{"id":2015,"date":"2019-10-15T04:34:53","date_gmt":"2019-10-15T04:34:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/episcopalchurch.local\/?page_id=2015"},"modified":"2023-05-16T12:22:47","modified_gmt":"2023-05-16T16:22:47","slug":"what-we-believe","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/what-we-believe\/","title":{"rendered":"What We Believe"},"content":{"rendered":"    <div\n      class=\"wp-block-episcopal-hero-banner alignfull\"\n            style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/10\/ourbeliefs.jpg)\"\n          >\n      <div\n        class=\"hero-banner\"\n      >\n        <div class=\"hero-banner-wrapper\">\n          <h1 class=\"episcopal-hero-title\">\n                        What We Believe                      <\/h1>\n                    <ul class=\"social-nav\">\n                                              <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n  \n\n\n<p>As Episcopalians, we believe in and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We believe that God loves you \u2013 no exceptions.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Episcopal Church embraces a legacy of inclusion, aspiring to tell and exemplify God\u2019s love for every human being; people of all genders and sexual orientations serve as bishops, priests, and deacons in our church. Laypeople and clergy work together in leadership and governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Core to our Beliefs:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/what-we-believe\/book-common-prayer\/\"><strong>Book of Common Prayer<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<br>\u201cIt is a most invaluable part of that blessed \u2018liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,\u2019 that in his worship different forms and usages may without offense be allowed, provided the substance of the Faith be kept entire\u201d (Book of Common Prayer, p. 9).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Book of Common Prayer is a treasure chest full of devotional and teaching resources for individuals and congregations, but it is also the primary symbol of our unity. We, who are many and diverse, come together in Christ through our worship, our common prayer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/what-we-believe\/bible\/\"><strong>The Bible<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<br>\u201cBlessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them\u201d (Book of Common Prayer, p. 236).\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Bible is our foundation, understood through tradition and reason, containing all things necessary for salvation. Our worship is filled with Scripture from beginning to end. Approximately 70% of the Book of Common Prayer comes directly from the Bible.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/what-we-believe\/baptismal-covenant\/\"><strong>Baptismal Covenant<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<br>\u201cDo you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?\u201d (Book of Common Prayer, p. 292).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A mini-catechism used at baptisms and on Easter and other special occasions, the baptismal covenant opens with a question-and-answer version of the statement of faith that is the Apostles\u2019 Creed and adds five questions regarding how we, as Christians, are called to live out our faith.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/what-we-believe\/catechism\/\"><strong>The Catechism<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<br>Offered in a question-and-answer format, the catechism found in the back of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bcponline.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Book of Common Prayer <\/a>(pp. 845-862) helps teach the foundational truths of the Christian faith.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/what-we-believe\/creeds\/\"><strong>The Creeds<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<br>\u201cThe Creeds are statements of our basic beliefs about God\u201d (Book of Common Prayer, p. 851).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the two foundational statements of faith\u2014the Apostles\u2019 Creed used at baptism, and the Nicene Creed used at communion\u2014we join Christians throughout the ages in affirming our faith in the one God who created us, redeemed us, and sanctifies us.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/what-we-believe\/sacraments\/\"><strong>The Sacraments<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<br>\u201cSacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace\u201d (Book of Common Prayer, p. 857).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Besides <a href=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/what-we-believe\/baptism\/\">baptism<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.episcopalchurch.org\/what-we-believe\/communion\/\">Eucharist<\/a> (Holy Communion), the church recognizes other spiritual markers in our journey of faith.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Found in the Book of Common Prayer, these include:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Confirmation (the adult affirmation of our baptismal vows), pp. 413-419&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reconciliation of a Penitent (private confession), pp. 447-452&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Matrimony (Christian marriage), pp. 422-438&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Orders (ordination to deacon, priest, or bishop), pp. 510-555&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unction (anointing with oil those who are sick or dying) pp. 453-467&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As Episcopalians, we believe in and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, whose life, death, and resurrection saved the world.&nbsp;&nbsp; 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