Christianity in Britain

* The Supreme Pontiff of the Church is the head of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland
* https://www.celticepiscopalchurch.com/Information%20Page/Book%20of%20Canons/Book%20of%20Canons\_Stamp.pdf
* Bible is in English (Welsh in Wales, Irish in Ireland and Scottish Gaelic in Scotland)
* Worship using the traditional 1928 Book of Common Prayer, the Anglican Missal, English Missal and the English Hymnal. We approve the use of the King James (Authorized) translation of the Bible as well as the Revised Standard Version and the Jerusalem Bible
* Churches Together in Britain and Ireland is committed to working with other churches to promote unity and support on a local and broader level.
* Believes Jesus Christ to be the founder of the Church
* **Worship service** follows Anglican and Lutheran**:** Worship service is based on ritual and preaching
* **Interpretation of Bible** follows Anglican**:** Believers interpret the Bible using tradition and reason.
* **Basis for Doctrine** follows Anglican/Episcopal: The Scriptures and the Gospels, and church fathers.
* **Creeds and Confessions** follows Assembly of God: Statement of Fundamental Truths, 39 Articles of Religion, Westminster Confession of Faith, Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed.
* **Inerrancy and Inspiration of Scripture** follow Roman Catholic**:** God is the author of sacred Scripture: "The divinely revealed realities, which are contained and presented in the text of Sacred Scripture, have been written down under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit ...we must acknowledge that the books of Scripture firmly, faithfully, and without error teach that truth which God, for the sake of our salvation, wished to see confided to the Sacred Scriptures."
* **The Word of God:** Both the Old and New Testaments preserve God’s divine revelation to humanity and are his “complete expressed will to humanity.” In agreement with 2 Timothy 3:16, all scripture is inspired by God. CTBI also holds that scripture is infallible in its original writing and the final authority in a person's life. There is no doctrine regarding the type of translation one must use
* **Salvation** follows Anglican/Episcopal: "We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by Faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by Faith only, is a most wholesome Doctrine..."
* **Original Sin** follows Baptist: "In the beginning man was innocent of sin ... By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. Through the temptation of Satan man transgressed the command of God, and inherited a nature and an environment inclined toward sin."
* Believe Jesus died for all our sins and to pay for the penalty of sin, which is death, the sacrifice of Jesus gave us the chance to be part of God’s Family and Kingdom.
* **Nature of Mary** follows Roman Catholic: "From conception, Mary was without original sin, she is the Immaculate Conception. Mary is the "Mother of God." Mary was a virgin when she conceived Jesus and when she gave birth. She remained a virgin throughout her life. (Catechism - 2nd Edition)
* **Angels** follow Roman Catholic: "The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls "angels" is a truth of faith...They are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures." (Catechism - 2nd Edition)
* **Satan and Demons follow Assembly of God:** "Satan and demons was once a perfect angel until Satan rebelled against God (Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezek. 28:12–15). Satan and his demons do everything in their power to oppose God and those who do God's will (1 Pet. 5:8; 2 Cor. 11:14–15). Though enemies of God and Christians, they are defeated enemies by the blood of Jesus Christ (1 John 4:4). Satan's destiny is the lake of fire for all eternity (Revelation 20:10).
* **Free Will vs Predestination** follow Roman Catholic: "God predestines no one to go to hell" (Catechism - 1037; See also "Notion of Predestination" - CE)
* **Eternal Security** follows Roman Catholic: Catholics believe salvation can be lost: "The first effect of mortal sin in man is to avert him from his true last end, and deprive his soul of sanctifying grace." Final perseverance is a gift from God, but man must cooperate with the gift
* **Faith vs Works** is through faith alone [source] (John 1:12; 3:16,18,36; Acts 16:31; Romans 10:9-10,13; Ephesians 2:8-9).
* The Rosary is not used.

