Second Helvetic Confession

The Second Helvetic Confession (1566), written by Heinrich Bullinger, is one of the most widely adopted Reformed confessions. Its 30 chapters cover the full range of Christian doctrine and were adopted by Reformed churches across Switzerland, Scotland, Hungary, Poland, and beyond.

All Sections

Holy Scripture, its interpretation, God's nature, and providence

Sections 1.1–1.5

1.1 CANONICAL SCRIPTURE. We believe and confess the canonical Scriptures of the holy prophets and apostles of both Testaments to be … 1.2 THE TRUE INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE. The apostle peter has said that the Holy Scriptures are not of private interpretation (2 … 1.3 GOD IS ONE. We believe and teach that God is one in essence or nature, subsisting in himself, all sufficient … 1.4 IMAGES OF GOD. Since God as Spirit is in essence invisible and immense, he cannot really be expressed by any … 1.5 GOD ALONE IS TO BE ADORED AND WORSHIPPED. We teach that the true God alone is to be adored and …

Creation, the fall, free will, and predestination

Sections 2.1–2.4

2.1 ALL THINGS ARE GOVERNED BY THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD. We believe that all things in heaven and on earth, and … 2.2 GOD CREATED ALL THINGS. This good and almighty God created all things, both visible and invisible, by his co-eternal Word, … 2.3 THE FALL OF MAN. In the beginning, man was made according to the image of God, in righteousness and true … 2.4 In this matter, which has always produced many conflicts in the Church, we teach that a threefold condition or state …

Jesus Christ as true God and man, and as Mediator

Sections 3.1–3.2

3.1 GOD HAS ELECTED US OUT OF GRACE. From eternity God has freely, and of his mere grace, without any respect … 3.2 CHRIST IS TRUE GOD. We further believe and teach that the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, was predestinated …

The moral law and the gospel of Jesus Christ

Sections 4.1–4.2

4.1 THE WILL OF GOD IS EXPLAINED FOR US IN THE LAW OF GOD. We teach that the will of God … 4.2 THE ANCIENTS HAD EVANGELICAL PROMISES. The Gospel is, indeed, opposed to the law. For the law works wrath and announces …

Repentance, justification, faith, and good works

Sections 5.1–5.3

5.1 The doctrine of repentance is joined with the Gospel. For so has the Lord said in the Gospel: "Repentance and … 5.2 WHAT IS JUSTIFICATION? According to the apostle in his treatment of justification, to justify means to remit sins, to absolve … 5.3 WHAT IS FAITH? Christian faith is not an opinion or human conviction, but a most firm trust and a clear …

The holy catholic church and its ministers

Sections 6.1–6.2

6.1 THE CHURCH HAS ALWAYS EXISTED AND IT WILL ALWAYS EXIST. But because God from the beginning would have men to … 6.2 GOD USES MINISTERS IN THE BUILDING OF THE CHURCH. God has always used ministers for the gathering or establishing of …

The sacraments, baptism, and the Lord's Supper

Sections 7.1–7.3

7.1 THE SACRAMENTS [ARE] ADDED TO THE WORD AND WHAT THEY ARE. From the beginning, God added to the preaching of … 7.2 THE INSTITUTION OF BAPTISM. Baptism was instituted and consecrated by God. First John baptized, who dipped Christ in the water … 7.3 THE SUPPER OF THE LORD. The Supper of the Lord (which is called the Lord's Table, and the Eucharist, that …

Sacred assemblies, worship, prayer, and holy days

Sections 8.1–8.4

8.1 WHAT OUGHT TO BE DONE IN MEETINGS FOR WORSHIP. Although it is permitted all men to read the Holy Scriptures … 8.2 COMMON LANGUAGE. It is true that a man is permitted to pray privately in any language that he understands, but … 8.3 Fasts and the Choice of Foods THE TIME NECESSARY FOR WORSHIP. Although religion is not bound to time, yet it … 8.4 YOUTH TO BE INSTRUCTED IN GODLINESS. The Lord enjoined his ancient people to exercise the greatest care that young people, …

Church property, rites, marriage, and burial

Sections 9.1–9.3

9.1 THE BURIAL OF BODIES. As the bodies of the faithful are the temples of the Holy Spirit which we truly … 9.2 CEREMONIES AND RITES. Unto the ancient people were given at one time certain ceremonies, as a kind of instruction for … 9.3 THE POSSESSIONS OF THE CHURCH AND THEIR PROPER USE. The Church of Christ possesses riches through the munificence of princes …

The civil magistrate and concluding exhortations

Sections 10.1–10.2

10.1 SINGLE PEOPLE. Those who have the gift of celibacy from heaven, so that from the heart or with their whole … 10.2 THE MAGISTRACY IS FROM GOD. Magistracy of every kind is instituted by God himself for the peace and tranquillity of …

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Section of the Day

Of the Burial of the Faithful, and of the Care to Be Shown for the Dead; of Purgatory, and the Appearing of Spirits

THE BURIAL OF BODIES. As the bodies of the faithful are the temples of the Holy Spirit which we truly believe will rise again at the Last Day, Scriptures command that they be honorably and without superstition committed to the earth, and also that honorable mention be made of those …

Second Helvetic Confession

Chapter 1: Scripture and God

Chapter 2: Creation, Fall, and Free Will

Chapter 3: Christ the Mediator

Chapter 4: The Law and the Gospel

Chapter 5: Salvation and the Christian Life

Chapter 6: The Church

Chapter 7: Sacraments

Chapter 8: Worship and Assembly

Chapter 9: Church Order and Discipline

Chapter 10: Civil Government and Last Things

Of the Burial of the Faithful, and of the Care to Be Shown for the Dead; of Purgatory, and the Appearing of Spirits