Beliefs

Re-Formed Evangelical Catholic Faith & Practice

1. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as God’s word and only infallible authority in the Church
2. The foundation of the church is the Apostles and the Prophets, Christ Jesus being the chief cornerstone.
3. The 7 Ecumenical Councils (as much as they are in agreement with scripture) along with the Three Ecumenical Creeds: Apostle’s Creed as the Baptismal symbol, Athanasian Creed, and the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, and Luther’s Small and Large Catechism, as being the basis for Protestant Unity are enough to bind the consciences of the Laity. These are the summation of the Catholic Faith.
4. The authority to determine controversies of faith belongs to synods and councils led by the Bishops of the church along with the Presbyters and Deacons as the pastors and shepherds of God’s people. All synods and councils may err but if consonant to the Word of God, are to be received with reverence and submission, not only for their agreement with the Word, but also for the power whereby they are made, as being an ordinance of God, appointed thereunto in His Word.
5. No other confession of faith other than than the Three Ecumenical creeds may be used for admission, renewal, or baptism into Christ’s church
6. The local confessions of faith of each diocese are binding in so much as they are in agreement with the faith of the Catholic Church. (ie. Westminster Standards; Three Forms of Unity; Scots Confession; Book of Concord).
7. The 2 Sacraments of the Gospel (Baptism and the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist), with unfailing use of the Lord’s Institution, along with the other 5 sacramental rites which are Ordination, Confirmation or Chrismation, Absolution, Matrimony, and Unction of the Sick.
8. The Biblical and Historical Episcopate, adapted to the governance of each church, with uncompromising implementation of Apostolic Succession and a male Episcopate, Presbyterate, and Diaconate, understanding ministers to be in persona Christi and the Laity in persona Ecclesia
9. The smallest unit of the Church is the Bishop with his Presbytery and Deacons. The Bishop holds the fullness of the Apostolic Office.
10. The Bishop holds the exclusive right to the rites of ordination and confirmation. This right is because the Bishop is the summation of the presbytery The Bishop delegates the right to consecration of the elements in Holy Communion and Absolution, and blessing of Matrimony to the Presbyter. The Deacons, in the absence of the Bishop or Presbyter may Baptize. But in all things, the Presbyters and Deacons are sacramentally tied to the Altar or Lord’s table in which the Bishop has assigned them.
11. We believe that, in the Sacrament of the mystery of the Holy Eucharist, Jesus Christ is truly, really, substantially, but spiritually present in the body and blood in the outward and visible sign of bread and wine.
12. We believe that the Tradition of the Church (as much as it is in agreement with the scriptures) is authoritative in its interpretation of the scriptures, and in its application of the scripture through the liturgy as approved by the General Council.
13. We believe that theology is chiefly expressed and applied through catechesis and set liturgical forms. Each Church should have these Forms. These forms should be chiefly biblical, consistent with the catholic faith and tradition, and applied to the culture of the people using such a rite, both as an expression of what is good and beautiful in their culture and to reform that culture to the Gospel and Catholic Faith.
14. We believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. We believe that biblical matrimony is a sacramental rite that requires a validly ordained minister to oversee the marital rite. Those marriages which some call civil, should be received in the church through the blessing of a Bishop or Presbyter. No civil marriage between a man and another man, a woman and another woman, or any other combination other than one man or one woman shall be blessed in the church. Rather those in these civil homosexual unions should be called to repentance.
15. We believe that a revival of biblically centered monasticism is required for a renewed view of the life of singleness for both men and women and those who struggle with homosexual thoughts.
16. We believe that submission to these principles is requisite and enough for Altar and Pulpit fellowship. Admission to the Lord’s Table for the laity being for those who have been confirmed by the Bishops who are in communion with each other based in these principles.