**Other**

* **God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit:** The official position of CTBI on the nature of God resembles that of Binitarians. The Holy Spirit is the spirit/power of God and of Christ Jesus rather than a separate person in the Godhead. God 'the Father' and Jesus Christ are viewed as 2 distinct beings in the 'God family'; Nevertheless, they are viewed as sharing in perfect union and oneness. Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!” is contrasted with the Hebrew word yachid when referring to the oneness of God. A paragraph taken from the organizations 64 page doctrinal paper on “The Nature of God and Christ” states: "So what is the meaning of echad? According to Gensenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon, echad means “to unite, to join together, to be in unity.” Echad also conveys the idea of being “bound together” like the cords of a rope. The tighter the cords are bound, the greater the strength produced. Echad does indeed mean “one” but it is a oneness that is produced by a collective unity. This idea of collective unity is clearly demonstrated in Genesis 2:23-24, “And Adam said: ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.’ Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one [echad] flesh.” Here two distinct individuals are “one” flesh. This is not talking about one in number but one in collective unity, harmony, peace, and the sharing of common goals. Adam and Eve were joined, twisted, bound and wrapped together in singleness of purpose." Both God the Father and the Word (Jesus Christ) are viewed as uncreated, coeternal, and of the same spiritual essence.
* **Satan the Devil:** Satan is the ultimate adversary of God and, by extension, man. He is the deceiver and accuser of man who has temporarily been given limited power over the world by God.
* **Humanity:** Humans are created in the image of God with the potential to be children in God's family. Mankind was formed from the dust of the ground and given the breath of life by God. Humans are mortal, and do not possess an immortal soul.
* **Sin and God's Law:** Sin is defined as transgression of God's law. Sin, introduced to humanity in the garden of Eden, withholds God's gift of eternal life from mankind. Only through the forgiveness of sins, by God's grace, will a person receive eternal life. However, despite God's grace, open rejection of God's law and a return to sinful ways will ultimately lead to death.
* **Law (fundamental belief 19):** the Law of God is "embodied in the 10 Commandments", which continue to be binding upon Christians.
* **The Sacrifice of Jesus Christ:** The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the foundation of Christianity. Jesus gave His life for all mankind so that we might live, freed from the penalty of sin.
* **3 Days and 3 Nights:** In accordance with his prophecy concerning himself, Christ would be raised after 3 days and 3 nights, literally. CTBI holds that Christ died on Wednesday afternoon and was raised shortly before sunset on Saturday.
* **Repentance:** Repentance is a major part of conversion and is necessary for true conversion into God's family.
* **Water Baptism:** CTBI holds baptism as an important ordinance for all Christians. Complete immersion is the only form of water baptism accepted by CTBI. Baptism must be preceded by faith and repentance and represents a believers death and newness of life in Christ Jesus. Baptism is considered an outward expression of an inward conversion. Infant baptism is not allowed, as only those who fully understand and appreciate what baptism symbolizes are baptized. The baptism ceremony is followed by the “laying on of hands” where a believer is believed to receive the Holy Spirit.
* **Sabbath (fundamental belief 20):** the Sabbath should be observed on the 7th day of the week, specifically, from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset.
* **Passover:** members of CTBI observe the Passover meal every 14th of Abib, imitating Christ's last supper. The Passover meal, the bread and the wine, are viewed as a reminder of Christ's sacrifice. The Passover ceremony, which consists of the bread, the wine, and footwashing, is observed once a year.
* **Belief concerning the Festivals of God:** CTBI observes seven annual Holy Days (annual Sabbaths): Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Pentecost, Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles, and The Last Great Day. They do not celebrate Valentine's Day, Halloween, Easter and Christmas
* **Food Laws:** According to the teaching of CTBI, God's food laws were established before the formation of Israel and are therefore still binding to Christians today. Evidence of their continuing importance is believed to be found in the example of Jesus’ and His disciples’ abstinence of biblically unclean meats.
* **Military Service and War:** CTBI holds that Christians are forbidden by the commandments of God from taking a life. Christians are viewed as being called out of this world, having their citizenship in heaven, and discouraged from participating too closely in worldly affairs. John 18:36 is often used to defend this position, “Jesus stated, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants fight…’ ” Also, because most militaries require you to sign away certain rights, UCG strongly dissuades members from enlisting and voluntarily giving away their freedom to serve God to the best of their ability.
* **Promises to Abraham:** CTBI holds that people of Western European descent, primarily the original British colonies and the United States, are direct physical descendants of the Ten Lost Tribes of the northern kingdom of ancient Israel, whereas the historical Jews (and modern-day Israel) are descendants of the ancient southern kingdom of Judah. This belief is not used to assert racial or ethnic superiority, but solely to interpret End Time prophecies which are believed to be directed at the United States and Europe.
* **God’s Purpose for Mankind:** The purpose of mankind is to prepare us to become part of God’s family. CTBI holds that Christians are ultimately begotten as children in the Family of God and will at their resurrection become "spirit-born divine beings who are part of Elohim, the universe-ruling family of God (see Divinization (Christian))."
* **The Church:** The church is defined as the body of believers that have received, and are being guided by, the Holy Spirit. CTBI stresses the importance of the name Church of God and identifier of God's true church.
* **Tithing:** In accordance with Old Testament writings, CTBI encourages members to tithe, which in Greek and Hebrew meant “to give or take the 10th of all increase” (not necessarily a 10th of total income). 10% of your income to the ministry of God for the purpose of doing His work, setting aside 10% of your income to keep the Festivals of God and setting aside 10% for the poor every 3rd tithe year.

