What We Believe

What We Believe

• We are convinced that the Bible places a lot of importance on what you believe. The apostle Paul told Timothy in 1 Tim 4:16 to ‘keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching (doctrine), for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.’
• We are part of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC), a denomination that holds to the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms as its confession of faith. While certainly not equal with the Bible, we believe it accurately summarizes what the Bible teaches.

Feel free to download and read our confessional documents

The Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF)
The Westminster Larger Catechism (WLC)
The Westminster Shorter Catechism (WSC)

Here is a brief summary of what we believe and what we teach at this church:

• • Scripture
    • We believe that the Old and New Testaments are the Word of the God. Scripture was inspired by the Lord, which means that He used His chosen prophets and apostles to write everything He wanted the church to know about Himself and life. Because it is the Word of God, the Bible is powerful, without error, and our final authority in all matters of faith and life.
  • God
    • We believe in the one only, living, and true God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is one God in three persons, all of whom are equal in power and glory. We believe that God is eternal, is in control of all things, and is working all things together for the praise of His glorious grace. He created the world, rules over the world, and is actively working in the world to gather His people to Himself.
  • Man
    • We believe that on the sixth day of creation, God made Adam and Eve in His own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. By his free choice, Adam sinned, and, as the first representative of all mankind, brought sin and corruption into God’s good world. Because of this, all naturally born humans are sinful in their minds, hearts, and wills, and are therefore spiritually dead. For this reason we are all in desperate need of a Savior.
  • Jesus
    • We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. In the fullness of time, He took to Himself a human nature, was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary, was born of her, and yet was completely sinless. He is both God and man in one person. He is the great Prophet, Priest, and King over His chosen ones. Because of this, He is able to be the representative for His people to God as their Mediator. During His life, Jesus perfectly fulfilled the requirements of God’s law, earning righteousness for His people. In His death, Jesus suffered all the penalties of God’s law and made the perfect payment for sin. This atonement satisfied the wrath of God. We believe that Jesus died in place of His people, and through His death, they, and they only, receive life.
  • Salvation
    • We believe that when the Holy Spirit works in the hearts of dead sinners, He causes them to see their sin and the mercy of God in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When this happens they believe and are saved. It is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ that sinners are delivered into life. For that reason, no man can boast except in the cross of Christ. It is crucial to remember that sinners are saved into the service of God. Therefore, when sinful men and woman receive salvation, they will begin living lives characterized by good works as they live by the power of the Holy Spirit.
    • There are several wonderful aspects of salvation which all true believers receive in this life. They are
      • Justification
        • Justification is the wonderful exchange of grace. It is a free act of God, by which He pardons a sinner of all his sins. Not only does He take away the guilt of sin, but He also accounts (credits/imputes) the perfect righteousness of Christ (what Jesus earned by keeping the law perfectly) to those whom He forgives. This is not on the basis on anything we can do, but only because of what Jesus did. (Romans 3:21-26)
      • Adoption
        • Adoption is the reception of grace. In justification, it is as if God were in a courtroom and declared that a sinner is innocent because of Christ. In adoption, God welcomes newly pardoned sinners into His living room, into His redeemed family. (Romans 8:15-17, Galatians 4:4-5)
      • Sanctification
        • Sanctification is the transformation of grace. When a sinner is made alive in Jesus, the power and complete control of sin is broken. Although Christians still struggle against sin, every believer has the promise that God will work throughout the entire person, and will be enable him to die to sin more and more and to live unto righteousness. (Philippians 2:12-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24) 

• • The Church
    • We believe that all those who profess true faith in Christ, and their children, belong to the Church. The Bible describes the Church both as a living organism and a divine organization. All true believers are united to Christ, are a part of His body, and are called the bride of Christ (John 15:1-5, 1 Corinthians 12:27, Eph 5:25-27). The Church is also an organization. In His wisdom, God has decided that it ought to be shepherded by men of His choosing. This is why churches need elders (1 Tim 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, Hebrews 13:17). The Church also must care for the physical needs of its members and those outside. This is why churches have deacons (Acts 6:1-7, 1 Tim 3:8-13). Jesus has given His Church the Spirit, powerful gifts, and everything necessary for its growth and protection (John16:7-11, Matthew 16:18, Eph 4:11-16).