1. About God
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God. We believe the doctrine as taught in the Apostles, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds.
2. About Jesus Christ
Jesus is the son of God and is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on the cross. His death is a substitute for ours. He rose from the dead on the third day to demonstrate His power over sin, death and hell, declaring the effectiveness of his work on the cross” He ascended to heaven and will return to consummate His kingdom and to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
3. About the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is fully God and is co-equal with the Father and the Son. He is present in the world to make all people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. The Spirit also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation and provides the Christian with power for living in obedience to God and understanding God’s truth. The Spirit gives every believer gifts for the building up of the Church.
4. About the Bible
The Bible, being the 66 books commonly read, is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors under the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the final source of authority for Christian belief and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth in all that it affirms and contains all that is necessary for salvation.
5. About The Creation, Humanity and Sin.
The created world reflects God’s glory but is separate from God. It is upheld and sustained by Him. People are made in the image of God to be in relationship with Him and to be like Him in character. People are the crowning work of God’s creation. Every person has tremendous potential for good yet all of us are disobedient towards God. This is called sin. Ingrained in every person is a corrupt and sinful nature since the rebellion of Adam and Eve, where humanity is very far gone from God’s righteousness. This disobedience separates people from God, rendering humanity subject to God’s wrath and condemnation, and distorts their relationship with one another and with the creation.
6. 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 way of forgiveness can anyone be saved from God’s penalty for sin. When we turn from our self-ruled life, ask God’s forgiveness and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved. Eternal life with God begins when we receive Jesus Christ as our saviour by faith and submit to His Lordship.
7. About Assurance of Salvation.
Our Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not the self effect of the Christian. The Word of God, the work of Christ and the witness of the Holy Spirit assure us of our salvation and free us from living with the fear of condemnation and judgement. The Christian is called to grow in faith, obedience, and holiness of life, but our relationship with God through Jesus Christ is maintained by the grace and faithfulness of God.
8. About the Future.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the guarantee that we will also be resurrected. When Christ returns, those who believe in Him will be raised in a new and glorified body to eternal life with God. Those who have rejected Christ will be raised to judgement for their sins and will be separated from God eternally.
9. About the Church.
The Church of Christ is the gathering together of the faithful, in which the pure word of God is preached and the sacraments (being baptism and communion) are duly administered. The Church, which is the assembly of Christians, is to be God-centred and a place of fellowship, learning, love, service and prayer.
A Note about the 39 Articles of Religion.
As Anglican Christians we accept the summary of Christian Doctrine found in the 39 Articles of religion, found in the Book of Common Prayer (and reprinted in later Prayer Books). We believe the summary above reflects the 39 articles and the Bible, which is our ultimate source of Authority.
