EVERYONE is welcome here!
Archbishop Stafford
To all the faithful in Jesus Christ,
Peace.
The Church is the “Body of Christ” (1 Cor. 12:27) and the parishes of the Diocese of the Holy Spirit are part of that one Church.
In the New Testament, every local congregation is called a church (1 Cor.1:2, Gal. 1:2, Col. 1:2, Eph. 1:1). In this sense, there are many churches. The distinguishing feature of a true church of Christ is not the submission to the Bishop of Rome or any other human authority, but faithfulness to the teaching of Christ and love for each other (John 8:31; John 13:35).
The various churches we read about in the New Testament, even though they were different in character and emphasis, recognized each other as members of the same one true church of Jesus Christ. They were genuinely catholic and universal in their outlook.
Tragically, many people mistake the Roman Catholic Church for the one true church of Jesus Christ. In Christian theology, the word "catholic" describes the entire church of Jesus Christ. The word "catholic" simple means "universal". All God's people from every nation and in every era, all who are redeemed by the blood of Jesus, together form the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church (Gal. 3:28, Acts 2:42). One denomination cannot be regarded as the exclusive Church of Jesus Christ. Other churches are valid manifestations of His Church, despite the differences in some doctrines and practices.
In the Diocese of the Holy Spirit, we embrace all Christians as dear brothers and sisters in Christ, despite the different denominational labels. We refuse to be compelled to look at the church from such a narrow and sectarian perspective that would force us to exclude ".... all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ-their Lord and ours" (1 Corinthians 1:2). No denomination or local assembly is perfect in doctrine or practice. The reality is the church, God's family, is found in all the local assemblies of Christians that believe and love each other (see John 13:35).
The people of the Diocese of the Holy Spirit invite you to learn more about the One True Catholic Church as described in the pages of the Holy Bible. We are here to help you discover the faith delivered by Jesus to the Apostles and handed down to the whole world today. You are always welcome here, just as you are.
Your servant,
+Jack
Rt. Rev. Jack Stafford
Diocese of the Holy Spirit
www.holyspiritdiocese.com
Peace.
The Church is the “Body of Christ” (1 Cor. 12:27) and the parishes of the Diocese of the Holy Spirit are part of that one Church.
In the New Testament, every local congregation is called a church (1 Cor.1:2, Gal. 1:2, Col. 1:2, Eph. 1:1). In this sense, there are many churches. The distinguishing feature of a true church of Christ is not the submission to the Bishop of Rome or any other human authority, but faithfulness to the teaching of Christ and love for each other (John 8:31; John 13:35).
The various churches we read about in the New Testament, even though they were different in character and emphasis, recognized each other as members of the same one true church of Jesus Christ. They were genuinely catholic and universal in their outlook.
Tragically, many people mistake the Roman Catholic Church for the one true church of Jesus Christ. In Christian theology, the word "catholic" describes the entire church of Jesus Christ. The word "catholic" simple means "universal". All God's people from every nation and in every era, all who are redeemed by the blood of Jesus, together form the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church (Gal. 3:28, Acts 2:42). One denomination cannot be regarded as the exclusive Church of Jesus Christ. Other churches are valid manifestations of His Church, despite the differences in some doctrines and practices.
In the Diocese of the Holy Spirit, we embrace all Christians as dear brothers and sisters in Christ, despite the different denominational labels. We refuse to be compelled to look at the church from such a narrow and sectarian perspective that would force us to exclude ".... all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ-their Lord and ours" (1 Corinthians 1:2). No denomination or local assembly is perfect in doctrine or practice. The reality is the church, God's family, is found in all the local assemblies of Christians that believe and love each other (see John 13:35).
The people of the Diocese of the Holy Spirit invite you to learn more about the One True Catholic Church as described in the pages of the Holy Bible. We are here to help you discover the faith delivered by Jesus to the Apostles and handed down to the whole world today. You are always welcome here, just as you are.
Your servant,
+Jack
Rt. Rev. Jack Stafford
Diocese of the Holy Spirit
www.holyspiritdiocese.com