As established by the Archbishop of the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the Year of Our Lord 1996:
I) We believe in One God, Creator of the Universe, eternal, invisible and indivisible, incomprehensible, immutable, almighty, sage, just, and the abundant source of all good.
II) The Knowing of God. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead.” – Rom 1:20. “But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” – 1 Cor 8:6, 1 Tim 2:5, and 1 Cor 12:6.
III) Perfection of the Holy Scripture. We believe the Holy Scripture contains perfectly the Divine will and all men should believe in order to be saved. “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 Tim 3:16-17, and 2 Peter 1:21.
IV) Witnessing the Holy Trinity. The Father is not the Son, and the Son is not the Father. The Holy Ghost is neither the Father, nor the Son. Though, being separate, they are not divided nor merged. Only the Son was carnal. But the three are eternal and of the same essence. All the three are one, in truth, power, goodness and mercy. – Heb 1, Mat 3:16-17, Mat 29:19. “And the angel answered and said into her, the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee. Therefore also that Holy things which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” – Luke 1:35, 2 Cor 13:13, Rom 8:9, and Gal 4:6.
V) Divinity of Jesus Christ. We will quote the Nicene Creed: “We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God of very God; Begotten, not made; Being of one substance with the Father; By whom all things were made; Who for us men, and our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost. And was made man.” – Heb 1:2-3 “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High.” – 1 Cor 8:6, 2 Cor 5:19, and Gal 4:4.
VI) Divinity of the Holy Ghost. He is the third person of the Holy Trinity, of the same essence, proceeding from the Father, He is of one substance. John, also Council of Toledo XI (A.D. 675).
VII) The Angels and the Creation. The Almighty created the good angels, to be His Messengers, and serve the chosen. Some fell into eternal damnation and became the enemies of God, the servants of Satan, with help of the bad Spirits. “For if God, spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to Hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.” – 2 Peter 2:4, Heb 1:14, Matt 4:1-11.
VII) Original sin. We believe that through the disobedience of Adam, the Birth – sin was spread all over human kind. “As it is written. There is none righteous, no, not one.” – Rom 3:10, and Rom 4:12. “Wherefore, as one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” – Rom 7:18-19.
IX) Incarnation of God’s Son. “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son…” – Rom 8:3-32.
X) Justification by Faith. “We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by Faith and not for our own works or deserving.” – Rom 3:20. “Therefore by the deeds of Law there shall no flesh justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” – Rom 4:2-5, Rom 8:29, Rom 8:33. “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect ? It is God that justifies.” – Rom 10:4-10, 1 Cor 2:12, 1 Cor 15:3. “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” – Gal 2:16. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Jesus Christ, and not by the works of law: for by the works of law shall no faith be justified.” – Gal 2:21.
XII) Good works. “So likewise ye when ye shall have done all these things which are commanded you, say, ‘we are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.’” – Luke 17:10. God crown His gifts though grace. Then, Rom. 9:32, Rom 10:11-17, “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. “- Rom 11:6. Also Gal 3:5, and James 2:14.
XIII) Universal Church. This Church is not limited to a place or some people. It is scattered and spread all over the world, united in the same Spirit, with the same will and through the power of Faith. “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or Lo there! Foe behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” – Eph 4:4, 2 Tim 2:19, Luke 17:21.
XIV) True Church. The True Church preaches the Gospel and administers Sacraments as Christ ordered. Churches have erred, not only in their manner of ceremonies, (Rev 3:15-16) but the worst in matters of Faith. Col 1:23, John 4:2, Rev 2:11, Acts 17:11, Matt 28:20. “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Amen.
XV) Sacraments. There are two universal sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel: Baptism and the Supper of the Lord. “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea spiritual meat. And did all drink of the same spiritual: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” – 1 Cor 10:1-4. – For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you. That the Lord Jesus the same night in which was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said: Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying. This cup is the New Testament in my blood, this do ye as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye shrew the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. – Matt 26:28.
