St. James Episcopal Church

Interpretation of the faith varies somewhat from parish to parish, but within the framework of these basic guidelines:

THE HOLY TRINITY -- God is 3 persons in one.

• God the Father -- infinite, good omnipotent.
• God the Son -- the joyous union of both God and human being; whose life, death, and resurrection set us free from bondage to sin and death.
• God the Holy Spirit -- God's power of love moving within us in mysterious and unexpected ways.

SALVATION

• The end of our separation from God; the beginning of new life, lived according to God's will
• Gained by use because of Christ's sacrifice.
• Every Christian should witness to Christ's sacrifice and express the living truth of this sacrifice to the world (evangelism)

CREEDS summarize the Christian faith; they clearly express our faith in the Holy Trinity.

• APOSTLES' CREED -- creed of the early Roman Church, dating from the 2nd century.
• NICENE CREED -- Easter in origin, dating from the 4th century.
• ATHANASIAN CREED -- Sometimes called the "Quicunque Vult," meaning "whoever wishes" in Latin.

THE CHURCH

• The people of God; all baptized people are the members.
• One -- One body under one Head, Christ.
• Holy -- The Holy Spirit dwells in it and its members.
• Catholic -- Universal; holding the faith for all time, everywhere, for everybody.
• Apostolic -- Continuing in the Apostles' teaching and fellowship.

WORSHIP

• A joyous response to God's love
• An expression of hope for Salvation
• A change to praise God and receive strength and forgiveness
• A way to share faith with other believers