Doctrinal Standards

In addition to the ecumencial creeds (Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed) recognized by the whole Church, different denominations affirm different credal standards.

Protestant

Anglican: (Thirty-nine) Articles of Religion (1562).

Baptist: with the exception of Reformed Baptists, Baptists generally eschew doctrinal statements.

Lutheran: The Book of Concord containing the Augsburg Confession (1530) and others.

Methodist:

Presbyterian: the primary standard for Presbyterian churches is the Westminster Standards, consisting of the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Shorter Catechism, and the Larger Catechism, all issued by the Westminster Assembly of Divines (1644-48).

Reformed: any or all of the following Reformed creeds: Belgic Confession (1561), Canons of Dordt (1618-19), Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Westminster Standards (1648), Savoy Declaration (1658),

Non-denominational: certain non-denominational standards have been widely used:

Catholic

Orthodox

  • Bernard Bell