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Articles of Religion

The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion express core theological positions shaped during the English Reformation and are preserved in the Canadian Book of Common Prayer, reflecting the doctrinal heritage carried from the Church of England into the Anglican Church of Canada. While not formally adopted as a binding confession of faith in the Anglican Communion, they serve as a window onto the theological concerns of the reformed English church and the development of Anglican thought.

Suggested uses

  • Historical or theological study in parish or academic settings
  • Orientation for learners exploring Anglican foundations
  • Background reference for clergy, postulants or educators

Key themes

  • Doctrine and belief
  • Scripture and authority
  • Sacramental theology
  • Church order and ministry

Best suited for: learners, clergy, educators and anyone seeking to explore Anglican doctrinal history and the development of reformation-era theology.

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.
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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; who truly suffered, was crucified, dead and buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for all actual sins of men.
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Article III – Of the going down of Christ into Hell

As Christ died for us, and was buried, so also is it to be believed, that he went down into Hell.
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Article IV — Of the resurrection of Christ

Christ did truly rise again from death and took again his body with flesh, bones and all things appertaining to the perfection of Man’s nature; wherewith he ascended into Heaven and there sitteth until he return to judge all Men at the last day.
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Article V — Of the Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost proceeding from the Father and the Son is of one substance, majesty and glory with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.
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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. In the name of the holy Scripture we do understand those Canonical Books of the Old and New Testament of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church.

Of the Names and Number of the Canonical Books

Genesis,
Exodus,
Leviticus,
Numbers,
Deuteronomy,
Joshua,
Judges,
Ruth,		 The First Book of Samuel,
The Second Book of Samuel,
The First Book of Kings,
The Second Book of Kings,
The First Book of Chronicles,
The Second Book of Chronicles,
The First Book of Esdras [Ezra],
The Second Book of Esdras [Nehemiah],		 The Book of Esther,
The Book of Job,
The Psalms,
The Proverbs,
Ecclesiastes or Preacher,
Cantica or Songs of Solomon,
Four Prophets the greater,
Twelve Prophets the less.

And the other Books (as Hierome saith) the Church doth read for example of life and instruction of manners but yet doth it not apply them to establish any doctrine such are these following:

The Third Book of Esdras [I Esdras],
The Fourth Book of Esdras [II Esdras],
The Book of Tobias,
The Book of Judith,
The rest of the Book of Esther,
The Book of Wisdom,
Jesus the Son of Sirach [or Ecclesiasticus],		 Baruch the Prophet,
The Song of the Three Children,
The Story of Susanna,
Of Bel and the Dragon,
The Prayer of Manasses,
The First Book of Maccabees,
The Second Book of Maccabees.

All the Books of the New Testament as they are commonly received we do receive and account them Canonical.
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Article VII — Of the Old Testament

The Old Testament is not contrary to the New for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to Mankind by Christ who is the only Mediator between God and Man being both God and Man. Wherefore they are not to be heard which feign that the old Fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the Law given from God by Moses as touching Ceremonies and Rites do not bind Christian men nor the Civil precepts thereof ought of necessity to be received in any commonwealth yet notwithstanding no Christian man whatsoever is free from the obedience of the Commandments which are called Moral.
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Article VIII — Of the creeds

The Three Creeds Nicene Creed Athanasius’s Creed and that which is commonly called the Apostles’ Creed ought thoroughly to be received and believed for they may be proved by most certain warrants of holy Scripture.
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Article IX — Of original or birth-sin

Original Sin standeth not in the following of Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk) but it is the fault and corruption of the Nature of every man that naturally is ingendered of the offspring of Adam whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness and is of his own nature inclined to evil so that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the spirit and therefore in every person born into this world it deserveth God’s wrath and damnation. And this infection of nature doth remain yea in them that are regenerated whereby the lust of the flesh called in the Greek φρονημα σαρκος which some do expound the wisdom some sensuality some the affection some the desire of the flesh is not subject to the Law of God. And although there is no condemnation for them that believe and are baptized yet the Apostle doth confess that concupiscence and lust hath of itself the nature of sin.
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Article X — Of free-will

The condition of Man after the fall of Adam is such that he cannot turn and prepare himself by his own natural strength and good works to faith and calling upon God. Wherefore we have no power to do good works pleasant and acceptable to God without the grace of God by Christ preventing us that we may have a good will and working with us when we have that good will.
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Article XI — Of the justification of Man

We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour 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 as more largely is expressed in the Homily of Justification.
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Article XII — Of good works

