“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12)
A Brief Summary of Our Beliefs
WORD OF GODWe believe the Bible is the written word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit to be without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the revelation of God’s truth and is authoritative to be the only rule of faith and life. TRIUNE GODWe believe in the Trinity. There is one God, who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are the same in substance, equal in power and glory. IMAGE OF GODWe believe all people are created by God and in his image; yet, they seek to live self-centered lives alienated from God. This alienation, results in God's just displeasure, and can only be remedied by God’s merciful intervention. |
GRACE OF GODWe believe salvation is the work of God, as he chooses to show saving mercy to some that leads them to faith in Jesus. His choice is based only on God's grace and not on any person’s individual merit or foreseen faith. JESUS CHRISTWe believe Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, fully God and fully man. Through his perfect life and sacrificial death, he restored the relationship between God and all who trust his work on their behalf. HOLY SPIRITWe believe the Holy Spirit enables people to understand the things of God, renews their wills, and draws them to Christ so they profess faith. The Spirit then indwells God’s people, giving them the desire and ability to serve the Lord. |
GOD’S COVENANTWe believe God voluntarily establishes a relationship with his creatures through a covenant. God shows favor not just to individuals, but also to families of those who put their trust in him. Those who are saved have a holy fellowship and communion with God and each other. RESURRECTIONWe believe Jesus rose from the dead and will return bodily and visibly to judge the living and the dead. Those who trust in Christ will be raised to eternal life, and those who by their unbelief remain alienated from God will be raised to everlasting judgment. GLORY OF GODWe believe all aspects of life are to be lived to the glory of God through faith and obedience to Jesus Christ. |
We are Historic & Creedal
We believe the historic Christian creeds are a faithful summary of the Trinity and the nature of Jesus Christ.
Apostles’ Creed Nicene Creed Athanasian Creed Chalcedonian Creed
We are Reformed & Confessional
The word “Reformed” comes from the Reformation and means “back to the Bible.” We want to be “always reforming” and conforming to the Word of God. We are also a confessional church. As part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), we adhere to a written confession of faith that we believe to be a good and accurate summary of the Bible’s teaching: the Westminster Standards, which include the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Westminster Larger Catechism, and the Westminster Shorter Catechism. We also follow the PCA Book of Church Order as our church constitution.
The Westminster Standards
We believe these standards are excellent summaries of the doctrines of the Bible.
Westminster Confession of FaithThe Confession of Faith serves as a quick reference guide for careful statements of Christian doctrine. Read the Confession of Faith |
Westminster Larger CatechismThe Larger Catechism is a teaching tool for churches and families, covering matters of faith and life. Read the Larger Catechism |
Westminster Shorter CatechismThe Shorter Catechism is a summary of Christian doctrines, capable of being memorized even by a child. Read the Shorter Catechism |
To learn more, read What Presbyterians Believe, a helpful article by Rev. G. Aiken Taylor, Ph.D.
Covenant Presbyterian Church of Fort Smith affirms the great principles of the Protestant Reformation: Scripture Alone, Christ Alone, Grace Alone, Faith Alone, and Glory to God Alone.
We believe that Scripture alone is our only guide for faith and life, that we are saved from sin and eternal wrath only by God’s grace alone, because of the perfect righteousness of Christ alone, which is received not by our goodness but through faith alone; all this is according to the glory of God alone.
Scripture Alone (Sola Scriptura)
We reaffirm the inerrant Scripture to be the sole source of written divine revelation, which alone can bind the conscience. The Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for our salvation from sin and is the standard by which all Christian behavior must be measured. (Matt. 4:4; 2 Tim. 3:16)
Christ Alone (Solus Christus)
We reaffirm that our salvation is accomplished by the mediatorial work of the historical Christ alone. His sinless life and substitutionary atonement alone are sufficient for our justification and reconciliation to the Father. (John 14:6; John 3:16)
Grace Alone (Sola Gratia)
We reaffirm that in salvation we are rescued from God's wrath by his grace alone. It is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit that brings us to Christ by releasing us from our bondage to sin and raising us from spiritual death to spiritual life. (Rom. 2:4; Eph. 2:8-10)
Faith Alone (Sola Fide)
We reaffirm that justification is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. In justification Christ's righteousness is imputed to us as the only possible satisfaction of God's perfect justice. (Rom. 5:1; Gal 2:16)
Glory to God Alone (Soli Deo Gloria)
We reaffirm that because salvation is of God and has been accomplished by God, it is for God's glory and that we must glorify him always. We must live our entire lives before the face of God, under the authority of God and for his glory alone. ;(Isa. 42:8; Col. 3:17)