What is an Anglican?
Good question. Historically, an Anglican was a member of the Ecclesia Anglicana, i.e., “English Church” (or Church of England); but in the present day, an Anglican is essentially a Christian in the global Anglican Communion, which is rooted in the “one, holy, catholic and apostolic church.”
A Reformed Catholic Tradition
Anglicanism is often described as a Via Media, or “Middle Way,” which means the Anglican tradition preserved the theology of the Reformation while retaining elements of worship that did not conflict with Scripture and conscience. That is, being rooted in the Reformation of the 16th century, Anglicanism adheres to the Reformed doctrines of grace, and yet also maintains certain “catholic” or universal practices of the ancient church.
Therefore, whenever we speak of Anglicanism, we are appealing to history, liturgy, polity, and theology.
History
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Cranmer, was the leader of the Church of England for most of the English Reformation. While Martin Luther was pressing for reform in Germany, as was John Calvin in Geneva, Cranmer sought to reform the church in England, calling them back to the one, true gospel of Christ. He created the first versions of the Book of Common Prayer; and upon King Edward’s succession to the throne, Cranmer pressed for even more theological reform in the church, which ultimately resulted in our Anglican confession, the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion.
Liturgy
Anglicanism embraces a worship style that has existed for many centuries. Our “liturgy” (or public service) derives from the Book of Common Prayer (BCP), which provides an order of service anchored in Scripture and climaxing with the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. This liturgy provides us with many benefits, one of which is global unity. When we use the BCP, we are – with one voice – worshipping God with our Anglican brethren around the world.
Polity
Anglican polity (or church government) can be traced back to the early church. Anglicans have bishops, who serve as “overseers” of churches in specific regions or by affiliation. These bishops elect and serve under an archbishop, who represents a particular province (ours being the Anglican Church in North America) to the global Anglican Communion. Under the authority of the bishops on a local level, priests, i.e., teaching elders, and deacons serve and lead God’s people.
Theology
Along with the ancient, ecclesiastical creeds, Book of Common Prayer, and Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion, Anglicanism has preserved and still proclaims the Solas of the Reformation:
SOLA SCRIPTURA - Scripture Alone
Sola Scriptura proclaims that Scripture alone is the infallible standard for our lives and doctrine; and, as such, it is our ultimate authority. The character of Scripture (cf. Matt. 5:17-18; 2 Tim. 3:16) reveals that it has supreme authority over reason, tradition, and experience. While the latter are valued within the church, they are neither equal nor superior to Scripture, and thus must always be evaluated by the truth of God’s Word.
SOLA GRATIA - Grace Alone
Sola gratia, or grace alone, emphasizes God’s unmerited and undeserved favor with respect to humanity. Since we are all, by nature, spiritually dead, God’s sovereign grace is necessary to make us alive together with Christ. Having a biblical view of our sinful and corrupt condition amplifies the character of God’s grace upon grace (cf. Eph. 2:1-10; Titus 3:5-7).
SOLA FIDE - Faith Alone
Sola fide teaches that the means by which we are saved in Christ is faith alone. That is to say, by faith alone (rather than faith plus works of cooperation and contribution), we are united to Christ, forgiven of all our sins, and declared righteous due to the free imputation of the righteousness of Christ (cf. Romans 4; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Gal. 3:7-29). And while we are justified by faith alone, the faith / trust that justifies is not alone; a true and living faith will necessarily be a working faith. Just as a healthy tree will bear good fruit (cf. Matt. 7:15-20), so also will a true faith inevitably produce and be proven by good works (cf. James 2:14-26). Thus, though we can never earn salvation by our works or efforts, we are nevertheless “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).
SOLUS CHRISTUS - Christ Alone
Solus Christus reminds us that we are saved in Christ alone. Reconciliation with God the Father is procured only on the basis of Christ’s perfect life of obedience, substitutionary sacrifice, and bodily resurrection. We are saved by faith alone in Christ alone (Acts 4:12); and Christ is the one and only mediator between God and men (1 Tim. 2:5).
SOLI DEO GLORIA - Glory to God Alone
Soli Deo gloria underscores that God and God alone is to receive glory and praise for creation and redemption. Due to our fallen nature, we are unable to turn our hearts to Christ (cf. John 6:44, 65). God must sovereignly and effectually change our hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit, so that we are willing to believe and repent. God alone receives the glory and praise for bestowing such grace.
An Anglican community committed to living by the grace and truth of Christ for the glory of God.
We invite you to visit as we worship the Lord together in Word and Sacrament.
Services
Christian Education
Sundays @ 9:30 AM
Worship Service
Sundays @ 10:30 AM
Location
701 Kensington Dr
Rockwall, TX 75032