We are Christians only. We refuse sectarian names and credos. We treasure the unity of all Christians. The wish expressed in Jesus' prayer is very important to us: My prayer is not for them [the Apostles] alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that they all may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you (John 17:20-21).

We believe that Christian communities are built on the love of Christ. We do our best to love and encourage one another. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

We welcome all people to our assemblies. We are an international fellowship. We believe that racism and Christianity are not compatible. Our Lord accepts all people regardless of race and so do we. Paul wrote, You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26-28). He also told Christians, Here [in Christ] there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all (Colossians 3:11).

Faith is essential to anyone's relationship to God. All must have faith in Christ. We say with Paul, I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20). And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:6).

We believe that a heart of faith in Christ leads one to obey God: faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead (James 2:17). Trust or faith in Jesus will lead one to be willing to change and to conform one's life to God's will. This is what is called repentance in the scriptures. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

A heart full of faith and repentance will want to be baptized into Christ. Jesus told his disciples, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-19). Peter wrote, this water [water of the flood] symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God (1 Peter 3:21). The first Christians told people, Repent and be baptized, every one of you for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38).

We believe that the baptism of the Bible is immersion. Paul wrote, We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death (Romans 6:4). The original Greek word that is translated baptism in our English Bibles meant immersion.

Please feel free to contact us via email: contact@statenislandchurchofchrist.com. We have nothing to hide. We want, above all, to do the will of our Father in heaven. We invite you to become a part of our assemblies. We will share with you the love of Christ and the fellowship of one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4:5).