{"id":918,"date":"2020-06-16T07:54:46","date_gmt":"2020-06-15T22:24:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/?page_id=918"},"modified":"2024-03-21T20:43:47","modified_gmt":"2024-03-21T10:13:47","slug":"what-we-believe","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/im-new\/what-we-believe\/","title":{"rendered":"What We Believe"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"What do Christians really believe?\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UiacWiHN4Ms?feature=oembed&#038;wmode=transparent&#038;rel=0&#038;showinfo=0&#038;color=white&#038;modestbranding=1\" style=\"border: none;\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The Christian message which we at Trinity Church Mount Barker believe can be briefly summarised in the following statements.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>We believe that God created a good world and created humans for a relationship with him.<\/li>\n<li>All humans choose sin, that is, rejection of God and his authority. Sin is the ultimate &#8220;declaration of independence&#8221; from God. Sin stops us enjoying the relationship with God for which we were created.<\/li>\n<li>The consequence of sin is death and separation from God&#8217;s blessing and a relationship with him forever.<\/li>\n<li>Jesus, who is God the Son, never sinned, but died in our place, taking the punishment for sin we deserve and offering us forgiveness for our sins.<\/li>\n<li>There is no one who is &#8220;good&#8221; enough to overcome their own sin and no one so &#8220;bad&#8221; that Jesus can&#8217;t win forgiveness for them.<\/li>\n<li>If we trust in Jesus for forgiveness and live under his rule, we are made right with God and are no longer separated from him &#8211; in fact, we enjoy a relationship with God for eternity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A fuller explanation of the the statement of faith of Trinity Church Mount Barker may be found in the Thirty Nine Articles, the historic statement of belief of the Anglican Church. While the wording of the Articles is somewhat foreign to the modern ear, we encourage everyone considering joining Trinity to read them and become familiar with them.<\/p>\n<h2>The Articles of Religion<\/h2>\n<p><em>Agreed upon by the Archbishops, Bishops, and the whole clergy of the Provinces of Canterbury and York. <\/em><em>London, 1562.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Article I &#8211; Of Faith in the Holy Trinity<\/strong><br \/>\nThere is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts, or passions; of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Maker, and Preserver of all things both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there be three Persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article II &#8211; Of the Word or Son of God, which was made very Man<\/strong><br \/>\nThe Son, which is the Word of the Father, begotten from everlasting of the Father, the very and eternal God, and of one substance with the Father, took Man\u2019s nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin, of her substance: so that two whole and perfect Natures, that is to say, the Godhead and Manhood, were joined together in one Person, never to be divided, whereof is one Christ, very God, and very Man; who truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, to reconcile His Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for all actual sins of men.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article III &#8211; Of the going down of Christ into Hell<\/strong><br \/>\nAs Christ died for us, and was buried, so also is it to be believed, that he went down into Hell.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article IV -Of the Resurrection of Christ<\/strong><br \/>\nChrist did truly rise again from death, and took again his body, with flesh, bones, and all things appertaining to the perfection of Man\u2019s nature; wherewith he ascended into Heaven, and there sitteth, until he return to judge all Men at the last day.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article V &#8211; Of the Holy Ghost<\/strong><br \/>\nThe Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one substance, majesty, and glory, with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article VI &#8211; Of the Sufficiency of the holy Scriptures for salvation<\/strong><br \/>\nHoly Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of the Faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the holy Scripture, we do understand those Canonical books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church.<br \/>\nOf the Names and Number of the Canonical Books<br \/>\nGenesis<br \/>\nExodus<br \/>\nLeviticus<br \/>\nNumbers<br \/>\nDeuteronomy<br \/>\nJoshua<br \/>\nJudges<br \/>\nRuth<br \/>\nThe First Book of Samuel<br \/>\nThe Second Book of Samuel<br \/>\nThe First Book of Kings<br \/>\nThe Second Book of Kings<br \/>\nThe First Book of Chronicles<br \/>\nThe Second Book of Chronicles<br \/>\nThe First Book of Esdras (Ezra)<br \/>\nThe Second Book of Esdras (Nehemiah)<br \/>\nThe Book of Esther<br \/>\nThe Book of Job<br \/>\nThe Psalms<br \/>\nThe Proverbs<br \/>\nEcclesiastes or Preacher<br \/>\nCantica, or Songs of Solomon<br \/>\nFour Prophets the greater<br \/>\nTwelve Prophets the less<br \/>\nAnd the other Books (as Hierome saith) the Church doth read for example of life and instruction of manners; but yet doth it not apply them to establish any doctrine; such are these following:<br \/>\nThe Third Book of Esdras<br \/>\nThe Fourth Book of Esdras<br \/>\nThe Book of Tobias<br \/>\nThe Book of Judith<br \/>\nThe rest of the Book of Esther<br \/>\nThe Book of Wisdom<br \/>\nJesus the Son of Sirach<br \/>\nBaruch the Prophet<br \/>\nThe Song of the Three Children<br \/>\nThe Story of Susanna<br \/>\nOf Bel and the Dragon<br \/>\nThe Prayer of Manasses<br \/>\nThe First Book of Maccabees<br \/>\nThe Second Book of Maccabees<br \/>\nAll the Books of the New Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive, and account them Canonical.