About Our Ancient Anglican Tradition
The following Q & A answers many of the questions often asked about our ancient Anglican Tradition:
Why do you use the Book of Common Prayer (BCP)?
The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) is central to our worship and spiritual life because it brings together the richness of the Christian faith across various traditions:
- Bible-Centered Worship: We value a worship experience that is deeply rooted in Scripture. The BCP is filled with biblical content, ensuring that our prayers and liturgies are consistent with the teachings of the Bible. This makes the BCP relatable and enriching for believers from Evangelical, Charismatic, and Sacramental backgrounds.
- Historical Precedent: The BCP connects us with the historical church, drawing from ancient prayers, canticles, songs, creeds, and liturgies that have been used by Christians for centuries. This continuity with the past resonates with those who seek to uphold the traditions of the early church while living out their faith today.
- Corporate Worship: The word "liturgy" means "the work of the people." Our use of the BCP reflects a shared commitment to participate together in worship that is both true to Scripture and informed by over 2,000 years of Christian tradition. This liturgical integrity enables Christians from all streams—Evangelical, Charismatic, and Sacramental—to have a transformative encounter with the Holy Trinity.
What Are the Sacraments of the Anglican Church?
The Anglican Church recognizes both Gospel Sacraments, instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ, and additional Sacraments of the Church that nurture believers in their spiritual journey:
- Gospel Sacraments: Baptism and the Eucharist (also known as the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion) are central to our faith and practice, providing a means of grace that strengthens our union with Christ.
- Sacraments of the Church: These include Confirmation, Absolution (Confession), Holy Orders (Ordination), Marriage, and the Anointing of the Sick. Each sacrament is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, helping believers from every tradition grow in their relationship with God.
Why do your Clergy dress differently than the Laity?
Clergy vestments are more than just tradition; they serve as visible reminders of the spiritual roles and responsibilities within the church:
- Vestments: Our clergy often wear an Alb, symbolizing purity and the "white robes" mentioned in Revelation 4:4, along with a pectoral cross and stoles that change with the liturgical seasons. These vestments connect us with the sacramental tradition and remind us of our commitment to walk in Christ's holiness.
- Clerical Collar: The clerical collar, worn by our priests, signifies their ordained office and serves as a public witness of their calling, similar to a uniform worn by those in public service. It opens doors for ministry opportunities and underscores the pastoral care they provide to the community.
Why do Anglicans stand, sit, and kneel during worship?
Our physical posture in worship reflects our desire to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength:
- Standing, Sitting, and Kneeling: These actions allow us to engage our entire being—body, soul, and spirit—in worship. Whether lifting hands in praise, sitting for instruction, or kneeling in reverence during prayer and the Eucharist, these postures help us express our devotion in a manner that is true to the diverse practices found in the Psalms and throughout Scripture.
Why do some people raise their hands or cross themselves?
These gestures are rich expressions of faith, drawn from the depths of Christian tradition:
- Raising Hands: This biblical practice is a gesture of surrender and praise, connecting us with the prayer postures of early Christians.
- Crossing Oneself: Making the sign of the cross serves as a reminder of Christ's sacrifice and our call to live a crucified life. It is a sacred act that has been used throughout Christian history to make visible the Kingdom of God to those around us.
Why do we celebrate the Holy Eucharist every Sunday?
The Eucharist is the heart of our worship, drawing us closer to the presence of God:
- Weekly Eucharist: As a church that embraces the Evangelical, Charismatic, and Sacramental traditions, we follow the ancient practice of celebrating the Eucharist every Sunday. This liturgy, rooted in the earliest Christian traditions, nourishes our spiritual life and unites us with the global body of Christ.
- Invitation to All: All baptized Christians who seek to follow Jesus Christ are welcome to receive the Eucharist. For those who are not yet baptized or who choose not to partake, a priestly blessing is offered as a sign of God's grace.
What is Apostolic Tradition, and why is it important?
Apostolic Tradition connects us with the faith of the early church, ensuring that we remain faithful to the teachings of the apostles:
- Passing on the Faith: Through Scripture, the historic Creeds, the Sacraments, and the apostolic succession of clergy, we maintain the Apostolic Tradition that has been handed down through the centuries. This tradition unites us with believers from all streams of the Christian faith and keeps us rooted in the truth of the Gospel.
Why do you have Bishops, Priests, and Deacons?
The threefold order of ministry—Bishops, Priests, and Deacons—reflects the structure of the early church:
- Continuity with the Past: These roles, established under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, have been preserved in the Anglican Church as a way to maintain continuity with the historic Christian Church. While the functions of these orders may differ among various denominations, we see them as a blessing that connects us with the broader Christian tradition.
How are Anglicans similar to and different from the Roman Catholic Church?
The Anglican Church shares much in common with the Roman Catholic Church, but also holds distinct beliefs:
- Similarities: We uphold the traditional Holy Orders of ministry, accept the first seven ecumenical councils, and celebrate the Eucharist every Sunday.
- Differences: We embrace the theological insights of the Reformation, affirm the supreme authority of Holy Scripture, and maintain independence from the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome.
How are Anglicans similar to and different from other Evangelical and Charismatic churches?
The Anglican Church uniquely blends elements from the Evangelical, Charismatic, and Sacramental traditions:
- Evangelical Similarities: We affirm the authority of Scripture, the necessity of personal conversion, and the urgency of evangelism.
- Charismatic Similarities: We believe in the active work of the Holy Spirit and the exercise of spiritual gifts within the church. However, we do not mandate speaking in tongues as evidence of salvation.
- Sacramental Distinction: We uphold the importance of the Sacraments as means of grace, bringing together the richness of Evangelical faith, Charismatic experience, and Sacramental worship.
How important is Anglicanism in your identity?
Our identity is deeply rooted in a commitment to Christ and His Church:
- Biblical Christians: We prioritize being followers of Christ, committed to the unity and truth of the Gospel.
- Evangelical, Charismatic, and Sacramental: The Anglican tradition allows us to fully embrace and express our faith through these three streams, each enriching our spiritual life.
- Global Anglican Communion: As part of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and the GAFCON movement comprised of orthodox, biblically faithful Anglicans, we are connected to a global community that stands firm in the unchanging, life-transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ.
For more information on our Anglican Tradition, please explore our Anglican Catechism here