Dordrecht Confession of Faith facts for kids

The Dordrecht Confession of Faith is an important set of beliefs. It was written by Dutch Mennonite leaders. They met at a special gathering called a Synod in Dordrecht, Netherlands. This meeting happened on April 21, 1632.

This document has 18 articles, or points, of faith. These articles talk about important ideas for Mennonites. They include the importance of being saved through Jesus Christ. They also discuss baptism, choosing nonviolence, and the practice of feet washing. Another key point is not taking oaths.

What is the Dordrecht Confession?

The Dordrecht Confession of Faith was a big part of the Radical Reformation. This was a time when many new Christian groups formed. The Confession is still very important today. Many Anabaptist groups, like the Amish, use it as a guide.

How it Spread to America

In 1725, a minister named Jacob Gottshalk helped bring this Confession to America. He worked with sixteen other ministers in Pennsylvania. Together, they made sure the Dutch Mennonite Dordrecht Confession of Faith was known there. This helped it become a key document for many groups in the United States.