What we believe

Anglicans believe that there is only one God, but there are three elements to this one God: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit; that human beings’ decision to reject this eternal God and live according to their standards (sin) causes as a relational breakdown between them; that God the Son, Jesus Christ, lived and died to give people a model and a way to be reconciled with God.

Anglicans consider the Bible to be fundamental to life as a Christian and believe that “the Scriptures contain all things necessary for salvation”.

Anglicans believe that the Christian life involves regular praise and prayer, both private and public. Christians must practice what they preach and pray both on Sundays (the day when Anglicans typically gather for worship) and every day as they seek to live out their worship.

Anglicans believe that people become members of God’s Church through Baptism. All Christians celebrate Holy Communion (also known as Eucharist) as a shared ‘meal’ (of bread/wafer and wine) they eat together in Jesus’ name.

Anglicans accept the major Creeds as expressing their Christian faith: The Apostles’’ Creed is the statement of faith used in Baptism and Morning and evening Pray. In contrast, the Nicene Creed is prayed in the Service of Holy Communion. (These can be found in any Anglican prayer book.) Anglicans summarise their fundamental beliefs in The Catechism (an old word, meaning “what is to be taught”).

Our Difference

What makes Anglicanism truly distinctive?

When exploring this question, it's essential to note that if you ask three Anglicans about their doctrine, you might receive five different perspectives! The hallmark of Anglicanism lies in its openness to a diverse range of beliefs and lifestyles, which, while enriching, often sparks lively debates among its followers.

Despite these differences, Anglicans unite around the foundational sources of their faith: Scripture (The Holy Bible), Reason (the intellect and personal experiences of God), and Tradition (the practices and teachings of the historical church). This ‘three-legged stool’ represents a balanced approach to faith, setting Anglicanism apart from Roman Catholic and Protestant doctrines. The term via media aptly describes the Anglican tradition as a middle path, embodying both unity and diversity in its expression of faith.

A Building with Foundations

Anglicans have several ways to decide what they believe and define their doctrine’s content. Anglicans doctrine is built upon Scripture, the ancient creeds, distinctive worship, doctrinal statements, essential texts, and continuing discussion like a tower with solid foundations.

Thomas Cramner wrote and compiled the first two editions of the Book of Common Prayer, a complete liturgy for the English Church. With the assistance of several Continental reformers to whom have given refuge, he changed doctrine in areas such as the Eucharist, clerical celibacy, the role of images in places of worship, and the veneration of saints. Cranmer promulgated the new doctrines through the Prayer Book, the Homilies and other publications.

The Ancient Creeds

Like many other Christians, Anglicans formally profess their faith in the words of the historic Christian creeds, which were formulated in the early centuries of the Christian Church. (The word ‘creed’ comes from the Latin ‘credo’ = ‘I believe’)

hese are:

  • The Apostles’ Creed
  • The Nicene Creed
  • The Athanasian Creed

The Apostles’ Creed and the Nicene Creed are used very regularly in Anglican worship; the Anthanasian Creed is used in worship less often but is considered to set out the classic understanding of fundamental Christian doctrines about the nature of God and the person of Jesus Christ.

Published by the Anglican Communion Office; adapted by The Right Reverend Fr. Ulric C-Jones, Diocese of the Winward Islands