We Believe…  

You may be wondering about our core theological convictions at Church of the Holy Spirit Anglican (CHSA). Perhaps ours may be best described as a “Three Streams, One River” church. More than half a century ago, missionary bishop to the Church in South India, Lesslie Newbigin, first articulated the “three streams” concept.

In his book The Household of God, he described three theological streams within the New Testament church that unite to form one powerful river. He described the three streams as the Evangelical or Biblical, the Catholic, and the Pentecostal. These three great streams have flowed continuously throughout the history of the Church. The streams include:

1. The Biblical stream.
Our church recognizes and profoundly respects the supreme authority of Holy Scripture as the abundantly sufficient rule in faith and life. We acknowledge the particularity of Jesus Christ as the only means by which humankind may find salvation. We also honor the Bible's devotional, missionary, and evangelistic imperatives.

 2. The Catholic-Sacramental stream.
The Church of the Holy Spirit declares its allegiance to “the one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic” faith. We are of one mind with fourth-century Christian Father Cyril of Jerusalem, who taught that “in learning the faith and in professing it, acquire and keep that only, which is now delivered to you by the Church, and which has been built up strongly out of all the Scriptures.”  Our church also emphasizes the role of the sacraments and the traditional orders of ordained ministry, in mediating the grace of God.

3. The Pentecostal stream.
Rooted within a strong Biblical and Apostolic tradition, this stream honors the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer and in the church corporate. It underscores the role of every believer as a minister who serves with one or more spiritual gifts to be used for the building up of the church. It challenges and then empowers us to live holy lives, set apart for God's service and dependent upon Him.