We are a community of Christian believers, who are in association with John Knox Presbyterian Church. We are committed to:
- The Bible as our only rule of faith and practice. It is inerrant, infallible, inspired by God in its original autographs, and preserved by Him for His people throughout the ages.
- The Westminster Standards, which include the doctrines of grace, which are known by the acronym T.U.L.I.P
- The preaching of The Word, the exercise of Church discipline, and the right celebration of the sacraments.
| WESTMINSTER LARGER CATECHISM QUESTION OF THE WEEK |
Agreed upon by the Assembly of Divines at Westminster, with the assistance of commissioners from the Church of Scotland, as a part of the covenanted uniformity in religion between the Churches of Christ in the kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland and approved Anno 1648, by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, to be a directory for catechising such as have made some proficiency in the knowledge of the grounds of religion, with The Proofs from the Scripture. Assembly at Edinburgh, July 2, 1648. Sess. 10. Act approving the Larger Catechism.
Question 154
What are the outward means whereby Christ communicates to us the benefits of his mediation?
The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicates to his church the benefits of his mediation, are all his ordinances; especially the word, sacraments, and prayer; all which are made effectual to the elect for their salvation. (Matt. 28:19–20, Acts 2:42,46–47)
Question 155
How is the word made effectual to salvation?
The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching of the word, an effectual means of enlightening, (Neh. 8:8, Acts 26:18, Ps. 19:8) convincing, and humbling sinners; (1 Cor. 14:24–25, 2 Chron. 34:18,19,26–28) of driving them out of themselves, and drawing them unto Christ; (Acts 2:37,41, Acts 8:27–30,35–38) of conforming them to his image, (2 Cor. 3:18) and subduing them to his will; (2 Cor. 10:4–6, Rom. 6:17) of strengthening them against temptations and corruptions; (Matt. 4:4,7,10, Eph. 6:16–17, Ps. 19:11, 1 Cor. 10:11) of building them up in grace, (Acts 20:32, 2 Tim. 3:15–17) and establishing their hearts in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation. (Rom. 16:25, 1 Thess. 3:2,10–11,13, Rom. 15:4, Rom. 10:13–17, Rom. 1:16)
Question 156
Is the word of God to be read by all?
Although all are not to be permitted to read the word publicly to the congregation, (Deut. 31:9,11–13, Neh. 8:2–3, Neh. 9:3–5) yet all sorts of people are bound to read it apart by themselves, (Deut. 17:19, Rev. 1:3, John 5:39, Isa. 34:16) and with their families: (Deut. 6:6–9, Gen. 18:17,19, Ps. 78:5–7) to which end, the holy scriptures are to be translated out of the original into vulgar languages. (1 Cor. 14:6,9,11–12,15–16,24,27–28)
Question 157
How is the word of God to be read?
The holy scriptures are to be read with an high and reverent esteem of them; (Ps. 19:10, Neh. 8:3–6,10, Exod. 24:7, 2 Chron. 34:27, Isa. 66:2) with a firm persuasion that they are the very word of God, (2 Pet. 1:19–21) and that he only can enable us to understand them; (Luke 24:45, 2 Cor. 3:13–16) with desire to know, believe, and obey the will of God revealed in them; (Deut. 17:19–20) with diligence, (Acts 17:11) and attention to the matter and scope of them; (Acts 8:30,34, Luke 10:26–28) with meditation, (Ps. 1:2, Ps. 119:97) application, (2 Chron. 34:21) self-denial, (Prov. 3:5, Deut. 33:3) and prayer. (Prov. 2:1–6, Ps. 119:18, Neh. 8:6,8)
| The Apostles’ Creed
The basic creed of Reformed churches, as most familiarly known, is called the Apostles’ Creed. It has received this title because of its great antiquity; it dates from very early times in the Church, a half century or so from the last writings of the New Testament |
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;
He descended into hell. [See Calvin]
The third day He arose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting.
Amen.