What We Believe
The following is taken directly from the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. website: pcusa.org
Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. Our heritage, and much of what we believe, began with the French lawyer John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him.
Calvin did much of his writing from Geneva, Switzerland. From there, the Reformed movement spread to other parts of Europe and the British Isles.
Many of the early Presbyterians in America came from England, Scotland and Ireland. The first American Presbytery was organized at Philadelphia in 1706. The first General Assembly was held in the same city in 1789. The first Assembly was convened by the Rev. John Witherspoon, the only minister to sign the Declaration of Independence.
Some of the principles articulated by John Calvin are still at the core of Presbyterian beliefs. Among these are the sovereignty of God, the authority of Scripture, justification by grace through faith and the priesthood of all believers. What these tenets mean is that God is the supreme authority throughout the universe. Our knowledge of God and God’s purpose for humanity comes from the Bible, particularly what is revealed in the New Testament through the life of Jesus Christ. Our salvation (justification) through Jesus is God’s generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments. It is everyone’s job — ministers and lay people alike — to share this Good News with the whole world. That is also why the Presbyterian church is governed at all levels by a combination of clergy and laity, men and women alike.
John Calvin
Points of interest
Presbyterians confess their beliefs through statements that have been adopted over the years and are contained in The Book of Confessions. These statements reflect our understanding of God and what God expects of us at different times in history, but all are faithful to the fundamental beliefs described above. Even though we share these common beliefs, Presbyterians understand that God alone is lord of the conscience, and it is up to each individual to understand what these principles mean in his or her life.
What Presbyterians Believe:
Advent
Angels
Art
The Ascension
The Ascension II
The Atonement
Baptism
Baptism II
The Bible
The Bible — The Living Word
Biblical Interpretation
Biblical Justice
Communion
Confessions
Connectional Church
Connectional Church: Grace, Gratitude, Risk-Taking Service
Connectional Church: Networking
Creation and Nature
Deacons
The Devil
Infant Baptism (2006 version)
Infant Baptism (1985 version)
Interfaith Relations
Jesus
Jesus II
Jesus Is Lord
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit (3 Views)
Life After Death
Lord of the Conscience
Mary
Mary: how Jesus’ mother reflects God’s love
Miracles
Nature and Creation
Ordination
Prayer and the Korean Church
Predestination
Predestination II
Priesthood of All Believers
Priesthood of All Believers II
“Prosperity Gospel”
Purity
Reconciliation
“Reformed and Always Reforming”
The Resurrection of Jesus
Sacraments
Second Coming
Sin and Salvation
Spirituality
Stewardship
The Trinity
Reclaiming the Trinity
Vocation
Wealth
Who Are We as Presbyterians?
Worship