FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH
Articles of Faith
The Articles of Faith of the Ecumenical Protestant Church in America represent a significant convergence of our shared theological heritage. These foundational statements draw upon the historical Articles of Religion from the Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist traditions, synthesizing centuries of reflection into a living witness for contemporary belief and community life.
The Episcopal Tradition
The Episcopal Articles of Religion, historically known as the Thirty-Nine Articles, provide a foundational framework for Anglican theology. They emphasize the primacy of Scripture, the historic creeds, and the administration of the Sacraments as certain signs of grace. This tradition seeks a 'via media' or middle path, balancing liturgical excellence with a rigorous commitment to biblical study and communal worship.
Sufficiency of Scripture: Holy Scripture contains all things necessary to salvation.
The Creeds: Acceptance of the Nicene and Apostles' Creeds as definitive statements of faith.
Sacramental Life: The importance of Baptism and the Supper of the Lord as ordained by Christ.
The Augsburg Confession
The primary confession of faith for the Lutheran Church and one of the most important documents of the Protestant Reformation.
The Lutheran Confessions
Small Catechism
Written by Martin Luther for the instruction of children and the unlearned, covering the basics of Christian doctrine.
Formula of Concord
An authoritative Lutheran statement that settled theological disputes after Luther's death and unified the tradition.
Presbyterian Articles: Reformed Theology
The Presbyterian tradition emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures, and the necessity of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Our articles follow the Westminster tradition, summarized here for teaching and study.
Sovereignty of God
The underlying principle that God alone is Lord of the conscience and sovereign over all creation and human history.
Justification by Grace
We are saved solely by the grace of God through faith in Christ, not by our own works or merit.
The Priesthood of All Believers
All church members are called to ministry, participating in the governance and mission of the church under Christ's headship.
Methodist Affirmations
The Methodist tradition brings a distinctive emphasis on the movement of grace, the necessity of personal and social holiness, and a fervent spirit of mission and evangelism.
- Of Faith in the Holy Trinity. There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness.
- Of Prevenient Grace. We believe that the grace of God precedes all human desire for God, enabling the first stirrings of faith in the heart.
- Of Justification and Assurance. We believe that we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ alone, and that the Spirit bears witness to our adoption.
- Of Christian Perfection. We believe in the possibility of being made perfect in love in this life, seeking holiness of heart and life.
- Of Social Holiness. We affirm that there is no holiness but social holiness, expressing our faith through acts of mercy and justice.
Articles of Faith of the Ecumenical Protestant Church in America
These 34 Articles synthesize the historic Articles of Religion of the Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches into one ecumenical Protestant confession. This synthesis provides a unified theological foundation for teaching and study within our shared faith tradition.
Article 1. Holy Scripture.
The canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Church's supreme written rule of faith, worship, morals, and ecclesial discipline. Scripture is to be read in the Church, preached as the Word of God, studied with reverence, interpreted in light of Christ, and applied with pastoral wisdom. Human traditions, councils, catechisms, confessions, and episcopal decrees possess authority only insofar as they serve the Gospel and do not overthrow the witness of Scripture.
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:15–17; John 20:31; Psalm 19:7–8.
Article 2. The Creeds.
The Church receives the Apostles' Creed and Nicene Creed as faithful summaries of the catholic and apostolic faith. These creeds are not substitutes for Scripture but ecclesial rules of confession. They guard the Church against novelty in the doctrine of God, Christ, the Spirit, creation, salvation, resurrection, judgment, and the life of the world to come.
Scripture: 2 Peter 1:19–21; Hebrews 4:12; Matthew 4:4.
Article 3. Ecumenical Protestant Character.
The Church honors the Reformation recovery of the Gospel, especially justification by grace through faith, while preserving liturgical reverence, episcopal order, and sacramental devotion.
Scripture: Luke 24:27, 44–45; John 16:13; 1 Corinthians 13:2.
Article 4. The Holy Trinity.
The Church worships one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The divine persons are coeternal, consubstantial, and undivided in essence, yet personally distinct. Christian worship is therefore Trinitarian in form and content: to the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:3–4; 1 Timothy 3:16; Jude 3.
Article 5. Jesus Christ.
The Lord Jesus Christ is true God and true man, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, crucified under Pontius Pilate, raised bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and coming again in glory. His death is sufficient for the sins of the world; his resurrection is the pledge of new creation; his priesthood is perfect and unrepeatable.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14.
Article 6. The Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit calls, convicts, regenerates, sanctifies, equips, and sends the Church. The Spirit's gifts are to be exercised under Scripture, charity, order, and pastoral oversight. Enthusiasm without discernment and institutionalism without Spirit are both to be rejected.
Scripture: John 1:1, 14; Philippians 2:5–11; Hebrews 2:14–17.
Article 7. Creation and Fall.
God created all things good. Humanity, made in the image of God, is called to communion with God and neighbor. Sin distorts that calling, alienates persons from God, wounds communities, and requires redemption by grace.
Scripture: John 14:16–17, 26; John 15:26; Acts 1:8.
Article 8. Grace and Faith.
Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works that earn divine favor. Good works are the fruit of grace, the evidence of living faith, and the necessary shape of discipleship, but not the meritorious ground of justification.
Scripture: Psalm 103:19; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:11.
Article 9. Sanctification.
The Christian life is growth in holiness through Word, sacrament, prayer, repentance, discipline, charity, and participation in the Church's worship. The Church rejects both moral laxity and spiritual pride. It teaches a serious, pastoral, hopeful doctrine of transformation.
Scripture: Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:9–12, 23; Ephesians 2:1–3.
Article 10. The Church.
