Beliefs
Harbor Presbyterian Church is a member of the Presbyterian
Church in America,
a group of churches whose beliefs are summarized in the Westminster
Confession of Faith and Catechisms. Below is a brief synopsis of some of the
more important truths of our faith:
1. The Bible is the Word of God and teaches us the truth about God, ourselves
and our world.
2. There is one eternal, perfect God who exists in three persons: the Father,
Son and Holy Spirit. All three persons of the Trinity take part in our lives
and are to be loved and worshipped.
3. Man was created sinless, but fell from that perfection when Adam chose to
disobey God. Because Adam represented all humanity, and because we disobey
ourselves and choose to seek independence from God (the root of all sin), we
are sinners in need of God's mercy.
4. Rather than leaving us to experience the just penalty of our sin, God
chose, out of the depths of His love and mercy, to bring His children back
into relationship with Him. The Father accomplished this salvation by sending
Jesus to live a perfect life, and then die as a substitute for us, bearing
the penalty for our sin on the cross. The Holy Spirit works in our hearts to
show us our need for Christ, to give us faith to believe in Him, to enable us
to do good works, and to assure us of God's love.
5. We are forgiven and brought back into relationship with God only through
faith in what Christ did for us through His life and death.
6. Because our salvation is God's work and not ours, God will keep us secure
in His love to the end.
7. God has saved us in order that we might enjoy Him and live for His glory.
God desires that we live holy and obedient lives, not to earn His favor, but
rather to show Him our love and gratitude.
8. At death, the Christian's soul immediately passes into the presence of
God. Heaven is where the believer in Christ will forever experience the
beauty and glory of God. Hell is the place where those who die without Christ
live eternally apart from God and any trace of His goodness.
9. Baptism is a sign of God's covenant with His people, and should be
administered to those who place their trust in Christ, as well as their
children.
10. Jesus Christ will return to earth at a future time when He is not
expected. He will bring history to a close and usher in the eternal plan of
God.
