What do Episcopalians believe?

Our beliefs are based on our “three-legged stool” – scripture, reason and tradition. Our Book of Common Prayer (www.BCP online.org) includes our Outline of Faith or Catechism (www.BCPonline.org, pp. 845-862).

We call the Holy Scriptures the Word of God because God inspired their human authors and because God still speaks to us through the Bible. We read a portion of Holy Scriptures at each service (www.LectionaryPage.net). With all our Jewish and Christian sisters and brothers we learn our duty to God and our duty to our neighbors from the Ten Commandments (www.BCPonline.org, pp. 847-8). We believe in and try to practice Jesus’ summary of the Law: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. ” Matthew 22:35-40 NRSV

We proclaim our basic beliefs during every worship service when we recite together the words of either the traditional ancient Apostles’ Creed (www.BCPonline.org, p. 96) or the Nicene Creed (www.BCPonline.org, pp. 358-9).

As Episcopalians, we believe in using the ability to reason that our Creator has given us.  Have some questions?  Have MANY questions?  You’ll fit right in!