[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(0,0,0,0)” background_image=”https:\/\/faithpresarp.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/gazebo-and-pond.jpg” parallax=”on” min_height=”558px” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|700||||on|||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_font_size=”60px” min_height=”170px” custom_margin=”||116px|||” custom_padding=”164px||||false|false” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_text_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#242424″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_toggle title=”The Five Solas” open_toggle_text_color=”#012302″ open_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_text_color=”#012302″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_color=”#6d0e27″ open_icon_color=”#6d0e27″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#012302″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|600||||on|||” closed_title_font=”|600||||on|||” closed_title_font_size=”26px” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_open_toggle=”a.esv-crossref-link { color: #72abbf !important; }” title_text_shadow_style=”preset4″ closed_title_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#242424″ border_width_right=”20px” border_width_left=”20px” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
The Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church is rooted in the Reformed tradition which arose from the Protestant Reformation. The Reformers, having returned to Scripture, attempted to carefully and faithfully rebuild the church upon the teachings of the New Testament. The five solas of the Reformation reclaimed the biblical view of:<\/span> The five\u00a0solas<\/em>\u00a0of the Protestant Reformation offered a strong corrective to the faulty practices and beliefs of the time, and they remain relevant today. We are called to focus on Scripture, accept salvation by grace through faith, magnify Christ, and live for God\u2019s glory. These form the basis of Protestantism as much as they do for the Reformed tradition.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Salvation Summarized” open_toggle_text_color=”#012302″ open_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_text_color=”#012302″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_color=”#6d0e27″ open_icon_color=”#6d0e27″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#012302″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|600||||on|||” closed_title_font=”|600||||on|||” closed_title_font_size=”26px” title_text_shadow_style=”preset4″ closed_title_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#242424″ border_width_right=”20px” border_width_left=”20px” global_colors_info=”{}”]We believe that Scripture clearly teaches that salvation is the work of God alone (monergism). While man is responsible for his choices and actions, God alone can change our hearts and enable us to respond to his calling. Therefore, monergism is supported by the canons issued by the Synod of Dordt, as summarized in the Five Points of Calvinism:<\/span><\/p>\n These five distinct points of doctrine derive from the decision of the Synod of Dordt (1618-19), popularly known as the Canons of Dordt, on the five main points of doctrine in dispute in the Netherlands .<\/p>\n Although this was a national synod of the Reformed churches of the Netherlands, it had an international character, since it was composed not only of Dutch delegates but also of twenty-six delegates from eight foreign countries.<\/p>\n The Synod of Dordt was held in order to settle a serious controversy in the Dutch churches initiated by the rise of Arminianism. Jacob Arminius, a theological professor at Leiden University, questioned the teaching of Calvin and his followers on a number of important points. After the death of Arminius, his own followers presented their views on five of these points in the Remonstrance of 1610. In this document and later in more explicit writings, the Arminians taught election based on foreseen faith, universal atonement, partial depravity, resistible grace, and the possibility of a lapse from grace. The Synod of Dordt rejected these views and articulated the Reformed doctrine on these points, namely, unconditional election, limited atonement, total depravity, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of saints. These points of doctrine are based entirely on the Bible, and refute Arminian theology which is, at the heart, synergistic, relying on a cooperative effort between man and God.<\/p>\n <\/span>[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Regulative Principle of Worship” open_toggle_text_color=”#012302″ open_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_text_color=”#012302″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_color=”#6d0e27″ open_icon_color=”#6d0e27″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#012302″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|600||||on|||” closed_title_font=”|600||||on|||” closed_title_font_size=”26px” title_text_shadow_style=”preset4″ closed_title_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#242424″ border_width_right=”20px” border_width_left=”20px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Put simply, The Regulative Principle of Worship states that the corporate worship of God is to be founded upon specific directions of Scripture. In the public worship of God, specific requirements are made, and we are not free either to ignore them or to add to them. As the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Westminster Confession of Faith<\/em>\u00a0states in Chapter 21, section 1, \u201cThe acceptable way of worshiping the true God, is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshiped according to the imagination and devices of men, nor the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representations, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scriptures.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n This link will allow you to see additional information about worship at Faith Presbyterian<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Covenant Theology” open_toggle_text_color=”#012302″ open_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_text_color=”#012302″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_color=”#6d0e27″ open_icon_color=”#6d0e27″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#012302″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|600||||on|||” closed_title_font=”|600||||on|||” closed_title_font_size=”26px” custom_css_open_toggle=”a.esv-crossref-link { color: #72abbf !important; }” title_text_shadow_style=”preset4″ closed_title_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#242424″ border_width_right=”20px” border_width_left=”20px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The overarching theme of the Bible is the concept of God\u2019s kingdom, and how God administers his kingdom through covenants. Through covenants God condescends to reveal himself to humanity. The entire history of the Bible is divided into just two covenants: the \u201ccovenant of works\u201d in Adam and the \u201ccovenant of grace\u201d in