CANON LAWS FOR THE OLD CATHOLIC SPIRIT FILLED CHURCH WORLDWIDE:

1. These Canon Laws are based on the governance in the Old Catholic Tradition.  They are based on the Principles in the Word of God, the Bible, and on what the Church has practiced in Apostolic Succession down through the ages.

• These Canon Laws are based on Theological understandings and not on any worldly law or interpretation.  They are to be guided in the sight of Church authority under the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  

• These laws are based on two Theological understandings, one of which is Accommodation. Which in Theology states that God has made His ability to be known finitely. This means that some things are A Priori- Not based on experience, but on things told, and A Priori based on experience.  So, since we are finite, we cannot experience everything, but we can be told things that are not yet experienced in human form.  Like in Job chapter 38 when God is telling Job about His creation, Job has not experienced some things in natural law like the store houses of the hail, where God placed them, and how far they can go and no further (Job 38:22).  This then shows us that Cannon law here is based on things experienced and not experienced, based on the knowledge we get from God.  

• Therefore, these Canon laws are based on relationships and Biblical, Church Traditions passed down, and liturgy. Canon laws here are more than words on paper; they are guidelines to help the church as it is in the act of faith.  

• We are a Denomination based on Theological and Religious values about the Christian Foundation.  Rooted explicitly in the Old Catholic and Charismatic traditions.  In Apostolic Tradition.  As a Sacramental movement.  We believe the Word of God is divinely inspired, so it has infinite markings, while the issues of the day are for a time and are finite. So we focus on spiritual things and helping people.  Also, the same with God, who gives wisdom: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit trumps human beings' knowledge in the final say if things are in contradiction with things of the day.  

• We believe the Old Catholic in form and original thought was Theocratic in understanding, worships the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is in the Word, and in Tradition recorded down over centuries of foundation by the church.  

 

2. The Structure of Governance of the Old Catholic Spirit-Filled Church Worldwide.

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• We believe that the Church was started with a command from Jesus that Peter was the rock on which He was to build His church.  We believe that Jesus, being the rock or foundation, is the head of it.  So, whatever way one looks at it, both play a part.  We are in Apostolic Succession from that time to now, and our Bishop is ordained, going back through many lines to the Apostle Peter.  Is that line shaken and stuff, of course, like any church, but it's shown as a strong succession from Apostle Peter to now.  The strongest line for us is in Utrecht, Holland.  

• We believe that the Bible talks about the offices of Deacon, Priest, and Bishop.  It states that all these offices have a role.  The most disputed aspect is the Priesthood, which is instituted as Jesus shows His disciples, including apostle Peter, that the office of Priest was to be instituted so that the Eucharist would be remembered till at the great Banquet Feast in Heaven, He would lead the Eucharist again.  That the Sacraments also followed, including taking a towel and bowl and showing them how to wash feet and serve. We believe this is different from the role of a Pastor, but the Priest still performs Pastoral duties. We believe in the five-fold ministries and all the gifts.  Yet the order of the church is founded on a Bishop/Apostolic-led structure of Apostolic Succession.  

• Anyone wanting to come into formal ministry orders needs to know that there is an application process of discernment and physical documents required.   In Acts 1:26 and Acts 10:13, we see a process of discernment regarding doctrine and how things move forward, so the candidates will see how they fit with the denomination. In Acts 10, what they decided is still in place today, so we believe time has tested this method.  So a community will look at the documents and the candidate coming in. This serves as the council of witnesses, as in Proverbs 19:20-21. 

• Following the order of that discipline is conducted in the community of the church, and if not decided, can be passed on to go to a council of Bishops or hierarchy of the denomination. 

• We are a by-vocational Denomination and are not paid. Volunteer. Some may do other ministry things, but it's a labour of love and care for God and people.   

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      3. Connecting with other churches and relationships.  

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• We are connecting with other denominations all the time, and our conduct is to be ordered and kind and loving, as we represent Christ. We endeavour to leave the community with the Gospel.   

• We are professional.  We love others, but as we are not a Social Gospel denomination, the Biblical way and the Gospel come first.  We believe that the Holy Spirit, Father, and Jesus lead us out of our relationship. We lead out of this example, as with them we lead.  We are blessed as a church to serve in ministry, which can be hard work, in different areas.  Bless you.