Beliefs
What is the Gospel?
The word gospel means “good news.” It is the proclamation of the person and work of Jesus Christ and how its benefits can be appropriated to a person by faith alone. 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 tells us, “For I delivered unto you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” In addition, Romans 5:1 affirms, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Scripture then concludes, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)
What does it mean to be Presbyterian?
Presbyterians belong to a denomination that traces its roots back through the Protestant Reformation. We believe and emphasize God’s sovereignty over all creation, personal salvation by grace through faith, Covenant Theology, the inerrancy and infallibility of the Bible, and connectional church polity. “Presbyterian” simply refers to the way the church is governed. The Greek word “presbyteros,” means “elder or shepherd” (Titus 1, 1 Timothy 3, Acts 15). In our local church, the governing body or “Session,” is made up of both pastors and Ruling Elders. These pastors are accountable to others in the region within what we call a “Presbytery.”
What kind of Presbyterian Church is CPC?
As a Bible-believing body we are a member of the Presbyterian Church in America, the largest conservative Presbyterian denomination in America. PCA Home – pcanet.org
Summary of Beliefs
The Standards for all Pastors, Ruling Elders, and Deacons in the Presbyterian Church in America are maintained in the Westminster Confession of Faith and Larger and Shorter Catechism which is subject and subordinate to the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, the Word of God. Together with Christians throughout the ages we also affirm the historic Apostle’s and Nicene Creeds as essential doctrine and truth. The following summary of beliefs are foundational for all evangelical Christian churches including the PCA.
The Bible
All Scripture is self-attesting and completely true requiring our unreserved submission in all of life. The inerrant and infallible Word of God, the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is a complete and unified witness to God’s redemptive acts culminating in the incarnation of the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible, uniquely and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, is the supreme and final authority on all matters of life. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12)
The Trinity
There is one God who is sovereign creator and sustainer of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)
Jesus
Jesus Christ, the Living Word, became flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and the virgin birth. He is true God and true man united in one person forever. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins. On the third day He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God as our High Priest and Mediator. (John 1:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-6)
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit has come to glorify Christ and to apply the saving work of Christ to our hearts. He effectually calls, regenerates, imparts faith, seals, sanctifies, and perseveres in us until the day of redemption. (John 14:16-17; Ephesians 1:13)
Man and Sin
All of humanity after the Fall of Adam (Gen. 3) is born spiritually and morally dead in their sin. God has sovereignly predestined those he saves from before the foundation of the world. Spiritual conversion is by grace alone, through faith alone, in the Lord Jesus Christ alone. (Ephesians 1:4-6; John 6:44-45, 65)
The Church
The Church is composed of all persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit are united together in the body of Christ along with their children. The Church finds her visible expression where the Word of God is rightly preached, the sacraments are administered, and biblical discipline is practiced. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Colossians 1:18)
The Return of Christ
Jesus Christ will come again to the earth—personally, visibly, and bodily—to judge the living and the dead, and to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. (Acts 17:31; Revelation 22:20)