Distinctives
Presbyterian
Christ Presbyterian Church is a Presbyterian church. This word not only identifies the denomination to which the church belongs, it also says something significant about the church itself. Churches have various ways of describing themselves. Some identify themselves by an important historical character (i.e., Martin Luther and “Lutheran”). Some churches link their identity to a particular doctrine (i.e., baptism and “Baptist”). Others identify themselves by their view of the Christian life and experience (i.e., methodical and “Methodist”). Presbyterian churches identify themselves by their convictions regarding church government.
The word Presbyterian may sound strange and unfamiliar to many people and it is not easy to spell! It comes from the Greek word presbuteros which means “elder”. A Presbyterian church is one that is led by a plurality of elders. These men are chosen for office by the congregation and together have oversight of the life and ministry of the church.
While, at its basic level, the word Presbyterian refers to “elder-rule”, Presbyterianism also includes some other important elements. In addition to being governed by a plurality of elders, Presbyterian churches are also confessional and connectional.
Confessional
All churches are “confessional” in the sense that they declare openly and publicly what they believe. They “confess” their beliefs in a variety of ways and forms. Many have specific “doctrinal statements” which outline key beliefs of the church. Some churches may have a simple “statement of faith” on the back of their weekly bulletin. Even churches that emphatically deny the validity of man-made creeds, confessions, or doctrinal statements, are still being “confessional” the moment they begin to state what the Bible teaches. In fact, the Bible commands us to be confessional! The Apostle Peter wrote, “always [be] prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” As soon as we begin to do this, we are being “confessional”.
Presbyterians are up-front about being Confessional. In fact, we want people to know what we believe about many important Bible doctrines. What we believe about these key Bible doctrines is summarized in the Westminster Confession of Faith along with the Larger and Shorter catechisms. These documents, which were written during the 1640’s, have defined Reformed and Presbyterian churches for nearly 400 years.
As Presbyterians, we unashamedly and unreservedly affirm that the BIBLE and the BIBLE ALONE is our authority for all matters of faith and practice. We stand for the Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura. "Scripture ALONE" is our authority in all matters. The Westminster Confession and Catechisms are “authoritative” only to the extent that they accurately reflect and expound the teachings of the Bible. They are authoritative in much the same way that a sermon or commentary is “authoritative”. We value the statements of the Confessions, but we believe and obey the Bible alone.
"Scripture ALONE" is our authority in all matters.
Theology
We believe theology is important. We want everyone to understand clearly the theological convictions of our church. Christ Church is a confessional church whose system of doctrine is summarized in the Westminster Confession of Faith. The Westminster Confession expresses a theology that may be described as catholic, evangelical and reformed.
When we describe our theology as “catholic”, we are not referring to the Roman Catholic Church. The word “catholic” means “universal”. The theology of the Westminster Confession is "catholic" in that it reaffirms the doctrines of historic Christian orthodoxy such as those defined by the Apostles Creed and the great ecumenical councils of the first millennium of Christian history. These include the Councils of Nicea, Chalcedon, Constantinople, and others. These catholic doctrines include such affirmations as the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the atonement of Christ, and other doctrines that are integral to historic Christianity.
Our theology is "evangelical" in that it affirms with historic Protestantism the “good news” of God’s salvation of sinners through sovereign grace alone. This evangelical theology includes such vital doctrines as Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, Solus Christus, Sola Gratia, and Soli Deo Gloria:
Sola Scriptura - Bible is the sole written divine revelation and alone can bind the conscience of believers absolutely. The Bible alone is the sole authority for all matters of faith and practice.
Sola Fide - Justification is by faith alone. Sinners are declared “righteous” by God solely on the basis of the righteousness of Christ imputed to them and received through faith alone. This faith is not a work of human effort or merit. It is a gift of grace given by the Holy Spirit.
Sola Gratia - Our salvation rests solely on the work of God’s grace for us and in us.
Solus Christus - Christ is the only mediator through whose work we are redeemed. Salvation is by sovereign grace alone, through faith alone, on account of Christ alone.
Soli Deo Gloria - To God alone belongs the glory in salvation and all things.
Our theology is "reformed" in that, in addition to catholic and evangelical doctrine, the distinctive doctrines of the great 16th Century Reformers such as Luther, Calvin and Knox are also embraced in a way that distinguishes the Reformed tradition from other Protestant bodies. Reformed theology places great emphasis on the doctrine of God, which doctrine is central to the whole of its theology. In a word, Reformed theology is God-centered. The structure of the biblical Covenant of Grace is the framework for this theology. The concept of God's sovereign grace forms the center of this theology.
Worship
While every church is “liturgical” (meaning it has an order to its worship), our church puts its liturgy front and center, where everyone can see it. We believe this is helpful for several reasons:
- A printed liturgy enables us to worship BIBLICALLY. Since God determines how we are to worship him, we want our liturgy to be based upon Scripture alone and not left to the opinions and preferences of people.
- A printed liturgy enables us to worship CORPORATELY. Since worship is not a spectator activity, we want everyone to be able to participate in an informed and meaningful way. Printed prayers, responses, acts of adoration, etc., enable us all to be involved in worship as a body of believers.
- A printed liturgy enables us to worship FREELY. Everyone is able to know what comes next and who does what. We are freed to focus upon our God and not upon the service itself.
An essential part of our weekly worship is the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. We believe this means of grace is an important part of every believer’s growth in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through the preaching of God’s Word and the administration of the sacraments, the Holy Spirit, through faith, strengthens his people in their relationship with Christ. All believers who are baptized and under the authority of a local church are invited to participate in the Lord’s Supper.
Those participating in the Lord’s Supper are affirming to the elders of this church that they are members in good standing of a church where the Gospel of grace is faithfully taught, confessed, and believed. They are also acknowledging that they are sinners, without hope except in the sovereign grace and mercy of God, and that they are trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation. If anyone is not certain of their relation to Christ, or have any questions about participating in the Lord’s Supper, we invite them to speak with one of the elders or the pastor before or after the worship service.