What We Believe
SCRIPTURES
We believe the Bible is the written word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit to be without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the revelation of God’s truth and is authoritative to be the only rule of faith and life.
GOD
We believe in the Trinity. There is one God, who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
HUMANITY
We believe all people are created by God and in his image; yet, they seek to live self-centered lives alienated from God. This alienation results in God’s just displeasure, and can only be remedied by God’s merciful intervention.
SALVATION
We believe salvation is the work of God, as he chooses to show saving mercy to some that leads them to faith in Jesus. His choice is based only on God’s grace and not on any person’s individual merit or foreseen faith.
JESUS
We believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully God and fully man. Through his perfect life and sacrificial death, he restored the relationship between God and all who trust his work on their behalf.
HOLY SPIRIT
We believe the Holy Spirit enables people to understand the things of God, renews their wills, and draws them to Christ so they profess faith. The Spirit then indwells God’s people, giving them the desire and ability to serve the Lord.
COVENANT
We believe God voluntarily establishes a relationship with his creatures through a covenant. God shows favor not just to individuals, but also to families of those who put their trust in him. Those who are saved have a holy fellowship and communion with God and each other.
RESURRECTION
We believe Jesus physically rose from the dead and will return bodily and visibly to judge the living and the dead. Those who trust in Christ will be raised to eternal life, and those who, by their unbelief, remain alienated from God will be raised to everlasting judgment.
GLORY
We believe all aspects of life are to be lived to the glory of God through faith and obedience to Jesus Christ.
The Presbyterian Church in America
The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) was formed in 1973 to be a denomination that is “Faithful to the Scriptures, True to the Reformed Faith, and Obedient to the Great Commission.”
The PCA is an evangelical denomination in that we proclaim the gospel of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The word “evangelical” comes from the Greek word meaning “good news.” We desire all people to trust in the saving work of Jesus and enjoy eternal life in him.
The PCA is a reformed denomination in that we believe in the biblical truth proclaimed during the Protestant Reformation. The Word of God, rather than tradition, is the only guide for the Church. God alone saves through his immeasurable mercy and according to his sovereign plan.
We believe the system of doctrine taught in the Bible is summarized well in the Westminster Confession of Faith with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms.
The PCA is a Presbyterian denomination in that we have a representative form of church government. A local church is governed by a “Session” comprised of elders (i.e., “presbyters”) elected by the members of the congregation. Pastors and representatives of local churches in a region form a “Presbytery.” Representatives of Presbyteries and local churches meet annually at a “General Assembly.”
The General Assembly Committees and Agencies help local churches combine their efforts and resources to advance God’s Kingdom more effectively.
For the PCA’s full history, beliefs and vision visit www.pcanet.org.
