The following represents the teaching perspective reflected at CPC. While members need not agree with it in all points, we do ask that they not be divisive regarding areas of disagreement. The shorter Statement of Faith for CPC Members articulates the beliefs required for members.
1. We believe that the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of his will for the salvation of mankind, and the final authority for all Christian faith and life (Matthew 5:18; John 10:35; 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
2. We believe that the one true God exists eternally in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that these, being one God, are equal in deity, power, and glory. We believe that God not only created the world but also now upholds, sustains, governs, and providentially directs all that exists and that he will bring all things to their proper consummation in Christ Jesus to the glory of his name. We believe that God knows the future completely, including the free choices of all moral agents, both angelic and human, that he hears and answers prayer, and that he saves from sin and death all who come to him through Jesus Christ (Isaiah 40:1-48:22; Psalm 104:1-35; Psalm 139:1-24; Matthew 10:29-31; 28:19; Acts 17:24-28; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 1:9-12; 4:4-6; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:4-6).
3. We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, that he was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and offered himself as a substitutionary sacrifice for sinners. By the blood of his cross he satisfied the wrath of God, obtained for us eternal redemption, the forgiveness of sins, spiritual adoption as sons and daughters, life everlasting, and defeated the powers of darkness. He was raised bodily on the third day and ascended to the right hand of the Father, there to make intercession for the saints (Isaiah 53:1-12; Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1-18; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:1- 28; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:10-14; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 2:6-11; Colossians 1:15-23; 2:15; Hebrews 7:25; 9:13-15; 10:19; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 1 John 2:1-2; 3:8).
4. We believe that the Holy Spirit is fully God, equal with the Father and Son. The primary ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit also convicts unbelievers of their need for Christ and imparts spiritual life through regeneration. The Spirit indwells, sanctifies, leads, illumines, and graciously empowers for godly living and service all who come to faith in Christ, and through him believers are sealed for the day of redemption. We believe that the Holy Spirit is received at conversion and that particular spiritual gifts are not necessary to prove the presence of the Holy Spirit. We also believe that subsequent to conversion the Spirit desires to empower and anoint believers for ministry and witness (Matthew 3:11; John 1:12-13; 3:1-15; 15:26-27; 16:7-15; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14; 5:18).
5. We believe that the gospel is the good news of what God has accomplished for sinners through the life, death, and resurrection of his Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. The church is responsible for the declaration of this good news and the defense of it against all who would seek to distort or re-define its core truths. The gospel is the foundation for the life of the Church and our only hope for eternal life. The Gospel is not only the means by which people are saved, but also the means by which people are sanctified. The truth of the Gospel enables us to genuinely and joyfully do that which is pleasing to God and to grow in progressive conformity to the image of Christ (Mark 1:1; Luke 24:46-47; John 3:16-18; Romans 1:16-17; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; 2:2; 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 4:1-6; 9:13; Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Timothy 1:8-14; Jude 3-4).
6. We believe that the Holy Spirit is free to dispense, as he wills, all the miraculous gifts of 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 for the upbuilding of the body of Christ. These gifts, as with all spiritual gifts, are divine provisions for spiritual growth and effective ministry, and are to be eagerly desired and lovingly exercised according to biblical guidelines (John 14:12; Acts 2:14-21; 4:29-30; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:7-11; 12:28-31; 14:1-33; Gal 3:1-5).
7. We believe that Adam was created in the image of God, righteous and without sin. But when Adam sinned, as the result of his disobedience the stain of sin spread to the entire human race so that all commit sin and are thereby justly condemned in the sight of God, wholly unable to save themselves or contribute in any way to their acceptance with God, and in need the gracious salvation of Christ (Genesis 1:1-3:24; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:9-18; 5:12-21; Ephesians 2:1-3).
8. We believe that God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, and that, through the work of the Holy Spirit, he draws us to faith in his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. This is not based on his foreknowledge of any human actions but on his own love, mercy, and good purposes. We are therefore justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. No ordinance, ritual, work, or any other activity on the part of man is required in order to be saved. This saving grace of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, also sanctifies us by enabling us to do what is pleasing in God’s sight in order that we might be progressively conformed to the image of Christ. All who have genuinely been saved by faith in Christ Jesus are preserved and protected by God so that they will not lose or forfeit their salvation. (John 1:12-13; 6:37-44; 10:25-30; Acts 13:48; 16:30-31; Romans 3:1-31; 4:1-25; 5:6-11; 8:1-17,31-39; 9:1-23; 10:8-10; 1 Corinthians 1:7-9; Ephesians 1:4-5; 2:8-10; Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2:19; Titus 3:3-7; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 1:7,9; Jude 1; Revelation 13:8).
