FREQUENCY ASKED QUESTIONS

SOME BASICS

Question. What is the Church?
Answer. The family of God, the body of Christ, and the temple of the Holy Spirit.

 

Question. What do we say about the Church in the Nicene Creed?
Answer. I believe One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

 

Question. Why is it called One?
Answer. Because it has one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.

 

Question. Why is it called Holy?
Answer. Because the Holy Spirit dwells in it, sanctifying all its members and endowing them with gifts of grace.

 

Question. Why is it called Catholic?
Answer. Because it is universal, and holds for all time, in all countries, and for all people, the whole truth as it is in Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and for ever.

 

Question. Why is it called Apostolic?
Answer. Because it received its divine mission from Christ through his Apostles, and continues in their doctrine and fellowship.

 

Question. What is the work of the Church in the world?
Answer. The work of the Church in the world is to offer to God on behalf of all men the worship which is his due; to make known to all men the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and to unite all men to God in one family.

 

Question. How did our Lord provide for the life and work of the Church?
Answer. Our Lord sent his Holy Spirit upon the Church and upon his Apostles.

 

Question. What authority did Christ give to his Apostles in the Church?
Answer. He gave them authority to preach the Word, to minister the Sacraments, to rule and care for his household the Church until his coming again.

 

Question. What Orders of Ministers have been in the Church from the Apostles’ time?
Answer. Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.

 

Question. What is the work of a Bishop in the Church of God?
Answer. To be a chief pastor of the flock, to preach the Gospel, to guard well the Faith, to bless, to confirm, and to ordain, following the example of the blessed Apostles.

 

Question. What is the work of a Presbyter or Priest?
Answer. To minister to the people committed to his care by the Bishop; to lead them in the worship of God and to preach his Word; to baptize; to celebrate the holy Communion; and to pronounce Absolution and Blessing in God’s name.

 

Question. What is the work of a Deacon?
Answer. To assist the Bishop or Priest in the Divine Service, and in other ministrations to the people of God.

 

Question. What is your work as a lay member of the Church of God?
Answer. To take my part in its worship, labours, and councils, according to the gifts of grace that God has given me, and to pray, work, and give for the spread of his kingdom.

 

Question. Why ought you to read God’s holy Word, the Bible?
Answer. Because it tells how God has made himself known to man; and how we may come to know him, and find salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ in the fellowship of his Church.

 

Question. What does the Church teach about the Bible?
Answer. The Bible records the Word of God as it was given to Israel, and to his Church, at sundry times and in divers manners; and nothing may be taught in the Church as necessary to man’s salvation unless it be concluded or proved therefrom.

 

Question. Where then is the Word of God to be found in all its fulness?
Answer. In Jesus Christ, his only Son, who was made man for us and for our salvation.

 

Question. What is the vocation of a Christian in this world?
Answer. To follow Christ and bear witness to him; to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life.

 

The above Q&A is found in our Church's Catechism: READ MORE.

How can I access the Prayer Book?

The Book of Common Prayer (1962, Canada) can be accessed as follows:

 

  • HTML version (Prayer Book Society of Canada)
  • PDF version (Prayer Book Society of Canada)
  • App (iPhone, Android, web; Prayer Book Society of Canada)
  • Hard copy (Gilmore Global)

Catechism

The Catechism represents the Church's instructional teaching. Read the full text of our Church's Catechism: