Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry,
and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35

"What do Presbyterians Believe?"

It's important to know what a church believes, so you can be sure that you're joining a biblical church.

What we want to do here is simply outline some of the most important points of what our church believes and teaches.

1. The Bible

For us to know God, he must reveal, or make himself known to us. This is why the Bible is so important.

The word "bible" means "book". It was originally written in the languages of Hebrew (the Old Testament) and Greek (the New Testament). What makes the Bible special is the fact that it is "God-breathed". 2 Timothy 3:16. This means that when we read the text of the Bible we are actually reading God's words to us.

The human writers of the Bible were "carried along" by God the Holy Spirit as they wrote. 2 Peter 1:21. In other words, they were intensely and personally guided as they wrote down what God wanted them to say.

The Bible then is the words of God "breathed" as it were through men, who recorded those words. This assures us that the Bible is true (doesn't lead us to believe lies) and inerrant (doesn't make historical or theological mistakes - see Psalm 119:140).

For this reason, in the Presbyterian Church we believe that the Bible is the absolute standard of faith and practice. That means it's the rule by which we determine what to believe and do.

2. God

In the Bible God teaches us that he is a Spirit. John 4:24. Further to this, God has revealed himself in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, Mark 1:10-11. One God. Three Persons sharing the one nature or being of Godhood. So, God is a personal not impersonal being. In fact, he's the Ultimate Personality.

God is also Infinite. That means he has no bounds. Psalm 147:5. He's not limited in any way. There are three words that describe this attribute of God -

• God is Omnipresent - that is, "present everywhere at once". Not limited by space.
• God is Omniscient - "all-knowing". He knows everything.
• God is Omnipotent - "all-powerful". He can do anything he wants.

God is Eternal. He always has and always will exist. Psalm 90:2.

God is Immutable. That is, he's "unchangeable". James 1:17.

• As to his person God is unchangeable in his love, mercy, justice, holiness, judgement. He will always be perfectly consistent.
• As to his purpose God's promises and commands are unchangeable. He is totally dependable, and does what he says.

God is Sovereign. Everything is under his control and happens according to his purpose. Nothing takes God by surprise. One of the primary areas where God exercises his sovereign power is in the salvation of people. So after looking at the Bible's teaching about man we'll look at salvation.

3. Man

The Bible teaches that God created man(kind) "very good" in God's own "image". Genesis 1:31, 26. This 'image' is not physical, because God does not have a body, but rather it refers to the spiritual, intellectual, and moral dimensions of man. Colossians 3:10, Ephesians 4:24.

God created man primarily for worship and fellowship with himself and his fellowman, and to rule over the earth. Genesis 3:8, 2:24-25, 1:26.

By his rebellion against God Adam brought upon himself, and all his children (the human race), shame, separation from the presence and fellowship of God, alienation from fellowman, and the sentence of death. Genesis 3:7, 10, Genesis 3:8, Genesis 3:7, 12, Genesis 2:17.

By his rebellion Adam sinned against God. There are 2 aspects of sin.

• Original Sin. Everyone is born with a sinful nature. Psalm 51:5, Romans 5:12. That is, a heart that does not desire to submit to God's authority or receive his love. Adam's representative act of disobedience to God brought guilt and corruption upon every human being.
• Actual Sin. This is the actual doing of sin/s. Romans 3:23.

The Bible describes 2 ways of sinning.

• Doing what God's Law forbids - commission.
• Not doing what God's Law commands - omission.

There is however forgiveness for Sin. Sin is rebellion against God (Psalm 51:4), and therefore forgiveness must come from God. Forgiveness is through Jesus Christ alone. Ephesians 1:7. This forgiveness comes when we put faith in Christ as Savior, and repent of rebellion against Christ as Lord. Acts 26:18, 3:19-20.

4. Salvation

Man is absolutely unable to help himself spiritually. Sin keeps us from heaven, and separates us eternally from fellowship with God - the Bible calls this "Hell". Man's dilemma is: "How can I be saved ('rescued') from hell and restored to fellowship with God."

One way that fails to bring salvation is 'good works'. That is, trying to do the best you can, or attempting to keep the Ten Commandments. Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Timothy 1:8-9. Another thing that doesn't save is 'water baptism', or any other outward ceremony. It is the internal reality and not the external ritual that saves. 1 Peter 3:21.

Above we said that God is sovereign in our salvation. It's God alone who takes the initiative in our salvation, not us. It was God who sent his Son, Jesus Christ, not us who asked him to come. John 3:16. In fact, it was people like us who caused the death of Christ. Acts 2:36.

The Bible is clear: salvation comes to us by faith in Jesus Christ, God's Son. But even this faith is God's gift to us. Ephesians 2:8-9. We don't create faith within ourselves. Those who become Christians are so only because God has chosen to make them Christians. Acts 13:48, Romans 8:28-30, Ephesians 1:3-11, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14.

Paul tells us that Jesus Christ came to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15. Christ brought salvation by undergoing punishment for sin on the cross in place of his people, and by his resurrection from the dead. 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Corinthians 15:4. For these reason our salvation is absolutely secure in Jesus Christ. Romans 8:31-39.

a. Assurance of Salvation.

God would be a heartless Father if he failed to let his children know they are saved. When we become Christians he wants us to know this as an indisputable fact. 1 John 5:11. We know, because God has gone on record in the Bible. It's not arrogant to say you know you will go to heaven, because this salvation is Christ's work, not yours.

b. Permanence of Salvation.

There are only 2 places where anything could go wrong with salvation: with the inheritance or with the heir. But God has protected both. 1 Peter 1:3-5, Romans 8:35-39, John 10:28-29, 17:12.

Once saved, you can never be lost - you can never lose your salvation. Once in God's family he will never surrender the adoption rights to anyone else. Ephesians 1:5. God makes sure of this by his power at work in us, which preserves us, so that all who are saved persevere to the end. This is known from God's perspective as the 'preservation of the saints', and from our perspective as the 'perseverance of the saints'.

In the Presbyterian Church we believe this is one of the most essential teachings in the Bible for the Christian life. Christians who know that God's love won't ever let them go, live much bolder, more effective, and more grateful lives for him.

5. The Future

The Bible promises the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 1:11. This is referred to as the "Second Coming", and is a still future event. But its timing is unknown. 1 Thessalonians 5:1. So be careful of those who say they've "worked it out"!

At his return Christians who are still alive in the world will be "changed" - their bodies will become immortal and incorruptible. 1 Corinthians 15:52. They will also be "caught up together" with those Christians who have died but whose bodies will be raised from the dead. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

Those who, sadly, don't put their trust in Christ alone for salvation will bear the judgment of God. Matthew 25:31-46, 1 Thessalonians 5:3-9, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10.

Conclusion.

This has just been a summary of the most central teachings that the Presbyterian Church holds to in the Scripture. These also enter into the teaching ministries in the sermons and in the Home Group Bible studies.

This summary of Biblical doctrine is adapted largely from J.E. Adams', Shepherding God's Flock (Zondervan, pp.490ff).