Helvetic Confession

Helvetic Confession, either of two confessions of faith officially adopted by the Reformed Church in Switzerland.

First Helvetic Confession

The First Helvetic Confession (also called the Second Confession of Basel) was composed in 1536 by Heinrich Bullinger and other Swiss delegates, assisted by reformer Martin Bucer of Strasbourg. The Confession was written in an attempt to overcome differences on the Lord’s Supper with Martin Luther in the interests of church unity. It was the first Reformed creed of national authority, although it was sometimes criticized as being too Lutheran.

Second Helvetic Confession

In 1562 Bullinger wrote a lengthy theological statement of 30 articles, which he later revised and attached to his will. This document became known as the Second Helvetic Confession and was published in 1566 as the official creed of the Swiss cantons. It was also adopted in the Palatinate and was recognized in Scotland (1566), Hungary (1567), France (1571), and Poland (1578). Also favourably received in Holland and England, it was subsequently recognized as one of the most authoritative statements of Reformed theology.

The Second Helvetic Confession discussed the ancient dogmas of the Trinity and Christology and those beliefs emphasized by the Reformation: Scripture as the sole norm of belief and condemnation of the use of images in worship, law, gospel, and faith. It also discussed the Reformed doctrines of Providence, predestination, the church, ministry, and sacraments, and it condemned ancient and contemporary heresies.