The Church is the people of God gathered by Word and sacrament, incorporated into Christ, and sent for witness and service. The visible Church requires preaching, sacraments, discipline, pastoral care, and ordered ministry. The Church is holy because Christ is holy, yet always in need of reform and repentance.
Scripture: John 6:44; Philippians 2:12–13; Titus 2:11.
Article 11. Ministry.
The Church receives the historic pattern of bishops, priests, and deacons, and also permits minor orders for liturgical and pastoral assistance. The ministry exists to serve the Gospel, not to dominate the baptized. Orders confer ecclesiastical responsibility, not spiritual superiority.
Scripture: Romans 3:21–26; Romans 5:1; Galatians 2:16.
Article 12. Mission.
The Church exists for worship, evangelism, catechesis, mercy, justice, and reconciliation. Its ecumenical vocation is to cooperate with Christians of good will while preserving its own doctrine and discipline.
Scripture: James 2:17–22; Ephesians 2:10; Titus 3:8.
13. Of Sin After Baptism
Not every sin willingly committed after baptism is sin against the Holy Spirit, and unpardonable. Therefore, the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after baptism.
Scripture: 1 John 1:9; 1 John 2:1–2.
14. Of the Church
The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful people, in which the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments are duly administered according to Christ’s ordinance.
Scripture: Acts 2:42; Ephesians 4:11–13.
15. Of Purgatory and Worship of Images
The doctrine concerning purgatory, pardons, worshiping and adoration as well of images as of relics, and also invocation of saints, is grounded upon no warranty of Scripture.
Scripture: Exodus 20:4–5; 1 Timothy 2:5.
16. Of Speaking in a Language the People Understand
It is a thing plainly repugnant to the Word of God, and the custom of the primitive Church, to have public prayer in the church, or to minister the Sacraments, in a tongue not understood by the people.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:9, 19.
17. Of the Sacraments
Sacraments ordained of Christ are not only badges or tokens of Christian profession, but rather they are certain signs of grace, and God’s good will towards us, by which He works invisibly in us.
Scripture: Matthew 28:19; Luke 22:19.
18. Of Baptism
Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christians are discerned from others, but it is also a sign of regeneration or the new birth.
Scripture: John 3:5; Romans 6:3–4; Titus 3:5.
19. Of the Lord’s Supper
The Supper of the Lord is a Sacrament of our redemption by Christ’s death: such that to those who rightly and with faith receive the same, the Bread which we break is a partaking of the Body of Christ; and likewise the Cup of Blessing is a partaking of the Blood of Christ.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:16; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26.
20. Of the One Oblation of Christ Finished Upon the Cross
The offering of Christ once made is that perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual; and there is no other satisfaction for sin but that alone.
Scripture: Hebrews 10:10–14; 1 John 2:2; 1 Peter 3:18.
21. Of the Marriage of Ministers
The ministers of Christ are not commanded by God’s law either to vow the estate of single life, or to abstain from marriage; therefore it is lawful for them to marry at their own discretion.
Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:2; 1 Corinthians 9:5.
22. Of the Rites and Ceremonies of Churches
It is not necessary that rites and ceremonies should in all places be the same, or exactly alike; for they have been always different, and may be changed according to diversity.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:40; Romans 14:5.
23. Of the Civil Magistrates
The President, the Congress, and the Courts of the United States are the rulers of this country, according to the Constitution, and are to be obeyed in all things lawful.
Scripture: Romans 13:1–7; 1 Peter 2:13–17.
24. Of Christian Men’s Goods
The goods of Christians are not common in possession; notwithstanding, every man ought, of such things as he possesses, liberally to give alms to the poor.
Scripture: Acts 5:4; 2 Corinthians 9:7; 1 Timothy 6:17–19.
25. Of a Christian Man’s Oath
While vain swearing is forbidden, the Christian religion does not prohibit that a man may swear when the magistrate requires in a cause of faith and charity.
Scripture: Matthew 5:33–37; Hebrews 6:16.
26. Of Sanctification
Sanctification is that renewal of our fallen nature by the Holy Spirit, whereby we are delivered from the power of sin and enabled to love God with all our heart.
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Romans 6:22; 2 Corinthians 7:1.
27. Of the Resurrection of the Dead
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust: the one to the resurrection of life, and the other to the resurrection of condemnation.
Scripture: John 5:28–29; 1 Corinthians 15:51–57.
28. Of the Judgment
We believe that God has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, when everyone shall receive according to their deeds.
Scripture: Acts 17:31; 2 Corinthians 5:10.
29. Of Eternal Life
We believe that the righteous shall inherit eternal life and dwell forever in the presence of God in a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells.
Scripture: John 3:16; Revelation 21:1–4.
30. Of the Assurance of Believers
Such as truly believe may in this life be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, the Spirit bearing witness with their spirit that they are children of God.
Scripture: Romans 8:16; 1 John 5:13.
31. Of Christian Liberty
God alone is Lord of the conscience, and has left it free from the doctrines of men which are in any thing contrary to His Word, or beside it, in matters of faith.
Scripture: Galatians 5:1; James 4:12.
32. Of the Sovereignty of God and Human Responsibility
God ordained whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures.
Scripture: Ephesians 1:11; James 1:13.
33. Of Perseverance
They whom God has accepted in His Beloved can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace, but shall certainly persevere therein to the end.
Scripture: John 10:28–29; Romans 8:35–39.
34. Of the Unity of the Church
As there is one body and one Spirit, so we seek to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace among all who profess the name of Christ.
Scripture: Ephesians 4:3–6; John 17:20–23.
Note: These Articles of Religion form the shared theological foundation of the Ecumenical Protestant Church in America, synthesized for teaching and study within our faith tradition.