Our Beliefs
Foundations
Our faith and beliefs are rooted deeply in the Scriptures. We believe that God has spoken and still speaks through the pages of the Old and New Testament.
Our beliefs take on more character and color as the Scriptures have been interpreted throughout the ages through the Creeds, Catechisms and Confessions of our faith. The Apostles’ Creed, Nicene Creed, Scots Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, Second Helvetic Confession, Westminster Confession, Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechisms, Theological Declaration of Barmen, Confession of 1967, and A Brief Statement of Faith embody our Reformed understanding of the faith. We believe that these historical documents still speak and shape our theology today.
Our beliefs also have grown from our reformed Presbyterian heritage found in the teachings of John Calvin, John Knox, and other faithful followers through the ages. These figures help us understand what it means to be a people who are “reformed and always being reformed according to the Word of God”.
Essential Tenets (BOO F-2.03 – F-2.05)
- SCRIPTURE ALONE as the final authority for salvation and the life of faith.
- GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY.
- The INCARNATION of the eternal work of God in JESUS CHRIST and his LORDSHIP.
- The SIN of idolatry.
- JUSTIFICATION (Grace alone, Faith alone).
- God’s ELECTION for salvation and service.
- HOLY SPIRIT’S power to create and sustain.
- The mystery of the TRINITY.
- A faithful STEWARDSHIP of God’s creation.
- The fellowship of the Church.
- Seeking justice and living in OBEDIENCE to the Word of God.
The Sacraments
The sacraments are a physical sign of God’s grace to us. They, baptism and communion, are ways that we can experience the grace of God here on earth, corporately and individually. They are symbolic but God is also uniquely present through them. Jesus invited and invites us to participate in these two sacraments.
- BAPTISM symbolizes our entrance into the covenant community. In baptism we remember God reaches out to us long before we can reach back out to God.
- In COMMUNION we remember the sacrifice that Jesus paid for us, but we also celebrate his resurrection and the life that he has called us to.
Even more of what we believe…
To learn more about what we believe about becoming a Christian, click here.