Twelve Articles of Faith

Definition and Meaning

The Twelve Articles of Faith is a creed consisting of twelve articles. A creed is a text that summarizes the core of what the church believes. The first official confession of faith of Korean Presbyterianism, it is commonly called the "Presbyterian Creed" or simply "the Creed." It addresses the following topics in order:

• The authority of Scripture
• The one God and the Trinity
• Creation and providence
• The creation and fall of humanity
• Redemption through Jesus Christ
• The work of the Holy Spirit
• Election and salvation
• The sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper
• The duties of believers
• The resurrection and the Last Judgment

It is shorter and more concise than the Westminster Standards, and its underlying theology follows the Reformed tradition.

Historical Background

In 1907, the Presbyterian missions and Korean church leaders organized the Independent Presbytery, the first presbytery of the Korean Presbyterian Church. The same year also saw the Pyongyang Great Revival. The Independent Presbytery adopted the Twelve Articles as the church's creed at that time and also received the Westminster Shorter Catechism.

The Twelve Articles were not a newly composed document. They are reported to have been based on a creed adopted in 1904 by the Presbyterian Church in India. The aim was to provide a concise creed that churches on the mission field could readily accept, and each article is followed by the Scripture passages on which it is based.

Use in Korean Presbyterian Churches

The Twelve Articles were subsequently included in the doctrinal section of the Presbyterian church constitution. Even after Presbyterianism divided into multiple denominations following Korea's liberation, many denominations have retained them. The Presbyterian Church in Korea (HapDong), the Presbyterian Church of Korea (TongHap), the Presbyterian Church in Korea (Kosin), and others include the Twelve Articles in the doctrinal sections of their constitutions alongside the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. Some denominations have also prepared additional confessions of their own.

At Presbyterian ordination services, ministers, elders, and deacons take vows. One of these vows asks whether they receive the creed of this Presbyterian Church and the Westminster Confession of Faith as a summary of the teaching of Scripture; in this way, the Twelve Articles serve as a doctrinal standard for church officers.

The Twelve Articles are, however, rarely recited corporately in ordinary worship, where the Apostles' Creed is generally used instead. They are more often taught in catechetical instruction or seminary courses.

The Twelve Articles are a Presbyterian document. Other denominations, such as Methodist, Holiness, and Baptist churches, maintain their own confessions of faith or doctrinal statements.