FAITH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

BELIEFS

Faith Presbyterian Church has definite beliefs, drawn directly from the Word of God, which are stated clearly.

It holds the common Christian Faith, and cooperates with other Christian people.  Some of its important beliefs are summarized below:

1.   GOD.  God, the creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1), is Sovereign Lord of the universe (Daniel 4:35).  He has revealed himself partially through nature and fully in the Bible.  His supreme revelation of himself is in Jesus Christ.  God is righteous in all his ways, loving in all his dealings. (2 Peter 3:9).

2. MAN.    Man is a sinner, unable to save himself, and therefore needs a Savior.   (Genesis 6:5-6; Romans 3:19-23; Romans 6:23a).

3. CHRIST.  God out of his great love provided a Savior.  (John 3:16-17).  This one and only Savior is the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s own Son, born of a woman, and is therefore God and man, and as such is able to make reconciliation between God and man.  (Romans 3:24-26).

4. SALVATION.  For our sin Christ died on the cross, taking upon himself our guilt and the penalty of sin that we might be forgiven and set free. (Romans 5:8; Romans 8:1).

5. FAITH.  Salvation comes to us only through our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12; John 3:14-15; Acts 16:30-31; Hebrews 7:25).

6. REPENTANCE.  Repentance from sin, which is more than sorrow for sin, is a turning away from sin unto newness of life in Christ. (Mark 1:14-15; Acts 2:37-38; Matthew 3:8).

7. THE HOLY SPIRIT.  The Holy Spirit leads to conviction of sin, to repentance and faith, and to a desire for a new life, and so brings about the new birth without which no man can enter the Kingdom of Heaven; and he enables us to die more and more unto sin and to live more and more unto righteousness. (John 3:3-8; John 16:7-13).

8. THE BIBLE.   The Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God.  (2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:16).

9. THE ORGANIZED CHURCH.  The organized Church is a divine institution for the worship of God, and propagation of the faith, and the mutual comfort and strength of those who believe.  (Matthew 16:16-18; Ephesians 5:23-27).

10. THE SACRAMENTS.  There are only two holy ordinances instituted by Christ, wherein by outward signs, inward spiritual meanings and graces are conveyed to sincere participants – worthy receivers.

    1. Baptism.  Water baptism, a symbol of spiritual baptism, is the rite of entrance into the church; to be administered to all who believe in Christ and to their children as a token that they are members of the household of God.  (Acts 16:14-15; Ephesians 6:4; Acts 16:32-33).

    2. The Lord’s Supper.  This is a memorial of Christ’ life and death and coming again.  (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

11. A PUBLIC CONFESSION OF CHRIST AS SAVIOR.  A public confession of Christ as Savior is made by joining the church.  (Matthew 10:32).

12. THE LORD’S DAY.  The first day of the week is the Christian Sabbath for public worship.  After the resurrection of Christ the disciples met for prayers and worship on the first day of the week. (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; John 20:19-26).

13. CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY OF WITNESSING FOR CHRIST.  A Christian has the responsibility of witnessing for Christ, and so helping to build up a human society permeated by the spirit of Christ.  (Acts 1:8; John 1:34-42; 2 Corinthians 3:2,3).

14. THE BODILY RESURRECTION OF CHRIST.  The resurrection of Christ was a bodily resurrection. There will also be a bodily resurrection of all people and recognition in the life to come.  (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4, 20-23; John 14:1-3).

15. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST.  The second coming of Christ will be personal and glorious.  It is ours to watch and work and be ready when he comes.  (Matthew 24:42-44).

16. THE FINAL JUDGMENT.  There will be a final judgment with Christ as the Judge; and there will be eternal blessedness for all those who in this life accept Jesus Christ as Savior and seek to follow him as their Lord.  (Acts 10:42; Hebrews 9:27; 2 Corinthians 5:10).