Confessions & creeds

What are creeds and confessions?

A creed is a short, fixed statement of the faith—often shaped for worship and baptism (for example, the Apostles' or Nicene Creeds). A confession is usually a fuller document: it unpacks doctrine in order, often with proof texts, for teaching and church life (such as the Westminster or Heidelberg standards). Both aim to summarize what the church has received from Scripture; they are historical and communal helps, not inspired text. Use them next to the Bible in Read, not above it.

The Westminster Standards

The Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger Catechism, and the Shorter Catechism.

• The Westminster Confession of Faith (1647)
• The Westminster Larger Catechism (1648)
• The Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647)

The Three Forms of Unity

The Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort.

• The Belgic Confession (1561)
• The Heidelberg Catechism (1563)
• The Canons of Dort (1619)

The 1689 London Baptist Confession

A Baptist confession in the Reformed tradition, parallel in many ways to Westminster.

• The London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689)

Early Church Creeds

The Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed.

• The Apostles' Creed
• The Nicene Creed
• The Athanasian Creed