At Pinehaven Presbyterian Church, we believe that doctrine is important because truth is important. God has revealed his truth to us in the Scriptures, which are without error and completely authoritative in all they teach. In a world that tells us there are many different ways to God, and that there isn’t one “truth” for everyone, we stand unashamedly upon the Word of God.
The best summary of what the Scriptures teach is found in the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Larger Catechism (Part 1 Part 2), and the Shorter Catechism. Every pastor, elder, and deacon in our congregation is required to subscribe to these documents and to always teach in accord with them. This has also been called the “Reformed faith.” We trace our doctrinal roots to the Reformation, when the great truths of Scripture were recovered after they had been stomped underfoot by the medieval church.
The following is a brief summary of many of our basic beliefs:
We believe the Bible is the written word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the revelation of God’s truth and is infallible and authoritative in all matters of faith and practice.
We believe in the Holy Trinity. There is one God, who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We believe that all are sinners and totally unable to save themselves from God’s displeasure, except by His mercy.
We believe that salvation is by God alone as He sovereignly chooses those He will save. We believe His choice is based on His grace, not on any human individual merit, or foreseen faith.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who through His perfect life and sacrificial death atoned for the sins of all who will trust in Him, alone, for salvation.
We believe that God is gracious and faithful to His people not simply as individuals but as families in successive generations according to His Covenant promises.
We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells God’s people and gives them the strength and wisdom to trust Christ and follow Him.
We believe that Jesus will return, bodily and visibly, to judge all mankind and to receive His people to Himself.
We believe that all aspects of our lives are to be lived to the glory of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.