What We Believe
We strongly believe that the Bible is God’s Word. It clearly tells us what we are to believe about God and how we are to live before Him. So, the first thing you will notice about our Fellowship is that we read, discuss, teach, sing, and live the Word. We are convinced that all of life — including the church’s preaching, worship, government, and discipline — must be brought into conformity with Scripture. The Church must preach the Bible (not mere human opinions), worship God in a manner which He has appointed in His word, and be governed and disciplined by a plurality of godly elders, according to the Scriptural pattern.
Yet many groups claim that they believe in the Bible. So, what do we mean when we say that we believe the Bible? We are a Protestant Church standing as the heirs of the great Reformation of the 16th century. We can accurately describe ourselves as Orthodox, Evangelical, Reformed, and Confessional Presbyterians.
Orthodox
We hold to the central tenets of Christianity. There is one God existing in Three Persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is the virgin-born Son of God — the God-man who is the only Savior of fallen, sinful man. The orthodox faith is summarized by the great confessions of Nicea and Chalcedon prepared during the early church.
Evangelical
How are you, as a sinner deserving of eternal punishment, made right before God? Only by trusting in Christ alone as the Savior. This truth is summarized in the Reformation watchwords of being saved by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, revealed in the Scripture alone.
Reformed
“Reformed” describes the Biblical doctrines clearly presented during the Great Reformation of the Church of the sixteenth century. This theology is often nicknamed “Calvinism”, for John Calvin, the great theologian of Geneva. Reformed teaching understands God as supreme, the Lord God Almighty. It is He Who saves fallen sinners since they are unable to save themselves. In eternity, God determined to save His people from their sins. In history, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live a sinless life in their place and die on a cross to pay for their sins. In time, God changes the individual’s heart from hatred toward God to a heart that seeks God and believes in the person and work of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The individual God saves does not lose his new relation with God, but perseveres in holiness and good works until the day when God takes the Christian to his or her eternal reward.
Presbyterian
The word “Presbyterian” comes from the Greek word for “elder”. Presbyterian describes how the Church is governed. Each Reformed Presbyterian Church has a group of elders, as described by 1 Timothy 3:1-7, who are elected by the congregation. The elders lead the Church as shepherds over the spiritual life of God’s people. The Churches of a geographical region are connected together as their elders meet in a “Presbytery” (a meeting of “presbyters” or elders). Finally, all the Churches meet together at a “Synod”, where the elders from all the Churches work together for the advancement of the gospel of Christ.
Confessional
We believe what the Bible teaches concerning God, man, sin, and salvation. Exactly what we believe is carefully and clearly set out in our Constitution, which contains the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Westminster Larger and Shorter Catechisms, and our Testimony. These documents describe what our Church believes, teaches, and practices. Our elders and deacons take vows to believe and uphold these standards. Our membership vows are more simple, emphasizing faith in Christ, commitment to the Bible, and the willingness to be teachable and to serve. The Covenant vows which members take are:
Covenant of Church Membership
- Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, the only infallible rule for faith and life?
- Do you believe in the one living and true God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as revealed in the Scriptures?
- Do you repent of your sin; confess your guilt and helplessness as a sinner against God; profess Jesus Christ, Son of God, as your Savior and Lord; and dedicate yourself to His service; do you promise that you will endeavor to forsake all sin, and to conform your life to His teaching and example?
- Do you promise to submit in the Lord to the teaching and government of this church as being based upon the Scriptures and described in substance in the Constitution of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America? Do you recognize your responsibility to work with others in the church and do you promise to support and encourage them in their service to the Lord? In case you should need correction in doctrine or life, do you promise to respect the authority and discipline of the church?
- To the end that you may grow in the Christian life, do you promise that you will diligently read the Bible, engage in private prayer, keep the Lord’s Day, regularly attend the worship services, observe the appointed sacraments, and give to the Lord’s work as He shall prosper you?
- Do you purpose to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness in all the relationships of life, faithfully to perform your whole duty as a true servant of Jesus Christ, and seek to win others to Him?
- Do you make this profession of faith and purpose in the presence of God, in humble reliance upon His grace, as you desire to give your account with joy at the Last Great Day?