,
I. Within the Apostolic Celtic Free Church (AFCC), we affirm our belief in the ancient Symbol of Faith, known as the Nicene Creed, without the "filioque" clause, reflecting the rich Celtic Expression of Faith.
We believe in One God, the Father, Almighty Creator of Heaven and Earth, and of all that is seen and unseen. We also profess our faith in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father: God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God. Begotten not made, one in being with the Father, through whom all things were made. For us and for our salvation, He came down from heaven. By the Power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake, He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day, He rose again, in fulfillment of the scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He shall come again in Glory to judge the living and the dead, and His Kingdom there shall be no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father. With the Father and the Son, He is worshipped and glorified; He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, we acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and we look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.
AFCC also embraces the other ancient statements of faith, such as the, Saint Patrick Breastplate, Apostles' and Athanasian Creeds, as equally valid and useful.
II. AFCC declares its belief in the Revelation of God and God's Son, Jesus Christ, found in the Canonical Scriptures (i.e., the Bible), while drawing upon the insights and spiritual depth of the Celtic Christian tradition. This Revelation is inerrant in matters of faith.
III. AFCC declares its belief in the Seven Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick as signs of the Lord Jesus' continuing Presence and action in His Church, deeply rooted in the Celtic understanding of the sacredness of creation and the interconnectedness of all things.
IV. AFCC declares its belief in the actual, real, and true Presence of the Lord Jesus Christ; body, blood, soul, and Divinity; in each and every portion of the Eucharistic Elements of bread and wine; from the moment of their consecration in the Liturgy until the moment of their dissolution. AFCC does not identify the process by which this miracle transpires, as the Lord Jesus has not seen fit to reveal a mechanism. AFCC simply accepts that it is true, on His Word, drawing upon the mystery and reverence inherent in Celtic spirituality.
V. AFCC declares its belief in the normative decrees of the Seven Ecumenical Councils of the undivided Church: the Council of Nicea in 325 AD, Constantinople in 381 AD, Ephesus in 431 AD, Chalcedon 451 AD, Constantinople II in 553 AD, Constantinople III in 680-81 AD, and ending with Nicea II in 787 AD, while honoring the contributions of Celtic theologians and mystics throughout history.
VI. AFCC declares its belief in the Sacred Traditions of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, enriched by the spiritual practices and insights of the Celtic Christian tradition, which emphasize the immanence of God in all creation and the importance of hospitality, community, and pilgrimage.
VII. AFCC, in accord with Sacred Tradition, declares its belief that the bishops of the Church are each Successors to the Apostles and hold the teaching authority granted to the Apostles by Jesus Christ, embodying the Celtic values of shared leadership, humility, and service.
VIII. AFCC declares its belief that Matters of the Faith may be defined for the Church only in the presence of a moral consensus of all bishops and that, to be considered normative for the Church, a teaching proposed by the bishops in a matter of the Faith must also be Received by a moral consensus of the People of God (sensum fidei), echoing the communal decision-making processes of ancient Celtic Christianity.
IX. AFCC declares its belief that Apostolic Succession, vested in the bishops, and passed on by them in the Sacrament of Holy Orders, is necessary for the licit and efficacious celebration of the Sacraments, echoing the importance placed on lineage and continuity in the Celtic tradition.
X. AFCC declares its belief that it is called by Jesus Christ to preach the Good News of His life, death, and resurrection; and to extend His Sacraments to all who appropriately and reverently seek them, embracing the Celtic emphasis on hospitality, inclusivity, and the proclamation of God's love for all creation.
XI. AFCC declares and affirms its evangelical commitment and charismatic identity, grounded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the enduring presence of the Holy Spirit in contemporary society. AFCC also embraces the sacramental commitment, reflecting the liturgical traditions of the historic Catholic and Apostolic Church, honoring its creeds, sacraments, and apostolic succession.
I. Within the Apostolic Celtic Free Church (AFCC), we affirm our belief in the ancient Symbol of Faith, known as the Nicene Creed, without the "filioque" clause, reflecting the rich Celtic Expression of Faith.
We believe in One God, the Father, Almighty Creator of Heaven and Earth, and of all that is seen and unseen. We also profess our faith in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father: God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God. Begotten not made, one in being with the Father, through whom all things were made. For us and for our salvation, He came down from heaven. By the Power of the Holy Spirit, He was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake, He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day, He rose again, in fulfillment of the scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He shall come again in Glory to judge the living and the dead, and His Kingdom there shall be no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father. With the Father and the Son, He is worshipped and glorified; He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, we acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and we look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.
AFCC also embraces the other ancient statements of faith, such as the, Saint Patrick Breastplate, Apostles' and Athanasian Creeds, as equally valid and useful.
II. AFCC declares its belief in the Revelation of God and God's Son, Jesus Christ, found in the Canonical Scriptures (i.e., the Bible), while drawing upon the insights and spiritual depth of the Celtic Christian tradition. This Revelation is inerrant in matters of faith.
III. AFCC declares its belief in the Seven Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Matrimony, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick as signs of the Lord Jesus' continuing Presence and action in His Church, deeply rooted in the Celtic understanding of the sacredness of creation and the interconnectedness of all things.
IV. AFCC declares its belief in the actual, real, and true Presence of the Lord Jesus Christ; body, blood, soul, and Divinity; in each and every portion of the Eucharistic Elements of bread and wine; from the moment of their consecration in the Liturgy until the moment of their dissolution. AFCC does not identify the process by which this miracle transpires, as the Lord Jesus has not seen fit to reveal a mechanism. AFCC simply accepts that it is true, on His Word, drawing upon the mystery and reverence inherent in Celtic spirituality.
V. AFCC declares its belief in the normative decrees of the Seven Ecumenical Councils of the undivided Church: the Council of Nicea in 325 AD, Constantinople in 381 AD, Ephesus in 431 AD, Chalcedon 451 AD, Constantinople II in 553 AD, Constantinople III in 680-81 AD, and ending with Nicea II in 787 AD, while honoring the contributions of Celtic theologians and mystics throughout history.
VI. AFCC declares its belief in the Sacred Traditions of the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, enriched by the spiritual practices and insights of the Celtic Christian tradition, which emphasize the immanence of God in all creation and the importance of hospitality, community, and pilgrimage.
VII. AFCC, in accord with Sacred Tradition, declares its belief that the bishops of the Church are each Successors to the Apostles and hold the teaching authority granted to the Apostles by Jesus Christ, embodying the Celtic values of shared leadership, humility, and service.
VIII. AFCC declares its belief that Matters of the Faith may be defined for the Church only in the presence of a moral consensus of all bishops and that, to be considered normative for the Church, a teaching proposed by the bishops in a matter of the Faith must also be Received by a moral consensus of the People of God (sensum fidei), echoing the communal decision-making processes of ancient Celtic Christianity.
IX. AFCC declares its belief that Apostolic Succession, vested in the bishops, and passed on by them in the Sacrament of Holy Orders, is necessary for the licit and efficacious celebration of the Sacraments, echoing the importance placed on lineage and continuity in the Celtic tradition.
X. AFCC declares its belief that it is called by Jesus Christ to preach the Good News of His life, death, and resurrection; and to extend His Sacraments to all who appropriately and reverently seek them, embracing the Celtic emphasis on hospitality, inclusivity, and the proclamation of God's love for all creation.
XI. AFCC declares and affirms its evangelical commitment and charismatic identity, grounded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the enduring presence of the Holy Spirit in contemporary society. AFCC also embraces the sacramental commitment, reflecting the liturgical traditions of the historic Catholic and Apostolic Church, honoring its creeds, sacraments, and apostolic succession.