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article VII &#8211; Of the Old Testament<\/strong><br \/>\nThe Old Testament is not contrary to the New: for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to Mankind by Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and Man, being both God and Man. Wherefore there are not to be heard, which feign that the old Fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the Law given from God by Moses, as touching Ceremonies and Rites, do not bind Christian men, nor the Civil precepts thereof ought of necessity to be received in any commonwealth; yet, notwithstanding, no Christian man whatsoever is free from the obedience of the Commandments which are called Moral.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article VIII &#8211; Of the Three Creeds<\/strong><br \/>\nThe Three Creeds, Nicene Creed, Athanasius\u2019s Creed, and that which is commonly called the Apostles\u2019 Creed, ought thoroughly to be received and believed: for they may be proved by most certain warrants of holy Scripture.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article IX &#8211; Of Original or Birth-Sin<\/strong><br \/>\nOriginal Sin standeth not in the following of Adam, (as the Pelagians do vainly talk), but it is the fault and corruption of the Nature of every man, that naturally is ingendered of the offspring of Adam; whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and is of his own nature inclined to evil, so that the flesh lusteth always contrary to the spirit; and therefore in every person born into this world, it deserveth God\u2019s wrath and damnation. And this infection of nature doth remain, yea, in them that are regenerated; whereby the lust of the flesh, called in Greek, phronema sarkos, which some do expound the wisdom, some sensuality, some the affection, some the desire, of the flesh, is not subject to the Law of God. And although there is no condemnation for them that believe and are baptized, yet the Apostle doth confess, that concupiscence and lust hath of itself the nature of sin.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article X &#8211; Of Free-Will<\/strong><br \/>\nThe condition of Man after the fall of Adam is such, that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and good works, to faith, and calling upon God: Wherefore we have no power to do good works pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us, that we may have a good will, and working with us, when we have that good will.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XI &#8211; Of the Justification of Man<\/strong><br \/>\nWe 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, and very full of comfort, as more largely is expressed in the Homily of Justification.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XII &#8211; Of Good Works<\/strong><br \/>\nAlbeit that Good Works, which are the fruits of Faith, and follow after Justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God\u2019s Judgement; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and do spring out necessarily of a true and lively Faith; insomuch that by them a lively Faith may be as evidently known as a tree discerned by the fruit.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XIII &#8211; Of Works before Justification<\/strong><br \/>\nWorks done before the grace of Christ, and the Inspiration of his Spirit, are not pleasant to God, forasmuch as they spring not of faith in Jesus Christ, neither do they make men meet to receive grace, or (as the School-authors say) deserve grace of congruity: yea, rather, for that they are not done as God hath willed and commanded them to be done, we doubt not but they have the nature of sin.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XIV &#8211; Of Works of Supererogation<\/strong><br \/>\nVoluntary Works besides, over, and above, God\u2019s Commandments, which they call Works of Supererogation, cannot be taught without arrogancy and impiety: for by them men do declare, that they do not only render unto God as much as they are bound to do, but that they do more for his sake, than of bounden duty is required: whereas Christ saith plainly, When ye have done all that are commanded to you, say, We are unprofitable servants.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XV &#8211; Of Christ alone without Sin<\/strong><br \/>\nChrist in the truth of our nature was made like unto us in all things, sin only except, from which he was clearly void, both in his flesh, and in his spirit. He came to be the Lamb without spot, who, by sacrifice of himself once made, should take away the sins of the world, and sin, as Saint John saith, was not in him. But all we the rest, although baptized, and born again in Christ, yet offend in many things; and if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XVI &#8211; Of Sin after Baptism<\/strong><br \/>\nNot every deadly sin willingly commited after Baptism is sin against the Holy Ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after Baptism. After we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace given, and fall into sin, and by the grace of God we may arise again, and amend our lives. And therefore they are to be condemned, which say, thay can no more sin as long as they live here, or deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XVII &#8211; Of Predestination and Election<\/strong><br \/>\nPredestination to Life is the everlasting purpose of God, whereby (before the foundations of the world were laid) he hath constantly decreed by his counsel secret to us, to deliver from curse and damnation those whom he hath chosen in Christ out of mankind, and to bring them by Christ to everlasting salvation, as vessels made to honour. Wherefore, they which be endued with so excellent a benefit of God be called according to God\u2019s purpose by his Spirit working in due season: they through Grace obey the calling: they be justified freely: they be made sons of God by adoption: they be made like the image of his only-begotten Son Jesus Christ: they walk religiously in good works, and at length, by God\u2019s mercy, they attain to everlasting felicity.