Our statement, "Loving God, Loving People, Making Disciples," comes from the two "Greats" of Scripture: The Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
The Great Commandment: Matthew 22:34-40 (ESV)
But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
The Great Commission: Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV)
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Our mission to see the church become a people of God who embody not only the Christian faith but also embody the heart and vision of God. We work together towards building a heart of worship and loving the Lord, towards knitting a community of believers who love each other as Christ loved us, and towards building a culture of disciple-making that obey the command of Jesus and walk in the way of Jesus.
What are the Essential Tenets of Our Faith?
We affirm the core beliefs of the Christian faith as summarized in the Essential Tenets of our denomination:
ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians
These tenets reflect our commitment to historic Christian doctrine, the authority of Scripture, and the transformative power of the Gospel:
The Triune God
We worship the one true God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—eternally existing in three persons. God is the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all things, revealing Himself in Scripture and supremely in Jesus Christ.
The Authority of Scripture
The Bible, both Old and New Testaments, is the inspired and authoritative Word of God. It is the final rule for faith and life, revealing God's truth and calling us to obedience.
The Person and Work of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ is fully God and fully human. Through His life, death, and resurrection, He accomplished redemption for all who believe. He is the only way to salvation and the head of the Church.
Salvation by Grace Through Faith
We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Our salvation is not earned by works but is a gift from God, leading us to a transformed life of gratitude and service.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live holy lives, convicts us of sin, and enables us to grow in Christlikeness. The Spirit works in and through us for the mission of God in the world.
The Church and Its Mission
The Church is the body of Christ, called to worship, disciple believers, and proclaim the Gospel to the world. We are sent to make disciples of all nations, seeking justice and mercy in Christ’s name.
The Sacraments
We affirm Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as sacraments instituted by Christ. Baptism is a sign and seal of God's covenant grace, and the Lord’s Supper nourishes our faith as we remember Christ’s sacrifice.
The Return of Christ
Jesus Christ will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. In Him, we have the hope of eternal life and the restoration of all things.
Living as Christ’s Disciples
As followers of Christ, we are called to holiness, love, and obedience. We commit to living out our faith in every area of life, being witnesses of God's grace in word and deed.
For a more detailed understanding of our beliefs, you can explore ECO’s Essential Tenets here.
First Presbyterian Church upholds without reservation:
- That Jesus Christ alone is Lord of all and the way to salvation
- That holy scripture is the Triune God's revealed Word, the church's only infalliable rule of faith and life
- That God's people are called to holiness in all aspects of life.
We invite you to join with us in an exciting journey of faith!
