What We Believe
Our beliefs are grounded in the Bible, which we believe to be the inspired, inerrant Word of God. As a Presbyterian church, we hold to the historic Christian faith as expressed in the Reformed tradition.
Core Beliefs
The Bible
It is our ultimate authority for faith and life, and it reveals God's plan for salvation and His will for how we should live.
God
We believe in one God who exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is sovereign, holy, loving, and just. He created all things and sustains all things by His power.
Jesus Christ
We believe Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died on the cross to pay for our sins, and rose again on the third day. He is the only way to salvation and will return one day to judge the living and the dead.
The Holy Spirit
We believe the Holy Spirit convicts people of sin, regenerates believers, indwells all Christians, and empowers us to live godly lives. The Spirit also gives spiritual gifts for the building up of the church.
Salvation
We believe salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. It is not earned by good works, but is a free gift from God. Those who repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ are saved and receive eternal life.
The Church
We believe the church is the body of Christ, made up of all true believers. The local church exists to worship God, build up believers, and reach out to the world with the Gospel. We practice baptism and the Lord's Supper as sacraments instituted by Christ.
The Return of Christ
We believe Jesus Christ will return visibly and bodily to earth to establish His kingdom. All people will be raised from the dead - believers to eternal life with God, and unbelievers to eternal separation from God.
Presbyterian Distinctives
As a Presbyterian church, we hold to several distinctive beliefs:
- The Sovereignty of God: God is in complete control of all things and works all things according to His will
- Election: God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, not because of anything we have done
- Covenant Theology: God relates to His people through covenants, and the church is the continuation of God's covenant people
- Elder-Led Governance: The church is led by elders (presbyters) who are elected by the congregation
- Connectionalism: We are connected to other Presbyterian churches for mutual support and accountability
Confessional Standards
Our church subscribes to the historic confessions of the Presbyterian tradition:
- Westminster Confession of Faith - Our primary doctrinal standard
- Westminster Larger Catechism - Detailed explanation of Christian doctrine
- Westminster Shorter Catechism - Summary of Christian beliefs in question and answer format
These documents, written in the 17th century, remain faithful summaries of biblical teaching and continue to guide our understanding of Scripture.
Statement of Faith
We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made.
And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spake by the prophets.
And we believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Have Questions?
If you have questions about what we believe or would like to discuss our doctrinal positions, we'd love to talk with you. Our pastors are available to answer questions and provide resources for further study.
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