Anglican Catechism

The Anglican Catechism is described in the Book of Common Prayer as "an instruction to be learned by every person before he be brought to the confirmed by the Bishop." Whereas the 39 Articles focus on how the Anglican Church differs from the Roman Church, the Catechism provides a more comprehensive statement of faith for Anglicans as well as a guide to faithful living.

The Baptismal Covenant

  • "...renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, and all the sinful desires of the flesh."
  • "...believe and confess the Christian Faith."
  • "...keep God's holy Will and Commandments and walk in the same all the days of my life."

The Christian Faith

  • Text of the Apostles' Creed

  • Q: "What do you chiefly learn in these Articles of your Belief?"

    • A: "I learn to have faith in the one true God: in God the Father, who made me and all the world; in God the Son, who redeemed me and all mankind; and in God the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies me and all the people of God."

The Commandments

  • Text of the Ten Commandments

  • Q: "What is your duty towards God?"

    • A: "To believe in him, to fear him, and to love him, with all my heart, with all my mind, with all my soul, and with all my strength: To worship him, to give him thanks, to put my whole trust in him, to pray to him: To honour his holy Name and his Word: And to serve him truly all the days of my life."

Prayer

  • Text of the Lord's Prayer

Sacraments

  • Christ has ordained two Sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion.

  • Q: "What do you mean by this word Sacrament?"

    • A: "An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, given to us by Christ himself, as a means whereby we receive this grace, and a pledge to assure us thereof."

  • Discussion of Infant Baptism

  • Discussion of Communion

The Church

  • Discussion of what is the Church and why it is one church, catholic, and apostolic.
  • Discussion of the work of the Church
  • Discussion of roles of ordained and lay members of the Church
  • Statement on the authority of Scripture and a Christian's obligation to read it, study it, and to know Jesus who is the Word in all its fulness
  • Statement that God calls all Christians to "follow Christ and bear witness to him; to fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life."

Rule of Life

"Every Christian man or woman should from time to time frame for himself a Rule of Life in accordance with the precepts of the Gospel and the faith and order of the Church; wherein he may consider the following:

  • The regularity of his attendance at public worship and especially at the holy Communion.
  • The practice of private prayer, Bible-reading, and self-discipline.
  • Bringing the teaching and example of Christ into his everyday life.
  • The boldness of his spoken witness to his faith in Christ.
  • His personal service to the Church and the community.
  • The offering of money according to his means for the support of the work of the Church at home and overseas."

External link to the Catechism online

  • [1] at the Prayer Book Society of Canada