What it means to be Presbyterian

Advent stands in the Evangelical tradition of Presbyterianism. This gives us an amazing foundation in a family of faith that has deep roots in the story of Christianity.  At the same time, the principles of “Presbyterianism” or the “Reformed tradition” enable us to fully engage today’s culture.  Simply put, Presbyterians are Christian and hold to the same ancient creeds (or beliefs) as other Christian traditions – but we emphasize a few key areas…

1. 1. We believe in a big God with the power to change lives, in fact, a God who has authority over the whole world (technical word is sovereignty).
   2. We believe that God chooses us before we choose him (the theological term is Grace).  God makes the first move and pursues us even when we are broken and don’t have our life together (technically predestination).
   3. We don’t think that one person should make decisions for the whole church – so the authority in the church is not held by the pastor, but by members of the congregation who work together on a team (this is actually what the word Presbyterian means – led by elders).
   4. We believe scripture has authority for our lives.  However, we don’t believe in easy answers.  We think that the Bible should be studied carefully and that our beliefs should be approached with both faith and thought.

As a member of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, we hold to this basic summary of faith:

All Scripture is self-attesting and being Truth, requires our unreserved submission in all areas of life. The infallible Word of God, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is a complete and unified witness to God’s redemptive acts culminating in the incarnation of the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible, uniquely and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, is the supreme and final authority on all matters on which it speaks. On this sure foundation we affirm these Essentials:

1. We believe in one God, the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To Him be all honor, glory and praise forever!

2. Jesus Christ, the living Word, became flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and His virgin birth. He who is true God became true man united in one Person forever. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. On the third day He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He now is our High Priest and Mediator.

3. The Holy Spirit has come to glorify Christ and to apply the saving work of Christ to our hearts. He convicts us of sin and draws us to the Savior. Indwelling our hearts, He gives new life to us, empowers and imparts gifts to us for service. He instructs and guides us into all truth, and seals us for the day of redemption.

4. Being estranged from God and condemned by our sinfulness, our salvation is wholly dependent upon the work of God’s free grace. God credits His righteousness to those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation, thereby justifies them in His sight. Only such as are born of the Holy Spirit and receive Jesus Christ become children of God and heirs of eternal life.

5. The true Church is composed of all persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit are united together in the body of Christ. The Church finds her visible, yet imperfect, expression in local congregations where the Word of God is preached in its purity and the sacraments are administered in their integrity; where scriptural discipline is practiced, and where loving fellowship is maintained. For her perfecting, she awaits the return of her Lord.

6. Jesus Christ will come again to the earth—personally, visibly, and bodily—to judge the living and the dead, and to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

7. The Lord Jesus Christ commands all believers to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world and to make disciples of all nations. Obedience to the Great Commission requires total commitment to “Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.” He calls us to a life of self-denying love and service. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

A more full definition of the beliefs of the EPC are found here: https://epc.org/about/beliefs/