As a confessional Presbyterian church, we hold to the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms as our secondary doctrinal standards. Like all other historic Christian churches, we similarly hold to the teachings of the Apostle’s and Nicene creeds.
What do we mean by “secondary?
Our sole primary standards are the Holy Scriptures. We believe the Bible to be uniquely inspired by God, making it the sole ultimate authority for matters of faith and practice. Thus, the Westminster standards (and the above mentioned creeds) should be regarded as subordinate standards, which we adhere to because we believe them to provide an accurate summary of the teaching of the Bible.
Following is a brief summary of our beliefs on a few issues of key importance:
- The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the Word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience.
- God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.
- There are three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties.
- God created the heavens and the earth, and all they contain. He upholds and governs them in accordance with his eternal will. God is sovereign; yet this does not diminish human responsibility.
- Our first parents defied God and disobeyed Him. The sin of Adam, as the head of mankind, plunged this world into a state of sin and misery.
- God out of His infinite love and good pleasure has not left all mankind to perish in their sin and misery. God has purposed to rescue a people out of their sin and misery by sending forth a Savior.
- The Son of God took upon himself a human nature in the womb of the virgin Mary, so that in her son Jesus the divine and human natures were united in one person. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life and died on a cross, bearing the bearing the punishment for all who are His. He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, where he sits as Lord and rules over his kingdom.
- Salvation is received by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone for the glory of God alone.
- He will return to judge the living and the dead, bringing his people (with glorious, resurrected bodies) into eternal life, and consigning the wicked to eternal punishment.