Our Statement of Faith

From the time of the Apostles to today, Christians have laid out doctrine (beliefs) in brief, definitive statements. As those who know God, we believe it necessary to set forth in a concise fashion the cornerstone truths of our church as guided by Scripture. Our Statement of Faith summarizes essential Christian beliefs, shows unity in Christ, and guards the church from error.

All who join PCF are required to affirm the PCF Statement of Faith. This statement registers our belief in historic Christianity, evangelical Christianity, believer’s baptism, and congregational polity. Once we as members agree to the statement, we are responsible for believing and living in accordance with it.

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The Scriptures

We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us; and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried.

Of The True God

We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor, confidence, and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.

GOD THE FATHER

We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love. We believe that He infallibly foreknows all that shall come to pass, that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

JESUS CHRIST

We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death, bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven, perpetual intercession for His people, and personal visible return to earth.

THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ, and that He is an abiding helper, teacher and guide.  We also believe the Holy Spirit provides spiritual gifts to believers in order to do ministry and be a blessing to the body of Christ.

 Of The Fall Of Man
 

We believe that Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.

Of The Way Of Salvation

We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin.  Jesus honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.

 Of Justification

We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in Him is Justification; that Justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer’s blood; by virtue of which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity. While Justification is by faith alone in Christ alone, those who are justified will bear spiritual fruit that testify to a true work of grace within the believer.

Of The Freeness Of Salvation
 

We believe that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by a penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own inherent depravity and voluntary rejection of the gospel; which rejection leaves him in a state of condemnation.

Of Grace In Regeneration
 

We believe that, in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind; that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance, and faith, and newness of life.

Of Repentance And Faith
 

We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with sincere contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and relying on Him alone as the only and all sufficient Savior.

Of Sanctification
 

We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual application of the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness and prayer.

CHRISTIAN CONDUCT

We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God and the well-being of his fellow men; that his conduct should be blameless before the world; that he should be a faithful steward of his possessions; and that he should seek to realize for himself and others the full stature of maturity in Christ.

Of The Perseverance Of Saints

We believe that all those genuinely born of God will endure unto the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

Of A Gospel Church
 

We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by His laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word; that its only scriptural officers are Elders or Pastors, and Deacons, whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.

 Of Baptism And The Lord’s Supper
 

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper to the local church. We believe that Christian baptism is the immersion of the believer in water into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ for commemoration of His death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Of Civil Government
 

We believe that Civil Government is ordained of God, for the interests and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the King over all the kings of the earth.

Christians in Death

We believe that when Christians die they pass immediately into the blessed presence of Christ, there to enjoy conscious fellowship with the Savior until the day of the resurrection and glorious transformation of the body. The saved will then forever dwell in blissful fellowship with their great Triune God. We also believe that when unbelievers die they are consigned to hell, there to await the day of judgment when they shall be punished with eternal separation from the presence of God.

THE LAST THINGS

We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgement, the eternal joy and happiness of the righteous and the endless suffering of the wicked.

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PCF CHURCH COVENANT

A church’s Statement of Faith presents the doctrinal commitments of a church.  A church covenant is different.  A church covenant is a statement on how we agree to live as a church. The church covenant is equal parts promise, summary of expectations, ethical statement, and biblical standard. We summarize how we promise to live together in the covenant. It forms the ethics, or the moral principles, of our worldview and holds out a biblical standard by which we live. Our acceptance of this multifaceted document follows the practice of believers throughout the centuries who have pledged to God and one another to live out the gospel in community.

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All new members must affirm to live by this covenant.  We also reaffirm our commitment to this covenant prior when receiving new members into membership and we reaffirm this covenant prior to all business meetings. By featuring the covenant in our life together, we strive to protect ourselves from individual and corporate sin. Of equal importance, we spur one another on to live in the light of a greater covenant, one initiated by love, sealed by sacrifice, and kept for eternity by our Savior, Jesus Christ.

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1. Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God[1], to receive Jesus Christ as the Lord, Savior, and, supreme Treasure of our lives[2], and, on the profession of our faith[3], having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit[4], we do now, in the presence of God, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another as one body in Christ.[5]                                                   

2. We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love[6], to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness and peace[7]; to promote its spirituality and fruitfulness[8]; to sustain its worship, ordinances, and discipline[9]; seeking to grow toward biblical unity in the truth[10]; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.[11]                                        

3. We also engage to maintain family and personal devotions; to educate our children in the Christian faith[12]; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances[13]; to walk wisely in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our conduct, to avoid all tattling, backbiting and excessive anger[14]; to seek God’s help in abstaining from all substances and practices which bring unwarranted harm to the body or jeopardize our own or another’s faith.[15]                

4. We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love[16]; to remember one another in prayer; to aid one another in sickness and distress[17]; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.[18]                                                    

5. We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will, if possible, unite with a likeminded church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant.[19]                   

6. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.[20]

[1] John 6:44; Matthew 16:17

[2] Matthew 22:37; Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9-10

[3] Romans 10:9-10

[4] Matthew 28:19

[5] 1 Samuel 18:3; Malachi 2:14; 1 Corinthians 12:12; 1 John 1:7

[6] 2 John 1:6; Eph. 4:1-3

[7] 2 Peter 1:5-8

[8] Hebrews 10:24-25

[9] Matthew 18:15-17; John 4:22-24; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-20

[10] Eph. 4:13-15

[11] 2 Corinthians 9:6-8; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Eph. 4:28

[12] Deuteronomy 6:4-7; Ephesians 6:4

[13] Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Tom. 4:16; Hebrews 9:27

[14] Eph. 4:20-5:10

[15] Romans 13:13-14, 14:14-23; 1 Cor. 6:12-20; Eh. 5:18; 1 Cor. 6:10; Pr. 23:21

[16] Galatians 6:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

[17] Colossians 4:2-3, 12; James 5:13-16

[18] Matthew 5:9; 6:14; Eph. 4:30-32;Colossians 3:12-13

[19] Hebrews 10:24-25                                                              

[20] 2 Corinthians 13:14

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