The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

Original Text of Resolution:

(C047)

Whereas, The New Testament reaffirms that "all Scripture is inspired by God" (II Tim. 3:16), that Jesus affirms the Scriptures bear witness of Him (John 5:30, Luke 24:27), and that no prophecy ever came of the impulse of man, but men moved of the Holy Spirit spoke of God," (II Peter 1:20); and

Whereas, The Episcopal Church historically affirms "the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as the revealed Word of God;" and

Whereas, Article XX of the Articles of Religion affirms that "it is not lawful for the Church to ordain anything that is contrary to God's word written"; and

Whereas, The Catechism of the Church affirms the Holy Scriptures are called the Word of God because God inspired their human authors and because God still speaks to us through the Bible; and

Whereas, The Collect for the Sunday closest to November 16th affirms that God "caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning"; and

Whereas, Those ordained to Holy Orders do solemnly declare that they do "believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the Word of God and contain all things necessary to salvation"; therefore be it

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That we hold to the characteristic appeal of Anglicanism to Scripture as interpreted by the Church's tradition, and applied with reason.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

Delete the word "characteristic" and add the word "historic."

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #116)