The Creeds

We accept the Nicene Creed as the common and defining statement of belief of the Universal Church. While we respect the historical character and purpose of this creed, we also acknowledge the perfect right of every individual to complete freedom of thought and conscience in regard to its interpretation. 

                We believe in one God,
                                the Father almighty,
                                maker of heaven and earth,
                                and of all things visible and invisible.
                We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
                                the only begotten Son of God,
                                born of the Father before all ages.
                                God from God, Light from Light,
                                true God from true God, begotten not made,
                                of one substance with the Father.
                                Through him all things were made.
                                For us and for our salvation
                                he came down from heaven.
                                By the power of the Holy Spirit
                                he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
                                and was made man.
                                He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate.
                                He suffered and was buried.
                                On the third day he rose again
                                according to the scriptures.
                                He ascended into heaven
                                and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
                                He will come again in glory
                                to judge both the living and the dead,
                                and his kingdom shall have no end.
                We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life,
                                who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
                                Equally with the Father and the Son
                                he is worshipped and glorified.
                                He has spoken through the prophets.
                We believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
                                We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.
                                And we look for the resurrection of the dead,
                                and the life of the world to come. Amen.
 
We accept the Apostles’ Creed as sufficient baptismal affirmation, and we accept the Athanasian Creed as the orthodox statement of Trinitarian doctrine and Christology; again respecting their historical character and purpose, while acknowledging the perfect right of every individual to complete freedom of thought and conscience in regard to their interpretation. 


The following contemporary Affirmations of Faith are offered as material for reflection. It is not intended, however, that these should take precedence over or render unnecessary the established creeds.


Contemporary Affirmations of Faith


We believe in the Holy Trinity, One God in Three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We believe in God the Father, the fount of life and holiness, the creator and ruler of all things, infinite in wisdom, power and love, the source of all goodness, beauty and truth. 

We believe in Jesus the Christ, God made manifest in the flesh, our example, our teacher, our liberator and our redeemer. 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the one who maintains and nourishes all of creation, who is ever present with us for guidance, for comfort, for purification, for strength and for inspiration. 

We believe in the forgiveness of sins; our forgiveness of ourselves and of others, being the measure of our alignment with God’s infinite love. 

We believe in a life of prayer and unceasing spiritual endeavour.

We believe in loving service to others, in faithfulness to the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe that the particular presence of God is personalised to every individual, and is the inmost light of the soul.

We believe that there is grace for every need, that every need is supplied, and that those who live in the nature of the Christ lack for nothing. 

We believe that God is eternally revealed to us in the Holy Scriptures and in our souls, and that God’s signature may be discerned in the loving works and noble endeavours of humankind, in the arts and sciences, and in the natural wonders of the universe.

We believe in the Church, the community of the sons and daughters of God, as a focus for worship and as a catalyst for spiritual growth in Christ.