INTRODUCTION

ur membership is drawn from a far wider group of churches than the Ecumenical Movement. We agree on the main doctrinal beliefs, which differentiates us from many who have turned their backs on them. This Statement of Faith is of sound doctrine, and grounded in Holy Scripture.
The Authorized Version of the Bible

We believe in the Bible, the King James Version, (the Authorized Version) of the Bible, because we believe that it is the true word of God. The critics of this version of the Bible say that the language is archaic, and should be written so that it is easier to understand. This has been done but the only thing that the modern versions have achieved is a weakening of the Word of God.

This version (A.V.) remains very close to the original text, or received text, (TEXTUS RECEPTUS), which the translators agreed upon. We not only believe that the A.V. should be retained, but we continue to pray that it will again take its rightful place in all churches professing the Reformed Faith. One strength of the A.V. is in the beauty of the language. Although it is Shakespearean in construction, it contains this tremendous reverence for God. It also speaks with authority, which is essential in that, a believer or especially anyone reading it for the first time should know that it is God who is speaking to them. This is why we feel that language, and how it is used, is so very important to us.
 

THE SUPREMACY OF SCRIPTURE

ll scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16

We, as an Institution, believe, as the Reformers did, in the Supremacy of Holy Scripture. This was the cause of the Reformation. The reformers read their Bibles, and believed that what they read, with the help of the Holy Spirit, was the truth. Martin Luther, at the Diet of Worms, in 1521 said, "unless I am convinced by testimonies of scripture, or evident reason, for I believe neither the Pope, nor Councils alone, since it was established that they have erred and contradicted themselves. I am a prisoner of the Scriptures, cited by me and my conscience, and my conscience was taken captive by the Word of God"

The Holy Spirit is the only interpreter the Bible needs. As an Institution, we believe in an open Bible, in that it is for everyone to read. Those who read it will be prompted by the Holy Spirit to believe that Jesus died for sinners on the cross. Jesus himself said "search the scriptures, they are that, which testify of me.” We believe that all true Protestants, who believe that the scriptures are their sole rule of faith, are being faithful to God's purpose for all true believers. In today's Christian climate, many Protestants have turned their back on the supremacy of Holy Scripture. This is why we, as an Institution, continue to uphold the standard of the OPEN BIBLE, so that men and women will come to know that the Word of God is true, and that superstition and ignorance should for ever be eradicated.

JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH

eing justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:24

We believe that we are justified by faith, which relies on Christ Jesus alone for Salvation, which is clearly in the Gospels. John Bunyan received by Revelation, this justification by faith, when he felt this sentence fall on his soul, Thy righteousness is in heaven, and then he saw that his righteousness was Jesus Christ Himself, being justified by God. We are absolved from guilt and punishment of sin, through the imputation of Christ's righteousness. We are saved by GRACE, through FAITH.

The just shall live by faith.
Galatians 3:11

Other churches teach that Christ died for our sins, but that His sacrifice was not enough. They believe that we must have sufferings added to us, otherwise we cannot properly be saved. The end result of this philosophy is that people are trying to earn their salvation by good works, ritual and fasting. They ultimately discover that it's impossible to earn salvation in this manner.

Some denominations deny the complete sacrifice of Christ on the cross. They believe the events, which occurred on Calvary, must have additions, such as penance. Each time certain religious services are held, it is said that the bread and wine becomes the body and blood of Christ, bringing him down from the Cross each time. This is contrary to Holy Scripture.

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Hebrews 9:12

The desperate Jailer, in Acts 16, asked Paul, "What must I do to be saved?” Paul replied "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house". The Roman Catholic Church, at the Council of Trent in 1545 rejected completely what the reformers held to be true in justification by faith. They said that this doctrine was nothing but being confident in Divine Mercy, which set aside sins for Christ alone. This was a rejection that Christ suffered for us on the Cross. He took our sins and nailed them with him, on the Cross. Justification is an act of God's free grace, when He pardons all our sins and we are righteous in his sight. Christ's righteousness is imputed to us, which is received by faith alone. This is what was on the mind of Martin Luther when, as a monk on a pilgrimage to Rome, he was climbing the sacred stairway on his knees, one step at a time, trying to find peace with God.

The truth suddenly dawned upon him. "The Just shall live by faith." (Galatians 3:11). He got up to his feet, and walked down the steps. It was wrong that anyone could earn salvation by works. These thoughts began a process, which was to shake the world in the Reformation.