<br \/>\nAs the godly consideration of Predestination, and our Election in Christ, is full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort to godly persons, and such as feel in themselves the working of the Spirit of Christ, mortifying the works of the flesh, and their earthly members, and drawing up their mind to high and heavenly things, as well because it doth greatly establish and confirm their faith of eternal Salvation to be enjoyed through Christ, as because it doth fervently kindle their love towards God: So, for curious and carnal persons, lacking the Spirit of Christ, to have continually before their eyes the sentence of God\u2019s Predestination, is a most dangerous downfal, whereby the Devil doth thrust them either into desperation, or into wretchlessness of most unclean living, no less perilous than desperation.<br \/>\nFurthermore, we must receive God\u2019s promises in such wise, as they be generally set forth to us in holy Scripture: and, in our doings, that Will of God is to be followed, which we have expressly declared unto us in the Word of God.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XVIII &#8211; Of obtaining eternal Salvation only by the Name of Christ<\/strong><br \/>\nThey also are to be had accursed that presume to say, That every man shall be saved by the Law or Sect which he professeth, so that he be diligent to frame his life according to that Law, and the light of Nature. For holy Scripture doth set out unto us only the Name of Jesus Christ, whereby men must be saved.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XIX &#8211; Of the Church<\/strong><br \/>\nThe visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in the which the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments be duly ministered according to Christ\u2019s ordinance in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same.<br \/>\nAs the Church of Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Antioch have erred: so also the Church of Rome hath erred, not only in their living and manner of Ceremonies, but also in matters of Faith.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XX &#8211; Of the Authority of the Church<\/strong><br \/>\nThe Church hath power to decree Rites or Ceremonies, and authority in Controversies of Faith: And yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain anything contrary to God\u2019s Word written, neither may it so expound one place of Scripture, that it be repugnant to another. Wherefore, although the Church be a witness and a keeper of holy Writ, yet, as it ought not to decree any thing against the same, so besides the same ought it not to enforce any thing to be believed for necessity of Salvation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XXI &#8211; Of the Authority of General Councils<\/strong><br \/>\nGeneral Councils may not be gathered together without the commandment and will of Princes. And when they be gathered together, (forasmuch as they be an assembly of men, whereof all be not governed with the Spirit and Word of God,) they may err, and sometimes have erred, even in things pertaining unto God. Wherefore things ordained by them as necessary to salvation have neither strength nor authority, unless it may be declared that they be taken out of holy Scripture.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XXII &#8211; Of Purgatory<\/strong><br \/>\nThe Romish Doctrine concerning Purgatory, Pardons, Worshipping, and Adoration as well of Images as of Reliques, and also invocation of Saints, is a fond thing vainly invented, and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but rather repugnant to the Word of God.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XXIII &#8211; Of Ministering in the Congregation<\/strong><br \/>\nIt is not lawful for any man to take upon him the office of publick preaching, or ministering the Sacraments in the Congregation, before he be lawfully called, and sent to execute the same. And those we ought to judge lawfully called and sent, which be chosen and called to this work by men who have publick authority given unto them in the Congregation, to call and send Ministers into the Lord\u2019s vineyard.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XXIV &#8211; Of speaking in the Congregation in such a tongue as the people understandeth<\/strong><br \/>\nIt is a thing plainly repugnant to the Word of God, and the custom of the Primitive Church, to have publick Prayer in the Church, or to minister the Sacraments in a tongue not understanded of the people.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XXV &#8211; Of the Sacraments<\/strong><br \/>\nSacraments ordained of Christ be not only badges or tokens of Christian men\u2019s profession, but rather they be certain sure witnesses, and effectual signs of grace, and God\u2019s good will towards us, by the which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm our Faith in him.<br \/>\nThere are two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel, that is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord.