What We Believe

I (We) believe in God, the Father almighty creator of heaven and earth.

I (We) 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 again to judge the living and the dead.

I(We) believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

This version of the Apostles' Creed was taken from the United Church of Christ's statement of beliefs. The reference to holy Catholic Church does not mean the Roman Catholic Church based in Vatican City. It refers to the entirety of the Christian Church born on the day of Pentecost in approximately 33 AD.

On the Trinity

There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness, the Maker and Preserver of all things, visible and invisible, and in unity of this Godhead, there are three persons of one substance, power and eternity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Taken from the African Methodist Episcopal Church Discipline

On the Nature of Christ

The Son, who is the Word of the Father, the very and eternal God, of one substance with the Father, took man's nature in the womb of the Blessed Virgin, so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say, the Godhead and manhood were joined together in one person, never to be divided; whereof is one Christ, very God, and very man, who truly suffered, was crucified, dead and buried, to reconcile his Father to us and to be sacrificed, not only for original guilt but also for the actual sins of men.

Taken from the African Methodist Episcopal Church Discipline

On Salvation

That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness ; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.


Taken from Romans 10:9-10 Authorized King James Version.

On Baptism

Baptism is an outward demonstration of an inward commitment to Christ. Only those that have accepted Jesus Christ as savior are eligible for water baptism. Water baptism is by immersion which is consistent with baptisms in the New Testament. The Rockaway Cathedral does not perform infant baptisms. The Rockaway Cathedral will pray for newborn babies and children of members.

Taken from Acts 8:27-40. Mark 16: 14-16. Matthew 3:5-6. Matthew 3:13-17.

On the Bible

The Bible is comprised of the 66 books of the Old and New Testament. The Bible does not include the Apocrypha. The Bible is written by men but inspired by God. The Bible is infallible. The Bible is useful for instruction, hope, and comfort for all Christians everywhere and throughout time. It represents God's wisdom and power on the Earth.

Apostolic Succession

God recognizes that every believer is free to understand the Bible for himself in his own language. God recognizes that every believer can go to God directly for the forgiveness of sins. This is at the heart of the Protestant Reformation. The Bible also authorizes churches to have ministers operating in various capacities. The Rockaway Cathedral, by the Grace of God, will have such ministers. However, The Rockaway Cathedral does not promote nor will seek to join a distinct and separate ministry or clergy that claims an uninterrupted succession which can be traced directly, through the laying on of hands, to the Apostle Peter or any of the other 12 Apostles referenced in the book of Acts. The Rockaway Cathedral does not believe any such line of the clergy is necessary nor authorized by the Bible.

Taken from Romans 12:4-8. Titus 1:1-2 Philippians 1:1-2.

Any male gender references, as it relates to humanity means any human person.