Biblical, Reformed, and Confessional

Wolf River Presbyterian Church is an historically confessional Reformed Church.  That’s important!  It means that our statement of faith – or confession of faith – is not something a few local church leaders got together and decided upon, and can just as easily “un-decide” upon.  It means that we are tied to a rich and biblical expression of historical truth, that does not alter with the winds of change, but only as the broader church carefully reflects upon the teaching of Scripture.

Our only infallible rule is Scripture itself.  At the same time the church understands the Westminster Confession of Faith, together with the larger and shorter catechisms, to be the most faithful summary of the system of doctrine taught in Scripture.  Also very important for the functioning of the church is our Book of Church Order.  For a comprehensive look at our doctrine, click on those links.  They are our church’s “constitutional documents,” by which our church functions, and to which our church officers are required to submit.

Here also is a brief summary of our doctrinal position in several key areas:

Scripture

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, inerrant, and authoritative in all matters.

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. These three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.

Sin

Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of the Law of God. Scripture teaches that all have sinned, and that the penalty for that sin is death.

Salvation

We believe that salvation is by God alone through the merits of Christ Jesus. All those who are united to Christ by the grace of God, through the instrumentality of faith in him, are saved from eternal death, and have life in Christ Jesus alone.

Jesus

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 for salvation.

The Covenant of Works

The first covenant made with man was a covenant of works, wherein life was promised to Adam, and in him to his posterity, upon condition of perfect and personal obedience. Having sinned in Adam, man is unable to merit life through any of his own works, but solely through the work of Christ.

The Covenant of Grace

Man, by his fall, having made himself incapable of life because of his sin, the Lord was pleased to make a Covenant of Grace, whereby He freely offers unto sinners life and salvation by Jesus Christ, requiring of them faith in Him, that they may be saved; and promising to give unto all those that are ordained unto eternal life His Holy Spirit, to make them willing, and able to believe.

The Second Coming

We believe that Jesus will return, bodily and visibly, to judge all mankind and to receive His people to Himself.

The Glory of God

We believe that all aspects of our lives are to be lived to the glory of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.