<br \/>\nThose five commonly called Sacraments, that is to say, Confirmation, Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and extreme Unction, are not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel, being such as have grown partly of the corrupt following of the Apostles, partly are states of life allowed in the Scriptures; but yet have not like nature of Sacraments with Baptism, and the Lord\u2019s Supper, for that they have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained of God.<br \/>\nThe Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to be gazed upon, or to be carried about, but that we should duly use them. And in such only as worthily receive the same have they a wholesome effect or operation: but they that receive them unworthily purchase to themselves damnation, as Saint Paul saith.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XXVI &#8211; Of the Unworthiness of the Ministers, which hinders not the effect of the Sacrament<\/strong><br \/>\nAlthough in the visible Church the evil be ever mingled with the good, and sometimes the evil have chief authority in the Ministration of the Word and Sacraments, yet forasmuch as they do not the same in their own name, but in Christ\u2019s, and do minister by his commission and authority, we may use their Ministry, both in hearing the Word of God, and in the receiving of the Sacraments. Neither is the effect of Christ\u2019s ordinance taken away by their wickedness, nor the grace of God\u2019s gifts diminished from such as by faith and rightly do receive the Sacraments ministered unto them; which be effectual, because of Christ\u2019s institution and promise, although they be ministered by evil men.<br \/>\nNevertheless it appertaineth to the discipline of the Church, that inquiry be made of evil Ministers, and that they be accused by those that have knowledge of their offences; and finally being found guilty, by just judgement be deposed.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XXVII &#8211; Of Baptism<\/strong><br \/>\nBaptism is not only a sign of profession, and mark of difference, whereby Christian men are discerned from others that be not christened, but is also a sign of Regeneration or new Birth, whereby, as by an instrument, they that receive Baptism rightly are grafted into the Church; the promises of the forgiveness of sin, and of our adoption to be the sons of God by the Holy Ghost, are visibly signed and sealed; Faith is confirmed, and Grace increased by virtue of prayer unto God. The Baptism of young Children is in any wise to be retained in the Church, as most agreeable with the institution of Christ.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XXVIII &#8211; Of the Lord\u2019s Supper<\/strong><br \/>\nThe Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another; but rather it is a Sacrament of our Redemption by Christ\u2019s death: insomuch that to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith, receive the same, the Bread which we break is a partaking of the Body of Christ; and likewise the Cup of Blessing is a partaking of the Blood of Christ.<br \/>\nTransubstantiation (or the change of the substance of Bread and Wine) in the Supper of the Lord, cannot be proved by holy Writ; but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions.<br \/>\nThe Body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten, in the Supper, only after an heavenly and spiritual manner. And the mean whereby the Body of Christ is received and eaten in the Supper is Faith.<br \/>\nThe Sacrament of the Lord\u2019s Supper was not by Christ\u2019s ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted up, or worshipped.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XXIX &#8211; Of the Wicked which do not eat the Body of Christ in the use of the Lord\u2019s Supper<\/strong><br \/>\nThe Wicked, and such as be void of a lively faith, although they do carnally and visibly press with their teeth (as Saint Augustine saith) the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, yet in no wise are they partakers of Christ: but rather, to their condemnation, do eat and drink the sign or Sacrament of so great a thing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XXX &#8211; Of both kinds<\/strong><br \/>\nThe Cup of the Lord is not to be denied to the Lay-people; for both the parts of the Lord\u2019s Sacrament, by Christ\u2019s ordinance and commandment, ought to be ministered to all Christian men alike.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XXXI &#8211; Of the one Oblation of Christ finished upon the Cross<\/strong><br \/>\nThe Offering of Christ once made is that perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction, for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual; and there is none other satisfaction for sin, but that alone. Wherefore the sacrifices of Masses, in the which it was commonly said, that the Priest did offer Christ for the quick and the dead, to have remission of pain or guilt, were blasphemous fables, and dangerous deceits.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XXXII &#8211; Of the Marriage of Priests<\/strong><br \/>\nBishops, Priests, and Deacons, are not commanded by God\u2019s Law, either to vow the estate of single life, or to abstain from marriage: therefore it is lawful for them, as for all other Christian men, to marry at their own discretion, as they shall judge the same to serve better to godliness.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XXXIII &#8211; Of Excommunicated Persons, how they are to be avoided<\/strong><br \/>\nThat person which by open denunciation of the Church is rightly cut off from the unity of the Church, and excommunicated, ought to be taken of the whole multitude of the faithful, as an Heathen and Publican, until he be openly reconciled by penance, and received into the Church by a Judge that hath authority thereunto.