Christ. The covenant of works was God\u2019s arrangement with Adam and Eve before their fall into sin. The covenant of grace governed the rest of the Bible. All stages of the covenant of grace were the same in substance. The stages differed only as God administered his one covenant of grace in Christ in various ways throughout biblical history. Biblical covenants emphasized what was needed at specific stages of God\u2019s kingdom by advancing the principles of previous covenants. God started with Adam to reveal his own kingship, the role of humanity, and the purpose he had planned for the earth (\u20133<\/span><\/a>). These principles were then carried forward as God promised stability in nature for humanity\u2019s service in Noah\u2019s covenant (<\/span><\/a>, ). God further enhanced his previous covenants by promising that Abraham\u2019s descendants would become a great empire and spread God\u2019s blessings to all other nations (<\/span><\/a>, <\/span><\/a>). God built on these covenants by blessing Israel with his law in the days of Moses (\u201324<\/span><\/a>). Every previous covenant was taken to new heights as God established David\u2019s dynasty and promised that one of his sons would rule in righteousness over Israel and over the entire world (; ; <\/span><\/a>). All Old Testament covenants were then furthered and fulfilled in Christ (<\/span><\/a>, 2<\/span><\/a> \u201320<\/span><\/a>). As the great son of David, His life, death, resurrection, ascension, and return eternally secure the transformation of the entire earth into God\u2019s glorious kingdom.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Vocation: The Theology of the Christian Life” open_toggle_text_color=”#012302″ open_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_text_color=”#012302″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_color=”#6d0e27″ open_icon_color=”#6d0e27″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#012302″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|600||||on|||” closed_title_font=”|600||||on|||” closed_title_font_size=”26px” title_text_shadow_style=”preset4″ closed_title_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#242424″ border_width_right=”20px” border_width_left=”20px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n That is to say, Christians have neither jobs nor careers; they have vocations (callings). The term \u201ccalling\u201d deals with how God works through human beings to bestow his gifts. The best biblical expression of this concept in Scripture is found in <\/span><\/a>, <\/span><\/a>\u201cOnly let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.\u201d God gives us this day our daily bread by means of the farmer, the baker, the cooks, and the clerk at the checkout counter. He creates new life \u2014 the most amazing miracle of all \u2014 by means of mothers and fathers. He protects us by means of police officers, firemen, and our military. He creates beauty through artists. He heals by working through doctors, nurses, and others whom he has gifted, equipped, and called to the medical professions. He proclaims his Word and administers his sacraments through the calling of\u00a0pastors. He cares for his sheep through the calling of\u00a0pastors and ruling elders.<\/p>\n Before God, all biblically lawful vocations are equal. Our standing before him is based solely on Jesus Christ, our sin-bearer, our redeemer, and our righteousness. But as we receive God\u2019s grace in Christ, we are then sent into the world to live out our faith in the daily routines of ordinary life \u2014 that is, in our\u00a0vocations. The purpose of every vocation is to love and serve our neighbor, and God is in it\u00a0all.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”A Confessional Church” open_toggle_text_color=”#012302″ open_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_text_color=”#012302″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#FFFFFF” icon_color=”#6d0e27″ open_icon_color=”#6d0e27″ title_tablet=”” title_phone=”A Confessional Church” title_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#012302″ title_level=”h2″ title_font=”|600||||on|||” closed_title_font=”|600||||on|||” closed_title_font_size=”24px” closed_title_font_size_tablet=”” closed_title_font_size_phone=”22px” closed_title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” title_text_shadow_style=”preset4″ closed_title_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ border_width_all=”2px” border_color_all=”#242424″ border_width_right=”20px” border_width_left=”20px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Faith Presbyterian is a confessional church, meaning that we adhere to a written confession of faith that we believe is a good and accurate summary of the Bible\u2019s teaching.<\/p>\n Our foundational doctrinal statements are found in The Standards of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, which we hold to be \u201cthe system of doctrine which is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone\u201d (Associate Reformed Synod, May 31, 1799). From time to time position statements are written to address specific topics of concern.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n\n
<\/strong>\u201cScripture alone\u201d is authoritative for the faith and practice of the Christian. The Bible is God\u2019s inspired, inerrant, infallible, all sufficient word. Scripture alone can utterly bind the conscience of believers (2 Timothy 3:16<\/a>).<\/li>\n
<\/strong>\u201cFaith alone\u201d is important because it is one of the key points that separate the true biblical Gospel from false gospels. At the very core of this tenet is\u2014on what basis does God declare man justified (man made right with God)? Scripture makes it very clear that, no human being is ever justified in God\u2019s sight through his own attempt at law keeping (Romans 3:19-20<\/span><\/a>).<\/li>\n
<\/em><\/strong>\u201cChrist alone\u201d accomplished our salvation by his historical and mediatorial work (Hebrews 7:14; Hebrews 7:24-25; Hebrews 9:24<\/span>). His sinless life and substitutionary atonement alone are sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to the Father.<\/li>\n
<\/strong>\u201cGrace alone\u201d acknowledges that the Bible teaches that the totality of our salvation is a gift of God\u2019s free grace. As it says in Ephesians 2:8-9<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/a>, \u201cFor it is by grace you have been saved, through faith\u2014and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God\u2014not by works, so that no one can boast.\u201d It is the acknowledgement that salvation from the wrath of God is based on God\u2019s grace and mercy and not on anything good in us.<\/li>\n
\u201cTo God alone be the glory\u201d is the goal of life; moreover, all glory is to be given to God. Particularly, salvation, sanctification, and glorification are accomplished through God\u2019s will and action not man\u2019s effort, even including the good works of men (Ephesians 2:20<\/span><\/a>). The idea of soli Deo gloria<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>is found in 1 Corinthians10:31<\/span><\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n