Diocese of Saint Matthias the Apostle - C.E.E.C.

**The following was adapted from a statement of like intent from the Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches**

A COMMUNION OR DENOMINATION?

communion reflects the unanimity and singularity of the Apostolic Church, while encompassing all, both protestant and catholic, foundational traditions  of the faith as well as embracing a multiplicity of expressions of worship and practice. In contrast to a denomination, a communion expresses the organic unity Jesus Christ originally established in His Body, the Church. Rather than emerging from divisions created by historic differences over doctrine and practice, a communion represents return to unity based on the recovery of and adherence to the essential oneness of the ancient, medieval, and contemporary church.

Standing within the Foundational traditions of the Christian Faith, The AnteNicene Christian Church was created by a resurgence of the great historical expressions of faith and practice: the Apostolic, Evangelical, Charismatic, Liturgical, and Sacramental traditions. The fundamental principles defining inclusion in Communion within this Church are; 

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The Ante-Nicene Sextant

In this age of uncertainty of doctrinal orthodoxy and the promulgation of a watered down gospel within the Church it is imperative upon the sincere disciple of Christ Jesus to secure the assurance and righteousness of their faith in accordance with the Will of Our Lord Jesus Christ. It is for this reason that we have undertaken to formulate and adopt in application an approach “…to the faith once for all delivered unto the saints” which has historically proven faithful to the Gospel of Christ. Those who faithfully strive to adhere to these six points will not make shipwreck their faith and will boid up the earthly vessel of humanity’s salvation today, Christ’s Church, in the faithful fulfilling of its commission by Christ Our Lord and King. Amen.

1. The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as "containing all things necessary to salvation," and is THE rule and ultimate standard of the Christian Faith.

2: The Historic witness of the Ancient Church as the Primary Interpreter of the Christian Faith.

3: The Sermon on the Mount and the Apostles and Nicene Creed as the definitive summaries of the life and doctrines of the Christian Faith.

4: The Fruits of the Spirit in the Life of the believer as the evidence of the Christian Faith.

5. The two sacraments ordained by Christ himself - Baptism and the Supper of the Lord –ministered with unfailing use of Christ's words of institution, and of the elements ordained by him.

6. The historic episcopate, locally adapted, within the orthodoxy of the Christian Faith, in the methods of its administration to the varying needs of the nations and peoples called of God into unity of His Church.