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XXXIV &#8211; Of the Traditions of the Church<\/strong><br \/>\nIt is not necessary that Traditions and Ceremonies be in all places one, and utterly like; for at all times they have been divers, and may be changed according to the diversities of countries, times, and men\u2019s manners, so that nothing be ordained against God\u2019s Word. Whosoever through his private judgement, willingly and purposely, doth openly break the traditions and ceremonies of the Church, which be not repugnant to the Word of God, and be ordained and approved by common authority, ought to be rebuked openly, (that others may fear to do the like,) as he that offendeth against the common order of the Church, and hurteth the authority of the Magistrate, and woundeth the consciences of the weak brethren.<br \/>\nEvery particular or national Church hath authority to ordain, change, and abolish, ceremonies or rites of the Church ordained only by man\u2019s authority, so that all things be done to edifying.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XXXV &#8211; Of Homilies<\/strong><br \/>\nThe second Book of Homilies, the several titles whereof we have joined under this Article, doth contain a godly and wholesome Doctrine, and necessary for these times, as doth the former Book of Homilies, which were set forth in the time of Edward the Sixth; and therefore we judge them to be read in Churches by the Ministers, diligently and distinctly, that they may be understanded of the people.<br \/>\nOf the Names of the Homilies<br \/>\nOf the right Use of the Church.<br \/>\nAgainst peril of Idolatry.<br \/>\nOf the repairing and keeping clean of Churches.<br \/>\nOf good Works: first of Fasting.<br \/>\nAgainst Gluttony and Drunkenness.<br \/>\nAgainst Excess of Apparel.<br \/>\nOf Prayer.<br \/>\nOf the Place and Time of Prayer.<br \/>\nThat Common Prayers and Sacraments ought to be ministered in a known tongue.<br \/>\nOf the reverent estimation of God\u2019s Word.<br \/>\nOf Alms-doing.<br \/>\nOf the Nativity of Christ.<br \/>\nOf the Passion of Christ.<br \/>\nOf the Resurrection of Christ.<br \/>\nOf the worthy receiving of the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ.<br \/>\nOf the Gifts of the Holy Ghost.<br \/>\nFor the Rogation-days.<br \/>\nOf the State of Matrimony.<br \/>\nOf Repentance.<br \/>\nAgainst Idleness.<br \/>\nAgainst Rebellion.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XXXVI &#8211; Of Consecration of Bishops and Ministers<\/strong><br \/>\nThe Book of Consecration of Archbishops and Bishops, and Ordering of Priests and Deacons, lately set forth in the time of Edward the Sixth, and confirmed at the same time by authority of Parliament, doth contain all things necessary to such Consecration and Ordering: neither hath it any thing, that of itself is superstitious or ungodly. And therefore whosoever are consecrated or ordered according to the Rites of that Book, since the second year of the forenamed King Edward unto this time, or hereafter shall be consecrated or ordered according to the same Rites; we decree all such to be rightly, orderly, and lawfully consecrated or ordered.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XXXVII &#8211; Of the Civil Magistrates<\/strong><br \/>\nThe Queen\u2019s Majesty hath the chief power in this Realm of England, and other her Dominions, unto whom the chief Government of all Estates of this Realm, whether they be Ecclesiastical or Civil, in all causes doth appertain, and is not, nor ought to be, subject to any foreign Jurisdiction.<br \/>\nWhere we attibute to the Queen\u2019s Majesty the chief government, by which Titles we understand the minds of some slanderous folks to be offended; we give not to our Princes the ministering either of God\u2019s Word, or of the Sacraments, the which thing the Injunctions also lately set forth by Elizabeth our Queen doth most plainly testify; but only that prerogative, which we see to have been given always to all godly Princes in holy Scriptures by God himself; that is, that they should rule all estates and degrees committed to their charge by God, whether they be Ecclesiastical or Temporal, and restrain with the civil sword the stubborn and evildoers.<br \/>\nThe Bishop of Rome hath no jurisdiction in this Realm of England.<br \/>\nThe Laws of the Realm may punish Christian men with death, for heinous and grievous offences.<br \/>\nIt is lawful for Christian men, at the commandment of the Magistrate, to wear weapons, and serve in the wars.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XXXVIII &#8211; Of Christian men\u2019s Goods, which are not common<\/strong><br \/>\nThe Riches and Goods of Christians are not common, as touching the right, title, and possession of the same, as certain Anabaptists do falsely boast. Notwithstanding, every man ought, of such things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor, according to his ability.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Article XXXIX &#8211; Of a Christian man\u2019s Oath<\/strong><br \/>\nAs we confess that vain and rash Swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ, and James his Apostle, so we judge, that Christian Religion doth not prohibit, but that a man may swear when the Magistrate requireth, in a cause of faith and charity, so it be done according to the Prophet\u2019s teaching, in justice, judgement, and truth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Christian message which we at Trinity Church Mount Barker believe can be briefly summarised in the following statements. We believe that God created a good world and created humans for a relationship with him. All humans choose sin, that is, rejection of God and his authority. Sin is the ultimate &#8220;declaration of independence&#8221; from God. Sin stops us enjoying the relationship with God for which we were created. The consequence of sin is death and separation from God&#8217;s