Is there a future for the Church of England?
This is a question I as asked recently, but I think a
more relevant question might be is there a presence now for the Church?
Before I start to respond to that question, I want to state
that some people may take offence by what they read, and if you do, then I must
ask you why? My duty as a Minister of the Gospel is to tell you what the
Bible states, so I am only telling what God has laid down, and I hope all will
accept that.
Let us
begin by looking at why God created the Church, for it is his creation. Jesus said
‘I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.’
It seems to me that many people, even within the
Church, are making a strong effort to prevail against it.
The last
word of our Lord to His Apostles were, All authority has been given to me. Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that
I have commanded you. And behold I am with you to the end of the age.’
The Bible
tells that the Apostles obeyed the Lord’s command and the early Church devoted
themselves to the teaching of the Apostles and to the fellowship and the Lord
added to their number day by day those who were being saved. We may reasonably
believe therefore, that when the Church teaches what the Apostles gave to them,
they were blessed by God and the Church grew.
We may further deduce, that when as now, the Church does not follow the
Apostles teaching, it falls away.
Pausing
here whilst turning now to the Articles of the Church of England, which all
clergy are to be guided to, and urged to uphold. The doctrine of the Church of England is grounded in
the Holy scriptures and in such teachings of the ancient Fathers and Councils
of the Church as are agreeable to the said Scriptures
When being ordained to the
priesthood, the person affirms he/she
will only teach that which may be concluded and proved by the Scriptures. (the
Bible). Will also banish all false
doctrine and drive away erroneous doctrine according to God’s Word. Will further with faithful diligence, minister the doctrine and discipline that
Christ has commanded.
When a bishop is being
consecrated he/she affirms they will teach and exhort with wholesome doctrine
and withstand and convince the gainsayers. They will banish all false doctrine
and strange doctrine which is contrary to God’s Word, and call upon al others
to do the same.
The Articles of Religion set
out teaching to be given on issues which have been controversial to some
misguided clergy.
Article 2 states Jesus was born of the Father in the womb of the blessed
Virgin.
Article 3 confirms the doctrine of the presence of hell
Article 4 confirms the doctrine
of the PHYSICAL resurrection of Jesus.
Article 6 states the Scriptures teach all necessary and have never been
in doubt.
The duties, responsibilities, and
commitments necessary have been set out clearly, and all members of the clergy,
of whatever rank, know what they are sworn to do.
Put down clearly in the
clearest of terms, that is to Teach only what is laid down in the Bible. Banish
(prevent) any other teaching which is contrary to God’s Word. Dismiss any alternative teaching regarding
conduct and/or belief. Accept the
doctrines of the Virgin Birth, Resurrection, Hell, Full authority of the Bible.
Why then are the leaders of
the Church, Archbishops and Bishops, adopting policies which blatantly
contradict the Bible; campaigning for that which would be contrary to what is
to be believed by the Word of God; and reprimanding clergy who are acting
faithfully. There three Vicars who in
recent time have left the Church because of their revulsion at current Church
policy. Excellent men leaving to join the Free Evangelical Church. Who were
devoted men of God, cast aside by their superiors who couldn’t accept their
sincere beliefs.
In every service conducted in
an Anglican Church the Apostles Creed is recited which states, ‘I believe in Jesus
Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the
Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried, he
descended into hell and on the third day he rose again from the dead.
In the Nicene Creed recited
in the service of Holy Communion, we say, ‘I acknowledge one baptism for the
remission of sins.’
Why in consideration of these
facts, do we have even Archbishops and Bishops acting contrary to what is laid down? The Virgin
Birth is not accepted by many.
An Archbishop of Wales stated we could not expect people to believe the
resurrection story. A bishop once stated the resurrection was a story about a
bag of bones, and when he was being consecrated in York Minster, the Church
went on fire. Sixteen senior Meteorologists stated there was no scientific
explanation and THEY concluded it had to be an act of God.
The Archbishop of Canterbury stated in 2013 when same sex marriage was
first debated, that such could be accepted alongside traditional form of
marriage. This is completely against that defined by God.