Albeit that Good Works which are the fruits of Faith and follow after Justification cannot put away our sins and endure the severity of God’s Judgement yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively Faith insomuch that by them a lively Faith may be as evidently known as a tree discerned by the fruit.
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Article XIII — Of works before justification

Works done before the grace of Christ and the Inspiration of his Spirit are not pleasant to God forasmuch as they spring not of faith in Jesus Christ neither do they make men meet to receive grace or (as the School-authors say) deserve grace of congruity yea rather for that they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done we doubt not but they have the nature of sin.
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Article XIV — Of works of supererogation

Voluntary Works besides and over and above God’s Commandments which they call Works of Supererogation cannot be taught without arrogancy and impiety for by them men do declare that they do not only render unto God as much as they are bound to do but that they do more for his sake than of bounden duty is required whereas Christ saith plainly When ye have done all that are commanded to you say We are unprofitable servants.
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Article XV — Of Christ alone without sin

Christ in the truth of our nature was made like unto us in all things sin only except from which he was clearly void both in his flesh and in his spirit. He came to be the Lamb without spot who by sacrifice of himself once made should take away the sins of the world and sin as Saint John saith was not in him. But all we the rest although baptized and born again in Christ yet offend in many things and if we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
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Article XVI — Of sin after baptism

Not every deadly sin willingly committed after Baptism is sin against the Holy Ghost and unpardonable. Wherefore the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after Baptism. After we have received the Holy Ghost we may depart from grace given and fall into sin and by the grace of God we may arise again and amend our lives. And therefore they are to be condemned which say they can no more sin as long as they live here or deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.
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Article XVII — Of predestination and election

Predestination to Life is the everlasting purpose of God whereby (before the foundations of the world were laid) he hath constantly decreed by his counsel secret to us to deliver from curse and damnation those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of mankind and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation as vessels made to honour. Wherefore they which be endued with so excellent a benefit of God be called according to God’s purpose by his Spirit working in due season; they through Grace obey the calling; they be justified freely; they be made sons of God by adoption; they be made like the image of his only-begotten Son Jesus Christ; they walk religiously in good works and at length by God’s mercy they attain to everlasting felicity.

As the godly consideration of Predestination and our Election in Christ is full of sweet pleasant and unspeakable comfort to godly persons and such as feel in themselves the working of the Spirit of Christ mortifying the works of the flesh and their earthly members and drawing up their mind to high and heavenly things, as well because it doth greatly establish and confirm their faith of eternal Salvation to be enjoyed through Christ, as because it doth fervently kindle their love towards God: So for curious and carnal persons lacking the Spirit of Christ to have continually before their eyes the sentence of God’s Predestination is a most dangerous downfall whereby the Devil doth thrust them either into desperation or into wretchlessness of most unclean living no less perilous than desperation.

Furthermore we must receive God’s promises in such wise as they be generally set forth to us in holy Scripture and in our doings that Will of God is to be followed which we have expressly declared unto us in the Word of God.
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Article XVIII — Of obtaining eternal salvation only by the name of Christ

They also are to be had accursed that presume to say that every man shall be saved by the Law or Sect which he professeth so that he be diligent to frame his life according to that Law and the light of Nature. For holy Scripture doth set out unto us only the Name of Jesus Christ whereby men must be saved.
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Article XIX — Of the Church

The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men in the which the pure Word of God is preached and the Sacraments be duly ministered according to Christ’s ordinance in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same.

As the Church of Jerusalem Alexandria and Antioch have erred so also the Church of Rome hath erred not only in their living and manner of Ceremonies but also in matters of Faith.
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Article XX — Of the authority of the Church

The Church hath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies and authority in Controversies of Faith. And yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain anything that is contrary to God’s Word written neither may it so expound one place of Scripture that it be repugnant to another. Wherefore although the Church be a witness and a keeper of holy Writ yet as it ought not to decree anything against the same so besides the same ought it not to enforce anything to be believed for necessity of Salvation.
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Article XXI — Of the authority of General Councils

General Councils may not be gathered together without the commandment and will of Princes. And when they be gathered together (forasmuch as they be an assembly of men whereof all be not governed with the Spirit and Word of God) they may err and sometimes have erred even in things pertaining unto God. Wherefore things ordained by them as necessary to salvation have neither strength nor authority unless it may be declared that they be taken out of holy Scripture.
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Article XXII — Of purgatory

The Romish Doctrine concerning Purgatory Pardons Worshipping and Adoration as well of Images as of Reliques and also invocation of Saints is a fond thing vainly invented and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture but rather repugnant to the Word of God.
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Article XXIII — Of ministering in the congregation

It is not lawful for any man to take upon him the office of public preaching or ministering the Sacraments in the Congregation before he be lawfully called and sent to execute the same. And those we ought to judge lawfully called and sent which be chosen and called to this work by men who have public authority given unto them in the Congregation to call and send Ministers into the Lord’s vineyard.
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Article XXIV — Of speaking in the congregation in such a tongue as the people understandeth

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 understanded of the people.
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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.