blessing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":899,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-918","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","ctfw-no-image"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What We Believe | Trinity Church Mount Barker<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/im-new\/what-we-believe\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What We Believe | Trinity Church Mount Barker\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Christian message which we at Trinity Church Mount Barker believe can be briefly summarised in the following statements. We believe that God created a good world and created humans for a relationship with him. All humans choose sin, that is, rejection of God and his authority. Sin is the ultimate &#8220;declaration of independence&#8221; from God. Sin stops us enjoying the relationship with God for which we were created. The consequence of sin is death and separation from God&#8217;s blessing [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/im-new\/what-we-believe\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Trinity Church Mount Barker\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/trinitychurchmountbarker\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-03-21T10:13:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"20 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/im-new\/what-we-believe\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/im-new\/what-we-believe\/\",\"name\":\"What We Believe | Trinity Church Mount Barker\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2020-06-15T22:24:46+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-03-21T10:13:47+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/im-new\/what-we-believe\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/im-new\/what-we-believe\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/im-new\/what-we-believe\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"I&#8217;m New\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/im-new\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"What We Believe\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/\",\"name\":\"Trinity Church Mount Barker\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Trinity Church Mount Barker\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/google-profile-picture-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/google-profile-picture-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":2560,\"caption\":\"Trinity Church Mount Barker\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/trinitychurchmountbarker\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCnx-sKeb2lM1NWqEq6ZN2eQ\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What We Believe | Trinity Church Mount Barker","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/im-new\/what-we-believe\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"What We Believe | Trinity Church Mount Barker","og_description":"The Christian message which we at Trinity Church Mount Barker believe can be briefly summarised in the following statements. We believe that God created a good world and created humans for a relationship with him. All humans choose sin, that is, rejection of God and his authority. Sin is the ultimate &#8220;declaration of independence&#8221; from God. Sin stops us enjoying the relationship with God for which we were created. The consequence of sin is death and separation from God&#8217;s blessing [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/im-new\/what-we-believe\/","og_site_name":"Trinity Church Mount Barker","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/trinitychurchmountbarker\/","article_modified_time":"2024-03-21T10:13:47+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"20 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/im-new\/what-we-believe\/","url":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/im-new\/what-we-believe\/","name":"What We Believe | Trinity Church Mount Barker","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/#website"},"datePublished":"2020-06-15T22:24:46+00:00","dateModified":"2024-03-21T10:13:47+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/im-new\/what-we-believe\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-AU","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/im-new\/what-we-believe\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/im-new\/what-we-believe\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"I&#8217;m New","item":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/im-new\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What We Believe"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/","name":"Trinity Church Mount Barker","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-AU"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/#organization","name":"Trinity Church Mount Barker","url":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/google-profile-picture-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/google-profile-picture-scaled.jpg","width":2560,"height":2560,"caption":"Trinity Church Mount Barker"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/trinitychurchmountbarker\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCnx-sKeb2lM1NWqEq6ZN2eQ"]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/918","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=918"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/918\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2653,"href":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/918\/revisions\/2653"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/899"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.trinity.org.au\/mountbarker\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=918"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}