What We Believe
The Bible
We believe that the Bible is the written Word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit, and is without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan for His people. It is the revelation of God’s truth and is infallible and authoritative in all matters of faith and practice.
The Trinity
We believe in the Holy Trinity. There is one God, who exists eternally in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. All three are equal in power and authority.
Original Sin
We believe in original sin and the depravity of all mankind. We are all sinners and totally unable to save ourselves from God’s wrath.
Salvation
We believe that salvation is the work of God alone as He sovereignly chooses those He calls to Himself. His choice is not based on the individual merits or foreseen faith of men, but on His grace alone.
Jesus Christ
We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who, through His perfect life, sacrificial death and resurrection, atoned for the sins of all who will trust in Him alone for salvation. Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man.
Covenant
We believe in God’s covenant promises that He has given to His people throughout the ages.
Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit who dwells within God’s people and empowers them to trust and follow Him. Through this sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, we are renewed in the image of God.
Judgment
We believe that Jesus will return one day to judge all mankind and receive His people to Himself.
Purpose
We believe that because Jesus has made His people His own, we are to live to the glory of God in all aspects of our lives.
Core Values
Worship-Centered
God-glorifying and Word-focused worship are at the heart of this church. We are committed to establishing vibrant and solidly Reformed preaching and teaching ministry that yields faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Likewise, we seek to develop a culture of dependence on God by covering in fervent prayer every decision, ministry, issue, and challenge faced by individuals, groups, and families in the church.
Maturity-Developing
We are devoted to cultivating mature believers and building strong families. Our desire is to enable each person to become a knowledgeable and faithful follower of Christ and an active member of His Church. Similarly, we strive to equip families to fulfill the primary way that God advances His Kingdom.
Fellowship-Building
With a view of the church as a spiritual family, we seek to form a genuine Christian fellowship in which members earnestly love and serve one another. Understanding that everything we have in life comes from God, we envision each member having identified his or her gifts and using them in eagerness to strengthen one another.
Outreach-Focused
Because of a heart for the lost, we are passionate about both local and global evangelism. We strive to engage with the needs of the Clayton community in the unique ways that God has qualified us. We believe that by showing compassion toward needy people, we will discover many opportunities for bearing witness to the transforming power of the Gospel. We view global missions as an essential priority and encourage every member’s involvement through prayer, giving, and going.
Replication-Minded
We are committed to a long-term growth strategy that involves the continual planting of new congregations. Inspired by a Kingdom-building mindset, we strive to produce disciplined and trained leaders for the purpose of multiplying our ministry.
Further Information and Denominational Standards
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church http://arpchurch.org/who-we-are/
Form of Government of Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church