The Celtic Anabaptist Communion Statement of Principles
The Celtic Anabaptist Communion puts forth the
following Statement of Principles to help the world
understand who we are:
The CAC affirms that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that He is the only Head of the Church.
The Celtic Anabaptist Communion adheres to the Apostles Creed as a general statement of Christian faith.
The CAC is neither Roman Catholic nor Protestant but rather we adhere to a "third way" -- that of the Anabaptists, Quakers or Friends, General Baptists, and the ancient Celtic Church.
The CAC prefers the doctrine of the atonement, or reconciliation, taught by the church for the first one thousand years and summed up in the "classic" view, also called "Christus Victor." Later theories such as the satisfaction theory of Anselm and the penal substitution theory of the Magisterial Reformers are a deviation from the early church and are actually harmful.
The CAC does not believe that God requires blood sacrifice in order to forgive sins, appease His anger, or place humans in right relationship with Him. The Old Testament prophets declared that God desires mercy, not sacrifice, and Jesus reaffirmed this by His own words.
The CAC seeks to walk a middle way between legalism and license, and between fundamentalism and liberalism.
The CAC disavows extremes of the right and left with their resultant intolerance, meanspiritedness, bigotry, narrow-mindedness, and rejection of other genuine Christians.
The CAC recognizes a kinship with certain aspects of Anglican, Wesleyan, and Eastern Christian spirituality.
The CAC reaches out in fellowship to Christians of different traditions and backgrounds and will seek intercommunion agreements with other jurisdictions.
The CAC believes in all the gifts of the Spirit, while not holding to a Pentecostal or Charismatic interpretation of them.
We believe that the Spirit "blows where it wills," not where man wills that it should blow!
The CAC believes in religious liberty and freedom of conscience in doctrinal matters. We affirm the four Baptist freedoms: soul freedom, church freedom, Bible freedom, and religious freedom. We also strongly believe in the freedom of the will as an inherent gift of God.
With John Wesley, the CAC affirms that, "...as to all opinions which do not strike at the root of Christianity, we think and let think." Also, "if your heart is with my heart, give me your hand."
The CAC affirms the Quaker, Wesleyan, and Arminian Baptist view of John 1:9.
The CAC believes in separation of church and state.
We do not endorse any form of New Age philosophy, "re-imaging," neo-paganism, goddess-worship, etc.; we are not an "anything goes" Communion. We are opposed to syncretistic Christianity.
The CAC allows ordination of women to all levels of ministry. Each minister and local congregation has freedom of conscience in this.
We do not discriminate against divorced and/or remarried people.
We disavow all forms of hatred and discrimination.
The CAC affirms marriage as a lifelong, monogamous commitment. From the beginning, God's purpose, design, and perfect will was for the lifelong union of a man and a woman. At different times, God allowed otherwise. The CAC grants it members and ministers liberty of conscience regarding beliefs about marriage and relationships.
We believe in the communion of saints and the "great cloud of witnesses."
We believe in the stewardship of the earth.
The CAC affirms the teaching of Romans Chapter 8, verses 18-23, that the creation was, is, and will be redeemed and renewed, along with us, by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The CAC believes that Jesus Christ did truly rise again from death; we affirm His physical, bodily resurrection as the central doctrine of the Christian faith. This is what distinguishes Christianity from all other religions.
The CAC affirms the teaching of Romans Chapter 2, Titus 2:11, and other verses, that God Who is infinitely just, merciful, and loving provides a way of salvation for those who have never heard of Christ, basing their judgment on the use they make of the light they have -- God having bestowed a measure of His Light on everyone, according to John 1:9.
The Celtic Anabaptist Communion affirms the fact that the word translated "eternal" in relation to hell in the New Testament does not mean eternal in the original languages, but rather means an "eon," or "age," -- a long, indefinite period of time. Consequently, the CAC does not affirm an unconditional universalism, an unconditional eternal hell, nor annihilationism. The CAC thus allows for freedom of conscience on details of the afterlife.
The CAC disavows abortion as a means of birth control. We believe there will be an accounting for the slaughter of 60 million-plus innocents.
The CAC holds to a consistent pro-life ethic. We are opposed to the death penalty, and we believe war is only justifiable as a means of self-defense. We do allow for conscience objection to military service, but we also allow military service for those whose consciences do not hinder them. Freedom of conscience is thus granted in these areas. We recognize that not everyone will agree about the death penalty and war. Still, we as a Communion will always side with life over death.
The Celtic Anabaptist Communion holds to the doctrine of the priesthood of every believer, and thus we believe that any Christian may administer/consecrate the sacraments or ordinances. The Lord's Supper is open to all Christians.
