St. Mark's African Episcopal Church

DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH

  1. Of The Holy Scriptures
    We believe that the Holy Scriptures were written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has Yahuah Elohim for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which Yahuah Elohim will judge us, and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried.
  2. Of The True God
    We believe the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one, living and true Elohim, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is YAHUAH, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three offices, the Father (Yahuah Elohim), the Son (Yahusha Meschiach), and the Holy Ghost (Ruhach Qu’desh); equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
  3. Of The Fall Of Man
    We believe the Scriptures teach that Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgressions fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of Yahuah Elohim, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
  4. Of The Way of Salvation
    We believe that the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of Yahuah Elohim; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.
  5. Of The Freeness of Salvation
    We believe that the Scriptures teach that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own determined depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
  6. Of Regeneration
    We believe that the Scriptures teach that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Ruhach Qu’desh (Holy Spirit) in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith, and newness of life.
  7. Of Justification
    We believe the Scriptures teach that the great Gospel blessing which the Mesiach secures to such as believe in him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood; by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of Yahuah Elohim; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with Yahuah Elohim, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
  8. Of Sanctification
    We believe the Scriptures teach that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of Yahuah Elohim, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Ruhach Qu’desh (Holy Spirit), the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means especially the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.
  9. Of Repentance and Faith
    We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness and of the way of salvation by the Meshiach, we turn to Yahuah Elohim with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Yahusha Meschiach as our prophet, priest and king, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.
  10. Of Yahuah’s Purpose Of Grace
    We believe the Scriptures teach that election is the eternal purpose of Yahuah Elohim, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of Yahuah Elohim ‘s sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel; that it is the foundation of our assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
  11. Of The Perseverance of the Saints
    We believe the Scriptures teach that such only are real believers as endure to the end; that their persevering attachment to the Meshiach is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of Yahuah Elohim through faith unto salvation.
  12. Of The Law and the Scriptures
    We believe the Scriptures teach that the Law of Yahuah Elohim is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arise entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the Means of Grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.
  13. Of The Holy Church
    We believe the Scriptures teach that a visible church of the Meshiach is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the worship of Yahuah Elohim and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Yahusha Meschiach; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its only scriptural officers are Deacons, Priests/Presbyters and Bishops whose Qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus .
  14. Of The Sacraments
    We believe that the sacraments are outward signs of the continued, inward and invisible presence of Christ and His saving grace among us. There are seven Sacraments:
    The Sacrament of Holy Baptism:
    Baptism in water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost is a cleansing from sin and a new birth. John the Baptist baptized in the River Jordan to prepare the way of the coming ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. In accordance with the Holy Scriptures, the lord Jesus Christ will baptize us with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
    The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist:
    The Mass is the Holy Eucharist, also know as the Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion and the Divine Liturgy. The Lord Jesus Christ instituted this sacrament when He gathered His disciples together and broke bread and shared a cup of wine with them. This bread is His body, and the wine is His blood. When we come to the Lord’s Table to partake of this sacrament, we do so in careful examination, and as a humble member of His body. The Holy Eucharist should be observed as often as possible.
    The Sacrament of Confirmation:
    Confirmation is the laying on of hands by the Bishop. Communicants receiving this sacrament are instructed in he Christian faith and the Church. When a Bishop comes in person to lay hands on an individual, he does so in the long line of succession of the Apostles, who were he first to lay hands on the believers. This sacrament conveys the gift of the Holy Ghost.
    The Sacrament of Reconciliation:
    This sacrament is the confession of sin in the presence of a priest. The priest pronounces forgiveness of their sins and blesses the penitent. All confessions are made in strict confidence and are private. The priest may not reveal the confession to anyone except for God alone. The priest may not bring up the confession to the same penitent at a later time.
    The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick:
    Holy Unction is the anointing with oil and laying on of hands for healing and deliverance. The Bishop for this special use has blessed the oil used.
    The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony:
    This sacrament is the union of one man and one woman, joined together for a life of love and commitment before God. A man and a woman come before the Church of God to take their vows. This relationship is like Christ and his Church, the bride being the Church.
    The Sacrament of Holy Orders:
    This sacrament is the conveyance of Apostolic authority by way of ordination, consecration and incardination of Bishops, Priests and Deacons. Christ instituted these orders for the purpose of training, edifying, nurturing and maturing the saints for service and unity.
  15. Of Divine Healing
    We believe that Divine Healing is for the spiritual, physical and emotional ills of the body and is wrought by the power of God through the prayer of faith, and by the laying on of hands and anointing with oil. It is the privilege of every member of the Church today.
  16. Of The Laying On Of Hands
    We believe that in obedience to the example and words in the Scriptures, we believe in the laying on hands for blessing, for healing of the sick to confer office, to receive the Ruhach Qu’desh (Holy Spirit, to receive anointing and for ordination to consecrate and receive the necessary ministry gifts.
  17. Of The Holy Sabbath
    We believe the Scriptures teach that the seventh day of the week is the Sabbath Day, and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations, by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public, and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of Yahuah Elohim.
  18. Of The Righteous And The Wicked
    We believe the Scriptures teach that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our Yahuah Elohim, are truly righteous in his esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.
  19. Of Civil Government
    We believe the Scriptures teach that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Meshiach, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the Kings of the earth.
  20. Of The World To Come
    We believe the Scriptures teach that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day, the Meshiach will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave for final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.

THE APOSTLES' CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

THE NICENE CREED

We believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and is seated on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead, whose kingdom shall have no end.

And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And we believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.