Glowing cross inside church James Atkinson

What we believe

We believe and trust in one God, Father Son and Holy Spirit

Belief in God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit is at the heart of our faith. Christians believe that Jesus is God’s Son. Jesus reveals to us that God is our Father, and that God is available to us through the Holy Spirit.

You won’t ever be asked if you completely understand all this. But you are asked whether you believe and trust. This is called faith. It is a different sort of knowledge. It is the knowledge of being known and loved, and of loving in return.

The Christian faith is not a human invention. There are signs of God’s existence and handiwork in creation for anyone to read (Acts 14.15–17). But we believe in the way we do because God has come to seek us out and has made himself known to us. 

Stained glass window of Jesus

God has revealed himself through the Bible. God has revealed himself most clearly through the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ.
God makes himself known personally to each believer through the work of the Holy Spirit.

'The most important decision any person can ever make is to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. It’s the best thing anyone can do.'

Archbishop Justin Welby

When someone becomes a follower of Jesus they are baptised. (Or, if they have already been baptised, they will confirm for themselves the promises made at their baptism.) During this service a series of questions will be asked – in most respects the questions asked today are the same as those new Christians were asked in the earliest days of the Church.

Bishop baptising young person at font

Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess together the faith of the Church.

Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?

Everyone answers with either a simple ‘I believe and trust in him’, or by reciting the three parts of the Apostles’ Creed, one of the most ancient summaries of the Christian faith.

Being a Christian means responding to Jesus' invitation to enjoy a relationship with God here on earth and for eternity. 

'Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word.'

Hebrews 1.1–3

full church for service, Archbishop of York at front

Going to church and praying

Find out why Christians go to church and why we pray.

Children standing around a font

The Apostles Creed

Learn about the Apostles’ Creed, handed down generations of Christians.