We
believe in the One, Holy, Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We
believe that there is no other name under heaven given among men by
which we must be saved, and that most holy name is Jesus, Lord of
heaven and earth. We believe that only through Him is the full
revelation of God given to man and that we have the awesome
responsibility to preach the Good News of salvation to all nations and
tongues.
We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New
Testaments are the authentic record of God’s revelation to man, a
revelation that is valid for all men and all time. In the Bible we have
God’s revelation of Himself, His saving activity, and His moral
demands. We believe that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect,
thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
We
believe the Catholic Faith as set forth in the three recognized Creeds
of Christendom: the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and that known
as the Creed of St. Athanasius. We receive and believe them in the
sense they have had always in the Catholic Church.
We believe in
the holy Tradition of the Church as set forth by the ancient catholic
bishops and doctors, and especially as defined by the Seven Ecumenical
Councils of the undivided Church.
We hold dear the seven
Sacraments of Grace, namely, the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation,
and the Holy Eucharist, Holy Matrimony, Holy Orders, Penance, and
Unction of the Sick. We believe them to be objective signs of Christ’s
continued presence and saving activity among us. We believe in the holy
sacrifice of the Mass and that the body and blood of Christ is truly
and really present in the Holy Eucharist.
We believe in God’s
gift of the apostolic ministry to His Church, asserting the necessity
of a bishop in apostolic succession (or a priest ordained by such) as
the celebrant of the Eucharist. Furthermore, we hold that the Holy
Orders of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons consist exclusively of men in
accordance with Christ’s will and institution.
We believe in the
sanctity of human life; that life begins at the moment of conception;
and that the willful taking of that life in the womb by abortion to be
a grave sin (Title XV, Canon I, 1.01of the Canons of the
AnglicanCatholic Church).
We believe in the family, in the
God-given sacramental bond in marriage between one man and one woman.
We profess that sexual activity is to be practiced only within the
bonds of Holy Matrimony.
We believe that man is very far gone
from original righteousness, is in rebellion against God’s authority,
and is liable to His righteous judgment. We believe that all people,
individually and collectively, are responsible to their Creator for
their acts, motives, thoughts, and words, since we must all appear
before the judgment seat of Christ.
We believe it is the duty of
the Church and her members to bear witness to Christian morality, to
follow it in their lives, and to reject the false standards of the
world.
Lastly, the Anglican Catholic Church acknowledges that
rule of faith laid down by St. Vincent of Lerins: Let us hold that
which has been believed everywhere, always, and by all, for that is
truly and properly Catholic. The Bishops of this Church are committed
to seeing that the Faith of Christ is kept entire as it was given to
this Church. Any assertion to the contrary has no basis in fact. We
call upon all the communicants of this church to believe without
reservation that deposit of Faith that has been given to the Anglican
Catholic Church and earnestly to contend for the faith once delivered
to the saints.
This
short statement of the ACC’s beliefs was written in February, 1998, by
the Most Reverend M. Dean Stephens, late Archbishop and Metropolitan of
the Anglican Catholic Church.
