We are a confessional church, which means we adopt the Westminster Confession of Faith – a foundational document dating from the Protestant Reformation. It does not replace the Bible, which remains sovereign, but provides a true and correct summary of what the Bible teaches.
Statement of Faith
The FEPC Statement of Faith further refines the core beliefs of our church – they are derived from the Bible and are in keeping with the Westminster Confession of Faith.
God
The one true God who lives eternally in three distinct but equal persons – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The Bible
The revelation of God through the divine inspiration and supreme authority of the Bible, which is the written Word of God – fully reliable for faith and conduct.
Humanity
All men and women, being created in the image of God, have inherent and equal dignity and worth, yet are corrupted by sin and incurring condemnation – separation from God – and all are in need of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Jesus Christ
God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ – born of the virgin Mary; truly divine and truly human, yet without sin – his perfect obedience, he died on the cross in the place of sinners, paying the price for their sin, he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, where he is Lord of all.
Salvation
A work of God’s grace that cannot be earned or deserved, that is accomplished through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. He died in our place, paying the price of sin, so making us right with God through faith in Christ alone.
The Holy Spirit
The necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven to lead us to repentance. He unites us with Christ through new birth and growth to maturity, empowers our discipleship and enables our witness.
The Church
The church, which is the body of Christ, and to which all true believers belong – given life by the Holy Spirit and endowed with the Spirit’s gifts to worship God and proclaim the gospel, for pastoral care, discipline and Christian fellowship.
Baptism and the Lord's Supper
These are given to the churches by Christ as visible signs of the gospel. Baptism is a symbol of union with Christ and entry into his church – but it does not impart spiritual life; the Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of Christ’s sacrifice offered once for all and involves no change in the bread and wine – all its blessings are received by faith.
The Future
The Lord Jesus Christ will return in glory, will raise all people to judgement, bring eternal life and fellowship with God to the redeemed, and eternal condemnation to the wicked, those who say no to God’s mercy and salvation.
Jesus said:
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Scottish Charity No. SC054365