The Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) is the doctrinal standard of Presbyterian churches worldwide, written by an assembly of divines at Westminster Abbey during the English Civil War. In 33 chapters it sets out the Reformed faith in full: Scripture as the final authority, God's eternal decree, covenant theology, Christ the Mediator, justification by faith alone, and the means of grace.
“W. Parker: The late Assembly of Divines' Conf. of Faith Examined, wherein many of their Excesses and Defects, of their Confusions and Disorders, of their Errors and Contradictions, are presented. Lond. 1651.; James Stark: The Westminster Confession of Faith critically Compared with the Holy Scriptur...”
“Confessions, when made by a company of Professors of Christianity jointly meeting to that end, the most genuine and natural use of such Confessions is, That under the same form of words, they express the substance of the same common salvation or unity of their faith; whereby speaking the same things...”
What is the Westminster Confession of Faith in simple terms?
A 33-chapter summary of what Presbyterians believe the Bible teaches — covering God, Scripture, salvation, the church, and the Christian life. It is subordinate to Scripture: a faithful summary, not an infallible authority.
Who wrote the Westminster Confession?
An assembly of about 120 theologians and 30 lay assessors convened by the English Parliament at Westminster Abbey (1643–1652). The Confession itself was completed in 1646 and adopted by the Church of Scotland in 1647.