Britannica Sources used in this answer

What four elements are included in the Lambeth Quadrilateral?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

The Lambeth Quadrilateral consists of four essential elements that serve as a foundation for the Anglican Communion and its ecumenical discussions. These elements are:12

  • Holy Scripture: The Bible is accepted as the rule and ultimate standard of faith.12
  • The Creeds: The Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed are held as the sufficient statement of the Christian faith.12
  • The Sacraments: The two sacraments ordained by Christ himself—Baptism and the Lord’s Supper—are recognized as essential.12
  • The Historic Episcopate: The episcopate, or church government led by bishops, is maintained as a key component of church order.12

While the first three points are widely accepted by other Christian groups, the historic episcopate has historically been the primary challenge in achieving full union with other Protestant churches.1