There is one God, creator of heaven and earth, who exists eternally as three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, each fully God yet each distinct from the other.

Jesus is true God and true man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. As the willing sacrifice for our sins, He died on the cross. He rose bodily from the dead and ascended into heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of God the Father, serving as our advocate. Someday He will return to fulfill God’s eternal plan.

Apart from Jesus Christ, all people are spiritually lost because of sin. Death seals our eternal destiny. Salvation cannot be earned through personal goodness or human effort. However, God gives salvation and eternal life through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ. It is a gift that must be received by humble repentance and faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross.

The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin and draws people to Christ. He indwells all believers, empowering them to live Christ-like lives. He calls and enables Christians to reach out to a lost and needy world.

The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the inspired Word of God and the final authority for Christian faith and life. No other writings are vested with such divine authority.

All people are created in God’s image and matter deeply to Him. Central to the message of the Bible is that God loves people, and invites them to live in communion with Himself and in community with each other.

Frequently Asked Questions About What We Believe

What is your view of the sacraments?
We honor the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper. We believe God calls us before we have ever turned to Him and so endorse infant baptism. We also believe that our response to God in faith should result in baptism and so we endorse adult baptism. The Lord's Supper is open to all who are sorry for their sins and want to follow Christ. The Supper is symbolic of Christ's presence in our lives.

What is the value of being Presbyterian?
The Presbyterian Church (USA) has its roots in the Reformation and John Calvin. The Presbyterian form of government values decisions thoughtfully made by carefully chosen leaders, or elders. In recent years we have joined with others in our denomination to strengthen the evangelical, Christ-centered foundation of our church.

What other affiliations do you have?
We are leaders in The Coalition and the Confessing Church Movement, which are organizations of like-minded, evangelical Presbyterian churches. Chapel Hill is also part of the Willow Creek Association, a movement of vital churches across the nation.

What are your views on homosexuality and abortion?
We believe God wants to redeem every portion of our lives, including our sexuality. We do not wish to condemn anyone, but we call people to God's standard, which is sexual relations between a married man and woman. We also believe that abortion is not God's intention. We advocate personal counseling, adoption and any other humane means of respecting both the mother and the child.

How will my life change by being part of this church?
Chapel Hill is a community of people who want to become more mature in our faith and want our lives to reflect more and more of Jesus. Being part of Chapel Hill and opening your heart to God's Spirit will lead you to a sense of purpose and a passion for living what Jesus called the abundant life.