THE PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS

n the Old Testament, the priest was called by God to be His spokesman to the people. He was to explain His will, offer sacrifices for them, and to intercede for them with God. They inquired for the people concerning God's law. The council of Trent established that the priest is the minister of God, and that he who hears him hears God. He can forgive sins as God and that he has the power and authority of God. The Roman Catholic Church establishes the priest between the knowledge of God and the Christian believer, as it is revealed in Holy Scripture thus making him the only interpreter of truth. It puts the priest in a position between confession and forgiveness of sins. Even when a person is dying, he is there, between the person's soul and eternity, for the soul to enter into a place called purgatory, of which there is no mention in Holy Scripture. It does not exist. We have only one High Priest in the Reformed faith and that is Christ. It is only He who can claim this office, in that He offered Himself, once and for all, a sacrifice for sinful men, and so the way for fellowship between God and Man was established.

As the resurrected Lord, He intercedes for them, with the Father. Christ Jesus is the only mediator between God and Man. The word priest is applied to every true believer that is enabled to offer up spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praise to God, through Jesus Christ.

Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, but into heaven itself now to appear in the presence of God for us.
Hebrews 9:24

In effect, we become the Priests of God. This is the priesthood of all believers. This is the belief of Protestantism in regard to the doctrine of the priesthood.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.
1Peter 2:9

THE TRINITY

he Trinity, or Triune God, is an important doctrine we believe in. We use the word Trinity, meaning Father, Son and Holy Spirit

The Lord our God is one Lord.
Deuteronomy 6:4

In this one God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It can be very difficult to understand that the three can be as one. In a triangle there are three sides, each is equal, and essential to one another. Father, Son and Holy Spirit have different functions, but all are in the God-head or Triune God. In Genesis 1:26 God said "Let us make man in our image", also in Genesis 3:22 "Behold the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil." God is talking about more than one person, so it's important to see that the meaning is plural. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus said to the disciples, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and of the Holy Ghost". In our prayers, we pray to the Father through the Son, Jesus, who has told us to trust in the Holy Spirit. Our Lord Jesus was also there at the creation. The critics of the Christian faith are ever asking, Can the Trinity be explained? The only answer is "It is a wonderful mystery that only God can answer".

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.
Isaiah 55:8

The Trinitarian hymn says, "Glory to thee o God most high, Father we praise thy majesty, the Son the Spirit we adore, one Godhead blest for ever more".


The Church Of Jesus Christ
(Christ The Head)

We believe that the Church is a religious assembly, selected and called out of the world, by the doctrine of the Gospels. Christ is the Head of the Church, as the Son of God. The Father has given all things into His hands, thus, God is the Head of Christ as Mediator. His authority comes from God.

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Colossians 1:18

To rest also in the Holy Spirit that God has given to his people. The many gifts which fellowship of a church needs to grow and, as new opportunities arise, to forward the work of the Gospels. The place where the unsaved can be born again, and where Christ, through the Holy Spirit can reign and rule each life.

This is different from the Roman Catholic Church, which claims to be the only true church, but it places a man, the Pope, at its head and invests him with absolute power. It has developed ritualism and the mass. All who are its members depend for salvation on total obedience to the Church, where canon law rules. The priesthood is where the Roman Church is centered. There is a place in heaven promised, dominated by a place of torment, called purgatory. The Roman Catholic tries to shorten this suffering by his/her purchase of indulgences, and by doing works of penance. No evidence is to be found anywhere in the Bible to substantiate such claims. The Bible says all who are redeemed go straight to heaven.

For if we believe that Jesus died for our sins and rose again, even so they also which sleep in Jesus Christ, will God bring with him.
1Thessalonians 4:14

The first Anglican Bishop of Liverpool , J.C Ryle wrote. "There are many Churches' but in the New Testament only one true Church is recognized. This true Church is composed of all believers in the Lord Jesus. It is made up of God's elect, of all converted men and women, of all true Christians. It is a church of which all members are born again of the Holy Spirit. They all possess repentance towards God, faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, and holiness of life and conversation. They all draw their religion from the Bible".

THE ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT

e believe that the Ecumenical Movement is a threat to the Reformed faith, because it seeks to compromise doctrine. There is a Great War of words to water down what was established in the Reformation through such men as Luther, Calvin and Knox. In other words, the intention is clear; it is to establish one church, that is all the Protestant denominations, together with the Roman Catholic Church under one head, the Pope. The Roman church has not changed its unscriptural dogmas. They are, as their motto claims, Semper Eadem (always the same). We in the Loyal Orange Institution are not taken in by the smoke screen being set up by the Ecumenical Movement. We believe that if the unthinkable takes place, and the unscriptural alliance comes to pass, then those outside it will be persecuted. We see the Ecumenical Movement as a group which compromises truth and in itself will become a religion, but nothing like the Reformed faith which was established for us by the Reformers. Within the churches that are part of the Ecumenical movement, all criticism of the Roman Catholic Church has been silenced, because, all are told, to do so would be unchristian.

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