As an Anglican Church, in the Church of England, our beliefs are articulated in the Canons of the Church of England, as quoted below:
‘The doctrine of the Church of England is grounded in the Holy Scriptures, and in such teachings of the ancient Fathers and Councils of the Church as are agreeable to the said Scriptures. In particular such doctrine is to be found in the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, The Book of Common Prayer, and the Ordinal.’
Canon A5, The Canons of the Church of England, Seventh Edition
‘The Church of England is part of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, worshipping the one true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It professes the faith uniquely revealed in the Holy Scriptures and set forth in the catholic creeds, which faith the Church is called upon to proclaim afresh in each generation. Led by the Holy Spirit, it has borne witness to Christian truth in its historic formularies, the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, The Book of Common Prayer and the Ordering of Bishops, Priests and Deacons.’
Preface, Of the Declaration of Assent, Canon C15, The Canons of the Church of England, Seventh Edition
The above statements point to three sources of our beliefs:
Holy Scriptures
The Bible
Catholic (meaning 'universal') Creeds
The Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Athanasian Creed
Historic Formularies
The Thirty-nine Articles of Religion, The Book of Common Prayer, and the Ordinal
As can be seen from the above quotations, the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion (found in The Book of Common Prayer) are of significant importance. Thoroughly biblical, they articulate and summarise the beliefs of the Church of England. From March 2017 to July 2018, a course entitled ‘Reformation Classes’ took place at Christ Church, spending half an hour each Sunday morning exploring as a group the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion. If you are interested in joining such a group in the future, please make contact.
