OUR BELIEFS

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is a confessional church, believing that the message of Jesus Christ, while remaining eternally constant, finds different language in different times and circumstances.

Our Book of Confessions includes eleven confessions, spanning the history of Christianity from its earliest doctrinal beginnings until the late twentieth century.

Our beliefs can be summarized in these short statements:

  1. What Presbyterians Believe in Common With All Christians
    1. The Trinity
    2. The Incarnation
    3. Jesus Christ is Both Human and Divine
    4. The Holy Spirit
    5. The Life Everlasting
    6. The The Apostles' Creed and The Nicene Creed
    7. The Lord's Prayer
  2. What Presbyterians Believe in Common with All Protestants
    1. Inspiration of Scripture
    2. Authority of Scripture
    3. Salvation by Grace through Our Faith
    4. Priesthood of All Believers
    5. Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper
  3. What Presbyterian Emphasize in Doctrine and Theology
    1. Theology and Life of the Mind
    2. Confessional and Creedal Statements from Different Times and Places
    3. Beliefs about God
      1. God is both Majestic and Loving, Beyond Us and With Us, Holy and Generous
      2. God Alone is Sovereign
      3. God is Sovereign Over All of Life
      4. God Chooses People for both Salvation and Service
      5. God's Grace is Central
    4. Beliefs about Humankind
      1. Purpose of Life is to Glorify God and Transform the World
      2. Stewardship of All Creation
      3. Christian Life Involves Continuing Growth and Maturity (Sanctification)
      4. Law of God is Guide for Life
      5. Education and Learning are Important
    5. Beliefs about the Church
      1. Church's Final Authority is Jesus Christ
      2. Church is an Ecumenical and World-wide Body
      3. Church is a Community of Believers, not a Random Collection of Individuals
      4. Church's Governance is characterized by order
      5. Church is Reformed, Always Being Reformed according to Scripture and the Spirit of God.