Second Helvetic Confession

Protestant confession

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June 17, 2026

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The Second Helvetic Confession is one of two confessions of faith officially adopted by the Reformed Church in Switzerland. Written by Heinrich Bullinger in 1562 and published in 1566, it became the official creed for Swiss cantons and was recognized in several other countries, including Scotland, Hungary, France, and Poland. It is considered a highly authoritative statement of Reformed theology.

The confession addresses core Christian doctrines such as the Trinity and Christology. It also emphasizes key Reformation principles like Scripture as the sole norm of belief, the condemnation of images in worship, and the importance of law, gospel, and faith. Furthermore, it discusses Reformed doctrines on Providence, predestination, the church, ministry, and sacraments, while also condemning heresies.1

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Helvetic Confession
Second Helvetic Confession
…document became known as the Second Helvetic Confession and was published in 1566 as the official creed of the Swiss cantons. It was also adopted in the Palatinate and was recognized in Scotland (1566), Hungary (1567), France (1571), and Poland (1578). Also favourably received in Holland and England, it was…
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…document became known as the Second Helvetic Confession and was published in 1566 as the official creed of the Swiss cantons. It was also adopted in the Palatinate and was recognized in Scotland (1566), Hungary (1567), France (1571), and Poland (1578). Also favourably received in Holland and England, it was…
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Reformed and Presbyterian churches
Doctrines
Bullinger in the Second Helvetic Confession made it clear that Reformed churches condemn what is contrary to ecumenical creeds. Interpretations of the early Church Fathers and decrees and canons of councils “were not to be despised, but we modestly dissent from them when they are found to set…
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Bullinger in the Second Helvetic Confession made it clear that Reformed churches condemn what is contrary to ecumenical creeds. Interpretations of the early Church Fathers and decrees and canons of councils “were not to be despised, but we modestly dissent from them when they are found to set…
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Heinrich Bullinger
…other churches in his own Second Helvetic Confession (1566). This marked the beginning of the “Reformed tradition,” the fusion of Zwinglian and Calvinist thought. His other works included Diarium (ed. by Emil Egli, 1904; “Diary”), a life of Zwingli, and Reformationsgeschichte, 3 vol. (1838–40; “History of the Reformation”).
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…other churches in his own Second Helvetic Confession (1566). This marked the beginning of the “Reformed tradition,” the fusion of Zwinglian and Calvinist thought. His other works included Diarium (ed. by Emil Egli, 1904; “Diary”), a life of Zwingli, and Reformationsgeschichte, 3 vol. (1838–40; “History of the Reformation”).
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