Presbyterian Church (USA)
"Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. Our heritage, and much of what we believe, began with the French lawyer John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him... Calvin did much of his writing from Geneva, Switzerland. From there, the Reformed movement spread to other parts of Europe and the British Isles. Many of the early Presbyterians in America came from England, Scotland and Ireland. The first American Presbytery was organized at Philadelphia in 1706. The first General Assembly was held in the same city in 1789. The first Assembly was convened by the Rev. John Witherspoon, the only minister to sign the Declaration of Independence." from Presbyterian 101, A GENERAL GUIDE TO FACTS ABOUT THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.)
Presbyterians find their history in the Protestant Reformation that began in 16th century Europe. We adhere to what have become the Protestant watchwords: "grace alone, faith alone, and the Bible alone." We believe that salvation is the free gift of God in Jesus Christ; it is nothing we can earn. We respond to such grace through faith and we do good works not to earn God's favor, but in order to demonstrate our faith.
For Presbyterians, the Christian life is to be marked by love and service to our neighbors and to the world. Further, we believe that all of faith and life is to be guided and tested by God's Word, the Holy Scriptures. While we do not worship the Bible, it is nevertheless authoritative for us, for we believe that God speaks to us through it by the power of the Holy Spirit.
For Presbyterians, the Christian life is to be marked by love and service to our neighbors and to the world. Further, we believe that all of faith and life is to be guided and tested by God's Word, the Holy Scriptures. While we do not worship the Bible, it is nevertheless authoritative for us, for we believe that God speaks to us through it by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Another important part of our tradition is that we are a church guided by Confessions and Creeds (theological statements) that have been formed by God's people through the years. While subordinate to the authority of the Bible, they nevertheless continue to guide and direct our life of faith.
Click the links to learn about baptism and the Lord's Supper. Want to view a video about these sacraments? Go HERE.