Our beliefs are derived from Scripture, are known in doctrine as Reformed and Covenantal, and are best expressed in the Reformed creeds, particularly the Westminster Confession of Faith with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, as well as, generally, the Three Forms of Unity: the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, and the Canons of Dort.
For a more summarized version of what we believe, we invite you to read the following statements:
God: We believe in one God, who is not bound by time (eternal) or space (infinite). He is all powerful, knows all things, and created and governs the world. Although God is so vast, He is knowable. Those who know him discover him to be loving, patient, wise, holy, good, and in control of even the smallest details of their lives. The promotion of his glory and honor is our chief desire.
Trinity: We believe our one God exists in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are uncreated, coeternal, and equal in power and glory. The one God is said to be Triune (Tri-unity).
Scripture: The Bible is God’s Word. The Bible, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is true and without error. The Bible is our final authority in life and in doctrine.
Creation: We believe God created the entire universe out of nothing. Humanity was created in God’s image, good and perfect.
Fall: We believe the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, sinned against God. By their “fall” from perfection, they and all humanity with them are subject to spiritual and physical death. The effects of the fall are pervasive. Man’s reason, desires, body, relationships, and standing with God all have been devastated by this historical event. Because of man’s imperfect nature after the fall, he is incapable of saving himself from deserved death.
Jesus Christ: We believe that Jesus of Nazareth was and is the Christ, the Messiah, and the Son of God. We believe Him to be truly and fully God and man, two natures in one person. He existed in eternity as the second person of the Trinity, but in time was born of the virgin Mary and became man. Since he is both God and man in one person, he is the only mediator between sinful humanity and a holy God. Jesus lived a perfect life and died a sacrificial death of crucifixion. By his death he atoned for sin, defeated the devil, and removed guilt, all by bearing the weight of the wrath of God. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is the great historic testimony to the reality of his person and work.
Salvation: We believe that believers are justified – declared righteous before God – through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, by grace alone.
Holy Spirit: We believe the Holy Spirit uses Scripture to supernaturally convert the hearts of God’s people by making alive what was dead. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, leads us to repentance, and causes us to grow in holiness. He gathers and equips the church with spiritual gifts and leadership.
Church: We believe the church is the communion of God’s people. This universal body, of which Jesus is the head, exists locally and imperfectly as the visible church. We believe that the church is connectional. We are, therefore, part of the Presbyterian Church in America. The sacraments of the church as instituted by Jesus are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
The Return of Jesus Christ: We believe that history will end with the sudden, visible, personal, and bodily return of Jesus Christ. At his return all who have ever died will be bodily raised. Both the living and the dead will be judged on this occasion. The wicked will be cast into eternal punishment. Those who belong to Jesus will live and reign with him for eternity in a new heavens and new earth with great joy.
To learn more about our denomination, visit Presbyterian Church in America.