Introduction
The Dordrecht Confession of Faith is a historic document from 1632, drawn up by 51 Mennonite (Anabaptist) elders and ministers in Dordrecht. It is at the same time a confession of faith and a peace treaty — a unique document not born out of theological strife, but out of a longing for reconciliation.
The Little Ark is preparing a new edition of this remarkable document.
Origin — Dordrecht, 21 April 1632
On 21 April 1632, 51 ministers, elders and deacons of Flemish Mennonite congregations gathered together in Dordrecht. After years of mutual division, they sought reconciliation. Under the leadership of Adriaan Cornelisz. (elder at Dordrecht), Tobias Govertsz. van den Wijngaard (Amsterdam) and Pieter Grijspeer (Haarlem), a document was drawn up: the Confessie Ende Vredehandelinge (Confession and Peace Treaty).
There was confession of guilt. There was forgiveness. And there was the kiss of peace — the tangible sign that the reconciliation existed not only in words.
Adriaan Cornelisz., the principal author, died just seven months later on 6 November 1632.
The eighteen articles
The heart of the document contains 18 articles of faith:
- I. Of God and the creation
- II. Of the fall of man
- III. Of the restoration of man and reconciliation
- IV. Of the coming of Christ
- V. Of the law/testament of Christ
- VI. Of repentance and amendment of life
- VII. Of holy baptism
- VIII. Of the church of Christ
- IX. Of the election and offices of teachers
- X. Of the holy Lord's Supper
- XI. Of the washing of the saints' feet
- XII. Of the state of matrimony
- XIII. Of the office of civil government
- XIV. Of revenge (nonviolence)
- XV. Of the swearing of oaths
- XVI. Of the church's ban
- XVII. Of the shunning of the separated
- XVIII. Of the resurrection of the dead and the last judgment
Distinguishing articles
What sets this confession apart
- Believer's baptism (Art. VII): Only those who believe may be baptized. Infant baptism is rejected.
- Nonviolence (Art. XIV): Complete rejection of violence and revenge.
- Foot washing (Art. XI): Literal practice of washing one another's feet.
- Refusal of oaths (Art. XV): “Yes” is yes, “no” is no.
A biblical document
What stands out about the Dordrecht Confession of Faith is that it uses almost exclusively biblical language. There is no philosophical jargon, no scholastic terminology, no abstract dogmatics. Every article is steeped in references to Scripture. This reflects the conviction that God's Word interprets itself — that God's Word is clear enough to be understood without human additions.
2 Timothy 3:16 “Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.”
The authors let Scripture speak. Not their own wisdom, but the Word of God formed the foundation of their confession. That is what makes this document, after almost four hundred years, still current and powerful.
From Dordrecht to the world
The confession was printed for the first time in Haarlem in 1633. Although only 8 Dutch editions appeared, the document spread remarkably across the world:
- 116 German editions
- 73 English editions
- 5 French editions
- Total: at least 202 known editions
The confession was included in the Martyrs Mirror (1660) by Thieleman van Braght. For the Amish in America it became the central faith document — it is still read aloud in their church services to this day.
A text written in 1632 in Dordrecht is still being read aloud almost four hundred years later in churches in the heart of America.
New edition
The Little Ark is preparing a new Dutch edition of the Dordrecht Confession of Faith. This document deserves to be read and studied again. More information will follow.
Contact: maartenvroegindeweij@gmail.com