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Traditional Christianity
We are traditional Christians at St. Nicholas in that we believe in the “Faith once delivered to the saints.” This faith has been defined for us in Holy Scripture and shared from the time of the New Testament Church through to today. Saint Nicholas of Myra (left) was one of the early saints who defended this orthodox faith at the Council of Nicea in 325, and was one of the bishops who signed the Nicene Creed (which we recite in worship every Sunday).
Like our Patron, Saint Nicholas, we are defenders of the Christian Faith and are committed to orthodox teaching and practice. Additionally, we accept the decisions of the Ancient Councils of the (undivided) Church and their interpretation of Scripture as authoritative and as containing all things necessary to salvation. The most commonly known statements from the Councils are the Nicene and Apostles Creeds, which we accept as the authoritative statements of the Faith of the Church. These can be found on this website under "Our Creeds".
Anglicanism
In addition to being traditional Christians we are part of the Anglican Church in North America, a member of the Anglican Communion, the third largest Christian body in the world. The word "Anglican" refers to our roots in the Church of England. This Church, established in the British Isles in the early second century, is in continuity with the one founded by Jesus Christ and entrusted to his Apostles.
Following the turbulent years of the Reformation (16th century) the Church of England emerged retaining its Catholic heritage in the ancient creeds, the sacraments, and the apostolic ministry of bishops, priests, and deacons. While maintaining what was good and godly about the catholic religion, the Anglican Church also embraced elements of the Reformation, like the focus on Biblical authority. The result was a Catholic and Reformed Church. For this reason Anglicanism is often referred to as the via media, the "middle way", between Protestantism and Roman Catholicism.
Check out this short video: "What does it mean to be Anglican?"
Sacraments
A sacrament is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as the sure and certain means by which we receive that grace. A sign is something we see. Grace is God's free gift to us, unearned and undeserved, but freely given because he loves us. While God's grace can be bestowed in any way and at any time, we are assured of his grace in the sacraments. A sacrament is an encounter with God.
Holy Baptism
Baptism is the sacrament in which our sins are washed away and we are incorporated into Christ's body, the church. The outward and visible sign is water, and the inward and spiritual grace is the forgiveness of sin, union with Christ and his church, and initiation into a new life as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
The Holy Eucharist
The celebration of the Holy Eucharist (also known as Holy Communion or the Mass) each Sunday is, as it was for the early Christians, at the center of our life. It is commended by Christ for the continual remembrance of his life, death, and resurrection until his coming again. The word "eucharist" is a Greek word for thanksgiving. As Anglican Christians we believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist: The outward and visible signs being the bread and wine, and the inward and spiritual grace being the presence of Christ with us in his Body and Blood.
Other Sacraments
Confirmation is the sacrament whereby we express a matter commitment to Christ and renew our Baptismal vows. The outward and visible sign is the laying on of hands and anointing with oil, and the inward and spiritual grace is renewed strength by the Holy Spirit to life the Christian Life.
Penance, or Reconciliation of a Penitent, is the sacrament in which those who confess their sins to God in the presence of a priest are granted absolution and assured of the forgiveness of sins. The outward and visible sign is the penitent (person who is sorry for his or her sins), and the inward and spiritual grace is the forgiveness of sin. In Anglicanism private confession is not a universal requirement, but is a ministry available to those who desire it. As is often said of the practice of making private confession, "all may, some should, none must".
Holy Matrimony is Christian Marriage whereby a woman and a man enter into lifelong union, making their vows before God, and receiving the blessing of God, to help them fulfill their vows. The outward and visible sign (and the ministers of the sacrament) is the couple themselves, and the inward and spiritual grace is the joining together of the couple, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as one flesh. The blessing of the Church is an essential component of a Christian Marriage.
Unction of the Sick is the sacrament of anointing of the sick with oil, and the laying on of hands, whereby God's grace is given for the healing of mind, body, and spirit. The outward and visible sign is olive oil (blessed by the bishop for this purpose) and the laying on of hands, with the inward and spiritual grace being God's healing love.
Holy Orders is the sacrament whereby God bestows authority and the grace of the Holy Spirit to those being made bishops, priests, or deacons, through prayers and the laying on of hands. This priestly authority comes from Christ, the great High Priest, and follows in continuous historic succession from the time of the Apostles to today by the apostolic succession of bishops. The outward and visible sign is the laying on of hands, and the inward and spiritual grace is the authority given by God to serve the church in teaching, pastoral care, and the administration of the sacraments.
The bishop is a successor to the Apostles and as our chief pastor guards the faith, unity, and discipline of the Church.
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