1.
We are a Word centred church.
As expressed in our motto ‘Your word above all
things’, the Bible occupies a central place in our denomination. The Church of
England in South Africa is a ‘Biblical’ church. We read and preach from the
scriptures every week in our services and Bible study groups. Scripture and Scripture alone is the standard by which
all our teaching and conduct must be measured.
2.
We are a Missional church
We are evangelistic and missionary in our outlook. It is
our aim ‘to take the
gospel to every man’s front door’ and to bring all people under the instruction
and Lordship of Jesus Christ.
3.
We are an Evangelical church
What makes us Evangelical? We are evangelical because
of the absolute supremacy we assign to Holy Scripture, the depth and prominence
we assign to the doctrine of human sinfulness and corruption, the paramount
importance we attach to the work and office of our Lord Jesus Christ and the
salvation He has wrought for mankind, the high place which we assign to the
inward work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of man and the importance we place
on the outward and visible work of the Holy Spirit manifested in the life,
conduct and behaviour of the believer in overcoming the world, the flesh and
the devil.
4.
We are a Protestant church.
Traditional Protestantism stands for the following: Scripture Alone, Justification by Faith
Alone and the Universal Priesthood of all Believers.
It on the third point that I want to focus when
speaking of Protestantism. It implies the right and duty of the Christian laity
not only to read the Bible in their own mother tongue, but also to take part in
the government and all the public affairs of the Church. It is opposed to the
hierarchical system which puts the essence and authority of the Church in an
exclusive priesthood, and makes ordained priests the necessary mediators between
God and the people.
The Church of England in South Africa upholds the
priesthood of all believers. It believes it can only be effective in evangelism
and mission if it trains and empowers its laity for gospel ministry.
5.
We are a Reformed church
The Church of England in South Africa holds to the five
points of doctrine which lie at
the heart of the Reformation - grace alone, faith alone, Christ alone, scripture
alone and to the glory of God alone.
Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury in the
time of King Henry VIII, was able to bring Martin Luther's rediscovery of these
great truths into the heart of the Church of England.
The
Church of England in South Africa is Reformed in that it embraces and
articulates these great biblical insights taught by Luther, Calvin and the
other reformers.
6. We are a Creedal (Confessional) church
The Church of England is a church that uses confessions of faith to express the teaching of the Bible.
Article 8: The three creeds, namely the Nicene Creed, the Athanasian Creed, and what is commonly called the Apostles' Creed, should be received and believed without reservation, because they may be proved from Holy Scripture.
7. We are a Covenantal church
The Church of England in South Africa can be called a covenantal church because it emphasises God’s one single covenant with his people promised to Abraham, which is a covenant not simply with individuals but with families. The Church of England therefore practises the baptism of infants of believing parents.
8. We are an Episcopal church
The Church of England in South Africa is an Episcopal church. It values Bishops as an ancient and well-tried form of ministry, agreeable to Scripture (though not actually required by Scripture). Bishops are viewed primarily as pastors and teachers.
The ministry of women in the church is vital, but it does not require them to be ordained as Presbyters or Bishops. The proposal to admit women as Presbyters or Bishops would be a denial of the headship of the man as taught by the New Testament.
9. We are a Liturgical church
The Church of England in South Africa is a liturgical church in that it values and uses set forms for its public services. In particular we subscribe to the theology, principles and format expressed in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.
In practice that means that each service will be congregational and have a form and structure that includes confession of sin, praise and thanksgiving, the creed, prayer and the reading and preaching of God’s Word.
10. We are an Anglican church
What makes anyone an Anglican? Historically, true Anglicans are those who subscribe to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer and the 39 Articles. These have always stood as the touchstone of genuine Anglicanism. In addition to this, the Church of England in South Africa subscribes to the Jerusalem Declaration.
Conclusion
Denominations are certainly not the answer to the world's ills, nor are they our last and only hope. But a denominational structure can be a valuable tool for the church in her mission. The vast majority of world missions, church planting, discipleship, and other forms of ministry are done through denominational partnerships. Our gifts, passions, and experience have great influence through a combined national and worldwide denominational network.
Make a free website with Yola