What We Believe
GOD
He is the Creator and Ruler of the universe, everyone and everything in it. He has eternally existed in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three persons are co-equal and are one God. (Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14)
JESUS CHRIST
He is the only begotten Son of God, co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is true God and true man, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born from a virgin. He lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice. His death atoned for the sins of all who trust in Him, alone, for salvation. Jesus rose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven and will return to reign on earth as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. (Luke 3:21-22, Hebrews 2:17, 2 Timothy 2:12, 4:1,8, 1 Peter 4:13, 2 Peter 1:11)
HOLY SPIRIT
He is co-equal with the Father and Son of God. He is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power to understand the spiritual truth of the revelation of the Son of God as Savior and Lord. He also provides guidance to do what is right as the Christian lives for Christ. (Luke 4:18-19, Romans 5:5, 8:11, Galatians 5:22-25, Ephesians 4:3-7)
THE BIBLE
The written word of God was inspired by the Holy Spirit and is without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is authoritative in all matters of faith and practice. Human authors under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit wrote it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian belief and living. (2 Timothy 3:16-18, 2 Peter 3:15-16, Psalm 119:105,160, 12:6, Proverbs 30:5)
HUMAN BEINGS
People are made in the image of God, made to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us prefer to go our own way and trust our own path. We are born with disobedient hearts, with a sin nature. Apart from God’s grace in Jesus Christ we are all dead in our sin. We are unable to save ourselves, and justly deserve God’s punishment. Everyone, saved or unsaved, is made in God’s own image, and therefore deserving of respect, mercy, friendship, and love. (Genesis 3, Psalm 8:5-8, Romans 1:18-32, Ephesians 2:1-3)
SALVATION
Salvation is God’s gift of grace received by trusting in Jesus alone. We can never atone for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Trusting in God’s offer of forgiveness through Jesus Christ is the only way anyone may be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled lives and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins that moment, so we may truly know God and enjoy Him forever. (Romans 3:24-26, Ephesians 1:4-8, John 14:6, Titus 3:5, Galatians 3:26)
MARRIAGE
God has a good plan for all of us. Because He loves us, He made men and women in His image, with a wise design for our relationships and sexual activity. Marriage is a blessing and a gift, a covenant commitment between a man and a woman. Not everyone is called to marry, of course, just as some married couples cannot have children. But God’s design for human relationships was established in the Garden, before the Fall, and it is eternally good. (Genesis 2:19-25, Matthew 19:4-6, 1 Corinthians 7:2)
Tithing
Tithing is an act of worship that is good for our souls and supports Christ’s church. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the Biblical standard for giving. God has graciously and abundantly blessed us. We give Him our time, talent, and treasure as a declaration of our trust in Him to meet all our needs. (Leviticus 27:30, Proverbs 3:9; 1 Corinthians 9:13-14; 2 Corinthians 9:7, 11)
LANGUAGE
We celebrate and accommodate the languages of our members. We encourage the use of your own heart language in prayer, in the reading of God’s Word, and in singing. We translate the sermon into the languages of our congregation so everyone can be transformed by the renewing of our minds through the Word of God. (Psalm 27:6, Psalm 95:2, 1 Corinthians 14:15, Colossians 3:16-17)
WORSHIP
Worship is the work of acknowledging the greatness of our covenant God in all areas of our lives. By God’s grace, we seek to worship Him in all things we do out of love for Him, according to His word, and for His own glory. As God’s word impacts our whole being, we are drawn to worship Him with our heads, hearts, and hands. Through worship we grow deeper in love with God and in fellowship with one another. (Psalm 27:6, Psalm 95:2, Ephesians 5:19)
COMMUNITY
From the beginning, we were created to be in relationship with God and our fellow image bearers. Both these vertical and horizontal relationships were damaged by Adam’s disobedience. But God promised redemption through Jesus Christ that restores our relationship with our Creator. Out of that restored vertical relationship we are enabled to live in peace and harmony with others here on earth. (2 Corinthians 5:16-20, Romans 5:12-19)
THE CHURCH
All who put their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual Body, the church, of which Christ is the Head. The purpose of the church is to glorify God by building its members up in the faith, by instruction of the Word, by fellowship, by celebrating the sacraments, and sharing the good news with all people. All followers of Jesus should be committed to attending and participating in a church in their community. (Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:24-25)
A more detailed doctrinal statement is found in the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the Shorter and Larger Catechisms at: pcaac.org/bco/westminster-confession/.
More information on what we believe can also be found at the PCA website: pcanet.org/about-the-pca-2-2-2/
One Voice Fellowship is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).