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The
ICS Basis of Faith
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Introduction
As members of the Church of England within the one, holy, catholic
and apostolic church, we affirm the faith uniquely revealed in the
Holy Scriptures and set forth in the catholic creeds, of which faith
the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion are a general exposition. Standing
in the Reformation tradition, we lay especial emphasis on the grace
of God - his unmerited mercy - as expressed in the doctrines which
follow.
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God as the Source of Grace
In continuity with the teaching of Holy Scripture and the Christian
creeds, we worship one God in three Persons - Father, Son and Holy
Spirit. God has created all things, and us in his own image; all life,
truth, holiness and beauty come from him. His Son, Jesus Christ, fully
God and fully man, was conceived through the Holy Spirit and born
of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, rose and ascended to reign
in glory.
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Bible as the Revelation of Grace
We receive the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments as the
wholly reliable revelation and record of God's grace, given by the
Holy Spirit as the true Word of God written. The Bible has been given
to lead us to salvation, to be the ultimate rule for Christian faith
and conduct, and the supreme authority by which the church must ever
reform itself and judge its traditions.
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The Atonement as the Work of Grace
We believe that Jesus Christ came to save lost sinners. Though sinless,
he bore our sins and their judgement, on the cross, thus accomplishing
our salvation. By raising Christ bodily from the dead, God vindicated
him as Lord and Saviour and proclaimed his victory. Salvation is in
Christ alone.
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Church as the Community of Grace
We hold that the church is God's covenant community, whose members,
drawn from every nation, having been justified by grace through faith,
inherit the promises made to Abraham and fulfilled in Christ. As a
fellowship of the Spirit, manifesting his fruit and exercising his
gifts, it is called to worship God, grow in grace, and bear witness
to him and his kingdom. God's church is one body and must ever strive
to discover and experience that unity in truth and love which it has
in Christ, especially through its confession of the apostolic faith
and in its observance of the dominical sacraments.
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The Sacraments as the Signs of Grace
We maintain that the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion proclaim
the Gospel as effective and visible signs of our justification and
sanctification, and as true means of God's grace to those who repent
and believe. Baptism is the sign of forgiveness of sin, the gift of
the Spirit, new birth to righteousness, and entry into the fellowship
of the people of God. Holy Communion is the sign of the living, nourishing
presence of Christ through his Spirit to his people; the memorial
of his one, perfect, completed and all-sufficient sacrifice for sin,
from whose achievement all may benefit but in whose offering none
can share; and an expression of our corporate life of sacrificial
thanksgiving and service.
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Ministry as the Stewardship of Grace
We share, as the people of God, in a royal priesthood common to the
whole church, and in the community of the Suffering Servant. Our mission
is the proclamation of the Gospel by the preaching of the word, as
well as by caring for the needy, challenging evil, and promoting justice
and a more responsible use of the world's resources. It is the particular
vocation of bishops and presbyters, together with deacons and authorized
lay ministers, to build up the body of Christ in truth and love, as
pastors, teachers and servants of the servants of God.
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Christ's Return as the Triumph of Grace
We look forward expectantly to the final manifestation of Christ's
grace and glory when he comes again to raise the dead, judge the world,
vindicate his chosen, and bring his kingdom to its eternal fulfilment
in the new heaven and the new earth.
Adopted January
1986; amended November 1997
Adapted from the Church of England Evangelical Council's Basis of Faith
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