What We Believe

The following are the core beliefs of St. Thomas Anglican Church based on the foundational truths taught in the bible and as found in our Anglican tradition. We believe Christianity tells a better story than anything the world can offer, one that has the power to re-enchant the world. From these core beliefs flow our priorities and particular values. All of our teaching and ministry is rooted in and flows from these core beliefs.

The gospel is older than the universe, because it is God’s. Throughout the time of the Old Testament, God made promises through his prophets, that he would undo the evil that ruins our lives, our relationships and our world, and bring healing, forgiveness and justice. God pursued his rebellious world, with the promise of a new creation, new life and redemption, so that all may return to him with everlasting joy. God revealed his goodness, grace and holiness, preparing the world for the coming of his Son. Through his people Israel God promised blessing for all the families of the earth, to come through a King who was a Servant.

The heart of God’s good news for the world is Jesus Christ, who he is and what he has done for us. Jesus shows that God keeps all his promises. The historical records tell us that Jesus was entirely human and divine. His teaching had astounding authority and humility. His miracles and deeds showed compassion and power. Yet his primary focus was his crucifixion and resurrection. Jesus died for our sins and was raised from the dead on the third day, just as God promised in the Scriptures. Jesus’ death defeated evil and death, brought forgiveness and grace, and reveals who we are and who God is. In Jesus’ death for us, God is willing to accept us fully, not because of any goodness in us, but because of the goodness of Jesus. This is grace: completely undeserving, Jesus bears the penalty of all that stood between us and God. When God raised him from the dead, he appointed him Lord of all. As Lord, the risen Jesus offers new life, reconciliation with God, forgiveness of our sin and God’s Holy Spirit. He offers us the life of the world to come now. God has chosen a day when Jesus will come again, to judge the living and the dead, to replace this world with a new heaven and a new earth.

This gospel is the power of God for salvation to all who believe. When we turn to Christ and trust this gospel, God makes us new people, gives us new hearts, a new future, a new spiritual family and a new and living hope. He comes to dwell within us by his Holy Spirit, remaking us, giving us new desires and loves. We become deeply conscious of the strength of his love and the weakness of ours. As members of his family, we learn to serve one another, seeking to bring the blessing of the gospel to others. This transformation is gradual and life-long.

The great good news which God has revealed in the gospel, is more than merely an initial blessing. It is the wellspring of ongoing renewal. Through the gospel, the power of God continues to work within us to change us, to sustain us through life and death, and to keep us to the end. When Adam and Eve chose not to obey God, they ceased to be what they were made to be and became distorted images of God. This caused them to fall out of fellowship with God, and fractured all of creation ever since that time.

As Anglicans, we affirm our belief in historic Christianity revealed in the bible, summarized in the three creeds, as well as the 39 Articles of Religion and the Book of Common Prayer as the standard of worship. We stand in fellowship with Confessing Anglicans all around the world who believe the Jerusalem Declaration.