What We Believe
Christ Presbyterian is part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). As a PCA church, we believe that the Westminster Confession of Faith and its catechisms provide a theological framework for the life of the church and its people. This includes the broader historic expressions of orthodox Christian faith found in the Apostle’s and Nicene Creeds.
In short, we believe:
- in one God in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who is the Creator of all things and sovereign over all He has made;
- the absolute authority of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as the only rule for faith and practice;
- that we were created with great dignity in the image of God to love Him and each other but because of sin introduced into creation by humanity we have turned in on ourselves and are helpless to do that which we were made to, placing us in a position of guilt before God, alienated from Him, and under the curse of death;
- that the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, is the only hope to free us from the guilt of our sin, the bondage of our corruption, and the futility of our alienation from God and one another, and that this hope is offered, out of sheer grace, by faith in Jesus;
- that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not just the means for entrance into the Kingdom of God but also the principle of life within it.
- that the glorious destiny of the world is the coming again of Christ, in glory, to finally put an end to sin and death, set the world to rights, and to bring the Kingdom of God finally and fully to the world that was made for it.
Apostle's Creed
“I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.”
The term “catholic” means “universal”, throughout all ages and generations.
The Apostles Creed was not actually written by the apostles, but is a confession of faith dating back to around 140 AD. Many wonder about the phrase, “descended into hell.” The church has understood this phrase to mean that Christ’s “descent into hell” was his being buried, and continuing in the state and power of death until his resurrection on the third day.
Nicene Creed
“I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spake by the prophets.
I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
Amen.”
The Nicene Creed originated at the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. and this expanded form was adopted at Council of Chalcedon in 451 A.D.