We Believe...

The Word of God, as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is our ultimate rule of faith and practice.  


Historically, the church has used creeds to summarize the teachings of the Bible. We join the church universal in confessing its ecumenical creeds known as the Apostles' Creed, Athanasian Creed, and Nicene Creed.


apostles' creed


athanasian creed



As Presbyterians, our beliefs are most clearly summarized in the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Shorter and Larger Catechisms. These are the doctrinal standards to which all of our church officers subscribe.


Westminster confession and catechisms


WHAT WE BELIEVE 

  • We believe the Bible is the written word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the revelation of God’s truth and is infallible and authoritative in all matters of faith and practice.
  • We believe in the Holy Trinity. There is one God, who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
  • We believe that all are sinners and totally unable to save themselves from God’s displeasure.
  • We believe that salvation is by God alone as He sovereignly chooses those He will save. We believe His choice is based on His grace, not on any human individual merit, or foreseen faith.
  • We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who through His perfect life and sacrificial death atoned for the sins of all who will trust in Him, alone, for salvation.
  • We believe that God is gracious and faithful to His people not simply as individuals but as families in successive generations according to His Covenant promises.
  • We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells God’s people and gives them the strength and wisdom to trust Christ and follow Him.
  • We believe that Jesus will return, bodily and visibly, to judge all mankind and to receive His people to Himself.
  • We believe that all aspects of our lives are to be lived to the glory of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Membership

The visible church consists of its members and their children. To join First Presbyterian Church as a communing member, new members must answer the five questions/vows found below.

Membership Vows

The following are taken from the Presbyterian Church in America’s Book of Church Order in section 57-5:

  • Do you acknowledge yourself to be a sinner in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope save in His sovereign mercy? 
  • Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel? 
  • Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as becomes the followers of Christ? 
  • Do you promise to support the Church in its worship and work to the best of your ability? 
  • Do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of the Church, and promise to study its purity and peace?

Our Denomination

First Presbyterian Church is part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The PCA strives to be faithful to the Scriptures, true to the Reformed faith, and obedient to the Great Commission. For more information about the PCA, click HERE.