What Do We Believe?

Jesus said, “I am the way, the Truth and the Life.  No one comes to the Father, except through me!”  John 14:6

God Himself came to earth as a human being to bring us back to Himself.  If any other way would have worked, Jesus Christ would not have had to come.  The Way is a Person!

JESUS HAS ALREADY TAKEN CARE OF
OUR SIN PROBLEM!

“The wages of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Rom. 6:23

God did this for us because He loves us and wants us to know Him.

“God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still separated from God by sin, Christ died for us.”  Rom. 5:8

“God is on one side and all people are on the other side, and Christ Jesus is between them to bring them together, by giving His life for all mankind.”  1 Tim. 2:5

We at St. Peter's confess and believe that God has already done His part to restore our relationship to Him.  He took the initiative.  Now He is waiting for each of us, individually, to accept what He has done for us.

Who Are We?

As a congregation, we are here because we love Jesus Christ and we want to worship Him, together. Because of this common interest, we gather as a group each Sunday at St. Peter's.

Then, throughout the week (in smaller gatherings) we get together in homes, restaurants and the church to pray, study the Bible, reach out to the community around us and to socialize.

We are made up of a collection of individuals, couples and families. Among these are all age groupings, a variety of social groups, a blend of origins, varying education levels and every imaginable Christian - from the newest in Christ to the longer-term Believer.

Out of all of these variations, the most common gatherings are Sunday worship and weekly small groups.

There are programs for children all the way through seniors... just about everything people want to do, together.

As to the “Presbyterian” part of our name; it refers to a denomination which includes dozens of like churches, in the nearby cities, all with the custom of choosing leaders and advisors from among the wisest members of the church. These chosen leaders form a representative style of governance. It is the task of the representatives to lead a group of Protestants (St. Peter's congregation) to obey God's laws and work together for God's kingdom, in an environment of democratic rule.

The Presbyterian denomination is a segment of Christianity, democratically organized to embrace the faith common to all Christians. St. Peter's is made up of people who accept this form of organization as viable and important.

What Is A Presbyterian?

It is easiest to explain Presbyterianism by reviewing the tenets and beliefs of the Presbyterian denomination.

God is the Creator and the Ruler of the universe who has existed eternally.  There is only one God, but God has revealed himself in three personalities – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – who are all equally God. 

Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  He is co-equal with the Father.  Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross.  He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate his power over sin and death.  He ascended to heaven’s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the 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 for living; with understanding of spiritual truth; and with guidance in doing what is right.  He gives all believers spiritual gifts when they are saved. 

The Bible is God’s Word to us.  It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit.  It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.  Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error. 

People are made in the spiritual image of God, 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 are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called ‘sin.’  This attitude separates people from God and causes many problems in life. 

Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it.  We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works.  Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of forgiveness can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty.  When we turn from our self-ruled life and turn to Jesus in faith we are saved.  Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus into his life by faith. 

Heaven & Hell - People were created to exist forever.  We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation.  To be eternally separated from God is Hell.  To be eternally in unison with God is Heaven.  Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.