The Brethren tradition grew out of Anglicanism in the 1830’s in England. It’s emphasis was that every Christian is equally called to live the Christian life and serve Jesus Christ in all they do. It was a timely corrective to the idea that “ministry” was only done by ordained ministers, and that everyone else was just a spectator. This idea of “the priesthood of all who believe” in Jesus has now become part of mainstream thinking in many denominations where lay people actively serve and minister in their areas of gifting.
The Anglican church is rooted in the traditions that go all the way back to the early church and which grew over the centuries as the church spread and expanded. In its evangelical form it is a synthesis of the authority of the Scriptures and the reverence for a holy God found in liturgical worship and the celebration of the Sacraments.
Beliefs in more detail
As Evangelical Christians we believe in the reliability and authority of the Bible as the Word of God.
Our core beliefs are outlined in a number of “creeds” (statements of belief) developed by the early church. These are: The Nicene Creed, The Apostles’ Creed and the Athanasian Creed.
Some of the most important of our beliefs are:
- We believe that our understanding of reality must begin with a knowledge of the one, true God who is creator and sustainer of all.
- We believe that Jesus died for our sins and rose again for our justification.
- We believe that the Holy Spirit lives in all who follow Jesus as Lord.
