We Believe
(The following is a brief statement of some points of doctrine that we count as essential, for a more complete look at what we believe you are encouraged to look at the Westminster Confession of Faith, also posted on this web site.)
- There is one God, eternal and self-existing in three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) who are to be equally loved, honored, and adored.
- God, out of his great mercy has not only revealed himself through nature but has also spoken to mankind through His revelation in Holy Scripture. We believe the Bible to be God’s infallible and inerrant Word.
- All mankind participated in Adam’s fall from his original sinless state and is thus lost in sin and totally helpless.
- The Sovereign God, for no other reason than His own unfathomable love and mercy, has chosen lost sinners from every nation to be redeemed by the quickening power of the Holy Spirit and through the atoning death and resurrection of His son, Jesus Christ.
- Those sinners whom the Spirit quickens come to believe in Christ as Savior by the Word of God, are born again, become sons of God, and will persevere to the end.
- Justification is by faith and through it the undeserving sinner is clothed with the righteousness of Christ.
- The goal of God’s salvation in the life of the Christian is holiness, good works, and service for the glory of God.
- At death the Christian’s soul passes immediately into the presence of God and the unbeliever’s soul is eternally separated from God unto condemnation.
- Baptism is a sign of God’s covenant and is properly administered to children of believers in their infancy as well as to those who come as adults to trust in Christ.
- Jesus Christ will return to earth, visibly and bodily, at a time when He is not expected, to consummate history and the eternal plan of God.
- The Gospel of God’s salvation in Jesus Christ must be published to all the world as a witness before Jesus Christ returns.
Creeds and confessions
In a day when it seems that truth itself is under assault, it is important to know what you believe. It is also important to know what your church believes. At Fifth Street Presbyterian Church, we believe that the Bible is the sole standard for faith and doctrine. But we also believe that it is important to confess what we believe the Bible teaches. "Creed" comes from a Latin word that means "I believe," and "Confession" comes from a Latin word that means "to speak together." This is a testimony to the watching world, and a way for God's people to test our beliefs against the Scriptures (Acts 17:11). At Fifth Street Presbyterian Church, we affirm the ancient ecumenical creeds of the Church, and subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms.
The Westminster Confession of Faith (PDF)
The Westminster Shorter Catechism (PDF)