THE EPISCOPAL
CHURCH EXPOSED!
(ANGLICAN - CHURCH OF
ENGLAND)
compiled and commented by David J. Stewart
Comment from
David J. Stewart, webservant of Jesus-is-Savior.com...
The Episcopalian Religion is straight out of the pits of hell. They teach that performing the seven sacraments are absolutely essential to go to heaven. This is the same damnable heresy which Roman Catholicism teaches. END
About the Satanic Episcopal Church...
Official Website - www.ecusa.anglican.org
Statistics - The Episcopal Church is the
American Counterpart of the Church of England or Anglican Church of England. There are 75 million worldwide and 2.3 million in the USA, with the Episcopal
Church being formed in America in 1789 in Philadelphia. Membership is on the
decline, with a 28% since 1965. Headquarters in America is in New York for
the Episcopal Church.
Background and Formation
This
church was formed in 1534 when it broke away from the Anglican Church over the
matter of a king who wanted to divorce his wife and the pope wouldn't let him!
. As church historian A. A. Davis notes - “There does not seem to have been
any doctrinal matter involved at all when the Church of England was born.
Luther objected to the doctrines and the practices of Rome, but the Church of England seems to have come about purely by accident. King Henry VIII of England had become dissatisfied with one of his wives, and incidentally he only had six of them.
I learned a little ditty many years ago concerning the fate of the wives of Henry VIII. It went like this “Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.” He divorced the first one; he beheaded the second one; the third one was fortunate to die a natural death; the fourth one he divorced; the fifth one he beheaded; but, the sixth one outlived him. He had fallen in love with beautiful Anne Boleyn. He wanted a divorce from Katherine.
The pope claimed the right, as he has until this day, as supreme authority in domestic affairs. When the prime minister chided the king regarding his desires, and the pope would not grant him a divorce, Thomas Cromwell said to him: “You are the King of England . Why don’t you just write a letter to the pope, and in your own way, tell him to go jump in the lake, then organize a church of your own; write yourself a bill of divorcement, go marry the woman of your choice.” He said it was a pretty good idea. That is just about what happened in history. He wanted another wife and he got her. And the world got another church. That is just as plain and blunt as I know how to put it.
There is not a historian of any reputation that will refute one statement that I have made. Now do not misunderstand me. There were no doctrinal matters involved at the time of the Church of England’s birth, but after it was instituted, there were many good and needed reforms instituted. They threw overboard some of the most repulsive Catholic doctrines; the chief one was the celibacy of the priesthood. They do permit their ministers. They did away with the Catholic idea of purgatory and limbo; and in the main as a doctrine, did away with confessional policy. Though in some instances, they have sought to return it. But they brought with them from Rome, their mother church these same doctrines, infant baptism, and a state religion.”
It was the Church of England, under the enforcement of their laws, that
imprisoned John Bunyan, kept him in jail for 12 long years, during which time
he gave to the world that matchless piece of literature, “The Pilgrim’s
Progress.” It was written by a Baptist preacher in Bedford prison. He was
imprisoned not by the Catholics or the Lutherans, but imprisoned by the Church
of England people because he preached against the baptism of infants. They
offered him his freedom several different times if he would promise not to
preach against the baptism of infants. (The Trail of Blood pg. 87)
Beliefs and
Practices
(From Mead’s
Handbook of Denominations)
"Though not under papal authority, many Catholic practices remain intact in
the Church of England, or Episcopal Church."
The Episcopal Church is
facing real struggles with liberalism within its ranks. Most no longer
believe the Bible to be God's inerrant word, and many church leaders do not
believe in the Deity of Christ.
HOW ARE EPISCOPALS SAVED?
The Episcopal Church
believes in a
Sacramental Salvation
The Episcopal
Church believes, like Roman Catholicism, in a “sacramental” salvation. It is
taught that salvation is achieved by performing the 7 sacraments, beginning
with baptism as an infant, then confirmation, Eucharist,
penance, holy orders, matrimony, and unction. Unlike most other Protestant
Churches which believe the elements of the common service (grapejuice
or wine, and bread) are merely symbolic, the Episcopal Church believes in the
real presence of Christ in these elements. (Mead’s pg. 134, 11
ed.)
