Exploring the Thirty-Nine Articles: Articles 18-22

Welcome to the ninth post in our series, Exploring the Thirty-Nine Articles, where we delve into the foundational doctrines of the Anglican tradition. This t, we explore Articles 18 through 22, which address salvation through Christ alone, the nature and authority of the church, the fallibility of councils, and the rejection of unbiblical doctrines like purgatory. These articles, forged in the crucible of the English Reformation, remain profoundly relevant for Christians navigating a pluralistic world.

Article 18: Salvation Only Through Christ

Article 18, titled Of Obtaining Eternal Salvation Only by the Name of Christ, boldly asserts that salvation is exclusively through Jesus Christ. It declares, “They also are to be had accursed that presume to say, That every man shall be saved by the Law or Sect which he professeth, so that he be diligent to frame his life according to that Law, and the light of Nature.” This uncompromising stance, rooted in Acts 4:12—“there is salvation in no one else”—and John 14:6—“I am the way, and the truth, and the life”—rejects the notion that human effort, moral living, or alternative religious systems can secure eternal life. The theological principle of sola Christus (Christ alone) underpins this article, emphasizing that only faith in Christ bridges the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God.

In the Reformation context, Article 18 countered Renaissance humanism’s optimism about human potential and medieval Catholicism’s reliance on works and indulgences. Today, it challenges Christians to uphold the gospel’s exclusivity in a pluralistic world where inclusivist and universalist views, such as those expressed by mainline denominations like the United Methodist Church (UMC), the United Church of Christ (UCC), the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA), and The Episcopal Church (TEC) suggest that God’s grace extends equally across all faiths. For instance, Bishop Karen Oliveto of the UMC has stated that “God’s love transcends religious boundaries” (UMNS, May 1, 2024), reflecting a broader trend toward inclusivism. Yet, scriptures like 1 Timothy 2:5 and Ephesians 2:8-9 reaffirm Christ’s sole mediatorship and salvation by grace through faith.

The practical challenge for modern Christians is to proclaim Christ’s uniqueness with conviction while engaging respectfully in interfaith dialogue. Article 18 calls for courage to uphold scriptural truth and humility to love neighbors without compromising the gospel’s clarity.

Article 19: The Nature and Authority of the Church

Article 19 defines the visible church as “a congregation of faithful men/women, in which the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments be duly ministered according to Christ’s ordinance.” This definition, emphasizing the faithful preaching of scripture and the proper administration of baptism and the Lord’s Supper, reflects the Reformation’s focus on sola scriptura. Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 2:42 underscore these marks, linking the church’s mission to teaching and sacraments.

The article also boldly acknowledges that historic churches—Jerusalem, Alexandria, Antioch, and Rome—have erred in matters of faith and practice. Jerusalem struggled with Judaizing tendencies (Acts 15:1), Alexandria with allegorical excesses and Monophysitism, Antioch with Nestorianism, and Rome with doctrines like purgatory and papal supremacy. By subordinating the church to scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17), Article 19 ensures that no institution is above God’s word.

In today’s context, Article 19 challenges churches to evaluate their practices against scripture. Are sermons grounded in biblical truth, or swayed by cultural trends? Are sacraments administered with reverence? The article fosters humility, encouraging churches to remain open to correction and prioritize scripture in ecumenical dialogues, ensuring that faith is nurtured in a distracted world.

Article 20: The Church’s Authority

Article 20 clarifies the church’s authority, stating that it has the power to “decree Rites or Ceremonies, and authority in Controversies of Faith,” but this authority is strictly subordinate to scripture. The church is a “witness and keeper of Holy Writ,” not its master, and cannot impose beliefs contrary to God’s word or enforce extra-biblical doctrines as necessary for salvation. Isaiah 8:20 and Acts 17:11 emphasize scripture’s primacy, while Galatians 1:8 warns against preaching a false gospel.

In the Reformation, this article rejected Rome’s extra-biblical practices, such as mandatory clerical celibacy or purgatory. Today, it calls churches to ensure that innovations in worship or ethics align with scripture. For example, the Book of Common Prayer, developed alongside the Articles, grounds worship in biblical principles. Article 20 also empowers believers to test teachings against God’s word, fostering discernment in an age of theological flux. Pastors and congregants are urged to prioritize biblical literacy, ensuring that the church illuminates, rather than obscures, the gospel.

Article 21: The Authority of General Councils

Article 21 addresses the fallibility of general councils, stating that they “may err, and sometimes have erred, even in things pertaining unto God,” and their decrees lack authority unless grounded in scripture. It also notes that councils require the “commandment and will of Princes” (civil authorities) to convene, reflecting the historical role of emperors like Constantine at Nicaea (325 CE). 1 Corinthians 2:13 and Acts 15:28-29 highlight the need for divine guidance, which human assemblies often lack. While there is certainly historic precedent for civil authorities to call councils, it is important to note that this article was crafted during the English Reformation and probably would not have served the writer very well to not mention it. 

Historical examples illustrate councils’ errors. The Council of Ephesus (431 CE) condemned Nestorius but fueled schism due to political rivalries, despite Colossians 2:9 affirming Christ’s unified nature. The Fourth Lateran Council (1215) formalized transubstantiation and indulgences, which Reformers rejected as unbiblical (Hebrews 10:10). The Council of Constance (1414-1418) condemned Jan Hus for upholding sola scriptura, prioritizing papal power over biblical truth (Galatians 1:8).

Article 21’s insistence on scriptural authority safeguards against human error, urging modern Christians to evaluate church decisions critically. It also underscores the role of civil authorities in maintaining ecclesiastical order, a principle relevant to state-church dynamics in the Reformation and beyond.

Article 22: Rejecting Purgatory and Related Doctrines

Article 22 condemns the “Romish Doctrine concerning Purgatory, Pardons, Worshipping and Adoration, as well of Images as of Relics, and also Invocation of Saints” as “vainly invented” and contrary to scripture. Purgatory, an intermediate state for purification, relies on apocryphal texts like 2 Maccabees 12:39-45 and a misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 3:13-15. Reformers rejected it, citing Hebrews 9:27—“it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment”—and 1 Timothy 2:5, which affirms Christ as the sole mediator.
Purgatory, formalized at the Councils of Florence (1439) and Trent (1545-1563), supported indulgences, which became a financial tool for the church. Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses challenged these abuses, arguing that Christ’s atonement (Hebrews 10:14) is sufficient. Article 22’s rejection of these doctrines reaffirms sola scriptura and Christ’s finished work, urging Christians to trust in God’s grace rather than human rituals.

In today’s pluralistic world, Article 22 challenges believers to avoid reliance on extra-biblical practices, focusing instead on the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. It calls for a faith anchored in scripture, free from the accretions of human tradition.

Conclusion: A Call to Scriptural Fidelity

Articles 18-22 form a cohesive defense of Reformation principles: salvation through Christ alone, the church’s identity and authority rooted in scripture, the fallibility of human institutions, and the rejection of unbiblical doctrines. John 17:17—“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth”—and 2 Peter 1:20-21 anchor these articles in God’s word, ensuring that the church’s mission reflects the gospel’s transformative power.

For modern Christians, these articles offer a roadmap for navigating theological diversity and cultural pressures. They call for bold proclamation of Christ’s exclusivity, humble submission to scripture, and discernment in evaluating church practices. As we engage in mission and dialogue, Articles 18-22 remind us to ground our faith in the unchanging truth of God’s word, trusting in Christ’s sufficient atonement to guide us in a pluralistic age.

Join us next time as we continue our journey through the Thirty-Nine Articles, exploring their timeless wisdom for today’s church.