Who We Are
Glorifying God through the power of the Holy Spirit,
First Presbyterian Church:
• Proclaims God's love and grace revealed in Christ Jesus,
• Equips God's people to use their God-given gifts and talents, and
• Serves our community and the world by living out Christ's transforming love.
We are currently seeking the Lord's guidance on a new pastor.
Pastor Transition Process
Our Core Commitments:
WORSHIP
To worship God through Biblical preaching, prayer, contemplation, music, and the arts, glorifying God in Christ for what He has done and what He will do.
Psalms 95:1-7, Romans 12:1-2, Revelation 5:6-14
MISSION
To fulfill Christ’s mission in caring for our local community, our nation, and the world by providing spiritual, physical, and financial support with compassion and love.
Isaiah 42:6-9, Isaiah 61:1-3, Matthew 28:16-20, Acts 1:8, Luke 10:25-37
TRANSFORMATION
To provide discipleship opportunities and teaching for all ages so that the Holy Spirit can transform us into the image of Christ, help us grow as believers, and equip us for ministry and service.
Psalms 119:105, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 4:12-13, 2 Timothy 3:16-17
EVANGELISM
To share with all people the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ and the love of God through word, relationship, and example.
Isaiah 52:7, Philippians 1:12-18, John 6:35-40, I Corinthians 9:19-23
COMMUNITY
To create intentional community and relationships so that we may love, encourage, support, and care for one another as we live and grow in Jesus Christ.
Leviticus 19:18, Hebrews 10: 19-25, Acts 2: 42-47, Philippians 2: 1-4, Romans 12:13
DOWNTOWN
To commit our time, gifts, and resources to serve our neighbors in downtown Winston-Salem in the name of Christ.
Jeremiah 29:7, Micah 6:8, I Thessalonians 2:8-9, Matthew 5:13-16
What We Believe
As we attempt to make our mission statement a reality in our individual lives and life of our church, we hold these core values on the following topics
+ God
We believe in the Triune God –the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Indeed, God created all things and is creating still through the Holy Spirit. He has revealed Himself partially through nature and fully in the Bible. His supreme revelation of Himself is in Jesus Christ. God is righteous in all His ways, loving in all his dealings (2 Peter 3:9).
+ Jesus Christ
God, through the person of Jesus the Christ became fully a human being while still being completely God. Jesus is God’s way of saying “Yes!” to all people and the world He created. Presbyterians believe Jesus Christ bridges the gap between humanity and God as a result of our sin.
+ salvation
For our sins Christ died on the cross, taking upon Himself our guilt and the penalty of sin that we might be forgiven and set free (Romans 5: 8, 8:1). The salvation Jesus offers is not just something we “get” when we die and “are in heaven.” The Bible talks about eternal life in the present tense, i.e. it’s something we can experience today. Eternal life is not only “resting in the arms of God” in our death; it’s also a way of seeing, experiencing, and living life the moment we embrace God through Jesus Christ. A synonym for salvation is “wholeness.” Our journey towards wholeness begins in this life when we embrace Christ as Lord and Savior.
+ faith
Salvation comes to us only through our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12 John 3:14-15; Acts 16:30-31; Hebrews 7:25).
+ repentance
Repentance from sin, which is more than sorrow for sin, is a turning away from sin unto newness of life in Christ (Mark 1:14-15; Acts 2:37-38; Matthew 3:8).
+ the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit leads to conviction of sin, to repentance and faith, and to a desire for a new life. It brings about the new birth without which no man/(woman) can enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; and He enables us to die more and more unto sin and live more and more unto righteousness (John 3: 3-8; John 16: 7-13).
+ the Bible
The Bible is the inspired and authoritative Word of God (2 Peter 1:19-21; 2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible is the authoritative witness pointing to God in the person of Jesus Christ. The Bible is a witness to Jesus without equal and is a standard to itself. One cannot grow in their faith in Jesus Christ unless he or she studies the Bible.
+ the Church
The Church is the place where the Word of God is proclaimed, where the sacraments of God are given, and where disciples are made and then sent out into the world to love others in Christ’s name. To be a Christian automatically means one is a part of the community. There is no such thing as an “isolated Christian.” We believe that the voice of God is better heard, interpreted, and understood when it is heard in the community of the Church.
+ the sacraments
The Presbyterian Church has two sacraments: The Lord’s Supper and Baptism. Sacraments are outward signs of God’s grace and love for us. They point away from themselves and direct us to God.
*The Lord’s Supper (sometimes called the Eucharist or Communion) is a gift of God to all people who confess their sins and need for Jesus and who profess Him as Lord and Savior. The focus of the Lord’s Supper is on the Lord’s Table as opposed to the altar.
*Baptism is a washing away of sins, a participation in the Good Friday and Easter event with Jesus, and the giving of God’s Holy Spirit in a very dramatic way. Children of believing parents are welcomed for baptism as Presbyterians see that baptism is a gift of God given by God. The power of baptism comes from God and not from our desire to be baptized. Consequently, if you have been baptized already, you do not need to be baptized again.
+ Christian responsibility of sharing our faith
A Christian has the responsibility of witnessing for Christ, and so helping to build a human society permeated by the spirit of Christ (Acts 1:8; John 1: 34-42; 2 Corinthians 3:2-3).
+ the bodily resurrection of Christ
The resurrection of Christ was a bodily resurrection. There will also be a bodily resurrection of all men/(women) and recognition in life to come (1 Corinthians 15: 3-4; John 14: 1-3).
+ the second coming of Christ
the second coming of Christ will be personal and glorious. It is ours to watch, work and be ready for when He comes (Matthew 24: 42-44).
+ the final judgment
There will be final judgment with Christ as the Judge; and there will be eternal blessedness for all those who in this life accept Jesus Christ as Savior and seek to follow Him as their Lord (Acts 10:42; Hebrews 9:27; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
Questions?
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