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 their 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 one pleases"
after he accepts Christ, but that if he is truly
regenerated, one 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
denominational 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 all persons 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.
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.
