THE BIBLE - Cumberland Presbyterians
accept the Bible as the only infallible rule of faith and practice. We
believe that the Holy Scriptures comprise the 66 books of the Old and New
Testaments, and that the best rule of interpretation of Scripture is the
comparison of Scripture with Scripture. This means that we do not depend
upon a particular verse as literal proof of all beliefs and practices,
but we do seek the whole teaching and spirit of the Bible as our guide.
THE GODHEAD - We believe in the divinity
of Jesus and the Holy Spirit as well as in God the Father; the three persons
making up the Trinity.
THE CHURCH - We believe in our denomination
as a part of the Church of which Christ is the head and all believers in
Christ are a part. We believe in cooperation with all who accept Jesus
as Christ and Lord.
SALVATION - We believe that every person
needs regeneration and must make a personal commitment of his life to Christ
in order to be saved. We do not believe that any are saved or lost regardless
of their own will. All infants dying in infancy and all persons who have
never had the faculty of reason are regenerated and saved through Christ.
PRESERVATION OF BELIEVERS - We believe
that a person who is truly regenerated will not totally fall away from
a state of grace, but will be preserved to everlasting life. Christ is
as interested in keeping us saved as he is in saving us. This does not
mean that one can "do as he pleases" after he accepts Christ, but that
if he is truly regenerated, he will not be satisfied with less than a life
which is pleasing to Christ.
We do not believe that good works will
save our souls, but that good deeds are the result of a regenerated life.
SANCTIFICATION - We believe that every
child of God will use every means possible to grow in grace. We do not
believe that a state of sinless perfection is possible in this life. Sanctification
does not mean sinless perfection, but it does mean a setting apart of life
for sacred use, similar to the idea of consecration.
THE SABBATH - We believe that after
the resurrection of Christ the Sabbath was changed to the first day of
the week, and that the same principles apply to the keeping of this day
as were set forth in the Bible concerning the original Sabbath.
THE SACRAMENTS - We believe that there
are just two sacraments of the Church.
WATER BAPTISM is one sacrament. It is
a sign or symbol of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and a seal of the Covenant
of Grace. Since the Holy Spirit is always represented in the Scriptures
as being poured out on the person, its renewal and cleansing is best symbolized
by pouring or sprinkling water upon the head of the one being baptized.
We believe that infant children of Christians should be given the seal
of the Covenant just as Hebrew children were in Old Testament days. Infant
baptism is now that seal, and represents an act of faith on the part of
the parents and the Church as the child is dedicated to the Lord. Infant
baptism is not an evidence of salvation but is an evidence of non-communicant
church membership. Those who have been baptized in infancy must make a
personal acceptance of Christ and concur in the prior act of their baptism
before sharing in the full fellowship of the Church.
There is no saving power in water baptism,
yet it is the duty of all believers not previously baptized to confess
Christ in this solemn ordinance and to present their infant children for
baptism.
THE LORD'S SUPPER is the second sacrament.
The symbols to be used are bread and grape juice, which remain after consecration
literal bread and juice. Since it is the Lord's Supper and not an ordinance
of a particular church, all who acknowledge Jesus as Christ and who have
faith to understand the significance of this sacrament are invited to partake
of it with us, regardless of their de-nominational affiliation.
MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE - We believe that
although marriage is not a sacrament of the Church, it is a very sacred
institution and should be so regarded by all people. The marriage relation
should not be dissolved for any cause not justified by the teachings of
the word of God. The question of marrying divorced people is left to the
judgment of individual pastors.
THINGS TO COME - We believe that the
bodies of men after death return to dust; but their spirits return to God
who gave them. The spirits of the righteous are received into heaven, and
the spirits of the wicked are cast into hell. The Scriptures speak of no
other place for departed spirits.
We believe that God has appointed a
time for the resurrection of the just and the unjust when he will judge
the world in righteousness by Christ. Our Church has no statement in its
doctrines concerning the Second Coming of Christ or the Millennium. Individual
members hold various ideas on this subject.
CHURCH ATTENDANCE - We believe that
Christians should take advantage of the opportunities provided for regular
worship in the church. Church attendance is given special emphasis in the
vows taken by the members because it is regarded as a means of spiritual
growth as well as a means of Christian witness.
FORM OF GOVERNMENT- Individual congregations
are governed by elders who are elected by the people. Each congregation,
through its elders, calls its pastor. Pastors and elders of an area are
formed into presbyteries. Ministers are received and ordained by presbyteries.
Standards for ordination are established by the General Assembly and include
educational requirements of at least a college education and a degree from
a graduate school of theology. Only ordained ministers receive members
by profession of faith and baptism, conduct the communion and officiate
at the marriage ceremony. Ruling elders may receive members by letter.
The official statement of doctrine of
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church is called
THE CONFESSION OF FAITH, which
the reader is invited to consult for a more complete statement and the
Scriptural supporting texts. The above statements are partly in the words
of THE CONFESSION OF FAITH and are in part an interpretation of it.