Our Statement of Faith
Our beliefs are best summed up by two ancient creeds - the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed. These are statements Christians across the world have agreed upon for millennia. You can learn more about them by clicking the link below.
The Apostles' Creed
Below is the ecumenical version of the English Language Liturgical Consultation (ELLC).
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
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,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come 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.
*Catholic here means universal.
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 men 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 worshipped 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.
*Catholic here means universal.
Our Theological Statement
We recognize that every generation focuses on certain theological beliefs in line with their mission in their unique context. In light of this, here are some additional beliefs we hold that we see as consistent with Scripture and the creeds. Some of these are from another church in our network, New Life Fellowship in Queens, NY.
We also affirm: the divine inspiration of the Bible as God's holy, life-giving, trustworthy, authoritative Word.
The unique and sacred nature of all human kind: who are all created in the image of God to showcase to the rest of the world something about who God is, who are created for relationship with God and others, but are alienated from God and others because of sin and rightly subject to God's wrath.
The unique work of Jesus of Nazareth: who alone provides forgiveness of sins and eternal life to those who trust in him as their Lord, Savior, and King.
The indwelling and transformative power of the Holy Spirit given to all followers of Jesus, giving new life and equipping them for obedience and intimacy with God, transforming them into Christ-likeness through things like the spiritual practices.
The unity of all followers of Jesus everywhere — reconciled across seemingly unsurpassable divides (e.g., gender, racial, ethnic, and class differences), showcased in worshiping and witnessing churches who are making disciples throughout the world.
The equal value and authority of men and women, designed as equal partners in the stewardship of creation, intended for mutual flourishing in heterosexual marriage or singleness, and equally called into ministry in church and in the world.