Statement of Faith
We believe that the Bible is inspired by God and is thus entirely trustworthy and without error. The Bible is the ultimate authority and only infallible rule in every area of life.
We believe that the one true God exists in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The three persons exist as one God; the Trinity is beyond comprehension, but he has revealed himself in the Scriptures, equal in substance, essence, and authority, perfectly self-sufficient, free, holy and just, loving and merciful.
We believe that God ordains everything that comes to pass. He is meticulously sovereign over all things, yet his providence does not negate but rather establishes human responsibility.
We believe that because of the sin of the first man, Adam, all mankind is corrupt by nature, dead in sin and subject to the wrath of God. But God determined, by a covenant of grace, that sinners may receive forgiveness and eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, Faith in Christ is the only way of salvation, both in Old and New Testament times. This is the Gospel we proclaim.
We believe that the Son of God took upon himself a human nature in the womb of the virgin Mary, such that the divine and human natures were united in one person. Jesus lived a sinless life and died on the cross, bearing the sins of, and receiving the wrath of God for the elect, all those who trust in him. He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, where he sits as Lord and will return to judge the world on the last day.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who helps us obey God in and through His Word in life and holiness.
We believe that the Westminster Standards contain a clear and systematic summary and expression of what the Bible teaches.
We believe that the Presbyterian form of church government, in which leadership is by presbyteries and a plurality of elders, is the best articulation of what is in Scripture.
We believe that the goal of life is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, that the church is gifted with a diversity of gifts for the sake of building one another in love and holiness, and that it is the task of the Church to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Westminster Standards
The Bible is the ultimate standard of truth for those who hold the Christian faith. Yet, there are thousands of interpretations of the same Scriptures that has been held by faithful Christians over the 2000 years the church has existed. While on the one hand, we believe that the Holy Spirit is given to all Christians, and that there is no new special revelation nor are there individual Christians who has the authority to determine or modify what the Bible says. On the other hand, we believe that we cannot possibly the first to interpret the Bible correctly and that Christians has held to faithful doctrines for generations.
This is why we believe that it is good and necessary for churches to believe in historic confessions of faith. Not to replace or even compete with the Bible as the authoritative standard, but as a subordinate standard to scripture. To honor the work of the Holy Spirit in faithful brothers and sisters throughout history. And to guard ourselves from errors and deviations from scripture that we are all prone to.
As Reformed Christians, we subscribe to the Westminster Standards as a good and faithful summary of the doctrines taught by the Bible. The Westminster Standards are made up of the Westminster Confession of Faith along with the Westminster Larger & Shorter Catechisms.
WESTMINSTER CONFESSION OF FAITH
The Westminster Confession of Faith was made in 1646 after the English Parliament comissioned a group of 121 clergymen to produce a document as a standard for the doctrine, government, and discipline of the church. So they met in Westminster Abbey in London to study scriptures and deliberate these things until they can all come to an agreement of what the church must believe. This process took 5 years. In 1646 the assembly produced the Confession. This is a comprehensive systematic exposition of the most important doctrines of the church which are derived of truths explicitly mentioned in scripture and those deduced by good and necessary consequence. Not all possible theological issues are addressed here, but only those truths that we must hold in order to be faithful to Scripture.
You can find a modern English version of the link down below.
Outline
Chapter 1 Of the Holy Scripture
Chapter 2 Of God, and of the Holy Trinity
Chapter 3 Of God's Eternal Decree
Chapter 4 Of Creation
Chapter 5 Of Providence
Chapter 6 Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and the Punishment thereof
Chapter 7 Of God's Covenant with Man
Chapter 8 Of Christ the Mediator
Chapter 9 Of Free Will
Chapter 10 Of Effectual Calling
Chapter 11 Of Justification
Chapter 12 Of Adoption
Chapter 13 Of Sanctification
Chapter 14 Of Saving Faith
Chapter 15 Of Repentance unto Life
Chapter 16 Of Good Works
Chapter 17 Of the Perseverance Of the Saints
Chapter 18 Of Assurance Of Grace and Salvation
Chapter 19 Of the Law Of God
Chapter 20 Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty Of Conscience
Chapter 21 Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day
Chapter 22 Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
Chapter 23 Of the Civil Magistrate
Chapter 24 Of Marriage and Divorce
Chapter 25 Of the Church
Chapter 26 Of the Communion Of Saints
Chapter 27 Of the Sacraments
Chapter 28 Of Baptism
Chapter 29 Of the Lord's Supper
Chapter 30 Of Church Censures
Chapter 31 Of Synods and Councils
Chapter 32 Of the State Of Men after Death, and Of the Resurrection Of the Dead
Chapter 33 Of the Last Judgment
WESTMINSTER LARGER CATHECISM
In those 5 years, this assembly also produced the Westminster Larger Catechism. The purpose of this document is to help pastors teach the Bible in an exact and comprehensive way to new converts. The Catechism is in a question and answer format and covers the doctrines of God, Sin, and Christ, the Ten Commandments, the Sacraments and the Lord's prayer.
The modern English Version of this document can be found here.
WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATHECISM
Also, produced by the Westminster Assembly is the Westminster Shorter Catechism. This document covers the same topics as the larger catechism but are written in a way that should be understandable for even children and uneducated.
The modern English Version of this document can be found here.