The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion
1563 — Church of England
Anglican Tradition
The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion
The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion are the historic statement of doctrine of the Church of England, finalized in 1571 under Queen Elizabeth I. They define Anglican belief on the essentials of the Christian faith, drawing from both the Catholic tradition and the Protestant Reformation.
Article I — Of Faith in the Holy Trinity
There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts, or passions; of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Maker and Preserver of all things both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there be three Persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Article II — Of the Word or Son of God, which was made very Man
The Son, which is the Word of the Father, begotten from everlasting of the Father, the very and eternal God, and of one substance with the Father, took Man's nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin, of her substance: so that two whole and perfect Natures, that is to say, the Godhead and Manhood, were joined together in one Person, never to be divided, whereof is one Christ, very God, and very Man.
Article VI — Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation
Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation.
Article XI — Of the Justification of Man
We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Jesus Christ by Faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by Faith only is a most wholesome Doctrine, and very full of comfort.
Article XXV — Of the Sacraments
Sacraments ordained of Christ be not only badges or tokens of Christian men's profession, but rather they be certain sure witnesses, and effectual signs of grace, and God's good will towards us, by the which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm our Faith in him. There are two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel, that is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord.
Historical Background
- Original Language
- Latin and English
- Date Adopted
- 1571
- Council or Body
- Convocation of Canterbury
- Location
- London, England
Historical Context
The Thirty-Nine Articles emerged from one of the most turbulent periods in English history. When Henry VIII broke with Rome in the 1530s, the Church of England found itself in need of a clear doctrinal identity. Early attempts under Henry — including the Ten Articles of 1536 and the Six Articles of 1539 — reflected the ongoing tension between those who wanted a fully Protestant settlement and those who preferred a Catholic church simply freed from papal jurisdiction.
Under Edward VI, Archbishop Thomas Cranmer moved the Church decisively in a Protestant direction. His Forty-Two Articles of 1553 established a thoroughly Reformed doctrinal framework — but Edward died before they could take full effect, and the Catholic Queen Mary reversed the Reformation, burning Cranmer and nearly three hundred Protestants at the stake.
When Elizabeth I came to the throne in 1558, she sought a religious settlement broad enough to hold the nation together. Archbishop Matthew Parker revised Cranmer's Forty-Two Articles, reducing and moderating them. The resulting Thirty-Nine Articles were ratified by Convocation in 1563, revised slightly, and given full parliamentary authority in 1571. They have remained the doctrinal standard of the Church of England ever since — subscribed to by every Anglican clergyman at ordination.
Key Articles
Of Faith in the Holy Trinity
There is one living and true God, eternal and of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness. In the unity of the Godhead there are three Persons — Father, Son, and Holy Ghost — of one substance, power, and eternity.
Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation
Holy Scripture contains all things necessary to salvation. Whatever cannot be read in Scripture or proved thereby is not to be required as an article of faith or considered necessary to salvation.
Of the Justification of Man
We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of Christ by faith, and not for our own works. Justification by faith alone is a most wholesome doctrine, very full of comfort.
Of Predestination and Election
Predestination to life is the everlasting purpose of God, whereby he has decreed to deliver from curse and damnation those whom he has chosen in Christ before the foundations of the world were laid.
Of the Sacraments
Sacraments are certain sure witnesses and effectual signs of grace. Christ ordained two sacraments in the Gospel: Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. These are not mere signs but means by which God works invisibly in us.
Of the Lord's Supper
The body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten in the Supper only after a heavenly and spiritual manner. Transubstantiation cannot be proved from Scripture and gives rise to many superstitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion?
The Thirty-Nine Articles are the historic doctrinal statement of the Church of England, finalized in 1571 under Queen Elizabeth I. They define Anglican belief on the Trinity, Scripture, salvation, the sacraments, and the relationship between church and state. They remain the doctrinal standard of the Church of England and many Anglican provinces worldwide.
Are the Thirty-Nine Articles still binding on Anglican clergy?
Yes. Church of England clergy are required to give their assent to the Thirty-Nine Articles at ordination. The precise form of subscription has varied over the centuries, but the Articles retain their authority as the doctrinal standard of the Church of England and form part of the foundational documents of the Anglican Communion.
Do the Thirty-Nine Articles teach justification by faith alone?
Yes. Article XI states plainly: 'We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Jesus Christ by Faith, and not for our own works or deservings.' This is the classic Protestant doctrine of justification by faith alone, which the Articles describe as 'a most wholesome Doctrine, and very full of comfort.'
What do the Thirty-Nine Articles say about Scripture?
Article VI teaches that Holy Scripture contains all things necessary to salvation. Whatever cannot be read in Scripture or proved thereby cannot be required as an article of faith. This is the Anglican expression of the Reformation principle of sola scriptura — Scripture as the supreme authority in matters of faith and salvation.
What is the Anglican view of the Lord's Supper according to the Articles?
The Articles reject the Roman Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation (Article XXVIII) while affirming that the body of Christ is 'given, taken, and eaten in the Supper, only after a heavenly and spiritual manner.' This is a Reformed spiritual presence view — neither a bare memorialism nor a physical presence in the elements.
How do the Thirty-Nine Articles relate to the Reformed tradition?
The Articles are broadly Reformed in doctrine, sharing the Reformation emphases on Scripture's authority, original sin, justification by faith alone, and the bondage of the will. Article XVII on predestination is within the Reformed tradition. However, the Articles are broader than strict Calvinist confessions, maintaining episcopacy and a high view of the ancient creeds and catholic tradition.
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