Editing Helvetic Confessions (section)

==First Helvetic Confession==
The '''First Helvetic Confession''' ({{langx|la|Confessio Helvetica prior}}), known also as the '''Second Confession of Basel''', was drawn up in [[Basel]] in 1536 by [[Heinrich Bullinger]] and [[Leo Jud]] of Zurich, [[Kaspar Megander]] of [[Bern]], [[Oswald Myconius]] and [[Simon Grynaeus]] of Basel, [[Martin Bucer]] and [[Wolfgang Capito]] of [[Strasbourg]], with other representatives from [[Schaffhausen]], [[St. Gallen|St Gall]], [[Mühlhausen]] and [[Biel]]. Bucer and Capito in particular aimed to reconcile Reformed and Lutheran doctrine through the Confession.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Curtis |first=William A. |title=A History of Creeds and Confessions of Faith in Christendom and Beyond |publisher=T. & T. Clark |year=1911 |location=Edinburgh}}</ref>{{Rp|page=203}} The first draft was written in [[Latin]] and the Zurich delegates objected to its [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] phraseology. However, Leo Jud's [[German language|German]] translation was accepted by all, and after Myconius and Grynaeus had modified the Latin form, both versions were agreed to and adopted on February 26, 1536.<ref name="EB1911">{{EB1911 |wstitle=Helvetic Confessions |volume=13 |page=253 |inline=1}}</ref> Bucer and Capito brought the Confession to [[Martin Luther]] as a symbol of Reformed-Lutheran unity, but he ultimately rejected it.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wedgeworth |first=Steven |date=2022-07-28 |title=Adiaphora in The First Helvetic Confession |url=https://adfontesjournal.com/steven-wedgeworth/adiaphora-in-the-first-helvetic-confession/ |access-date=2024-03-25 |website=Ad Fontes |language=en-US}}</ref> 

The first five articles affirm the Protestant doctrine of ''[[sola scriptura]]'', viewing Holy Scripture as its own interpreter, containing all that is necessary to know for salvation (sufficiency) and supremely authoritative over all other human writings. Article VI treats of the Trinity of persons in one divine essence. Articles VII-X discuss God's creation of man in his image; the most noble of creatures, which fell into sin by the [[original sin]] of Adam, and God's  eternal plan of salvation for fallen man. <ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=203}} Articles XI-XIV teach that we are saved by God's grace through Christ through [[faith alone]]. Articles XV-XX treat of the Church, its authority and the office of the ministry. Articles XXI-XXIII are distinctly Reformed in [[Sacrament|sacramentology]], regarding [[baptism]] and the [[Eucharist|Lord's supper]] as 'holy symbols of high mysteries, not mere or empty signs, but significant signs accompanying spiritual realities; in Baptism, water is the sign, regeneration and adoption the reality; in the Supper the bread and wine are signs, communion of the body and blood of the Lord is the spiritual reality'.<ref name=":1" />{{Rp|page=204}} Finally, Articles XXIV-XXVIII treat of public worship, ceremonies, [[Christian marriage|marriage]] and schism. 
[[File:Confessio_Helvetica_Posterior_title_page.jpg|left|thumb|''Confessio Helvetica posterior'']]