First Presbyterian Church Crystal Springs is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The PCA is a family of churches that are doctrinally Reformed and governmentally Presbyterian. Below is a summary of our core beliefs, which are developed in more detail in the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Westminster Larger Catechism, and the Westminster Shorter Catechism.

Scripture

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. (Isaiah 40:8, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12)

God

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. (Deuteronomy 7:9, Psalm 119:90, Lamentations 3:22-23, Hebrews 10:23)

We believe in the Holy Trinity. There is one God, who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14)

We believe that God the Father by His spoken Word created all things out of nothing. Through His Sovereign hand He sustains and controls all thing for the accomplishing of His will. He is worthy of our praise and hears the prayers of His people. (Genesis 1:1, Hebrews 1:3, Proverbs 15:29)

We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who became man, lived and died and rose again to atone for the sins of those who trust Him alone for their salvation. Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and man. (John 1:1-3, John 1:14, John 20:30-31, Hebrews 4:14, 1 Timothy 2:5)

We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells God’s people enabling them to trust Christ and follow Him. The Holy Spirit gives Christians the daily strength and wisdom that they need to walk according to His will and to grow in holiness. (Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 2:12-13, 1 Peter 1:14-16,)

Man

We believe that humans were created male and female in the image of God. A true historical Adam and Eve lived in perfection with God until they sinned receiving separation from God’s Holy presence. From that point until now all are born sinners and totally unable to save themselves from God’s displeasure, except by His mercy. (Genesis 1:27, Genesis 3:20, Genesis 3:1-7, Genesis 3:24, Psalm 14:2-3, Jeremiah 17:9, Ephesians 2:1-5, Ephesians 2:12)

Salvation

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. God alone saves the people whom He draws to Jesus by His Holy Spirit. He convinces them of their sin and enlightens them so that they repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ as He is offered in the Gospel. Because God alone knows who are His, we call on people everywhere to repent and to trust in Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-10, John 6:44, Acts 13:48, John 16:7-8, Acts 17:30-31)

Christ’s Return

We believe that Jesus will return, bodily and visibly, to judge all mankind and to receive His people to Himself. (Acts 1:10-11, 2 Timothy 4:1, 1 Peter 4:5, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17)

Purpose of Life

We believe that all aspects of our lives are to be lived to the glory of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:17)