We should all know the answers to these questions. Check out Bryan Owen's great post on this issue at his blog, "Creedal Christian"
Even though the current Book of Common Prayer has been in use for thirty two years, one occasionally still hears Episcopalians talk about confirmation as the way to "join the church." For example, I recently came across this statement on a parish website:
"Confirmation is also the official vehicle by which a person joins the Episcopal Church."
In light of 1979 Prayer Book's theology of baptism, this is not an accurate statement. Note, for instance, this sentence at the top of page 298 (emphasis added):
"Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body the Church."
"Full initiation" means that nothing else is required for membership. A valid baptism is sufficient.
No comments:
Post a Comment