Theology of the AIC
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This section is to explain to you a bit more about the theology behind what we do and what we believe, also for various biblical topics, how we read the bible, how we should understand certain issues, matters of controversy, key issues, cults, heresy, practice and so on. This is not an official statement of church policy, you can find this in the bit on canons of the church, under the 'Beliefs' tab. Instead it is for your information and learning, to discuss key issues.
If you are a member of the AIC or are ordained in the AIC and wish to add comment or discuss anything here, please email the website coordinator here. What questions do you think should be tackled here?
If you are a visitor to this site and would like to pose a question to us
Should Christians celebrate or ignore Halloween?
Administration of the Mass/Holy Communion
Sometimes the people who administer communion were/are inappropriate for example, as the bible excludes them temporarily or permanently from ordination to priesthood. The priesthood today acts in a sacerdotal way (i.e. part of its role is in sacrifice or the remembrance of sacrifice), in a way that draws parallels with the Old Testament. These priests then administer the 'sacrament' of Christ. That is, the Mass, otherwise known as the eucharist, Lord's Supper or Holy Communion (or other titles for it), is an act of remembrance of what Christ did to for us. We ask for a real presence of Christ in the elements - the bread and the wine. You could check out our 'theological section' for more explanation on this. But sadly, the approaches to this lack respect. For example, none of us should come to the Lord's table with unforgiveness in their hearts, so we have a time to offer one another a 'sign of peace' before communion, but this generally becomes just chatter, even gossip at times and should be a time to prepare our hearts. In other places there is not appropriate time given for reflection and prayers of repentence, it lacks the gravitas that is part of the proper respect for this ministry.
Women's Ministry:
This is a hugely important and sensitive matter. Its hugely sad that this issue has caused such division in the church, especially in the last couple of decades. There will be more added here shortly. But for now, we want to emphasise a theology that says that men and women are entirely equal. We were made equal and unique by our creator, all of us. We were also, as is made clear throughout the whole of scripture, made different. We should celebrate God's creation of femininity and masculinity and recogise that we are equal and that God's creation of male and female is a special and divinely inspired thing. There is a lot to say on this issue, but I want to start by asserting that men and women are equal and all are equally loved by God.
If you are a member of the AIC or are ordained in the AIC and wish to add comment or discuss anything here, please email the website coordinator here. What questions do you think should be tackled here?
If you are a visitor to this site and would like to pose a question to us
Should Christians celebrate or ignore Halloween?
Administration of the Mass/Holy Communion
Sometimes the people who administer communion were/are inappropriate for example, as the bible excludes them temporarily or permanently from ordination to priesthood. The priesthood today acts in a sacerdotal way (i.e. part of its role is in sacrifice or the remembrance of sacrifice), in a way that draws parallels with the Old Testament. These priests then administer the 'sacrament' of Christ. That is, the Mass, otherwise known as the eucharist, Lord's Supper or Holy Communion (or other titles for it), is an act of remembrance of what Christ did to for us. We ask for a real presence of Christ in the elements - the bread and the wine. You could check out our 'theological section' for more explanation on this. But sadly, the approaches to this lack respect. For example, none of us should come to the Lord's table with unforgiveness in their hearts, so we have a time to offer one another a 'sign of peace' before communion, but this generally becomes just chatter, even gossip at times and should be a time to prepare our hearts. In other places there is not appropriate time given for reflection and prayers of repentence, it lacks the gravitas that is part of the proper respect for this ministry.
Women's Ministry:
This is a hugely important and sensitive matter. Its hugely sad that this issue has caused such division in the church, especially in the last couple of decades. There will be more added here shortly. But for now, we want to emphasise a theology that says that men and women are entirely equal. We were made equal and unique by our creator, all of us. We were also, as is made clear throughout the whole of scripture, made different. We should celebrate God's creation of femininity and masculinity and recogise that we are equal and that God's creation of male and female is a special and divinely inspired thing. There is a lot to say on this issue, but I want to start by asserting that men and women are equal and all are equally loved by God.
