2.1.1 Introduction - As members of the Church of England within the
one, holy, catholic and apostolic church we affirm the faith uniquely
revealed in the holy Scriptures and set forth in the catholic creeds, of
which the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion are a general exposition.
Standing in the Reformation tradition we lay especial emphasis on the
grace of God - his unmerited mercy - as expressed in the doctrines which
follow.
2.1.2 God as the Source of Grace - In continuity with the teaching of
Holy Scripture and the Christian creeds, we worship one God in three
persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God has created all things, and us
in his own image: all life, truth, holiness and beauty come from him. His
Son Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, was conceived through the Holy
Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, was crucified, died, rose and ascended
to reign in glory.
2.1.3 The Bible as the Revelation of Grace - We receive the canonical
books of the Old and New Testaments as the wholly reliable revelation and
record of God's grace, given by the Holy Spirit as the true word of God
written. The Bible has been given to lead us to salvation, to be the
ultimate rule for Christian faith and conduct, and the supreme authority
by which the Church must ever reform itself and judge its traditions.
2.1.4 The Atonement as the Work of Grace - We believe that Jesus Christ
came to save lost sinners. Though sinless, he bore our sins, and their
judgement, on the cross, thus accomplishing our salvation. By raising
Christ bodily from the dead, God vindicated him as Lord and Saviour and
his victory. Salvation is in Christ alone.
2.1.5 The Church as the Community of Grace - We hold that the Church is
God's covenant community, whose members, drawn from every nation, having
been justified by grace through faith, inherit the promises made to
Abraham and fulfilled in Christ. As a fellowship of the Spirit manifesting
his fruit and exercising his gifts, it is called to worship God, grow in
grace, and bear witness to him and his Kingdom. God's Church is one body
and must ever strive to discover and experience that unity in truth and
love which it has in Christ, especially through its confession of the >
apostolic faith and in its observance of the dominical sacraments.
2.1.6 The Sacraments as the Signs of Grace - We maintain that the
Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion proclaim the Gospel as effective
and visible signs of our justification and sanctification, and as true
means of Gods grace to those who repent and believe. Baptism is the sign
of forgiveness of sin, the gift of the Spirit, new birth to righteousness
and entry into the fellowship of the People of God. Holy Communion is the
sign of the living, nourishing presence of Christ through his Spirit to
his people: the memorial of his one, perfect, completed and all
-sufficient sacrifice for sin, from whose achievement all may benefit but
in whose offering none can share; and an expression of our corporate life
of sacrificial thanksgiving and service.
2.1.7 Ministry as the Stewardship of Grace - We share, as the People of
God, in a royal priesthood common to the whole Church, and in the
community of the Suffering Servant. Our mission is the proclamation of the
Gospel by the preaching of the word, as well as by caring for the needy,
challenging evil and promoting justice and a more responsible use of the
world's resources. It is the particular vocation of bishops and
presbyters, together with deacons, to build up the body of Christ in truth
and love, as pastors, teachers, and servants of the servants of God.
2.1.8 Christ's Return as the Triumph of Grace - We look forward
expectantly to the final manifestation of Christ's grace and glory when he
comes again to raise the dead. judge the world, vindicate His chosen and
bring his Kingdom to its eternal fulfilment in the new heaven and the new
earth. |