Our beliefs are derived from Scripture, are known in doctrine as Reformed and Covenantal, and are best expressed in the Calvinistic creeds, particularly the Westminster Confession of Faith with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. We also confess the Apostle’s Creed and the Nicene Creed.

An abbreviated summary of our beliefs is below. Follow the above links for more detail:

The Bible:

We believe the Bible is the written word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the revelation of God’s truth and is infallible and authoritative in all matters of faith and practice.

God:

We believe in the Holy Trinity. There is one God, who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In himself, he is perfectly holy and powerful, altogether just and wise, and utterly good and loving.

Humanity:

We believe that all people are created in the image of God with dignity as they were made to reflect God’s character in all of life. Yet, we believe that all people are born as sinners, totally depraved and totally unable to save themselves from God’s displeasure, except by his mercy.

Salvation:

We believe that salvation is by God alone as he sovereignly chooses those he will save. We believe his choice is based on his grace, not on any human individual merit, or foreseen faith. We believe that salvation is through Christ alone by grace alone through faith alone.

Jesus Christ:

We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who through his perfect life and sacrificial death atoned for the sins of all who will trust in him alone for salvation.  We believe that Jesus, our Redeemer, was raised again for our justification, and ascended into the heavens where he sits at the right hand of the Father Almighty, continually making intercession for his people, and governing the whole world as head over all things for his church. We believe that Jesus will return, bodily and visibly, to judge all mankind, to receive his people to himself, and to renew all things.

Holy Spirit:

We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells God’s people and gives them the strength and wisdom to trust Christ and follow him. We believe that the Holy Spirit refreshes, remakes, restores, reforms, and revives. We are never alone because he is in us and with us.

Church and Kingdom:

We believe that as the living God renews all things, he has been gathering a people, called the church, from every nation, race, class, and culture. He instructs us as his people to become actively invested in the world’s people and problems for his glory. So as Christians live out their citizenships in the kingdoms of this world, they should live obedient lives to Christ in every aspect of life and should manifest the power of Christ’s kingdom and covenant in all that they do.  We recognize, however, that the church is the only institution and community in this world that God has ordained as the means of bringing about His redemptive kingdom and being the principle means of communicating His covenant of grace to those who are being called into that redemptive kingdom.

If you desire clarification or have questions about these or other beliefs of Apple Valley Presbyterian Church, feel free to contact us. We’d be happy to talk further with you.