what is a episcopalian?

Question

what do they believe in?

Answer 1

The Episcopal Church is the American branch of the Anglican Church. They branched off from the Roman Catholics in the 16th Century. They are a mainstream, trinitarian denomination that has tended to be socially liberal. They have both theological conservatives and liberals among their ranks.

In general, their biggest contribution to Christianity have been The Book of Common Prayer, a liturgical masterpiece that provides direction for worship and for devotion.

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Answer 2

The episcopalians are the modern organization in America from a couple major transitions.

Prior to Henry the 8th (a king in England) wanting a divorce and thereby a split from the Roman Catholic Church.... there were church leaders in England that were not agreeing with the status quo in Rome - both teachings and practice.

But the timing of the Henry the 8th issues put into the forefront those leaders & we get the Church of England ( English Catholics as opposed to Roman Catholics)

Fast forward to the American Revolution..... Church of England in America becomes .... tada ..... The Episcopal Church.

They believe in standard Christian stuff..... God created the universe.... Man sinned, Jesus is the son of God and died on the cross and rose again from the dead & now the Holy Spirit is in those that believe (are baptized into the church / that belief system = christianity) Church is on Sunday, you take communion at the altar .... wine and bread. Listening to the Pastors / elders will help you have a good life.

All in all standard Christian stuff.... recently they voted in a practicing homosexual man into a position of high leadership - so some controversy over that.

hope that helps : )

Answer 3

The Episcopal Church is an American branch of the Anglican Communion. The Nicene Creed basically sums up their beliefs. They are Trinitarians. Most of their rituals can be found in The Book Of Common Prayer. Their liturgy is somewhat similar to the Roman Catholic rites, but they are a Protestant body which does not accept the authority of the Pope. The Episcopal Church in the USA also is open to the ordination of women. They are a Eucharistic church, and celebrate Holy Communion often.

Answer 4

The Episcopal Church in the United States was organized as a branch of the Anglican Communion immediately after the Revolution in 1789, having been planted on these shores by missionaries of the Church of England in 1607. As a daughter of this church, the Episcopal Church is an heir to a continuing Christian tradition dating from the second century when the Faith was first brought to the British Isles. The Church is at present made up of approximately 2,500,000 baptized persons. It is united with 17 other national churches throughout the world to make up the Anglican Communion. As an Anglican Church, it has been profoundly influenced by the great religious movement of the Reformation, but still continues in the unbroken line of the Holy Catholic Church since Apostolic times. The Church's reason for being is to continue the ministry begun by Jesus Christ. It strives to continue this ministry by proclamation and by witness, both in its corporate life and in the lives of its individual members

A Sacramental Church:
The central acts of worship in the Episcopal Church are sacraments. They express the Church's belief in the sacramental nature of the universe and life-the belief that God is not divorced from His creation, but is present and always at work in all aspects of it. Through the sacrament of Holy Baptism, sinful man is cleansed; he is made a new creature in Christ, and is received into the Christian fellowship. In receiving the consecrated Bread and Wine of the sacrament of the Holy Communion, man's spirit is nourished and strengthened by the Body and Blood of Christ. Other rites which the Episcopal Church recognizes as sacraments are Confirmation (laying of the Bishop's hands on the baptized believer and endowing him with the power to assume personal responsibility for his baptismal vows), Penance (confession and absolution of sins), Ordination (to the ancient orders of the ministry-bishops, priests and deacons), Matrimony (creating a lifelong union of husband and wife), and Unction (for the healing of the sick).

In 2008 after the General Convention there will probably be 2 churches, a conservative one, and a liberal one.

Answer 5

A member of the Chirstian denominatiuon called the Episcopal Church.