Religious Practices
The Church teaches that the Bible is the source of Christian theology. Schwenckfeld drew his theology from the Old Testament and New Testament, and it agrees with the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Confession of Chalcedon. The Church also recognizes the wisdom of church fathers, particularly those from the Eastern Church and Augustine. Schwenckfeld emphasized the inner work of the Holy Spirit, conversion (which he called the rebirth), and the new man. The Church also continues his belief that the Lord's Supper is a spiritual partaking representing the body and blood of Christ in open communion. Adult baptism and both infant baptism and consecration of infants is practiced depending on the church. Adult members are also received into church membership through transfer of memberships from other churches and denominations.
Their ecclesiastical tradition is congregational with an ecumenical focus. The Schwenkfelder churches recognize the right of the individual in decisions such as public service, armed combat, etc. Individual, autonomous congregations select ministers by a self-regulated search process. Ministers and church representatives gather regularly in the Schwenkfelder Ministerium, managing the church through congregational government. Schwenkfeldian theology fits broadly within the parameters of Reformed theology today. Each congregation remains autonomous in theology and practice. Historic statements of faith inherited by the Christian Church as a whole, including the Apostles' Creed and other scriptural foundations, remain the best representative statement of Schwenkfeldian theology.
The Apostles’ Creed has been associated with the church for centuries. While he was a reformer of the church, Caspar Schwenkfeld received this from the church in his day and used it to formulate his beliefs in alignment with the Scripture. When Schwenkfelders migrated to Pennsylvania, they continued to reflect on the importance of the Creed. Today, this Creed is received within Schwenkfelder Churches and confessed in worship. This video expresses how the Apostles’ Creed was formed. It explores where these ideas are in the New Testament, and then how they made their way into early Christianity and eventually formed the Apostles’ Creed.
Their ecclesiastical tradition is congregational with an ecumenical focus. The Schwenkfelder churches recognize the right of the individual in decisions such as public service, armed combat, etc. Individual, autonomous congregations select ministers by a self-regulated search process. Ministers and church representatives gather regularly in the Schwenkfelder Ministerium, managing the church through congregational government. Schwenkfeldian theology fits broadly within the parameters of Reformed theology today. Each congregation remains autonomous in theology and practice. Historic statements of faith inherited by the Christian Church as a whole, including the Apostles' Creed and other scriptural foundations, remain the best representative statement of Schwenkfeldian theology.
The Apostles’ Creed has been associated with the church for centuries. While he was a reformer of the church, Caspar Schwenkfeld received this from the church in his day and used it to formulate his beliefs in alignment with the Scripture. When Schwenkfelders migrated to Pennsylvania, they continued to reflect on the importance of the Creed. Today, this Creed is received within Schwenkfelder Churches and confessed in worship. This video expresses how the Apostles’ Creed was formed. It explores where these ideas are in the New Testament, and then how they made their way into early Christianity and eventually formed the Apostles’ Creed.
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