WE ARE THEISTS (6.2 billion)
We believe there is a God who made the world (including us).
WE ARE MONOTHEISTS (Along with Jews and Muslims- about 3.8 billion)
WE ARE CHRISTIAN (2.3 billion who profess Christianity as their religion)
We believe God not only made the world, but cares for it and for us as a group and as individuals. (John 3:16).
We believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Everyone who joins our church has to profess this.
We believe in the trinity- There is one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe in the importance of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ as a way to offer us life abundantly here and eternal life.
(See the Apostles’ Creed below that we adhere to and say often)
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WE ARE PROTESTANT (along with Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians, Pentecostals, most non-denominational churches- about 600 million )
We believe in Grace alone- that we are saved not by what we do, but by the grace of God. We believe we cannot earn our way to heaven.
We believe in Faith alone- that we obtain salvation by putting our faith in Christ.
We believe in Scripture alone- Scripture is the Word of God written, and is our standard for what we believe and do.
WE ARE PRESBYTERIAN (or Reformed about 75 million worldwide)
We believe that God is sovereign over all of life. In the end, God’s purposes will be achieved.
We believe God has a purpose or calling for each person.
We believe that all we have is a gift from God and we are called to be stewards of those gifts.
Presbyterians tend to believe in the natural sinfulness of humanity.
Presbyterians usually emphasize loving God with our minds (an educated clergy and a goal of more education for all is important)
The word “presbyterian” comes from the biblical word for elder “presbyter.” We are those governed by elders.
WE ARE PART OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.) (about 2 million)
The largest Presbyterian body in the United States. We are diverse in our beliefs, and emphasize God’s grace.
