Dordrecht Confession
Eighteen articles of the Dutch Mennonite tradition — baptism, the ban, foot-washing, non-resistance, and the oath.
Articles I–VI — God, Creation, Christ, the Law, Repentance
The Dordrecht Confession was adopted 21 April 1632 at Dordrecht, Netherlands, by Dutch Mennonite congregations to promote unity between Flemish and Frisian branches. It remains the primary confession of many Amish and Mennonite bodies worldwide.
Article I — God and Creation
We believe and confess one eternal, almighty, and incomprehensible God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and none other; before whom no God existed, nor any shall exist after him. Of him, through him, and in him are all things. To him be praise and glory forever, Amen. (Deut. 6:4; 1 Cor. 8:6)
Article II — The Fall of Man
We believe the man Adam was created by God, honored with a holy, pure, and incorruptible nature, created in God's image and likeness. But when he hearkened to the seducing voice of the devil and transgressed the holy commandment of God, he became corrupted, and through this fall drew death upon himself and his posterity, so that he and they all fell under the wrath and condemnation of God. (Gen. 1:26; Rom. 5:12)
Article III — The Restoration through Christ
God promised our first parents the consolation of a Savior: the bruising of the head of the serpent — who is the devil — through the seed of the woman — who is Christ Jesus — which in due time he accomplished and fulfilled. (Gen. 3:15; Gal. 4:4)
Article IV — The Coming of Christ
The Son of God came into the world — a true and living Savior, Jesus Christ — conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary. He proclaimed the way of life, was crucified, dead, and buried; rose from the dead on the third day and ascended to heaven, where he sits at God's right hand as our Advocate and Intercessor; and will return at the last day to judge the living and the dead. (Luke 1:26–35; Acts 1:11)
Article V — The Law of Christ
Christ, before his ascension, instituted his holy New Testament, his holy Gospel, which differs from and is superior to the Law of Moses. For Moses gave the law which shows sin, convicts and condemns; but Christ came not to condemn but to save and to give eternal life. (John 3:17; Rom. 3:20; Heb. 7:22)
Article VI — Repentance and Conversion
Since the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth, a true, thorough repentance and reformation of life is necessary for all men; together with a sincere turning to God, a renouncing of all evil, and a determination to do good henceforth. (Gen. 6:5; Acts 3:19)
Articles VII–XII — Baptism, Supper, Footwashing, Marriage, Sword, Oath
Article VII — Baptism
All penitent believers who through faith, new birth, and renewal of the Holy Ghost have become united with God, and whose names are recorded in heaven, must be baptized with water in the most worthy name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, according to the command of Christ and the teaching and example of the apostles, to the burying of their sins and their incorporation into the communion of the saints. (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3–4)
Article VIII — The Lord's Supper
We believe in the breaking of bread, as the Lord Jesus instituted on the night of his betrayal with bread and wine, saying, "This is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me." Likewise also the cup: "This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me." We commemorate the suffering and death of the Lord and remind ourselves of his promise of a future resurrection. (1 Cor. 11:23–26)
Article IX — Footwashing
We believe in the ordinance of footwashing, as the Lord Jesus not only instituted and commanded it, but also set an example by washing his disciples' feet, saying, "Ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." We practice this as a humble reminder of the servanthood of Christ. (John 13:14–15)
Article X — Marriage
There should be among the people of God a honorable marriage of two free, uniting persons, in the fear of God, according to the primitive ordinance in paradise: one man and one woman. The regenerate should marry only in the Lord — believers with believers. (Gen. 2:24; 1 Cor. 7:39)
Article XI — Civil Government
God has ordained civil government for the punishment of the wicked and the protection of the good; we are not to despise, revile, or resist the same, but to acknowledge it as a minister of God and be subject and obedient to it in all things that do not militate against the law, will, and commandments of God. (Rom. 13:1–4; Acts 5:29)
Article XII — The Oath
The Lord Christ has abrogated and abolished all oaths and has appointed in their stead a simple yea or nay, so that we are not to swear at all, but our communication shall be yea, yea, and nay, nay, without further confirmation. (Matt. 5:33–37; Jas. 5:12)
Articles XIII–XVIII — Ban, Shunning, Resurrection, Last Judgment, Charity
Article XIII — The Ban (Excommunication)
We believe in the ban, or excommunication, as a Christian ordinance ordained and commanded by Christ, whereby the kingdom of God is kept pure, and the erring member is brought to repentance and amendment. (Matt. 18:15–18; 1 Cor. 5:4–5)
Article XIV — Shunning the Banned
If anyone, either through wicked life or perverted doctrine, has so far fallen that he is separated from God and expelled from the church, he must also, according to the doctrine of Christ and his apostles, be shunned and avoided by all the members of the church, particularly in eating and drinking. (Rom. 16:17; 2 Thess. 3:14)
Article XV — Avoidance of Erring Ministers
If a minister of the Word errs and sins, he must be rebuked according to the rule of Christ, and if he does not amend and the church proceeds against him according to the ordinance of Christ, he must be expelled and shunned equally with others. (1 Tim. 5:20)
Article XVI — The Resurrection of the Dead
The very same bodies which were buried shall rise again — both the righteous and the unrighteous — and those who lived well shall rise to a blessed resurrection, and those who lived wickedly shall rise to a resurrection of damnation. (John 5:28–29; 1 Cor. 15:52)
Article XVII — The Last Judgment
The Lord Jesus Christ will return from heaven on the last day in great power and glory to judge both the quick and the dead; and the judgments will be divided according to the works done in the flesh. The righteous shall receive eternal life, and the unrighteous shall be condemned to everlasting punishment. (Matt. 25:31–46; 2 Cor. 5:10)
Article XVIII — The Ordinance of Charity
We believe in and maintain the ordinance of love and community of goods as far as each one's means allow. It is our duty to provide for one another's needs, not to suffer any member who is in need to lack for want, as far as it is possible to provide for his necessities. (Acts 2:44; 2 Cor. 8:14)