quick question about episcapalians

[IloveJesusMyFather3:16]

Do episcapalians have any conteversial beliefs to someone who is just a "christian"? Thanks.

p.s. if you know where this question would be better suited please move it.
God Bless.

 

[Joykins]

Which Episcopalians?

 

[IloveJesusMyFather3:16]

I thought there were only one group of episcapalians. I'm just being curious....not here to debate....so dont be scared to answer my question peoples. he he.

p.s. Should I move this question somewhere else? Thanks.

 

[StAnselm]

I thought there were only one group of episcapalians.

Episcopalians are what they're called in North America. Elsewhere they are called Anglicans, while in England the church is called the Church of England.

The thing is, they do vary - in North America they are usually very liberal, (e.g. wanting to ordain homosexuals) while in Africa and Sydney they are quite conservative and evangelical.

 

[museltof]

Here in the UK, the Episcopalians (Anglicans) are split down the middle between evangelicals and liberals but it is the evangelicals who are becoming stronger and many people feel a split is eventually inevitable. But there are certainly genuine Christians with Anglicanism and some great Bible-believing writers (such as John Stott, probably the leading UK evangelist of the late 20th century).
Theoretically, Anglicans support Baptismal Regeneration (a very questionable doctrine) but I have found that individually many of their ministers don't.

 

[AngCath]

do we have controversial beliefs for someone who is just "christian"? that would depend on what you mean by just "Christian" if you give me a little explanation I (an Episcopalian) would be glad to talk about it.

 

[JonniesGirl]

Theoretically, Anglicans support Baptismal Regeneration (a very questionable doctrine) but I have found that individually many of their ministers don't.

Sorry to sound ignorant, but what is baptismal regeneration?

 

[AngCath]

here is the section from the Book of Common Prayer regarding Baptism:

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Holy Baptism
Q. What is Holy Baptism?
A. Holy Baptism is the sacrament by which God adopts us as his children and makes us members of Christ's Body, the Church, and inheritors of the kingdom of God.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Q. What is the outward and visible sign in Baptism?
A. The outward and visible sign in Baptism is water, in which the person is baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Q. What is the inward and spiritual grace in Baptism?
A. The inward and spiritual grace in Baptism is union with Christ in his death and resurrection, birth into God's family the Church, forgiveness of sins, and new life in the Holy Spirit.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Q. What is required of us at Baptism?
A. It is required that we renounce Satan, repent of our sins, and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Q. Why then are infants baptized?
A. Infants are baptized so that they can share citizenship in the Covenant, membership in Christ, and redemption by God.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Q. How are the promises for infants made and carried out?
A. Promises are made for them by their parents and sponsors, who guarantee that the infants will be brought up within the Church, to know Christ and be able to follow him.[/font]

...this might be helpful in showing what Episcopalians belive.

 

[AngCath]

A brief definition of baptismal generation is that the Sacrament (Baptism) itself cleanses the person of sin (transforms them by water and the Word) and adopts that person into the Body of Christ allowing that person to participate in the same sonship as Christ with the Father.

 

[Inge87]

The things I've noticed that seem to bother ordinary "Christians" the most are veneration of the saints, confession, and other such traditions.

However, they are both optional. I know of plenty of Anglicans (myself included) who do not go to confession, and I went almost seventeen years in the church before discovering that we venerated saints like Catholics and Orthodox. So, really it is not as big of a deal as they make it out to be.

 

[PaladinValer]

Do episcapalians have any conteversial beliefs to someone who is just a "christian"? Thanks.

p.s. if you know where this question would be better suited please move it.
God Bless.

Actually, you should have posted this in Scripture, Tradition, Reason, since that is the official Anglican forum here on Christian Forums.

We acknowledge a person as a Christian if they can agree with everything in the Nicene Creed, can recite the Apostle's Creed without crossing their fingers, and have no argument with the Creed of St. Athanasius.

Which Episcopalians?

I believe the OP is referring to the Anglican Communion, although if members of the Reformed Episcopal Church, the Charismatic Episcopal Church, or any of the Continuing bodies wish to address this question as a response for thier denomination, they should.

For you to know, however, the Anglican Communion is made up of many autocephalous provinces, such as the ECUSA, Church of English, Scottish Episcopal Church, the ACoC, etc. They are all equally Anglican.

 

[IgnatiusOfAntioch]

Do episcapalians have any conteversial beliefs to someone who is just a "christian"? Thanks.

Hi Church adherents have virtually the same beliefs as Catholics except for the primacy of Peter.

 

[PaladinValer]

Well, there are a few others. We agree more with the EOs in terms of the Nicene Creed and in terms of the "purging of sins" after our life on Earth, but essentially, we are in agreement with your church a good 8 or 9 times out of 10.

