2026 Bishop Ogles Independence Day Letter

  The Anglican Orthodox Church ^SM

^{founder: the most rev. james parker dees, a.b., b.d., d.d.} 

 ^{• founded November 16, 1963
2228 Wilkesboro Hwy • P. O. Box 128 • Statesville, North Carolina 28687- 0128
Telephone 704.873.8365
Email: aocworldwide@gmail.com Web: www.aocinternational.org}

^{The Most Rev. Jerry L. Ogles — Presiding Bishop}

                                                                                          

Bishop’s Independence Day Letter

July 4^th, 2026 - the 250^th Anniversary of America’s Independence

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath  chosen for his own inheritance.” Psalms 33:12

            For the last few decades, a question has arisen that was previously unheard of - Was the United States founded upon biblical principles, and did the Hand of Providence direct our struggle against the most powerful military and naval force then existing? To answer that question, we will need to examine the pulpits of 18^th century America as well as the character of those citizens who formed the individual states that were a party to the Revolution.

            First of all, the pulpits of America of the 1700’s were aflame with the rhetoric and fervor of Liberty. In fact, it might be suggested that the idea itself of revolt against the English Monarchy began, and persisted, from the thunderous proclamations from the pulpits of America. The Christian religious fervor is best explained by the premier Founding Father, Patrick Henry - “It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religion, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here.” Patrick Henry, May 1765, Patrick Henry- Life, Correspondence and Speeches,Vol 1, pg. 91-93

            The idea of Liberty was born in the Words of the Holy Scriptures and was the premier book for spiritual, legal, and sundry purposes in the colonies. It was Christ who came to set the captives free, and we were all in bondage to sin ere He came to set free those who were His elect people. “ . . . proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof:” Leviticus 25:10; “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,” Luke 4:18; and “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:25, etc.

            The great symbols of our early founding reflect, too, our Christian fervor for Liberty. For example, the Great Seal of the United States is found on the one-dollar bill. The obverse side displays the spread wings of a great Eagle - a symbol God used in bringing the Children of Israel out of bondage in Goshen of Egypt. The so-called Glory-Cloud above the Eagle’s head represents the cloud that lead the Children of Israel out of bondage across the Red Sea and through the Wilderness. The Thirteen Stars express the Seal of Mannaseh with the thirteen stars representing the thirteen colonies as well as the thirteen tribes of Israel (including the integrated tribe of Levi.) There are more symbols on the front of the Seal, but that must await a future work.  On the reverse side is the Great Pyramid with the capstone floating above. Christ is the Head Cornerstone and the Stone that the builders rejected.

            Our premier Founding document is the Declaration of Independence which sets forth our dependence upon the Providence of God in our Founding.

            The Unites States is comprised of fifty states each of which appeals to Almighty God in their preambles to their constitutions.  Who can doubt the Hand of God in our founding as a nation - a nation that has exceeded every other nation of earth for its miraculous victories over tyranny and rich blessings of material wealth - a condition granted through the blessings of our fathers. May we again live up to those high standards and faith they possessed. 

Happy 4th of July and do not forget to return thanks to the Author of our Liberties - Jesus Christ.

In Christ Alone during Trinity,

 † Jerry Ogles
Presiding Bishop AOC Metropolitan