The Archbishop of York told a member of the clergy if he believed in the
bible teaching on sexuality, there was no place for him in the Church of England.
The previous Archbishop of York said he couldn’t sleep at night because
of the thought of people having conversion therapy. (the practice of people who
regretted their changing their sexuality reverting back). This means your local
Minister cannot pray or give you advice.
The Archbishop didn’t ’seem to have disturbance when people went the
other way.
The Bishop of Newcastle got all worked up in Synod, when she thought of ‘people
who hadn’t done anything wrong’ having such therapy.
The Bishop of Liverpool was raving on about how proud he was of being at
the head of Liverpool’s gay pride march.
We had a woman bishop, who despite the words of Jesus, said God was a
woman.
The House of Bishops created special liturgy for people who
transgendered and wanted to be baptized in the different gender, contravening
the Creed, and the God given order of creation .
What in effect is being
stated by such Church actions, is that the Ministers of his Church believe God
got his whole order of creation wrong, Non-believers may be justified in
believing so, but Ministers of the Church, especially leaders can’t be.
I could go on, but what a catalogue
of such action by men and women in high places.
Could you imagine an Army being led by Generals who were colluding with
the opposition?
Could you imagine the
outburst of shareholders if the directors of Tesco were to suggest their
products were inferior to those of Waitrose?
The Church is to teach
biblical doctrine and proclaim how God intends us to live, to teach what is true,
and make us realize what is wrong in life. We preach that perfection of life
can only be obtained by people turning to Jesus Christ, who alone can bring us
close to God, for there is salvation in no other name under heaven by which we
may be saved. Jesus is the only way to the Father. This is the teaching of the Bible, the
complete manual of how God wants us to act.
Whilst social issues are part of the Church’s
mission, they are for attention at times out of the main service times, which
is for spiritual teaching. The Bible
states after Pentecost, the Apostles met and stated they would put others in
charge of social matters, so they could spend their time in prayer, preaching
and teaching. This was at a time when
social services were not even thought of being.
It is good and commendable that we can
play a part, but I fear some Churches are providing such to alleviate the need
for biblical preaching. A Church is to
fulfil primarily people’s spiritual need, for only the Church can do that; they
can go to many other places for other needs, but we have something special to
offer and we should concentrate on giving that.
A Church is also to provide for fellowship where
believers can share and uphold each other.
Just as an earthly father likes his children to visit him, so our
heavenly Father loves his spiritual children to visit him, and show their
concern and love for him by visiting his home
There will be times when we are not able to do so but whilst we can we
should.
If we are to halt the ever decreasing number
of people leaving the Church, we must concentrate on our essential function and
get back to the Bible.
I have concentrated on the Church of England
because I am a Church of England minister, so ethically and morally I should
not refer to other Churches, but I suggest much of what I have stated will apply
to other denominations. Indeed, the once
large Methodist Church with its great legacy of John and Charles Wesley, is due
to be debating this month. whether to allow same sex marriages in the churches.
John Wesley, as he set out in his sermon on Romans 1, would have much to say
about that idea.
I have been privileged to be
allowed to take services in the Methodist Church, and became very fond of doing
so, meeting many lovely people. It has a great tradition and the only English
revival was made under the leadership of John and Charles. It grieves me to think
of the many people of evangelical persuasion who I know will be upset, and will
feel moved to leave if a decision to accept the motion is carried. The Church of any name cannot afford to lose people
of commitment.
We
pray for all the words that you have sown in our hearts this day. May they take
root and produce the results you would wish for us. Be with us as we walk our different ways and
keep us alert to hear your words to us
We lift
up our church leaders to You. We pray for our pastors and ministers, and
ministry leaders. in them. Inspire them
to be faithful to Your Word.. We pray for humility as they lead, pouring out
Your grace and generosity in them and through them. Lord Jesus, compel us as a church to proclaim Your truth and preach Your
gospel. Use Your Word to rebuke us, correct us and encourage us — and let us
follow you as we hold each other accountable. Only You can give us great
patience and the words to teach. We fully depend on You! Amen.