9. We believe that Satan, originally a great and good angel, rebelled against God, taking a multitude of angels with him. He was cast out of God’s presence and is at work with his demonic hosts to establish his counter-kingdom of darkness and evil on the earth. Satan was judged and defeated at the cross of Christ and will, at the end of the age, be cast forever into the lake of fire which has been prepared for him and his angels (Matthew 12:25-29; 25:41; John 12:31; 16:11; Ephesians 6:10-20; Colossians 2:15; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-9; 20:10).
10. We believe that the Church is the Bride of Christ and is comprised of all believers in every age. The Church is also God’s primary instrument through which he is fulfilling his redemptive purposes in the earth. We believe that God has called the Church to preach the gospel to all nations, and to remember the poor and to minister to their needs through sacrificial giving and practical service. We also affirm the priesthood of all believers and the importance of every Christian being joined with and actively involved in a local community of the saints (Isaiah 58:6-12; 61:1; Matthew 16:17-19; 28:18-20; Luke 4:18; 21:1-4; Acts 2:17-18,42; Galatians 2:10; Ephesians 3:14-21; 4:11-16; 1 Timothy 6:8; Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 Peter 2:4-5,9-10).
11. We believe that water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the two ordinances of the church to be observed until the time of Christ’s return. They are not a means of salvation but are sacramental channels of God’s sanctifying grace and blessing to the faithful in Christ Jesus. (Matthew 26:26-29; 28:19; Romans 6:3-11; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34; 1 Peter 3:21).
12. We believe that both men and women are together created in the divine image to reflect the nature and character of God in the world, and are therefore equal before God as persons, possessing the same moral dignity and value, and having equal access to God through faith in Christ. In marriage, while there is a certain sense in which husbands and wives are both to submit to one another, yet there are gender specific expressions: husbands model themselves in relationship with their wives after Jesus sacrificial love for the church, and wives model themselves in relationship with their husbands after the church’s willingness to follow Jesus. In the church, men and women are together the recipients of spiritual gifts designed to equip for ministry. We believe God calls some from both genders to lead, and equips some from both genders with the gift of teaching. The exercise of spiritual gifts and of leadership, whether by male or female, should honor the NT norms that there is a certain type of teaching and authority reserved for the qualified men who serve as elders. (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:18; 1 Corinthians 11:2-16; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-19; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; 3:1-7; 1 Peter 3:1-7).
13. We believe that God’s original creative design, as set forth in Scripture, is for complete fidelity (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) within heterosexual and monogamous marriage. Regardless of one’s marital status, we believe the Christian should pursue purity and abstain from sexually immoral practices such as adultery, extra-marital sex, and pornography. [For a detailed statement of CPC’s beliefs about same-sex attraction and homosexual behavior, one should consult the document, A Statement of Beliefs Concerning Homosexuality and Ministering to Persons with Same Sex Attraction. For a detailed statement on CPC’s beliefs about sex and gender identity, one should consult the documents, CPC Policy on Sex and Gender Identity.] (Matthew 19:4-6; Romans 1:18-32, 13:13-14; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20, 10:8; Ephesians 5:3-14; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; 1 Timothy 1:8-10; Hebrews 13:4).
14. We believe that God has created all of humanity in his image and all are, therefore, of equal moral and spiritual value and must be treated with the utmost dignity and respect. We believe that life begins at the moment of conception in the womb and that the willful termination of a pregnancy is prohibited by Scripture. We should remember that the sin of abortion is not unique, but, as is the case with all sin, can be forgiven because of Christ’s saving work on the cross. We also believe that all ethnicities/races of mankind equally bear the image of God and should be treated with the same dignity and love, regardless of national identity, language, skin pigmentation, or gender. Abortion and racism, therefore, are denials of the creative design of God and must be regarded as heretical deviations from the truth of Scripture regarding the nature and value of all human life. (Genesis 1:27-28; Ps 139; Acts 17:22-31; Galatians 3:25-29; Ephesians 2:11-22; James 2:1; Rev 5.)
15. We believe that when Christians die they pass immediately into the blessed presence of Christ, there to enjoy conscious fellowship with the Savior until the day of the resurrection and glorious transformation of the body. The saved will then forever dwell in blissful fellowship with their great Triune God. We also believe that when unbelievers die they are consigned to hell, there to await the day of judgment when they shall be punished with eternal separation from the presence of God (Matthew 25:46; Luke 16:19-31; John 5:25-29; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Philippians 1:19-26; 3:20-21; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:1-22:15).