**Culture and practices**

* Opposes abortion, believing it can have long-term negative effects on both the individuals involved and society as a whole. In an official statement on the "Biblical View of Unborn Life", the church declared that an unborn child is considered by God to be a living individual whose killing is forbidden
* Encourage adoption for infertile couples.
* Oppose IVF, believe that the unwanted embryos should not be destroyed as they are potential human beings and/or because they believe that life begins at conception. Fertility treatment is unnatural. Children should be born as part of the intimate relationship between a man and a woman. They may say it is God's will if a couple does not have children. Do not agree with donation of sperm or an egg. They say this is introducing a third person into the relationship and is like committing adultery, which is forbidden by the Ten Commandments. For the same reasons they would be against surrogacy.
* Encourage sexual abstinence for both men and women before marriage
* The church disapproves of extra-marital cohabitation.
* Oppose homosexual activities and relationships, citing the belief that scripture makes no accommodation for homosexuality
* Hold that heterosexual marriages are the only biblically ordained grounds for sexual intimacy. CTBI do not perform same-sex marriages, and individuals who are openly homosexual cannot be ordained, but may hold church office and membership if they are not actively pursuing same-sex relationships.
* Opposes active euthanasia but permissive of passive withdrawal of medical support to allow death to occur
* Opposes human cloning as it devalue human life, that human beings are unique and created 'in the image of God'. Cloning would undermine this and devalue the importance of being human. It is unacceptable that in the process of getting the science right, many embryos and clones would be damaged and killed
* Discourages its members from consuming tobacco or illegal drugs. In addition, some CTBI avoid coffee, tea, cola, and other beverages that contain caffeine.
* Alcohol consumption in moderation is permitted but does teach against the misuse of alcohol, alcohol addiction and drunkenness
* Discourages its members to gamble
* Opposes the death penalty
* Opposed to practices such as body piercing and tattoos and refrain from the wearing of jewellery, including such items as earrings and bracelets, except for watches as it is useful for time-keeping.
* Simplicity in dress similar to Quakers
* Avoid working for companies that manufacture weapons or other harmful products (nor will they invest in such companies). They prefer to choose work that has positive benefits for the community. They maintain strict integrity in business transactions and in workplace dealings with individuals.
* Believe that war and conflict are against God's wishes and so they are dedicated to pacifism and non-violence, it's not simply the refusal to fight: it includes working actively to bring about or preserve peace, by removing the causes of conflict. Not oppose to violence if it is in self-defence
* Believe that human beings are stewards of the earth, and should care for it to ensure that each generation passes on to the next generation a world as good as or better than it received. They think that the environmental crisis is a spiritual and religious crisis as well as a practical one. They say that environmental issues are also a matter of social justice: they acknowledge that those living in Britain or the USA are largely insulated from the effects of environmental problems and that such issues have a much more serious effect on the world's poor.
* Opposes Human-animal and animal-animal blood sports, and do not approve of businesses that exploit animals, such as circuses or zoos, or the fur trade. They object to experiments on animals for trivial purposes such as cosmetics, and are divided as to whether animal experimentation should be allowed for medical research
* Encourage to buy things for their usefulness rather than their status, look with a healthy scepticism at all 'buy now, pay later' schemes
* Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you
* Develop a habit of giving things away - de-accumulate
* Develop a deeper appreciation for the creation
* Shun whatever would distract you from your main goal
* Christians intermittent fasting during Lent, build up to Passover
* https://www.adventist.org/christian-behavior/

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