First Presbyterian Church of Bentleyville (EPC)
Mission statement
We believe in Jesus.
It really is that simple. We believe in Jesus Christ as he reveals himself in his Word.
As a congregation of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, we live by a motto that dates in one form or another to the earliest centuries of the church:
In essential, unity; in non essential, liberty; in all thing charity.
We believe.....
In one God, the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who created all that is, seen and unseen, by his Word; and that in his providence he preserves and governs creation to this day. (Westminster Confession of Faith, chs. 2 & 3)
We believe.....
That in his mercy and love for sinful humanity, the Son of God gave up his throne in glory and took on our flesh, bearing our weaknesses and experiencing our temptations, yet remained without sin. (Philippians 2:6-8; Hebrews 4:15; Westminster Confession of Faith, ch. 8)
We believe.....
That humanity was created, male and female, in the likeness and image of God, to worship God and enjoy him forever. (Westminster Shorter Catechism, Q.1)
That although humanity was created for eternal life in the presence of God, through disobedience sin entered the world, and with it separation from God and the curse of death and hell. (Westminster Confession of Faith, ch. 6)
We believe.....
That Jesus’ death on the cross was the one sufficient, atoning sacrifice for sin, and that apart from him there is no salvation. Furthermore, we believe that everyone for whom he purchased redemption actually receives it. (Acts 4:12, Westminster Confession of Faith, ch. 8.8)
We believe.....
That Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, fully God and fully man. (Westminster Confession of Faith, ch. 8.2)
And that...
it is necessary for those who are saved to put their whole trust in Jesus, to repent of their sins and to follow him, strengthened and guided by the Holy Spirit. (Westminster Confession of Faith, ch. 15)
We believe.....
In Jesus’ bodily resurrection from the dead, after which he ascended to heaven, where he sits at the right hand of the Father to intercede on behalf of those who love him. (Westminster Confession of Faith, ch. 8)
We believe...
In the person and work of the Holy Spirit, who draws Christ's people to him, who gives faith to believe in him, and who strengthens them to live godly lives. (Westminster Confession of Faith, ch. 34)
We believe.....
In the one, holy, catholic, apostolic church, the body and bride of Christ, made up of those in every place and in every age who are redeemed in Christ. (Westminster Confession of Faith, ch. 25)
We believe.....
In two sacraments instituted and commanded by Christ: Baptism and Holy Communion. (Westminster Confession of Faith, ch. 27)
We believe.....
In the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, as the written Word of God, sufficient and trustworthy in all that they teach. (Westminster Confession of Faith, ch.1)
We believe.....
That Christ has commissioned his Church to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations. Christian life cannot be separated from the mission of Christ. (Westminster Confession of Faith, ch. 35)
We affirm...
That Jesus will come again in glory to judge the heavens and the earth; and that at his coming the righteous and the wicked will be raised from the dead, the wicked to everlasting punishment, but the just to everlasting life in him. (Westminster Confession of Faith, ch. 32)
For a list of what we believe to be the absolute essentials of the Christian faith, click here.
For a more detailed exposition of what we believe, see the Westminster Confession of Faith.
But here are some of the basics: