WHAT DO PRESBYTERIANS BELIEVE?
We believe in the fundamental truths of the Christian faith, as expressed in historic Trinitarian statements such as the Nicene Creed or Apostles Creed. Families are brought into the membership of Presbyterian churches through a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. That profession of faith requires an understanding and affirmation of the following five truths: 1. My biggest problem is my sin against God, and the punishment that my sin deserves. (Rom 3:23, 6:23, 1 Tim 1:15) 2. The only solution to that problem is Jesus. I believe that He saved me from my sins. (Acts 4:12, Rom 3:25, Heb 2:14-15, 9:22) 3. I surrender my life to Him. (Matt 28:19-20, Rom 6:1-2) 4. As part of that surrender to Jesus, I commit to an active Christian life of worshipping God and working for Him as a part of a believing church. (Matt 10:32-33, Eph 5:25-27, John 13:35) 5. Again, as part of that surrender to Jesus, I will let the pastors and elders of the church help me follow Christ.
Presbyterians insist that God alone is Lord of the conscience, and therefore welcome diversity and open inquiry. Doctrine for us is more a matter of emphasis than exclusion of different points of view. With all Christians, we worship the Triune God. With other Protestants, we place special emphasis on God’s Word in scripture and God’s grace through the gift of faith. As Reformed Christians, we also stress God’s sovereignty as Creator and Redeemer of all. This theme prompts special emphasis on: human responsibility — the election of God’s people for service, not just for salvation; a proper stewardship of all the gifts of creation which celebrates simplicity and shuns ostentation; a recognition of the human tendency toward idolatry and tyranny — the insistence that ultimate allegiance belongs to God alone a call to work for the transformation of society in obedience to God’s Word. Reformed Christians tend to be involved Christians — people who seek to glorify God not just in Sunday w
