Core Beliefs — Part 3

“What are the core beliefs of the Episcopal Church?” someone recently asked.  In Parts One and Two of my response, I wrote about the difficulties of answering this question depending upon who is answering it and about the true meaning of the word belief as trust rather than simply giving intellectual assent to a series of propositions. (See those posts and comments below.)

I think that the best answer to the question of core beliefs is the Baptismal Covenant in The Book of Common Prayer, 1979. The name itself, Covenant, implies a trusting relationship with God.

The Baptismal Covenant begins with the three paragraphs of the Apostles’ Creed in which we declare our trust in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Celebrant   Do you believe in God the Father?

People       I believe in God, the Father almighty,

                 creator of heaven and earth.

Celebrant   Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

People       I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

                 He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit

                      and born of the Virgin Mary.

                 He suffered under Pontius Pilate,

                      was crucified, died, and was buried.

                 He descended to the dead.

                 On the third day he rose again.

                 He ascended into heaven,

                      and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

                 He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Celebrant   Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?

People       I believe in the Holy Spirit,

                      the holy catholic Church,

                      the communion of saints,

                      the forgiveness of sins,

                      the resurrection of the body,

                      and the life everlasting.

The Covenant then asks those who are being baptized along with the whole congregation to engage in Christian practices of study, community, prayer, resistance to evil, repentance, proclamation, seeking and serving Christ in all persons, loving, striving for justice and peace, and promoting human dignity.

Celebrant   Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and

                     fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?

People       I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant   Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever

                      you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?

People       I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant   Will you proclaim by word and example the Good

                      News of God in Christ?

People       I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant   Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving

                      your neighbor as yourself?

People       I will, with God’s help.

Celebrant   Will you strive for justice and peace among all

                      people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

People       I will, with God’s help.

To summarize, the core beliefs of the Episcopal Church are that we are called into a trusting relationship with the Trinity and into practices that honor God and God’s creation.