Some Key Beliefs of the Presbyterian Church (USA) from its
Book of Order.

summarized by Rev. Winfield Casey Jones

According to the Presbyterian Church (USA) Book of Order, Jesus Christ is Head of the Church which is his body.

"All power in heaven and earth is given to Jesus Christ by almighty God, who raised Christ from the dead and set him above all rule and authority, all power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come." (B.O. G-1.0100)

According to the Presbyterian church (USA) Book of Order, scripture is the supreme authority for the Church's life.

"...all Church power, whether exercised by the body in general or in the way of representation by delegated authority, is only ministerial and declarative; that is to say, that the scriptures are the only rule of faith and manners; that no Church governing body ought to pretend to make laws to bind the conscience in virtue of their own authority; and that all their decisions should be founded upon the revealed will of God." (B.O. G- 1.037)

Those elected as officers (elders, deacons, or Ministers of Word and Sacrament) in the Presbyterian Church (USA) must affirm that scripture is God's Word to them and the authoritative witness to who Jesus Christ is. (G-14.0405 b [2])

According to the Presbyterian Church (USA) Book of Order, the Church in its creeds, catechisms, and confessions, which are statements summarizing scripture truths, lifts up in particular, ten beliefs:
Beliefs we share with all Christians (Protestant and Catholic) that scripture and the early creeds based on scripture teach: (G-2.0300)

  1. The mystery of one God who is triune--Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
  2. The second person of the Trinity, also known as the Word or the Son, existed eternally but became flesh and blood in Jesus Christ. (G- 2.0300)

Beliefs we share with all Protestants (G-2.0400)

  1. Grace alone--We are saved by God's grace alone, not by our works. We can never earn or deserve God's love. It is a free gift.
  2. Faith alone--We are saved by grace through faith alone. We receive God's grace through our faith that God give us. Our faith does not have to be perfect, and it can include doubts. Faith is simple trust in God and His promises in Christ.
  3. Scripture alone--Scripture is the standard of God's truth, and unlike Roman Catholics, we do not believe that the teaching of the Church is on the same level as scripture. Instead we believe that our creeds, catechisms, and confessions are subordinate to scripture (G-2.0200), and that they are authoritative only insofar as they correctly teach what scripture teaches.

Beliefs we share with other Reformed Churches (G-2.0500)

  1. "The majesty, holiness, and providence of God who creates, sustains, rules, and redeems the world in the freedom of sovereign righteousness and love."
  2. The election (God choosing us before we choose Him) of God's people for service as well as for salvation.
  3. The understanding that we as Christians live life in covenant with God and with one another, so that we should live disciplined, orderly lives according to God's Word.
  4. A faithful stewardship (the understanding that everything belongs to God and we are managers) that is not showy and seeks to use God's gifts properly.
  5. The recognition that humans have a tendency to put things before God (idolatry) and to lord it over others (tyranny), and answering God's call to help transform society and seek justice in obedience to God's Word.

We understand that everyone who wishes to join the church may not yet have studied and believed all of these things, and so the Book Of Order requires that to become a member a person must only profess their trust in Jesus Christ as their lord and savior. normally to be an officer (elder, deacon, or minister of word and sacraments), they should endorse the beliefs stated above.

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