In today's article we will be going over some basic information about the Anglican/Episcopalian church and then cover a few of their false teachings as well. As believer's in Christ I find that it is Important to know where different denominations of Christianity stands on certain topics or doctrines so that we can discern whether or not they are following the teachings of scripture. Let's begin with the Church of England's origins first.
So where did the Anglican and Episcopalian Church come from?
In the 16th century the Church of England (Anglican church) broke away from the Catholic Church mainly because Pope Clement the 7th wouldn't grant King Henry his divorce. The Episcopalian Church (which is the american version of the Anglican church) was formed in 1789 in Philadelphia, America. There are supposedly seventy five million Adherants worldwide, and over two million of which in the USA.
What do Episcopalian's believe concerning Salvation? Like the Catholic church the Episcopalian's think that in order to be saved they must perform the seven sacraments which are Infant Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, penance, holy orders, matrimony, and unction. Anglican's seem's to teach that it's water baptism that saves us! Just look at their statement of faith.
"Baptism is not only a sign of profession, and mark of difference, whereby Christian men are discerned from others that be not christened, but it is also a sign of Regeneration or new Birth, whereby, as by an instrument, they that receive Baptism rightly are grafted into the Church: the promises of forgiveness of sin, and of our adoption to be the sons of God by the Holy Ghost, are visibly signed and sealed; Faith is confirmed, and Grace increased by virtue of prayer unto God. The Baptism of young Children is in any wise to be retained in the Church, as most agreeable with the institution of Christ.” (The 39 Articles of Religion of the Anglican Church of Canada from The Book of Common Prayer, 1959, pg. 698-714)."
The bible teaches us that it is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that we need to be saved (Joh 3:5-6, Act 1:5, Rom 8:9, 1 Cor 12:13), not water baptism. Furthermore, the teaching that one must perform certain sacraments in order to obtain salvation is works salvation, If you don't know how to get saved I strongly urge you to read my post on Explaining Salvation for more info.
Another practice that the Anglican church does is the baptizing of babies! Infant baptism in un-scriptural plain and simple. When the
eunuch wanted to be baptized he asked Philip what hindered him. Philip told him that if he believed with all his heart he could be baptized (Acts 8:36-37). Babies lack the mental faculty to believe in Jesus, so it is therefore not right to baptize them.
On the Issue of The Lord's Supper, the Episcopalian teaches that 'the real presence' of Jesus is presented spiritually in the bread and wine. They call it consubstantian. The Catholic Church calls theirs Transubstantiation. I refute the literal body and blood of Jesus in the Eucharist on my post on Catholicism, so I won't address this here since consubstantian and Transubstantiation are so similar.
Another problem that I see with the Anglican Church is their support of Homosexuality. A 2003 survey reveals that 75% of Episcopalian's believed that people who openly engage in gay sex could be faithful Christians. Additionally in 2003 a sodomite priest was ordained as a bishop in an American Episcopalian Church. Does the Anglican church not believe that it's vital to repent of sins in order to be saved or what? We are to be doers of the word not just hearers only (Jam 1:22).
Then we have the Issue of Abortion. I find it very telling that the Episcopalian church as a whole doesn't oppose abortion! They think that it is a woman's right to choose. Abortion is murder! I would suggest any professing "Christian" who supports abortion to seriously question their salvation. The bible is clear that murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them and that those that are not for Jesus are against him (1 Joh 3:15, Mat 12:30).
Although they share some similarities with the Catholic church, the Anglican church also differs on some things as well. First of all they don't believe in Purgatory, even though they still do pray for the dead. Priest aren't required to be celibate, and they don't confess to them either. However they still do have nun's and monks like Catholics and believe in Apostolic succession as well.
In conclusion the Anglican/Episcopalian church's teach / support several anti scriptural doctrines and behaviors. Because of this I would have to strongly urge anyone thinking of joining one of these churches to please reconsider. If you are already a member of said church please for your own good get out and follow what the scripture teaches instead.
Anglicans tend to differ widely in their beliefs--some are indistinguishable from Roman Catholics and others are much closer to an Evangelical or Reformed tradition. The Thirty-Nine Articles of the Anglican faith is no doubt Calvinistic.
ReplyDeleteI think that the biggest problem with Anglicanism today is the liberalizing apostasy--rejection of biblical inerrancy, embracing of same-sex marriages, etc...