THE UNION OF OLD SHERBORNE SARUM AND UPPSALA
WITHOUT A BLUEPRINT AND A ROCK SOLID FOUNDATION
THE HOUSE WILL NOT STAND
THE BLUEPRINT OF BELIEF FOR UNION MEMBERS
We view the Sacred Scriptures the Old and New Testament
in their Entirety as the Word of God for Mankind.
They form the Rule and the Standard of Faith ;
containing all things necessary for Salvation.
Tradition is the living experience of the Church which
keeps us on the path that is “long and narrow.”
The Lord Jesus Christ was emphatic in His Promise;
“The Gates of Hell would not prevail against the Church.”
We stand on His Promise.
We confess the Apostles Creed as the Baptismal symbol and
the Nicene Creed as Biblical statements of the Christian Faith.
The Athanasian Creed is the third Creed we accept.
It proclaims the Biblical truth on the Holy Trinity.
The Sacraments are Divine channels of God’s Grace.
Baptism, Confession and the Eucharist are required by every Christian
to maintain a life of Blessing and Sanctity.
The Matter, Form and Subject of the Sacraments is unchangeable.
The Historic Episcopate of Bishops, Priests (Presbyters) and Deacons
became firmly established in the Universal Church by 250 a.d.
The Succession of Bishops can be traced back to the original Apostles
called by the Lord Jesus Christ.
The exact number of seven attaching itself to the Sacraments was
accepted in the Papal Church at the Fourth Council of Lateran in 1215.
At the Second Council of Lyons in 1274 the
Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos
accepted the same Seven Sacraments in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Since the thirteenth century Baptism, Confirmation (Chrismation),
the Holy Eucharist, Penance, Matrimony, Holy Orders
and Anointing of the Sick (Extreme Unction)
were counted by the Universal Church as the Seven Sacraments.
In prior centuries other Rites considered Sacraments of the Church were
Alms Giving; Foot Washing, Prayer; The Monastic Tonsure,
the Word of God Read and Preached,
the Anointing of Kings and Christian Burial.
These and other Rites were considered to have Sacramental efficacy
along with Baptism and the Holy Eucharist.
Hugh of Victor, was a widely renowned Theologian in the Twelfth century.
In his writings he counted nearly THIRTY Sacraments.
Since the Reformation most Protestants reduced the number to two.
Some Lutherans allow for Confession to be designated as a third Sacrament.
Several Protestant denominations practice Foot Washing as a Sacrament.
IS IT THE NUMBER OF THESE SACRED COVENANTS OF
GREATER IMPORTANCE; THAN WHAT IS ACCOMPLISHED
BY THEM IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN?
How many Sacraments are there? Two, Three, Seven or Thirty?
All major Christian denominations celebrate all seven in
one form or another regardless of how they name and count them.
THE THEOLOGICAL QUAGMIRE
The Church of England during the Reformation
was embroiled in unbridled Theological controversy.
The Thirty Nine Articles of Religion were meant to quell the confusion.
The Articles state Christ Ordained only two Sacraments;
Baptism and the Holy Eucharist.
The other five are “states of life allowed in the Scriptures.”
The question that automatically arises would be?
How can a Rite or Ordinance, in this case Holy Orders;
which is inferior to Baptism and the Holy Eucharist
guarantee the validity of these two Sacraments?
The conclusion is that what the Lord Jesus Christ
instituted as Sacraments are subservient to Holy Orders;
an inferior Rite He did not explicitly institute.
There is no competent Sacramental Theologian who would argue;
what is lesser in totality can validate that which is greater.
Theological Integrity and simple Logic must rule the argument.
We believe our Theological Blueprint meets such issues head on.
THIS IS HOW WE READ THE BLEPRINT
We celebrate all Seven of these Sacred Rites as having
their place in the lives of Christians according to need and circumstance.
One means of Sanctifying Grace is no greater or lesser than another.
These Sacraments, Rites or Ordinances have always been what they are.
They have always accomplished in the life of a Christian what Christ intended.
The Church Fathers and Ecumenical Councils are in Agreement.
HOW DOES ALL OF THIS WORK?
We believe that God truly calls His Redeemed into intimate union with Him.
He uses ordinary signs, elements and objects to accomplish this.
Bread, Wine, Water, Oil and the Human Touch.
This Relationship with the Almighty is established in the Baptismal Covenant.
The Baptismal Covenant is ratified in the Confirmation Promises and
by the Laying on of Hands by the Bishop.
It is further invigorated, renewed and ratified in receiving
the Sacred Mysteries of the Body and Blood of Christ.
When sin enters and places a barrier between our Creator and
His Created there is a Spiritual Remedy.
Confession and the Declaration of Forgiveness (Absolution)
guarantees that we are forgiven and renewed.
In Holy Matrimony a Male and Female enter a Sacred Covenant
together as One Flesh with the Almighty.
Vows and Rings are exchanged in the sight of God and man.
A man who has been Called out from among the People is
Educated, Tested, Examined and Ordained
into the Sacred Ministry by the Bishop.
The Mission of the Church is thus continued.
Hands are Laid upon the Sick. They are Prayed over
Comforted and Anointed with Holy Oil.
The Epistle of St. James 5:14-15, assures us
“The Prayer of Faith shall save the Sick.”
THE BELIEVERS RESPONSE AND THE BLESSING
Our Entire Spiritual Life is fortified by the daily exercises of
Prayer, Acknowledging our Sins in Prayer, Fasting, Good Deeds,
Alms-giving and Meditation on the Holy Scriptures.
The Holy Spirit converts and heals God’s Children as we engage with Him.
He brings us into the fullness of His ever abiding Presence;
that the Covenant He established with Us is Renewed and Ratified.
This is our Blessed Assurance as we continue to answer His call
in our daily Walk towards the Throne of Grace.
The Holy Spirit empowers us to Confess that Faith we Promise to Live.
THE END?
NO, THIS IS THE BEGINNING.
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