promises of eternal life through Christ.

VIII. Of the Creeds

- The Nicene and Apostles' Creeds should be believed as they are based on Scripture.

IX. Of Original or Birth Sin

- Original sin is a corruption inherent in all humans, making us prone to evil.

X. Of Free Will

- After the Fall, humans cannot turn to God by their own strength; divine grace is necessary.

XI. Of the Justification of Man

- Justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not through personal merits or works.

XII. Of Good Works

- Good works are important as evidence of faith but do not contribute to justification.

XIII. Of Works before Justification

- Works done without faith in Christ do not please God and cannot earn grace.

XIV. Of Works of Supererogation

- Slightly beyond what God commands are not acceptable as they imply more is owed to God than required.

XV. Of Christ Alone without Sin

- Christ was sinless in both body and spirit, unlike other humans who sin.

XVI. Of Sin after Baptism

- Not all sins after baptism are unforgivable; repentance is available.

XVII. Of Predestination and Election

- God predestines some for salvation, and those called by the Spirit will respond and attain salvation.

XVIII. Of Obtaining Eternal Salvation Only by the Name of Christ

- Salvation comes exclusively through Jesus Christ.

XIX. Of the Church

- The Church is defined as a body of faithful Christians where the Scriptures are preached and the Sacraments are administered correctly.

XX. Of the Authority of the Church

- The Church can establish rites but cannot contradict Scripture.

XXI. Of the Authority of General Councils

- General Councils may err and lack authority unless aligned with Scripture.

XXII. Of Purgatory

- The doctrine of Purgatory is rejected as unscriptural.

XXIII. Of Ministering in the Congregation

- Public ministry must be performed by those lawfully called.

XXIV. Of Speaking in the Congregation

- Services should be conducted in a language understood by the congregation.

XXV. Of the Sacraments

- Christ instituted two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper, as true means of grace.

XXVI. Of the Unworthiness of the Ministers

- The validity of Sacraments is not compromised by the moral state of the minister.

XXVII. Of Baptism

- Baptism signifies regeneration and incorporation into the Church and should include children.

XXVIII. Of the Lord's Supper

- The Lord's Supper signifies redemption and should be received with faith.

XXIX. Of the Wicked

- The unworthy may partake in the sacrament but do not receive grace.

XXX. Of Both Kinds

- Both the bread and wine in the Lord's Supper should be administered to all believers.

XXXI. Of the One Oblation of Christ Finished Upon the Cross

- Christ's sacrifice is the sole and complete atonement for sin.

XXXII. Of the Marriage of Priests

- Clergy may marry, as no divine law forbids it.

XXXIII. Of Excommunicate Persons

- Excommunicated individuals should be treated as outsiders until reconciled with the Church.

XXXIV. Of the Traditions of the Church

- Church traditions can vary but must not contradict God's Word.

XXXV. Of the Homilies

- The Homilies contain sound doctrine and should be read in churches.

XXXVI. Of Consecration of Bishops and Ministers

- The approved form for consecration is valid.

XXXVII. Of the Power of the Civil Magistrates

- The civil authority governs all matters temporal, but not spiritual.

XXXVIII. Of Christian Men's Goods

- Christian property is not communal, yet generosity towards the poor is encouraged.

XXXIX. Of a Christian Man's Oath

- Swearing is permitted in legal matters, provided it's done truthfully.

This summary captures the essence of each article, which outlines key doctrinal positions of the faith, including beliefs about God, Christ, sin, salvation, the Church, sacraments, and moral conduct.