Statement of Beliefs

I. THE THE OLD TEMPLAR HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH declares its belief in the ancient Symbol of Faith known as the Nicene Creed, sine "filioque":

  • "We believe in One God, the Father, the Almighty Creator of Heaven and Earth and of all that is seen and unseen; and in one Lord, Jesus Christ the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father: God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God. Begotten not made one in being with the Father, through Him all things were made. For us and for our salvation, He came down from heaven and, by the Power of the Holy Spirit He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered, died and was buried. On the third day He rose again, in fulfillment of the scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He shall come again in Glory to judge the living and the dead and His Kingdom there shall be no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father. With the Father and the Son He is worshiped and glorified; He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, we acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and we look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come."

THE OLD TEMPLAR HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH also accepts the other ancient statements of faith known as the Apostles' and Athanasian Creeds as equally valid and useful.

II. THE OLD TEMPLAR HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH declares its belief in the Revelation of God and God's Son, Jesus Christ, found in the Canonical Scriptures (i.e. the Bible). This Revelation is inerrant in matters of faith.

III. THE OLD TEMPLAR HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH declares its belief in the Seven Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick as signs of the Lord Jesus' continuing Presence and action in His Church and channels of Actual and Sanctifying Grace.

IV. THE OLD TEMPLAR HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH declares its belief in the actual, real, and true Presence of the Lord Jesus Christ; body, blood, soul, and Divinity; in each and every portion of the Eucharistic Elements of bread and wine; from the moment of their consecration in the Liturgy until the moment of their dissolution. OTHCAC does not identify the process by which this miracle transpires as the Lord Jesus has not seen fit to reveal a mechanism. OTHCAC simply accepts that it is true, on His Word.

V. THE OLD TEMPLAR HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH declares its belief in the normative decrees of the Seven Ecumenical Councils of the undivided Church: the Council of Nicea in 325 AD, Constantinople in 381 AD, Ephesus in 431 AD, Chalcedon 451 AD, Constantinople II in 533 AD, Constantinople III in 680 AD, and ending with Nicea II in 787 AD.

VI. THE OLD TEMPLAR HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH declares its belief in the Sacred Traditions of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.

VII. THE OLD TEMPLAR HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH, in accord with Sacred Tradition, declares its belief that the bishops of the Church are each Successors to the Apostles and hold the teaching authority granted to the Apostles by Jesus Christ. This authority is not vested in any single bishop regardless of office or position but is equally and jointly held by all bishops.

VIII. THE OLD TEMPLAR HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH declares its belief that Matters of the Faith may be defined for the Church only in the presence of a moral consensus of all bishops and that, to be considered normative for the Church, a teaching proposed by the bishops in a matter of the Faith must also be Received by a moral consensus of the People of God (sensum fidei)

IX. THE OLD TEMPLAR HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH declares its belief that Apostolic Succession, vested in the bishops, and passed on by them in the Sacrament of Holy Orders, is necessary for the licit and efficacious celebration of the Sacraments.

X. THE OLD TEMPLAR HOLY, CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH declares its belief that it is called by Jesus Christ to preach the Good News of His life, death, and resurrection; and to extend His Sacraments to all who appropriately and reverently seek them.

 


Free Dreamweaver templates by JustDreamweaver.com