What We Believe

The Bible

We believe that the Bible is divine, inspired word of God himself, as recorded by the minds and hands of men.   Our understanding of the Bible is informed both by our own reason, and by the rich traditions of scriptural interpretation handed down to us from the earliest days of the Church. 

Our services are filled with Scripture from the Bible. 

The Creeds

We acknowledge and confess the teachings contained in the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed, which have been handed down to us from the early councils of God's church.   We believe that the creeds contain concise statements of all the beliefs that are necessary for a person to obtain God's free gift of salvation. 

The Nicene Creed:

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer, pp. 358-359)

The Apostles' Creed:

"I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth;
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen."
(BCP, p. 96)

The Book of Common Prayer

Though Episcopalians and other Anglicans come from many backgrounds and many places all over the world, our styles of common prayer and belief bind us together in one Communion in our worship of our God.  The Book of Common Prayer is the definitive source for our corporate worship, as well as a treasure trove of teaching and faith resources for Christians and those who seek a deeper knowledge of God.  

Sacramental Worship:

"Sacraments are outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace"

 The Episcopal Church recognizes the seven sacraments that are set forth in the Bible and in the traditions of the Church, which include:

  • Baptism
  • The Eucharist (or Holy Communion)
  • Confirmation (the adult affirmation of our baptismal vows)
  • Reconciliation of a Penitent (private confession)
  • Matrimony (Christian marriage)
  • Orders (ordination to deacon, priest, or bishop)
  • Unction (anointing with oil those who are sick or dying)