- Primitive Catholic
The term Primitive Catholic is used by a small but growing number of
Christians , both in established Church bodies as well as in independent Christian congregations. The groups that are so described see themselves as restoring or revisiting the practices of the ancient Christian Church, but doing so in a more Catholic fashion than theRestoration Movement . [ [http://www.ante-nicenechurch.org/communionordenominatio.htm Ante-Nicene Christian Church : Persevering in the Faith Once for All Delivered ] ]While both Primitive Catholics and Restoration Movement Christians would agree that the New Testament Church is the ideal, the two sides disagree on several issues, including the retention of an ordained ministry within the Church (usually structured in an
episcopal fashion) and the transmission of ecclesiastical authority throughApostolic Succession . [ [http://www.ante-nicenechurch.org/faq.htm Ante-Nicene Christian Church : Persevering in the Faith Once for All Delivered ] ] All congregations and ecclesiastical bodies that use the term areTrinitarian in orientation, and appear to reject the Western doctrine oforiginal sin , adhering instead to the Eastern form of the doctrine. All believe in theReal Presence of Christ in theEucharist , and hold to some form ofliturgy , though no central book exists within the movement.Assemblies meet in a variety of settings, including established congregations,
house churches ,cell groups , and group Bible studies. Some of these models operate in combination in some ministries. Most tend to emphasize smaller, relational congregations or groups. [ [http://www.ante-nicenechurch.org/housechurcheshomefellowsh.htm Ante-Nicene Christian Church : Persevering in the Faith Once for All Delivered ] ] [ [http://www.lfftn.org/homefellowships.htm Living Faith Primitive Catholic Church | Ancient Faith - Present Witness - Ageless Spirit ] ]Many Primitive Catholics are
pacifists or believe in non-violent resistance, and strive for the separation of Church and State. Some eschewjury duty , participation in elections, and other civil involvement, seeing themselves as citizens of only the Kingdom of God. [ [http://www.ante-nicenechurch.org/positionson.htm Ante-Nicene Christian Church : Persevering in the Faith Once for All Delivered ] ] [ [http://www.stellarcross.org/search/label/Civil%20Matters StellarCross: Civil Matters ] ]Some Primitive Catholics hold to very specific, detailed doctrinal statements, others adopt the Scriptures and
Creeds as boundaries of fellowship.References
See also
*
Evangelical Catholic External links
* [http://www.ante-nicenechurch.org/ Ante-Nicene Christian Church (A Denomination)]
* [http://earlychristianchurch.blogspot.com/ The Early Christian Fellowship blog]
* [http://www.lfftn.org/index.htm Living Faith Primitive Catholic Church (Congregation in Tennessee)]
* [http://www.primitivecatholic.org The Primitive Catholic Ministerium (An association of clergy)]
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