Foundational Documents

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First and foremost, Holy Scripture

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We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God written and to contain all things necessary for salvation. The Bible is to be translated, read, preached, taught and obeyed in its plain and canonical sense, respectful of the church’s historic and consensual reading. - Jerusalem Declaration.

The ACNA generally uses the English Standard Version of the Bible in its worship services, although other versions are acceptable, especially for personal study.

Book of Common Prayer

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The Book of Common Prayer is the service book for Anglican churches. It shapes how Anglicans worship. We receive 1662 Book of Common Prayer as a standard for Anglican doctrine and discipline, and, with the Books which preceded it, as the standard for the Anglican tradition of worship.

The ACNA uses the 2019 Book of Common Prayer in its services. You can find a copy here: 2019 BCP

The 39 Articles

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We receive the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion of 1571, taken in their literal and grammatical sense, as expressing the fundamental principles of authentic Anglican belief. The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion are brief statements on key theological points that unite us with the historic universal Church of Jesus and show our commitment to basic Reformation principles. You can read them here: 39 Articles

Jerusalem Statement

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Issued by GAFCON in 2008, the Jerusalem Statement has become the doctrinal standard of the global Anglican realignment. It is included in the “Documentary Foundations” section of the 2019 Book of Common Prayer of the Anglican Church in North America. Assent to the Statement has been an entry requirement for membership in the Global Anglican Communion. You can read about it here: Jerusalem Statement

Abuja Affirmation

The Abuja Affirmation was issued by GAFCON leaders in March 2026 and declared a necessary reordering of the Anglican Communion. It rejects the authority of "revisionist" leaders and establishes a confessional Global Anglican Communion, prioritizing biblical orthodoxy over structural unity. You can read it here: Abuja Affirmation