Those five commonly called Sacraments that is to say Confirmation Penance Orders Matrimony and extreme Unction are not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel being such as have grown partly of the corrupt following of the Apostles partly are states of life allowed in the Scriptures but yet have not like nature of Sacraments with Baptism and the Lord’s Supper for that they have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained of God.

The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to be gazed upon or to be carried about but that we should duly use them. And in such only as worthily receive the same they have a wholesome effect or operation but they that receive them unworthily purchase to themselves damnation as Saint Paul saith.
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Article XXVI — Of the unworthiness of the ministers which hinders not the effect of the sacraments

Although in the visible Church the evil be ever mingled with the good and sometimes the evil have chief authority in the Ministration of the Word and Sacraments yet forasmuch as they do not the same in their own name but in Christ’s and do minister by his commission and authority we may use their Ministry both in hearing the Word of God and in receiving of the Sacraments. Neither is the effect of Christ’s ordinance taken away by their wickedness nor the grace of God’s gifts diminished from such as by faith and rightly do receive the Sacraments ministered unto them which be effectual because of Christ’s institution and promise although they be ministered by evil men.

Nevertheless it appertaineth to the discipline of the Church that inquiry be made of evil Ministers and that they be accused by those that have knowledge of their offences and finally being found guilty by just judgement be deposed.
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Article XXVII — Of baptism

Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christian men are discerned from others that be not christened but it is also a sign of Regeneration or new Birth whereby as by an instrument they that receive Baptism rightly are grafted into the Church; the promises of forgiveness of sin and of our adoption to be the sons of God by the Holy Ghost are visibly signed and sealed; Faith is confirmed and Grace increased by virtue of prayer unto God. The Baptism of young Children is in any wise to be retained in the Church as most agreeable with the institution of Christ.
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Article XXVIII — Of the Lord’s Supper

The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another but rather is a Sacrament of our Redemption by Christ’s death insomuch that to such as rightly worthily 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.

Transubstantiation (or the change of the substance of Bread and Wine) in the Supper of the Lord cannot be proved by holy Writ but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament and hath given occasion to many superstitions.

The Body of Christ is given taken and eaten in the Supper only after an heavenly and spiritual manner. And the mean whereby the Body of Christ is received and eaten in the Supper is Faith.

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was not by Christ’s ordinance reserved carried about lifted up or worshipped.
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Article XXIX — Of the wicked which eat not the Body of Christ in the use of the Lord’s Supper

The Wicked and such as be void of a lively faith although they do carnally and visibly press with their teeth (as Saint Augustine saith) the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ yet in no wise are they partakers of Christ but rather to their condemnation do eat and drink the sign or Sacrament of so great a thing.
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Article XXX — Of both kinds

The Cup of the Lord is not to be denied to the Lay-people for both the parts of the Lord’s Sacrament by Christ’s ordinance and commandment ought to be ministered to all Christian men alike.
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Article XXXI — 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 none other satisfaction for sin but that alone. Wherefore the sacrifices of Masses in the which it was commonly said that the Priest did offer Christ for the quick and the dead to have remission of pain or guilt were blasphemous fables and dangerous deceits.
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Article XXXII — Of the marriage of priests

Bishops Priests and Deacons 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 as for all other Christian men to marry at their own discretion as they shall judge the same to serve better to godliness.
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Article XXXIII — Of excommunicate persons how they are to be avoided

That person which by open denunciation of the Church is rightly cut off from the unity of the Church and excommunicated ought to be taken of the whole multitude of the faithful as an Heathen and Publican until he be openly reconciled by penance and received into the Church by a judge that hath authority thereunto.
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Article XXXIV — Of the traditions of the Church

It is not necessary that Traditions and Ceremonies be in all places one and utterly like for at all times they have been divers and may be changed according to the diversities of countries times and men’s manners so that nothing be ordained against God’s Word. Whosoever through his private judgement willingly and purposely doth openly break the traditions and ceremonies of the Church which be not repugnant to the Word of God and be ordained and approved by common authority ought to be rebuked openly (that others may fear to do the like) as he that offendeth against the common order of the Church and hurteth the authority of the Magistrate and woundeth the consciences of the weak brethren.