Infant Baptism
The Anglican
Church practices infant baptism, teaching that infants receive the Holy Spirit
and are regenerated through baptism. Baptism is by pouring, sprinkling, or
immersion. Baptism, as one of the Sacraments and channels of grace is
necessary for salvation in the Episcopal Church. “The 39 Articles allow for
teaching baptismal regeneration” Religious
Bodies of America (pg. 290)
Eternal Security and Assurance of Salvation
The Episcopal Church, as
Roman Catholicism, does not believe in the Eternal Security of the Believer
and does not teach that one can have assurance of salvation and know he is
going to heaven during this lifetime.
Lord's Supper
The 'Real Prescence' of
Christ is spiritually present in the elements. This is known as 'Consubstantian',
in contrast to Roman Catholic's Transubstantiation.
Episcopal Church Government
Anglican church
government is the Episcopal system - the local
church is governed by outside control through a hierarchy of priests and
bishops. The highest Anglican bishop is called the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Episcopal Church has Nuns and Monks like Catholicism has (Mead pg. 135)
Women Priests - Yes
As of 1993, 17
of the 30 independent Anglican communions around the world had approved
ordination of women priests. The Episcopal Church in the United States has
been ordaining women priests since 1976, and ordained the first female bishop
in 1989.
Speaking in Tongues?
Yes, Since 1976 the
Charismatic movement has 'swept thru' the Episcopal Church. Episcopal Sources
claim that 1/3 of all Episcopal priests are charismatic and speak in tongues.
(Religions of America, Leo Rosten, p591) (New and Revised Edition)
Ritualistic worship
The Anglican
Church (Episcopal Church) has a highly ritualistic form of worship. Some
Episcopal churches are “high”, with elaborate ritual and ceremony; others are
described as low, with less involved ceremony and more of an evangelistic
emphasis. This has been called the church of beauty, and it is an apt
description. Its prayer book is eloquent in the literature of religious
worship, containing the heart of both New Testament and Old Testament
devotions. Members have built stately cathedrals in the U.S.; the Cathedral of
St. John the Divine in New York City, the third largest in the world; and the
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, the national cathedral in Washington,
D.C., sometimes called the American Westminster
Abbey.
Stained-glass windows, gleaming altars, vested choirs, and a glorious
ritual are not only beautiful, but also give the worshiper a deep sense of the
continuity of the Christian spirit and tradition. Next to the stress on
episocopacy, its liturgical worship is a
distinguishing feature, varying in degree according to high-or low-church
inclinations. Its roots are in the Church of England and include the reading,
recitation, and intonation by priest, people and choir of the historic general
confession, general thanksgiving, collects, psalms, and prayers.
Ecumenism
For the past two
decades or more many Anglican leaders, including the archbishops, have been
attempting to reconcile the Church of England with the RCC. The Episcopal
Church is very active in all ecumenical ventures and is a member of both the
National Council of Churches and The World Council of Churches.
Oppose Abortion?
No. Episcopalians believe that it is the right of a woman to have an abortion.
Oppose Homosexuality?
No. During 2003 a homosexual priest was ordained as Bishop of the Episcopal Church in America. In 1993 a survey revealed that 75% of Episcopalians believed that it is possible for a sexually active homosexuals to be faithful Christians.
Modernism
The Way of Life
Encyclopedia of the Bible and Christianity says on page 20: In this century
liberalism has largely taken over the Anglican denomination. A large
percentage of its bishops and pastors are modernists who deny the miracles of
the Bible. Former Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Runcie
illustrates this sad trend. In an interview with a newspaper the editor picked
up in London on Easter 1982, Runcie was asked
about the meaning of the cross. He replied, “As to that, I am an agnostic.”
Runcie was not certain of the meaning of the
cross!
In the same interview he said he felt Buddhism is a proper way to God
and that Christians should not say that Jesus Christ is the only way of
salvation. Anglican bishop David Jenkins openly questions every major teaching
of the Bible. Of Christ’s resurrection, this Church of England bishop says,
“ The Christian is not bound up with freak biology
or corpses getting up and walking around.” Of Chris’s virgin birth, Jenkins
says, “As for the virgin birth, they’re the sort of stories that get told
after you already believe somebody is very important. You don’t have to
believe in the virgin birth.....”
Other Distinguishing Beliefs
Here are beliefs that differ from the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) that it broke away from:
No Celibacy required for priests
No RCC purgatory and limbo, but they do pray for the dead(?)
No confession to a priest
They do have nuns and monks Like the RCC does.
They also believe in Apostolic Succession as the RCC does. END
