Our Beliefs
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
ST. BART'S IS...
Connected
St. Bart's is part of The Episcopal Church, a family of churches spanning the United States and beyond. Regionally, we are part of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, and globally we are connected to the Anglican Communion. At St. Bart's, we come to know and love God through our relationships with others, and we value our local, regional and international partnerships.
Christian
Like all mainstream Christians, we honor one God, made known to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Together we listen for God in scripture and prayer, and participate in baptism and communion as visible signs of God's presence with us. We believe that each of us is called to be a disciple of Christ, revealing his life, love, and light to the world.
Inclusive
We are both forward-thinking and grounded in the traditions of prayer and worship. Our expression of Christianity is spacious and inclusive. Here you will find faithful believers and questioning skeptics, believing questioners and skeptical faithfuls! We believe everyone is a child of God and that everyone belongs. As followers of Christ, we are bound together in the Jesus Movement.
WADE IN THE WATER
The baptized life
Our journey in the church formally begins with baptism. Episcopal baptisms include a series of questions and answers called the "baptismal covenant," a basic summary of Christian faith and responsibility. At each baptism, the whole congregation joins in to renew our baptismal covenant together as we remind ourselves what our membership in the church is about.
OUR BAPTISMAL COVENANT
Faith of Generations Before Us
DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD, THE FATHER?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD?
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.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT?
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.
Faith for Today
Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers?
I WILL, WITH GOD'S HELP.
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
I WILL, WITH GOD'S HELP.
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
I WILL, WITH GOD'S HELP.
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
I WILL, WITH GOD'S HELP.
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
I WILL, WITH GOD'S HELP.
