Central Schwenkfelder Church History - Schwenckfeld Translation of the Confession of Faith

The following is a resume of Caspar Schwenckfeld's teachings and a brief confession of his own faith. It was sent along with a letter to Herzog Christoph of Württemberg to vindicate Schwenckfeld's honor and name from slanderous accusations of June 14, 1545.

In this condensed statement of faith Schwenckfeld ascribes to the Apostles Creed and affirms his belief in: God the Father, the Holy Trinity, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the prophets and apostles, the church and its ceremonies including the sacraments of Christian baptism and the Lord's Supper as instituted by Christ, the church fathers, and the decrees of the early church councils. He denies the accusation that he is an Anabaptist or the adherent of any sect, and confirms his belief in the doctrines of justification, and faith accompanied by works. In sublime language he affirms his belief in the two natures of Christ, his passion, death, and resurrection, and his mission as the Savior of the world.

First of all, I believe in one God, the almighty Father, the maker of heaven and earth and that is therein. He has made them well and orderly. I believe also in Jesus Christ his only son our Lord who concerning our salvation descended from heaven and became man. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered, was crucified and for our sins he died. He also for our righteousness was again raised from the dead and ascended to heaven. He sits to the right hand of God his father from which he is to judge in the future the living and the dead.

I believe also in the Holy Spirit and that there is one saving Christian church on earth. (Although invisible) I also expect to be a member of the church. Thus I believe also in a community of the saints, forgiveness of sins, resurrection of the flesh and eternal life.

Shortly and simply I believe the holy Trinity, one God and three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - in one godly being. I hold to and confess the twelve common articles of our Christian belief as I myself learned from my mother or parents as a young boy and as it also has been stated for me at my baptism which I have confessed the same things.

Thus, I also believe in the holy gospels and all words of the Lord Jesus Christ, after that also the Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments. I believe what the holy prophets and apostles of Christ have taught and written. I believe that it was all for the benefit and furthering of blessedness and eternal life.

To these things I believe all what the holy Christian church and the old councils affirm. Such things are the certified received teachings of the Christian church with the witness of the Holy Scripture from God and to the Lord Jesus Christ and from all God blessedness have concluded to believe, write, and teach.

Concerning the holy sacraments of the Christian church, I believe all what the Holy Scripture witnessed concerning them. I believe how they also were fixed by the Lord Christ and by the apostles and by the Christian church for Christian believers. According to which, the Lord commands how they should be used and also should be employed.

Therefore I believe in a holy Christian baptism for the washing away of sins in the confession of the holy Trinity and a calling upon the name of the Lord. Now, I am not an Anabaptist or a sectarian but I hope a baptized one although I am a weaker Christian.

At the same time I hold to the Holy Sacrament of the altar, or in other words the supper. I adhere to it as fixed by the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe and confess that the belief of Christians is that the true life and true blood of Jesus Christ is in the Lord 's Supper. However, in the mystery of the sacrament, is eternal life eaten and drunk truly and essentially.

Concerning justification or how man is right before God, I believe and confess accordingly how we fell following Adam. All have received sin and been born in it. I believe that not a person before God is right and is able to be rid of the damnation by sin. Therefore I believe that it is through Jesus Christ our Lord, through his sufferings and death, through which we also become children of God and heirs of the kingdom. All who accept him and believe in his name are justified.

Thus, I adhere to also that one's belief, if it is without good works is only a dead belief and is not useful for God. But I believe that only belief for God matters which is visible through one's life and all good works. This is the fruit of the Spirit and full belief.

Concerning good works, however, I hold to and believe essentially that God the merciful Lord as well as the Lord Christ would not cause good works to go unrewarded for believing people. Thus to him I confess and concerning his will follow or will pursue because a great reward should be in heaven (Matt. 5:12). Therefore, especially Christians should practice all good works.

The ceremonies or applications of the church (although I would place trust and salvation alone on God and the Lord Jesus Christ) I would not discard. However, I hold and believe that there are many good Christian ordinances for the remembrance of the blessing of Christ. For example, the washing of the sins through the blood of Christ and other godly mysteries have been instituted first through these. Now, many have been established by Christians subsequently (although abuses are done in these) well for blessing. Christians seek, practice, use and would like to adhere to such things.

Since we have by the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, however, our Christian names, indeed all salvation and eternal blessedness, thus I conclude my confession thereby. I believe, hold, and confess that Christ is God and man, the person of the son of God indeed the other person of the divine Trinity, my complete Redeemer and blessed maker. I believe, hold, and confess that he also according to his holy manhood, which he after the resurrection has neither lain aside nor lost. After his resurrection, however, it is glorified and in all godly glory is exalted. I believe, hold, and confess that he is one Lord of heaven and earth and of all things. Therefore, in the person of Christ, his holy manhood and divinity in honor, power, might, and ability through the glorification, and exaltation of the man Christ over all heaven, each nature is without division, is wholly made alike.

Therefore, it follows that also the flesh and blood of Christ, as well as God the word, has become the life-giving food and drink of our souls. And it also follows that Christ Jesus who died for us on the cross, today reigns as an eternal heavenly king in all godly glory. As a king, he distributes graciously the spirit of graces, the heavens, and the kingdom of God to all God fearing Christian believers. He distributes these since he is the head of the Christian church and he dwells in all members through true living beliefs.

Concerning this I confess with St. Thomas the Lord Jesus Christ - that he is God and man indivisible regarding his whole person (John 20:28). I also recognize with the father and Holy Spirit a godly entity with belief, praise, honor, and adoration to whom I know I am indebted to glorify: for the Father has given the Son all judgment. On that they all honor the Son as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son, the Father does not honor, for it is he who has sent him.

This is my confession of the religion of Christian belief. Therefore I stand, praise God in my heart. I would also apply myself to this as a member of the Christian church and as a Christian who also hopes on the living God through the grace of God. Thereby I approach such belief with a true, Christian mode of life and with all good works in joy and suffering more and more. On that I bring to conclusion these beliefs, that is to say, the blessedness of the soul. I would like to be of the kingdom of God out of participating grace. Amen.

I possess this trusting hope that my belief is right and is measured by the Christian church and with all true Christians agrees or to them it should not be opposed. I offer also where anyone with ground and with proof of the Holy Scripture is able to offer a better or clearer one. I offer this since I of all Christians would seek to find what is fitting and dutiful also with thankfulness.