About Church of the Holy Spirit~Anglican, Tulsa, Oklahoma

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The Church of the Holy Spirit, Anglican may be best described as a “Three Streams, One River” church. Over 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.

Bishop Newbigin's Three Stream concept is derived from Psalm 46:4: “There is a river whose streams make glad the city (people) of God.” Its water brings God's people into joy and wholeness—a reality that Ezekiel saw in his vision (Ezekiel 47) where he observed that, growing beside the river of the water of life were trees whose leaves were for the healing of the nations. These three great streams have flowed continuously throughout the history of the Church.

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. Hence, we acknowledge, celebrate, and proclaim the centrality of the cross of Christ, his atoning death as a substitution for us, and the truth of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone. 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.” (Catechetical Lectures 5: 12). Our church also emphasizes the role of the sacraments, especially those of Baptism and Holy Eucharist, 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 up Him. In brief, the Holy Spirit enables us to hear His voice, to walk our talk, and faithfully to abide in His love. Along with many other churches and theologians, we believe that these three great streams ought not to be separated, but rather owned and practiced by all Christians everywhere.

So what sort of church is Church of the Holy Spirit Anglican? We are a classical Christian congregation firmly established within the Anglican tradition. That is, we recognize and celebrate the great streams of authority that God has provided us in both our Catholic and evangelical traditions. We are committed to the Spirit's call for Christian holiness and recognize that genuine holiness is rooted not in our ability to be perfect but rather is firmly centered in God's perfect love. We seek then to play a useful role as part of God's mighty river, reaching out to everyone we encounter with the promise that God loves them and seeks to enter into a loving relationship with them.

No matter where you have been, no matter who you are, you can come home to the Father with the Christians at Church of the Holy Spirit Anglican.

Read our Anglican FAQ for more information.