Our Beliefs as Members of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA)
"We have returned to the Apostles and the Old Catholic Fathers. We have planted no new religion, but only preserved the old that was undoubtedly founded and used by the Apostles of Christ and other Holy Fathers of the Primitive Church." -John Jewel, 1562
"We have returned to the Apostles and the Old Catholic Fathers. We have planted no new religion, but only preserved the old that was undoubtedly founded and used by the Apostles of Christ and other Holy Fathers of the Primitive Church." -John Jewel, 1562
- We believe in the Trinity of God-Father, Son and Holy Spirit-One God forever and ever.
- We believe in the Incarnate word of God, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. We have heard the good news of salvation offered through him, received that salvation by faith, and are learning to become like Jesus in character and in service to others. We believe that as His disciples, our mission is to share His good news.
- We believe in the Old and New Testaments (Holy Scriptures) to be the inspired, authoritative, and sufficient word of God.
- We believe in the truths contained in the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed.
- We believe in the truths contained in the seven ecumenical (Worldwide) councils of the undivided church so far as they agree with Holy Scripture.
- We believe the Holy Scriptures provide the framework through which all doctrine, teachings, and practices of the church are formulated. We believe the living tradition (writings of the Church Fathers, ancient liturgical practices, etc.) can help and guide us in understanding the mind of the ancient church regarding doctrine and scripture. We believe the gift of human reason, guided by the Holy Spirit, serving as a complement to scripture, together with tradition, can help the church in seeking answers to the questions we have regarding contemporary issues
- We believe the 39 Articles of Religion summarize the biblical faith recovered at the Reformation.
- We believe the Sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace given by Jesus as sure and certain means by which we receive that grace.
- We believe in the Gospel sacrament of Holy Baptism, the "washing of regeneration" (KJV-Titus 3:5), through which God adopts us as his children, makes us members of Christ's body and inheritors of the Kingdom of God, forgives our sins and gives us a new life in the Holy Spirit. We believe Jesus is at work in Baptism; it is an encounter with him (Gal. 3:26-27). Following the ancient practice of the church, infants, children, and adults may be baptized. For those baptized as infants or children, the parents are expected to raise them in the faith until such time as they take ownership of their relationship with Jesus and are confirmed (Matt. 28:18-20; John 3:5; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:37-41; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Rom. 6:3; Rom. 8:15-17; 1 Peter 3:21).
- We believe in the Gospel sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, commanded by Christ for the continual remembrance of his life, death, and resurrection, until his coming again. We believe that Jesus is present in the elements of bread and wine as heavenly food providing the believer with the spiritual benefits of the forgiveness of our sins, the strengthening of our union with Christ and one another, and the foretaste of the heavenly banquet (Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 12:22-25; Luke 22:17-20; Acts 2:46; 1 Cor. 10:14-21; 1 Cor. 11:23-30).
- We Believe in five sacramental rites that evolved in the ancient apostolic church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit:
- Confirmation: The church asks the Holy Spirit, through the laying on of hands and prayer, to give more grace and power to the individual for their life and ministry in the Body of Christ and confirms their baptismal covenant and earlier spiritual experience (John 14:15-17; Acts 8:14-16; Acts 19:1-7).
- Anointing of the sick: The church asks the Lord to give grace and healing to those who are ill through anointing with oil and the laying on of hands (James 5:13-15).
- Holy Orders: The church asks the Lord to give grace and the Holy Spirit to those being made bishops, priests, and deacons, through prayer and the laying on of hands by Bishops in Apostolic succession. Apostolic succession is the handing down of apostolic authority and orthodox teaching from the apostles to their successors, the bishops, through the laying on of hands (Acts 6:3-6; 1 Tim. 19:1-3; Eph. 3:20-21).
- Holy Matrimony: The church asks the Lord to bestow upon the union of a man and woman, his grace to live together in holiness, happiness, peace, and love, "until death do them part" (Gen 2:24; Matt. 19:4-6; Eph. 5:31).
- Reconciliation: The Church asks the Lord, through the ministry of the priest, to give the repentant believer forgiveness, healing, and grace. The priest, in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, gives the assurance of forgiveness and absolution to the believer (Matt. 18:18; John 20:22-23).
- We believe the universal Church is the visible presence of Jesus in the world and is comprised of all baptized believers. The Anglican Church, has an ancient origin, founded in the British Isles during the Apostolic age.
- We believe the power of Pentecost is for today as are all the gifts of the Holy Spirit.