THE JERUSALEM STATEMENT (2008)

We, the faithful servants and leaders of the Safe India Missionary Diocese (SIM Diocese) Anglican Episcopal Churches, stand united with the global Anglican family. Inspired by the historic gathering in Jerusalem from 22-29 June 2008, we humbly affirm our commitment to the unchanging truth of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We proclaim that the Holy Bible, encompassing both the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired and authoritative Word of God. It contains all things necessary for salvation and serves as the final authority in all matters of faith and conduct. We submit ourselves to its teachings, trusting in the transformative power of God’s Word to guide and correct our lives.

We confess the faith revealed in the Holy Scriptures and summarized in the historic creeds of the Church, including the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. These creeds affirm the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—one God in three persons. We joyfully declare that salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone, who is fully God and fully man. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He has redeemed humanity from sin and death.

By grace through faith, we are justified and made children of God. We uphold the historic formularies of the Anglican faith, including the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion and the Book of Common Prayer, as faithful expressions of biblical teaching. As a Diocese, we remain steadfast in defending the apostolic faith once delivered to the saints, rejecting all teachings and practices that contradict the Gospel proclamation.

The Safe India Missionary Diocese (SIM Diocese) Anglican Episcopal Churches is called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all people, in obedience to the Great Commission: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). We commit ourselves to evangelism, discipleship, and church planting, especially among the poor, marginalized, and unreached communities. We believe that the mission of the Church is holistic—addressing both spiritual and physical needs—reflecting the love of Christ in word and deed.

We affirm the sanctity of marriage as ordained by God between one man and one woman, and we uphold the dignity of every human being as created in the image of God. Recognizing the urgent need for faithful leadership in the Church, we dedicate ourselves to the training and equipping of clergy and laity, raising up leaders who are biblically grounded, spiritually mature, and committed to serving with integrity.

We stand for justice, peace, and compassion in society. Inspired by the teachings of Christ, we engage in social outreach, caring for the poor, the orphan, the widow, and the oppressed, demonstrating the love of God in practical ways. We also affirm our unity with orthodox Anglicans worldwide, maintaining fellowship with those who uphold the authority of Scripture and the historic faith of the Church.

We, the Safe India Missionary Diocese (SIM Diocese) Anglican Episcopal Churches, hereby reaffirm our commitment to remain faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as declared in the Jerusalem Statement of 2008. We reject false teachings, moral compromise, and any distortion of the biblical message. Standing firm in the truth, even in the face of challenges and opposition, we trust in God’s grace and strength. We commit ourselves to prayer, holiness, and obedience, seeking to glorify God in all that we do. We believe that the Church is called to be a light in the world, bearing witness to the transforming power of Christ.

We declare that our Diocese will continue to:

- Preach the Gospel boldly

- Teach the Word faithfully

- Serve the needy compassionately

- Raise leaders diligently

- Build churches prayerfully

We call upon all believers to join us in this mission, to stand firm in the faith, and to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. May the Holy Spirit empower us, guide us, and unite us as we labor together for the Kingdom of God.

FINAL DECLARATION

Signed and Adopted by:

The Most Rev. Dr. Devadoss Pathra

Presiding Bishop, Safe India Missionary Diocese

Contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. - Jude 1:3