What We Believe -- http://oldstpeters.org/What_We

This statement of faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. The bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. For purposes of The Diocese of The Holy Trinity's faith, doctrine, practice, policy and discipline our head minister, the bishop of The Diocese of The Holy Trinity, is the diocese' final interpretive authority on the Bible's meaning and application. Furthermore Old St. Peter's Church affirms the principles of the ancient Catholic Church, which we believe to be the fulfillment of Christian Faith and Order that we have received from Jesus Christ and His Apostles. These principles are true "Matters of Faith", incapable of being changed, compromised or ignored by the stewards and ministers of the Church, and they must be upheld for the common and equal benefit of all the faithful. We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament contain all things necessary to salvation, and are the ultimate rule and standard of faith. We acknowledge the Nicene and Apostle's Creeds as definitive statements of the Christian faith. We emphasize the necessity of the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion, and we unfailingly use the words and elements which our Lord ordained. We support and maintain the Historic Episcopate and Apostolic Succession of our ministers.

Regarding sexuality issues - life would be made easier if the Bible did not say things like adultery (married but having sex with someone else), fornication (sex outside of marriage), homosexuality (sex between two men or two women), etc., were a sin but it does. We wish we could say "no problem, as long as it is consensual and monogamous then it is ok" but we can't because of what the Bible says. It really boils down to the fact that nowhere in the Bible do we see that those are approved lifestyles - they are always sin. We use the Bible to guide our understanding of what God wants of us and so we are constrained by Holy Scripture (which we believe to be the inspired word of God) to accept this hard teaching in this life and hope to understand more fully in the next life.

Regarding Women's Ordination: we have had a woman priest, but do not at present. We believe what Paul said in Gal 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." This is why we also believe that God is pleased every time a woman minister baptizes a soul or gives Holy Communion to the dying. One of the small related issues is "what do you call a woman priest?" Like other professional titles such as doctor or lawyer (which at one time only referred to men) we just call them priest, reverend, minister, pastor, etc. We hope and pray that makes sense to you - dear child of God.

All of the traditional values and doctrines which have made the Christian Church the great witness of our Lord's teachings are alive and well, and we invite you to join us as we celebrate Jesus Christ in the Sacraments and proclaim His message of salvation!