FPC stands in the long line of Biblical statements of faith going back to the Apostle's Creed (2nd century) and the Nicene Creed (4th century). In addition, we adhere to and teach what is sometimes called the Reformed faith, as expressed in
the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms. This statement of faith, completed in 1648, has been widely used and recognized by Presbyterians and others as well,
as the best expression and summary of Protestant Christianity. FPC is a "creedal"
church in the sense that we have adopted a creed (the Westminster Standards) as the public statement of our faith. In our
confusing day, to say "we just believe the Bible" is meaningless. What do you believe the Bible teaches? "No
creed but Christ" is equally meaningless. Who is Christ and what did He do? Thus, a creed is necessary as a public statement
of belief, and as a standard of doctrinal accountability for ministers and teachers. Our creeds are not inspired by God, nor
do we treat them as such. They are simply a useful summary of what we believe the Bible teaches.
Among our basic, core beliefs are the following:
The
Bible is the inspired and inerrant word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice. Special direct revelation
from God has ceased and is unnecessary, since all we need for faith and life is given in Scripture.
There is one God, eternal and self-existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is infinite and unchangeable,
the Creator of all things, all-knowing, everywhere present, holy, just, loving, and totally sovereign over all His creation.
All people are created in the image of God, but that image has been distorted by
sin - both by the inherited guilt of Adam's sin, and by the actual sins we daily commit. All sin is an offense to God
and deserves His wrath and punishment. All human beings come into the world lost, dead in sin, alienated from God, and helpless
to do anything that will cause or merit salvation.
Jesus Christ is fully God and
fully man, the only Redeemer of sinners, the only way to know God and forgiveness. He lived a sinless life as a substitute
for his people, supplying them with the perfect righteousness required by God. He endured God's justice and wrath at the
cross, taking the penalty for sin in the place of His people.
Salvation is by
faith alone, apart from good works. It is the gift of God's grace and cannot in any way be earned or deserved. Even faith
itself is not a human accomplishment, but the gift of God, so that God alone receives glory and credit for man's salvation.
The Bible freely offers eternal life to any and all who will repent of their sin
and place their hope and trust in Jesus Christ alone. It is the duty of the Church to proclaim this Good News to all the nations,
beginning with our own community and neighborhoods.
Though salvation is by faith
alone, it will always result in a life of good works and progressive character change toward likeness to Jesus Christ.
The moral law (summarized in the ten commandments) is valid today and is necessary
for teaching non-Christians their need of a Savior, and for teaching Christians how to express their love for one another
and for the God who created and redeemed them.
At death the Christian's soul
passes immediately into the presence of Christ, and the unbeliever's soul is eternally separated from God's love and
mercy in the conscious suffering of Hell.
Jesus Christ will return to Earth visibly
and bodily at the end of history to finish God's redemptive plan and purpose. There will be a bodily resurrection of both
the saved and the lost, the former to eternal life, and the latter to eternal wrath and judgment.
We may worship God only in the ways He has appointed in Scripture. The means of grace that God uses to gather
and mature His people are the Word read, taught, and preached; prayer; fellowship; and the two sacrements of baptism and the
Lord's Supper.