Every particular or national Church hath authority to ordain change and abolish ceremonies or rites of the Church ordained only by man’s authority so that all things be done to edifying.
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Article XXXV — Of the Homilies

The second Book of Homilies the several titles whereof we have joined under this Article doth contain a godly and wholesome Doctrine and necessary for these times as doth the former Book of Homilies which were set forth in the time of Edward the Sixth; and therefore we judge them to be read in Churches by the Ministers diligently and distinctly that they may be understanded of the people.

Of the Names of the Homilies

1 Of the right Use of the Church.
2 Against Peril of Idolatry.
3 Of repairing and keeping clean of Churches.
4 Of good Works: first of Fasting.
5 Against Gluttony and Drunkenness.
6 Against Excess of Apparel.
7 Of Prayer.
8 Of the Place and Time of Prayer.
9 That Common Prayers and Sacraments ought to be ministered in a known tongue.
10 Of the reverend Estimation of God’s Word.		 11 Of Alms-doing.
12 Of the Nativity of Christ.
13 Of the Passion of Christ.
14 Of the Resurrection of Christ.
15 Of the worthy receiving of the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ.
16 Of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost.
17 For the Rogation-days.
18 Of the State of Matrimony.
19 Of Repentance.
20 Against Idleness.
21 Against Rebellion.

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Article XXXVI — Of consecration of Bishops and Ministers

The Book of Consecration of Archbishops and Bishops and Ordering of Priests and Deacons lately set forth in the time of Edward the Sixth and confirmed at the same time by authority of Parliament doth contain all things necessary to such Consecration and Ordering neither hath it anything that of itself is superstitious and ungodly. And therefore whosoever are consecrated or ordered according to the Rites of that Book since the second year of the forenamed King Edward unto this time or hereafter shall be consecrated or ordered according to the same Rites we decree all such to be rightly orderly and lawfully consecrated and ordered.
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Article XXXVII — Of the civil magistrates

The King’s Majesty hath the chief power in this Realm of England and other his Dominions unto whom the chief Government of all Estates of this Realm whether they be Ecclesiastical or Civil in all causes doth appertain and is not nor ought to be subject to any foreign Jurisdiction.

Where we attribute to the King’s Majesty the chief government by which Titles we understand the minds of some slanderous folks to be offended we give not to our Princes the ministering either of God’s Word or of the Sacraments the which thing the Injunctions also lately set forth by Elizabeth our Queen do most plainly testify but that only prerogative which we see to have been given always to all godly Princes in holy Scriptures by God himself that is that they should rule all estates and degrees committed to their charge by God whether they be Ecclesiastical or Temporal and restrain with the civil sword the stubborn and evil doers.

The Bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this Realm of England.

The Laws of the Realm may punish Christian men with death for heinous and grievous offences.

It is lawful for Christian men at the commandment of the Magistrate to wear weapons and serve in the wars.
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Article XXXVIII — Of Christian men’s goods which are not common

The Riches and Goods of Christians are not common as touching the right title and possession of the same as certain Anabaptists do falsely boast. Notwithstanding every man ought of such things as he possesseth liberally to give alms to the poor according to his ability.
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Article XXXIX — Of a Christian man’s oath

As we confess that vain and rash Swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ and James his Apostle so we judge that Christian Religion doth not prohibit but that a man may swear when the Magistrate requireth in a cause of faith and charity so it be done according to the Prophet’s teaching in justice, judgement and truth.
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Acknowledging the land and God’s creation

This acknowledgement is crafted in light of the Principles of Reconciliation by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, as we seek to live faithfully in Christ and in right relationship with all. 

We give thanks to the Creator for this land, its waters, forests and all living beings, and for the abiding presence of Christ among us. From coast to coast to coast, these have been cared for and nurtured by First Nations, Inuit and Métis through countless generations. 

We honour the enduring relationship Indigenous Peoples have cultivated with these lands and waters, and the treaties and agreements that reflect these sacred bonds. We acknowledge the harms caused by colonial expansion, through frameworks like the Doctrine of Discovery and structures like the residential school system. We recognize our past failures as a Church, including disruption of connections to the land and suppression of Indigenous spiritualities. 

Guided by the gospel of Jesus Christ, we confess our need for healing. We commit ourselves to seeking truth, pursuing reconciliation and nurturing harmony with all creation. We place our trust in Christ, through whom all things are reconciled to God. 

May God strengthen us to live faithfully as stewards of the Earth. Let us walk in love, justice and reconciliation, joining in God’s work to restore all creation.