25/08/2026
Today marks an important anniversary in the story of Scotland’s Reformation.
On 25 August 1618, the General Assembly gathered at Perth. What happened there would prove deeply controversial and would have far-reaching consequences for the Scottish Church for decades to come
It approved what became known as the Five Articles of Perth, strongly promoted by King James VI. They introduced practices which many Scottish Presbyterians believed were unscriptural and too closely associated with Roman Catholic and episcopal worship.
The five articles were:
Kneeling at the Lord’s Supper rather than sitting at the Communion table.
Private Communion for the sick.
Private Baptism where considered necessary, especially in cases of serious illness.
Confirmation by bishops.
The observance of religious holy days, including Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, Ascension Day and Pentecost.
Many ministers opposed these changes because they believed worship should be regulated by Scripture alone.
Kneeling at Communion was seen as resembling the Roman Mass. Private baptism raised concerns because the Reformed Church rejected the idea that baptism was necessary for salvation. Confirmation strengthened the authority of bishops, which Presbyterians believed had no biblical warrant. They also argued that the only recurring holy day commanded for the New Testament Church was the weekly Lord’s Day.
The Articles were approved by Parliament in 1621 and became law, but opposition remained strong. Ministers who refused to accept them could face punishment. David Dickson of Irvine, for example, was removed from his ministry for opposing them.
The controversy was about much more than ceremonies. It raised the important question of who had authority over the worship of the Church — Christ through His Word, or the King and bishops?
In 1638, the famous Glasgow General Assembly condemned the Five Articles and rejected the episcopal system which had helped impose them.
