What We Believe
Our Shared Beliefs
We share a number of beliefs with other Christian groups. These beliefs are based on a conviction about the central importance of the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:1-8).

1. We believe that there is a powerful and personal Creator who seeks to draw us into a relationship with him (Gen.1:1).

2. We believe that every person matters to God and is made in the image of God, but all have sinned and fallen out of fellowship with God (Gen. 1:26-27; Rom. 3:23).

3. We believe that the guilt of sin separates us from God and the power of sin frustrates our ability to live righteous lives (Is. 59:1-2; Rom. 7:17-20).

4. We believe that Jesus Christ is God’s only Son, whose death on the cross and resurrection from the dead removes the guilt of sin and breaks the power of sin, allowing us to be reconciled to God (1 Cor. 15:1-8).

5. We believe that we can receive the benefits of Jesus’ death and resurrection as a gracious gift through faith, repentance, and baptism (Acts 2:38; Eph. 2:1-10).

6. We believe that those who accept Christ are added to the church, the body of Christ on earth, which exists to continue the earthly ministry of Christ (Eph. 4:1-16).

7. We believe that Jesus will one day return to earth, gather his followers, and reign in heaven forever as King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

8. We believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, the authoritative source of these beliefs (2 Tim. 3:16).

9. We believe that the Holy Spirit transforms us into Christlikeness and equips us with talents for service to God and to others (1 Cor. 12; Gal. 5).
Our Distinctive Beliefs
The Highland Street Church of Christ is associated with Churches of Christ, a group of churches with roots in the nineteenth century American Restoration Movement. There are a group of beliefs which distinguish Churches of Christ from other Christian groups. Four of the most obvious of those distinctive beliefs are described below.

1. We believe that baptism is an expression of faith (not a work) for believers (those old enough to believe and repent) through which God graciously grants forgiveness and the Holy Spirit (it is not a symbol of already receiving these things). Baptism is most faithfully performed through immersion in water (not sprinkling or pouring) (Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:1-10).

2. We believe that the Lord’s Supper recalls the central event in human history, establishes our identity as a people shaped by that event, and is thus observed by the church every Sunday (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17-34).

3. We believe that the church is overseen by elders, who act independently of other elderships, and served by deacons, who carry out the ministry of the church. Church leadership seeks ultimately to equip all members for their own works of service (1 Tim. 3; Eph. 4:11-16).

4. We believe that the church’s worship service is characterized by “a cappella” singing (without instrument). We believe such singing best enables us to focus on the internal aspect of worship so that our worship is truly from the heart.