The CAC affirms believer's baptism. Immersion most perfectly pictures what happens in the new birth given by Jesus and the Spirit -- death to the old self, burial, and resurrection to new life, a victory over spiritual and physical death. It is the Easter message in sign and portrayal. Immersion is therefore the preferred method, where it can be had. Otherwise, pouring may be used. Freedom of conscience is allowed on the belief and practice of baptism, including the proper subjects thereof.
The CAC holds that the outward sacraments are not required for salvation, or for membership in the Body of Christ.
God alone is holy; therefore, the CAC does not believe in using artificial titles. To God alone be the glory!
The Celtic Anabaptist Communion does not require re-ordination of ordained clergy affiliating from other Christian denominations.
The CAC allows its members dual affiliation with other Christian denominations/fellowships/communions.
The CAC allows local groups of believers to ordain their own ministers, with or without the presence and participation of ordained clergy.
The Celtic Anabaptist Communion believes in the autonomy of the local church. The local church can own its property; it can call and ordain its ministers; and any financial giving beyond the local church is strictly voluntary.
Affiliation/membership with the CAC by individuals and congregations is voluntary. However, those who find themselves in opposition to our Principles automatically disassociate themselves from the CAC by such opposition. That way, integrity of the Communion as well as individual and congregational integrity is preserved.
The CAC does not hold to the 5 Points of Calvinism. Freedom of conscience is allowed.
The CAC affirms that the Bible is absolutely true and trustworthy and is the written word of God which bears witness to the Living Word of God, Jesus Christ. We prefer to reserve such terms as "inerrant" and "infallible" to God alone, lest the Bible should be made an idol by some.
The CAC, unlike many Protestant communions, but in accord with Anglicanism and Methodism, holds that reason, tradition, and experience are also sources of authority for the church, but that these are secondary to the Spirit and the Bible.
The CAC holds to traditional Christian moral and ethical values. Such values will never be subject to any kind of vote by CAC members/clergy. These issues will never be determined by majority opinion as in most mainline denominations. Ageless truths cannot be altered by whims of popular culture. Furthermore, any CAC minister proven to be engaging in immoral and unethical practices is subject to the immediate revoking of their ministerial credentials.
Unlike many other denominations, the CAC does not insist on mandatory tithing. In Matthew 10:8, Jesus said, "...Freely you have received, freely give."
In meaning and intent, the CAC Statement of Principles cannot be changed, and they cannot be voted upon.
The name of this Ministry and this Communion is protected by Service Mark. Thus, these names and the content on this website may not be used without written permission.
The Celtic Anabaptist Communion puts forth the
following Statement of Principles to help the world
understand who we are:
The CAC affirms that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that He is the only Head of the Church.
The Celtic Anabaptist Communion adheres to the Apostles Creed as a general statement of Christian faith.
The CAC is neither Roman Catholic nor Protestant but rather we adhere to a "third way" -- that of the Anabaptists, Quakers or Friends, General Baptists, and the ancient Celtic Church.
The CAC prefers the doctrine of the atonement, or reconciliation, taught by the church for the first one thousand years and summed up in the "classic" view, also called "Christus Victor." Later theories such as the satisfaction theory of Anselm and the penal substitution theory of the Magisterial Reformers are a deviation from the early church and are actually harmful.
The CAC does not believe that God requires blood sacrifice in order to forgive sins, appease His anger, or place humans in right relationship with Him. The Old Testament prophets declared that God desires mercy, not sacrifice, and Jesus reaffirmed this by His own words.
The CAC seeks to walk a middle way between legalism and license, and between fundamentalism and liberalism.
The CAC disavows extremes of the right and left with their resultant intolerance, meanspiritedness, bigotry, narrow-mindedness, and rejection of other genuine Christians.
The CAC recognizes a kinship with certain aspects of Anglican, Wesleyan, and Eastern Christian spirituality.
The CAC reaches out in fellowship to Christians of different traditions and backgrounds and will seek intercommunion agreements with other jurisdictions.
The CAC believes in all the gifts of the Spirit, while not holding to a Pentecostal or Charismatic interpretation of them.
We believe that the Spirit "blows where it wills," not where man wills that it should blow!
The CAC believes in religious liberty and freedom of conscience in doctrinal matters. We affirm the four Baptist freedoms: soul freedom, church freedom, Bible freedom, and religious freedom. We also strongly believe in the freedom of the will as an inherent gift of God.
With John Wesley, the CAC affirms that, "...as to all opinions which do not strike at the root of Christianity, we think and let think." Also, "if your heart is with my heart, give me your hand."
The CAC affirms the Quaker, Wesleyan, and Arminian Baptist view of John 1:9.
The CAC believes in separation of church and state.
We do not endorse any form of New Age philosophy, "re-imaging," neo-paganism, goddess-worship, etc.; we are not an "anything goes" Communion. We are opposed to syncretistic Christianity.
