Article XX: Of the Authority of the Church

Fr. Andrew's sermon on Article XX of The 39 Articles of Religion: Of the Authority of the Church, preached on the Sunday after Ascension Day (5.17.2026)."The church hath power to decree rites or ceremonies, and authority in controversies of faith; and yet it is not lawful for the church to ordain anything that is contrary to God's Word written, neither may it so expound one place of Scripture that it be repugnant to another. Wherefore, although the church be a witness and a keeper of Holy Writ, yet, as it ought not to decree anything against the same, so besides the same ought it not to enforce anything to be believed for necessity of salvation."