Presbyterians trace their history to the 16th century and the Protestant Reformation. Our heritage, and much of what we believe, began with the French lawyer John Calvin (1509-1564), whose writings crystallized much of the Reformed thinking that came before him. What we refer to as "Reformed Worship" in the Presbyterian Church includes:
1. The Sovereignty of God - God is the supreme authority throughout the universe.
2. The Authority of the Scripture - Our knowledge of God and God's purpose for humanity comes from the Bible, particularly what is revealed in the New Testament through the life of Jesus Christ.
3. Justification by Grace Through Faith - Our salvation (justification) through Jesus is God's generous gift to us and not the result of our own accomplishments.
4. The Priesthood of All Believers - It is everyone's job - ministers and lay people alike - to share this Good News with the whole world
More about what we believe as members of the Presbyterian Church (USA) can be found on the denominational website at: http://www.pcusa.org/navigation/whoweare.htm.