XVI) Baptism. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” – Mark 16:16. Thanks to His spilled blood Jesus Christ, abolishing circumcision for the gentiles, and ordained the sacrament of baptism. For this Saint Paul called baptism the circumcision of Christ. – Col. 2:11 “In whom also ye are circumcised with circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.” – Rom 6:3-7, 1 Cor 6:11-13, Gal 3:27, Mat 28:19.
XVII) Lord’s Supper. “For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” – Mat 26:28. “It is not the mouth who eats, but the Spirit through Faith. And we should stick to what Christ and the Apostles taught to us: It is a sacrament of our Redemption by Christ’s death”. “The Body of Christ is given, taken and eaten in the Supper only after a heavenly and spiritual manner”. We accept consubstantiation. – 1 Cor 11:20-29, Acts 2:41-42, John 26:26-29, Eph 3:17. “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love.” – Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-20, John 6:27-58. “Jesus answered and said unto them. This the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom he that sent me, and Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth in me shall never thirst. Verily, verily, I say into you, He that believeth in me hath everlasting life. I am the bread of Life, Whoso eatheth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day”.
XVIII) Marriage of Ministers. Bishops, Ministers and Deacons are not commanded by God’s Law, to abstain from marriage. It is lawful for them to marry as they shall judge the same to serve better to Godliness. – 1 Cor 7:1-9, Paul defined very well his minister suggesting only “But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.” Those words are for a man entrusted in a perilous mission and of course in those times it wouldn’t have been wise to have a wife to share the tribulations.
XIX) Charismas. We have to look into the first epistle of Paul to Corinthians to understand the spiritual gifts: (1 Cor 12:4-11, 1 Cor 12:27-31) Paul provides both presence and action of the Holy Spirit within God’s community. This spirit ecstasy was known in all the Pauline communities. First Epistle to Corinthians, Chapter 12, provides us with a definition of the three (3) different kinds of charismas.
XIX a.) Understanding. Discerning of spirits, prophecy, interpretation, speaking in tongues.
XIX b) Power. Gift of healing, miracles, expulsion of evils.
XIX b) Service. Gift of teaching and evangelizing (Apostles, Prophets, Doctors), Charity (Distributing alms, etc.) This Chapter enlightens us with impermanence and development of charisma’s within the Church of Christ. Though, Paul fears, tricks (For the gift of tongues he asks not to be more than three, with the help of an interpreter, God is God of peace!). The liturgy of the Word cannot degenerate into a demonic session. Therefore, we say that, as long as the charismatic Churches are organized in their celebrations, and without “tricks”, they are fully in accordance with the Gospel as long as they are not fundamentalist and adapt to our times.
XX) Confession of Sin. A person will inevitably return to sin, a self created hell, leading to self destructive altitudes whether short, or long-term. We cannot lie to God as He knows everything. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” – Gal 6:7. The only confession is the one in Christ – Matt 10:32.
XXI) Revelation – The Last Judgment. “For the Lord Himself shall descend form heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” – 1 Thes 4:16. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” – 2 Cor 5:10, and Matt 12:36. The good and the chosen will see the accomplishment of their total redemption, that is why we are waiting for this day with joy, comfort and Faith. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be anymore pain: for the former things are passed away.” – Rev 21:4, also 1 Peter 4:5 and 2 Peter 2:9. The Lord knoweth how to deliver the Godly out of temptation and to reserve the unjust unto the day of the judgment, to be punished.” – 1 Cor. 15:51-54, 2 Cor 5:10, 2 Thes 1:10, 2 Tim 4:1 and Heb 9:27, Heb 10:27.
References:
- The New Testament of Our Lord Jesus Christ – The authorized King James version.
- The Book of common prayer – The Episcopal Church in the U.S.A. 1789 A.D.
- Confession of Faith in Belgium and the Low Countries – 1561 A.D., Den Haag.
- Martin Luther – Confession of Augsburg – 1530 A.D.
Copyright and trademarked By the Most Rt. Rev. Prof. Dr. F. P. Burckle.