What Anglicans believe
Anglicans are committed to the Christian faith: that Jesus Christ is God made human, was born of Mary, was crucified, and rose again. Anglicans believe that Jesus Christ is the saviour of the world. We also believe in the Triune God, that is, in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
- Anglicans believe what is expressed in the Nicene Creed and the Apostles’ Creed.
- The Anglican Church receives all the canonical scriptures of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and New Testament as being the ultimate rule and standard of faith given by inspiration of God and containing all things necessary for salvation.
- Anglicans also embrace the reforms of the 16th century, which produced the Book of Common Prayer and the 39 Articles of Religion.
- The Anglican Church administers two sacraments: Holy Baptism and Holy Communion.
- The Anglican Church has three orders of ministry: bishop, priest and deacon.
- Anglicans accept that the ability of human beings to think for themselves is a necessary and important part of being able to define and interpret the content of the faith for each other and each generation.
Suggested further reading
- Apostles’ Creed
- Anglican Diocese of Melbourne
- Paul Avis, The Anglican Understanding of the Church (London: SPCK, 2000)