The CAC allows ordination of women to all levels of ministry. Each minister and local congregation has freedom of conscience in this.
We do not discriminate against divorced and/or remarried people.
We disavow all forms of hatred and discrimination.
The CAC affirms marriage as a lifelong, monogamous commitment. From the beginning, God's purpose, design, and perfect will was for the lifelong union of a man and a woman. At different times, God allowed otherwise. The CAC grants it members and ministers liberty of conscience regarding beliefs about marriage and relationships.
We believe in the communion of saints and the "great cloud of witnesses."
We believe in the stewardship of the earth.
The CAC affirms the teaching of Romans Chapter 8, verses 18-23, that the creation was, is, and will be redeemed and renewed, along with us, by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The CAC believes that Jesus Christ did truly rise again from death; we affirm His physical, bodily resurrection as the central doctrine of the Christian faith. This is what distinguishes Christianity from all other religions.
The CAC affirms the teaching of Romans Chapter 2, Titus 2:11, and other verses, that God Who is infinitely just, merciful, and loving provides a way of salvation for those who have never heard of Christ, basing their judgment on the use they make of the light they have -- God having bestowed a measure of His Light on everyone, according to John 1:9.
The Celtic Anabaptist Communion affirms the fact that the word translated "eternal" in relation to hell in the New Testament does not mean eternal in the original languages, but rather means an "eon," or "age," -- a long, indefinite period of time. Consequently, the CAC does not affirm an unconditional universalism, an unconditional eternal hell, nor annihilationism. The CAC thus allows for freedom of conscience on details of the afterlife.
The CAC disavows abortion as a means of birth control. We believe there will be an accounting for the slaughter of 60 million-plus innocents.
The CAC holds to a consistent pro-life ethic. We are opposed to the death penalty, and we believe war is only justifiable as a means of self-defense. We do allow for conscience objection to military service, but we also allow military service for those whose consciences do not hinder them. Freedom of conscience is thus granted in these areas. We recognize that not everyone will agree about the death penalty and war. Still, we as a Communion will always side with life over death.
The Celtic Anabaptist Communion holds to the doctrine of the priesthood of every believer, and thus we believe that any Christian may administer/consecrate the sacraments or ordinances. The Lord's Supper is open to all Christians.
The CAC affirms believer's baptism. Immersion most perfectly pictures what happens in the new birth given by Jesus and the Spirit -- death to the old self, burial, and resurrection to new life, a victory over spiritual and physical death. It is the Easter message in sign and portrayal. Immersion is therefore the preferred method, where it can be had. Otherwise, pouring may be used. Freedom of conscience is allowed on the belief and practice of baptism, including the proper subjects thereof.
The CAC holds that the outward sacraments are not required for salvation, or for membership in the Body of Christ.
God alone is holy; therefore, the CAC does not believe in using artificial titles. To God alone be the glory!
The Celtic Anabaptist Communion does not require re-ordination of ordained clergy affiliating from other Christian denominations.
The CAC allows its members dual affiliation with other Christian denominations/fellowships/communions.
The CAC allows local groups of believers to ordain their own ministers, with or without the presence and participation of ordained clergy.
The Celtic Anabaptist Communion believes in the autonomy of the local church. The local church can own its property; it can call and ordain its ministers; and any financial giving beyond the local church is strictly voluntary.
Affiliation/membership with the CAC by individuals and congregations is voluntary. However, those who find themselves in opposition to our Principles automatically disassociate themselves from the CAC by such opposition. That way, integrity of the Communion as well as individual and congregational integrity is preserved.
The CAC does not hold to the 5 Points of Calvinism. Freedom of conscience is allowed.
The CAC affirms that the Bible is absolutely true and trustworthy and is the written word of God which bears witness to the Living Word of God, Jesus Christ. We prefer to reserve such terms as "inerrant" and "infallible" to God alone, lest the Bible should be made an idol by some.
The CAC, unlike many Protestant communions, but in accord with Anglicanism and Methodism, holds that reason, tradition, and experience are also sources of authority for the church, but that these are secondary to the Spirit and the Bible.
The CAC holds to traditional Christian moral and ethical values. Such values will never be subject to any kind of vote by CAC members/clergy. These issues will never be determined by majority opinion as in most mainline denominations. Ageless truths cannot be altered by whims of popular culture. Furthermore, any CAC minister proven to be engaging in immoral and unethical practices is subject to the immediate revoking of their ministerial credentials.
Unlike many other denominations, the CAC does not insist on mandatory tithing. In Matthew 10:8, Jesus said, "...Freely you have received, freely give."
In meaning and intent, the CAC Statement of Principles cannot be changed, and they cannot be voted upon.
The name of this Ministry and this Communion is protected by Service Mark. Thus, these names and the content on this website may not be used without written permission.
Celtic Anabaptist Ministries