·       In essential beliefs — we have unity.    “There is one Body and one Spirit...there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of us all...”  Eph. 4:4-6

·       In non-essential beliefs — we have liberty.    “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters...  Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?  To his own master he stands or falls...  So then each of us will give an account of himself to God...  So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God.”  Romans 14:1,4,12,22

·       In all our beliefs — we show charity.    “...If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God, and if I have the faith that can move mountains — but have no love, I amount to nothing at all.”  1 Cor. 13:2  (Ph)

(What follows is a brief summary of Christian belief.  For a more thorough treatment, see the catechism of the Anglican Church in North America.)

About God the Father

We believe that God the Father created all things and governs His creation according to His good will and purpose.  As a Father, He concerns Himself mercifully in the lives of men and women and saves from sin and death all who come to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Genesis 1:1,26,27, 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14

About God the Son, Jesus Christ

To redeem us from the power of sin, God the Father sent His only son, Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully human, to make the perfect offering which we could not make.  Through Christ’s offering, He defeated the power of sin and death so, in Him, human beings might be adopted as children of God, and be made heirs of God’s kingdom.  We share in His victory over sin and death when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior and are baptized.

Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4;  

Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13 

Christian Obedience: We confess Jesus as the Lord to whom all authority in heaven and earth has been given by the Father. We repent of not following Jesus and commit ourselves to follow Him and love Him above all else and to conform our lives to His example and teaching by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ: While religions and philosophies of the world are not without elements of truth, Jesus Christ alone is the full revelation of God. In and through the Gospel, Jesus judges and corrects all views and doctrines. All persons everywhere need to learn of Him, come to know and believe in Him, and receive forgiveness and new life in Him, as there is no other name given under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

About the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son of God.  He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ.  He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation.  He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right.  He gives every believer a spiritual gift when they are saved.  As Christians, we seek to live under His control daily.

2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16;  

Ephesians 1:13, 5:18; Galatians 5:25

About the Bible

We believe all Scriptures were "written for our learning" (Romans 15:4), they are "God’s Word written," and we are to "hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them." We commit ourselves to regular Bible study and to preach and teach only that which is in accordance with Holy Scripture.  We also commit to following the Scriptures in priestly matters.

2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5

About Human Beings

Human beings are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character.  People are the supreme object of God’s creation.  Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin.”   This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life.  

Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a, 59:1-2; Romans 3:23

About Salvation

Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it.  We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works.  Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s means of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty.  When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved.  Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his or her life by faith.

Romans 5:1, 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26

About Eternal Security

Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian.  It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.  Evidence of our salvation is a life that bears spiritual fruit.

John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Ephesians 2:10

About Eternity

People were created to exist forever.  We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation.  To be eternally separated from God is Hell.  To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. 

John 3:16; John 14:17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18; Revelation 20:15; 1 Cor. 2:7-9

About Congregational Life

We hold corporate worship, fellowship, discipleship, service, and mission to be interconnected and indispensable aspects of our response to God as he revealed himself to us in Jesus Christ. We are committed to being sacrificially involved in all these aspects of congregational life and doing all with love.

1 Corinthians 12:27, 13; Galatians 6:2

About Mission

The Risen Lord commissioned his disciples to preach the Gospel and to follow his commandments. The mission of the Church includes both proclamation of the Gospel of Christ and deeds of love and service. We commit ourselves and our resources to this mission, both locally and to the uttermost parts of the earth. 

Matthew 28:18-20; John 14:15; Acts 1:8