 

[IloveJesusMyFather3:16]

Paladin Valer - are you saying they believe in being judged and suffering for your sins when you die??
I have a couple more questions that I hope you all dont mind answering:
Do you mind explaining "veneration of the saints, confession, and other such traditions". Do episcapalians study the king james version bible? Do they believe everything that is in the kjv?

We acknowledge a person as a Christian if they can agree with everything in the Nicene Creed, can recite the Apostle's Creed without crossing their fingers, and have no argument with the Creed of St. Athanasius.

Do you have a site where I can look at these?
So are you saying that they believe in 2 baptisms? If so, is the 2nd baptism like baptism in the Holy Spirit?

Hi Church adherents have virtually the same beliefs as Catholics except for the primacy of Peter.

Are you saying epsicapalians believe the same as catholics except for the primacy of Peter? What is the Primacy of Peter?
Do episcapalians think they are the true church like catholics?
Thank you so much and God Bless.

 

[PaladinValer]

Paladin Valer - are you saying they believe in being judged and suffering for your sins when you die??

1. I think you mean "you all" (see where I bolded above) instead of "they." I am an Anglican (Episcopalian)

2. We believe that we do not go immediately to heaven or hell upon death, for that is a rejection of the Nicene Creed. We believe that nothing imperfect can go to heaven, and that basically every soul is going to have some sin or blemish still on it even upon death. Thus, there must be a place where souls go to wait for the Resurrection, where they will be purged of sin.

Now this isn't necessarily the Vatican Catholic idea of "Purgatory," although it is an interesting finalized idea of this place. We tend to agree with the EOs, which say little about it except that it exists.

I have a couple more questions that I hope you all dont mind answering:

Certainly!

Do you mind explaining "veneration of the saints, confession, and other such traditions".

1. We venerate, or give due honor, to those saints who lived truly amazing lives worthy of imitation and great respect.
2. We believe that confession to a priest who is an instrument of God is a valid Sacrament and means of Grace.
3. By traditions, I mean Holy Tradition, which includes the dogma of the Blessed Trinity, the Ecumenical Councils, believe in the Real Presence, etc.

Do episcapalians study the king james version bible?

We can if we wish. It is one of the AVs of our church; the third AV to have been established actually.

Do they believe everything that is in the kjv?

We are not KJV-Onlyites; we reject that idea. We believe that the Bible contains everything essential for salvation and is authoritative in matters of belief and doctrine, but that's it.

Do you have a site where I can look at these?

Sure.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicene_Creed

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostles_Creed

So are you saying that they believe in 2 baptisms?

No! That is a heresy.

If so, is the 2nd baptism like baptism in the Holy Spirit?

Upon Baptism, we receive the Holy Spirit.

Are you saying epsicapalians believe the same as catholics except for the primacy of Peter?

There are other differences.

What is the Primacy of Peter?

We reject the idea of papacy. We do not reject the notion that the Bishop of Rome is first-among-equals. However, while we recognize Benedict XVI as a true and valid bishop, he is not In Communion with us, so he is not our bishop. Our first-among-equals is the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams.

Do episcapalians think they are the true church like catholics?

We believe that we are of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church founded on Pentecost 30 ce. However, we recognize that other Communions are also true members of this Church.

 

[IloveJesusMyFather3:16]

Thank you all for your help. I really appreciate it.
God Bless.
Leah

 

[PaladinValer]

You're very welcome. If you have anymore questions, feel free to either PM me or ask in STR (the Anglican and Old Catholic congregational forum here on CF).

 

[Albion]

Episcopalians are what they're called in North America. Elsewhere they are called Anglicans, while in England the church is called the Church of England.

The thing is, they do vary - in North America they are usually very liberal, (e.g. wanting to ordain homosexuals) while in Africa and Sydney they are quite conservative and evangelical.

And that only applies to the Anglicans or Episcopalians whose churches belong to the "worldwide Anglican Communion" (about 1/3 of Anglicans don't).

The rest tend to be more conservative, whether in North America or the Southern Hemisphere.

As for our "controversial beliefs," I think the answer is "yes," but since what is controversial to one Christian is not controversial to others, it's a tough one to answer.

 

[Albion]

Are you saying epsicapalians believe the same as catholics except for the primacy of Peter?

"Primacy of Peter" = the idea that the Roman Catholic Pope is supposed to be the recipient of what Christ said to Peter the Apostle, with that being interpreted to mean Christ setting up a headquarters in the city of Rome with a head man there to rule the Christians of the world.

No, Episcopalians do not believe the same as Catholics except for a tiny element within the churches who disassociate themselves from the statements of belief that the church has adopted.

Do episcapalians think they are the true church like catholics?

Absolutely not.

 

[Diane_Windsor]

Do episcapalians have any conteversial beliefs to someone who is just a "christian"? Thanks.

p.s. if you know where this question would be better suited please move it.
God Bless.

Ask in this forum: Scripture,Tradition,Reason-Anglican/Old Catholic

Diane