16. We believe that the Kingdom of God came in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, that it continues to expand by the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the Church, and that it will be consummated in the glorious, visible, and triumphant appearing of Christ when he returns to the earth as King. We believe that after Christ returns, he will bring about the ultimate defeat of Satan, the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, and the eternal blessing of the righteous. At that time, the Kingdom of God will be completely fulfilled in the new heavens and the new earth, in which righteousness dwells and in which he will be worshipped forever (1 Corinthians 15:20-28,50-58; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; 2 Thess 1:3-12; Rev 19:1-21).
The following represents the teaching perspective reflected at CPC. While members need not agree with it in all points, we do ask that they not be divisive regarding areas of disagreement. The shorter Statement of Faith for CPC Members articulates the beliefs required for members.
1. We believe that the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of his will for the salvation of mankind, and the final authority for all Christian faith and life (Matthew 5:18; John 10:35; 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
2. We believe that the one true God exists eternally in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that these, being one God, are equal in deity, power, and glory. We believe that God not only created the world but also now upholds, sustains, governs, and providentially directs all that exists and that he will bring all things to their proper consummation in Christ Jesus to the glory of his name. We believe that God knows the future completely, including the free choices of all moral agents, both angelic and human, that he hears and answers prayer, and that he saves from sin and death all who come to him through Jesus Christ (Isaiah 40:1-48:22; Psalm 104:1-35; Psalm 139:1-24; Matthew 10:29-31; 28:19; Acts 17:24-28; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 1:9-12; 4:4-6; Colossians 1:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-3; Revelation 1:4-6).
3. We believe that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, that he was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and offered himself as a substitutionary sacrifice for sinners. By the blood of his cross he satisfied the wrath of God, obtained for us eternal redemption, the forgiveness of sins, spiritual adoption as sons and daughters, life everlasting, and defeated the powers of darkness. He was raised bodily on the third day and ascended to the right hand of the Father, there to make intercession for the saints (Isaiah 53:1-12; Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1-18; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:1- 28; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:10-14; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 2:6-11; Colossians 1:15-23; 2:15; Hebrews 7:25; 9:13-15; 10:19; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 1 John 2:1-2; 3:8).
4. We believe that the Holy Spirit is fully God, equal with the Father and Son. The primary ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit also convicts unbelievers of their need for Christ and imparts spiritual life through regeneration. The Spirit indwells, sanctifies, leads, illumines, and graciously empowers for godly living and service all who come to faith in Christ, and through him believers are sealed for the day of redemption. We believe that the Holy Spirit is received at conversion and that particular spiritual gifts are not necessary to prove the presence of the Holy Spirit. We also believe that subsequent to conversion the Spirit desires to empower and anoint believers for ministry and witness (Matthew 3:11; John 1:12-13; 3:1-15; 15:26-27; 16:7-15; Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14; 5:18).
5. We believe that the gospel is the good news of what God has accomplished for sinners through the life, death, and resurrection of his Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. The church is responsible for the declaration of this good news and the defense of it against all who would seek to distort or re-define its core truths. The gospel is the foundation for the life of the Church and our only hope for eternal life. The Gospel is not only the means by which people are saved, but also the means by which people are sanctified. The truth of the Gospel enables us to genuinely and joyfully do that which is pleasing to God and to grow in progressive conformity to the image of Christ (Mark 1:1; Luke 24:46-47; John 3:16-18; Romans 1:16-17; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; 2:2; 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 4:1-6; 9:13; Galatians 1:6-9; 2 Timothy 1:8-14; Jude 3-4).
6. We believe that the Holy Spirit is free to dispense, as he wills, all the miraculous gifts of 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 for the upbuilding of the body of Christ. These gifts, as with all spiritual gifts, are divine provisions for spiritual growth and effective ministry, and are to be eagerly desired and lovingly exercised according to biblical guidelines (John 14:12; Acts 2:14-21; 4:29-30; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:7-11; 12:28-31; 14:1-33; Gal 3:1-5).
7. We believe that Adam was created in the image of God, righteous and without sin. But when Adam sinned, as the result of his disobedience the stain of sin spread to the entire human race so that all commit sin and are thereby justly condemned in the sight of God, wholly unable to save themselves or contribute in any way to their acceptance with God, and in need the gracious salvation of Christ (Genesis 1:1-3:24; Psalm 51:5; Romans 3:9-18; 5:12-21; Ephesians 2:1-3).
8. We believe that God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, and that, through the work of the Holy Spirit, he draws us to faith in his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. This is not based on his foreknowledge of any human actions but on his own love, mercy, and good purposes. We are therefore justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. No ordinance, ritual, work, or any other activity on the part of man is required in order to be saved. This saving grace of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, also sanctifies us by enabling us to do what is pleasing in God’s sight in order that we might be progressively conformed to the image of Christ. All who have genuinely been saved by faith in Christ Jesus are preserved and protected by God so that they will not lose or forfeit their salvation. (John 1:12-13; 6:37-44; 10:25-30; Acts 13:48; 16:30-31; Romans 3:1-31; 4:1-25; 5:6-11; 8:1-17,31-39; 9:1-23; 10:8-10; 1 Corinthians 1:7-9; Ephesians 1:4-5; 2:8-10; Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2:19; Titus 3:3-7; 1 Peter 1:3-5; 1 John 1:7,9; Jude 1; Revelation 13:8).
