Introduction

On introducing this very important "Statement of Faith and Beliefs" of the Loyal Orange Institution of England, we believe that they are not only the mainstay of the Orange Institution, but of the Protestant Reformed faith. Our 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 a great many who have turned their backs on them. This Statement of Faith is of sound doctrine, and grounded in Holy Scripture.

The Authorised Version of the Bible

We believe in the Bible, the King James (Authorised 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, all the modern versions have achieved is a weakening of the Word Of God.

This version (A.V) keeps 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.

A strength of the A.V. is in the beauty of the language. Although it is Shakespearian 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.

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 being taken captive by the Word of God"

2 Timothy, Chap 3 , Verse 16:

All scripture is given by inspiration of the word of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

The only interpreter the Bible needs, is the Holy Spirit. As an Institution, we believe in an open Bible, in that it is for everyone to read. Those who read 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 they, which testify of me.". We believe that anyone who is a true Protestant, who has believed that the scriptures are their sole rule of faith, is being faithful to God's purpose for all true believers. In today's Christian climate, a great many Protestants have turned their backs on the supremacy of Holy Scripture, which will ultimately lead to belief in the traditions of men upon which the Roman Catholic church is founded, and continues to believe. 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 will be for ever eradicated.

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.

Romans Chap 3 Verse 24:

Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

The Romish church teaches that Christ did die for our sins, but also that his sacrifice was not enough. we must have sufferings added to us, otherwise we cannot properly be saved, with the result that there are those who have tried to earn salvation by good works of many kinds, by rituals and by fastings. They ultimately discover that it is an impossibility to earn salvation in this way.

Galatians Chap 3 verse 11:

The just shall live by faith.

Romanism denies the complete sacrifice of Christ on the cross. That which he did on Calvary has to have additions like penance. The Mass, every time it is enacted, 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 done, which is contrary to Holy Scripture.

Hebrews Chap 9 verse 12:

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.

The Jailer, in Acts 16, in desparation, said to Paul, "What must I do to be saved", Paul said "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved". 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 sets 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 rightous 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 Chap 3 Verse 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.

In the Old Testament, the priest was called by God to be His spokesman to the people to explain His will, and to offer sacrifices for them also, 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. Romanism establishes the priest between the knowledge of God and the Christian believer, as it is revealed in Holy Scripture, 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. He is the only mediator between God and Man, Christ Jesus. The word priest is applied to every true believer who is enabled to offer up spiritual sacrifices of prayer and praise to God, through Jesus Christ.

Hebrews Chap 9 V 24.

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.

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

Peter 1 Chap 2 Verse 9:

For Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's people.

Peter was clearly saying it was not a priestly caste he was talking to, but all who are true believers.

The Trinity , or Triune God, is this very important doctrine we believe in; in the reformed faith. We use this word Trinity, meaning Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Dueteronomy Chap 6 Verse 4:

The Lord our God is one Lord.

but 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 Chap 1 Verse 6 God said "Let us make man in our own image". also in Genesis chap 3 verse 22. "Behold the man has now become one of us, to know good and evil." God is talking about more than one person, so it is very important to see that the meaning is plural. Jesus said to the disciples, in Matthew Chap 28 verse 19 "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit". 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 you explain the trinity". The only answer is "It is a wonderful mystery that only God can answer".

Isaiah Chap 55 verse 8

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.

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".

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.

Colossians Chap 1 Verse 18

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

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.

Thessalonians I Chap 4 Verse 14

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.

The first Anglican Bishop of Liverpool , J.C Ryle wrote. "There are many Churches' but in the New Testament only one true Church is recognised. This true Church is composed of all believers in the Lord Jesus. It is made up of Gods 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".

We believe that the Ecumencial 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 smokescreen being set up by the Ecumencial Movement. We believe that if the unthinkable takes place, and the unscriptural alliance comes to pass, then those outside it will be persecuted. The "Bill of Rights" of 1689 and the Act of Settlement of 1701, which safeguard our Protestant Throne and Constitution are set to change. There are plans being put into operation to change the law for future monarchs to be able to marry Roman Catholics. 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 who 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.

 This article was taken from the Orangenet website.