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Westminster
Assembly
CONFESSIONS
Original Westminster Standards [1646-1647]
OPC form of the Westminster Standards
What We Believe
The final authority for the church is the written and infallible, inspired word of God, the Bible.
Though no confession or catechism is infallible nor equal to God’s word, such are useful in summarizing succinctly the basic doctrines of the Bible and declaring clearly to all men what one believes. Those who say they believe the Bible and fail to further clarify their faith are often found teaching erroneous doctrines not found in God’s word. There is safety in a church clearly setting down in writing those important and essential beliefs one finds in the Bible. This keeps churches and church officers honest about what they believe and teach.
We believe the important truths of the Bible as summarized in the Westminster Standards– Confession of Faith, Larger Catechism and Shorter Catechism. These are not superior to the Bible or infallible, but faithful expositions of biblical doctrine as pastors and teachers are bound to faithfully preach and teach the word of God.
Ordained officers in this congregation and our denomination take vows subscribing to the these standards and should be in full and complete compliance, or with clearly stated exceptions approved by their ordaining court. Such exceptions should be minimal and not conflict with the essential teachings of the system of doctrine.
Regarding some doctrines now questioned in evangelical and even reformed Christian circles:
Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
A sacrament is an holy ordinance instituted by Christ; wherein, by sensible signs, Christ, and the benefits of the new covenant, are represented, sealed, and applied to believers. Sacraments are not regenerating ordinances.