Church, Episcopal

EPISCOPAL CHURCH -  The history of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America has its origins in the Church of England, a church which stresses its continuity with the ancient Western church and claims to maintain apostolic succession.  Its close links to the Crown led to its reorganization on an independent basis in the 1780s.  There are two official names of the Episcopal Church specified in its constitution:  The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America (PECUSA) and The Episcopal Church (TEC).  The latter is the more commonly used name.

The Episcopal Church publishes its own Book of Common Prayer (BCP) (similar to other Anglican prayer books), containing most of the worship services (or liturgies) used in the Episcopal Church.   Because of its widespread use in the church, the BCP is both a reflection and source of theology for Episcopalians.

The center of Episcopal teaching is the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The basic teachings of the church, or catechism, include:

• Jesus Christ is fully human and fully God. He died and was resurrected from the dead.
• Jesus provides the way of eternal life for those who believe.
• God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit, are one God, and are called the Holy Trinity ("three and yet one").
• The Old and New Testaments of the Bible were written by people "under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit."  The Apocrypha are additional books that are used in Christian worship, but not for the formation of doctrine.
• The two great and necessary sacraments are Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist.
• Other sacramental rites are confirmation, ordination, marriage, reconciliation of a penitent, and unction.
• Belief in heaven, hell, and Jesus' return in glory.
• Emphasis on living out the Great Commandment to love God and neighbor fully, as found in the Gospel of Matthew 28:18 - 20

The full catechism is included in the Book of Common Prayer and is posted on the Episcopal website.