9. We believe that Satan, originally a great and good angel, rebelled against God, taking a multitude of angels with him. He was cast out of God’s presence and is at work with his demonic hosts to establish his counter-kingdom of darkness and evil on the earth. Satan was judged and defeated at the cross of Christ and will, at the end of the age, be cast forever into the lake of fire which has been prepared for him and his angels (Matthew 12:25-29; 25:41; John 12:31; 16:11; Ephesians 6:10-20; Colossians 2:15; 2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6; Revelation 12:7-9; 20:10).
10. We believe that the Church is the Bride of Christ and is comprised of all believers in every age. The Church is also God’s primary instrument through which he is fulfilling his redemptive purposes in the earth. We believe that God has called the Church to preach the gospel to all nations, and to remember the poor and to minister to their needs through sacrificial giving and practical service. We also affirm the priesthood of all believers and the importance of every Christian being joined with and actively involved in a local community of the saints (Isaiah 58:6-12; 61:1; Matthew 16:17-19; 28:18-20; Luke 4:18; 21:1-4; Acts 2:17-18,42; Galatians 2:10; Ephesians 3:14-21; 4:11-16; 1 Timothy 6:8; Hebrews 10:23-25; 1 Peter 2:4-5,9-10).
11. We believe that water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the two ordinances of the church to be observed until the time of Christ’s return. They are not a means of salvation but are sacramental channels of God’s sanctifying grace and blessing to the faithful in Christ Jesus. (Matthew 26:26-29; 28:19; Romans 6:3-11; 1 Corinthians 11:23-34; 1 Peter 3:21).
12. We believe that both men and women are together created in the divine image to reflect the nature and character of God in the world, and are therefore equal before God as persons, possessing the same moral dignity and value, and having equal access to God through faith in Christ. In marriage, while there is a certain sense in which husbands and wives are both to submit to one another, yet there are gender specific expressions: husbands model themselves in relationship with their wives after Jesus sacrificial love for the church, and wives model themselves in relationship with their husbands after the church’s willingness to follow Jesus. In the church, men and women are together the recipients of spiritual gifts designed to equip for ministry. We believe God calls some from both genders to lead, and equips some from both genders with the gift of teaching. The exercise of spiritual gifts and of leadership, whether by male or female, should honor the NT norms that there is a certain type of teaching and authority reserved for the qualified men who serve as elders. (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:18; 1 Corinthians 11:2-16; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-19; 1 Timothy 2:11-15; 3:1-7; 1 Peter 3:1-7).
13. We believe that God’s original creative design, as set forth in Scripture, is for complete fidelity (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) within heterosexual and monogamous marriage. Regardless of one’s marital status, we believe the Christian should pursue purity and abstain from sexually immoral practices such as adultery, extra-marital sex, and pornography. [For a detailed statement of CPC’s beliefs about same-sex attraction and homosexual behavior, one should consult the document, A Statement of Beliefs Concerning Homosexuality and Ministering to Persons with Same Sex Attraction. For a detailed statement on CPC’s beliefs about sex and gender identity, one should consult the documents, CPC Policy on Sex and Gender Identity.] (Matthew 19:4-6; Romans 1:18-32, 13:13-14; 1 Corinthians 6:9-20, 10:8; Ephesians 5:3-14; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; 1 Timothy 1:8-10; Hebrews 13:4).
14. We believe that God has created all of humanity in his image and all are, therefore, of equal moral and spiritual value and must be treated with the utmost dignity and respect. We believe that life begins at the moment of conception in the womb and that the willful termination of a pregnancy is prohibited by Scripture. We should remember that the sin of abortion is not unique, but, as is the case with all sin, can be forgiven because of Christ’s saving work on the cross. We also believe that all ethnicities/races of mankind equally bear the image of God and should be treated with the same dignity and love, regardless of national identity, language, skin pigmentation, or gender. Abortion and racism, therefore, are denials of the creative design of God and must be regarded as heretical deviations from the truth of Scripture regarding the nature and value of all human life. (Genesis 1:27-28; Ps 139; Acts 17:22-31; Galatians 3:25-29; Ephesians 2:11-22; James 2:1; Rev 5.)
15. We believe that when Christians die they pass immediately into the blessed presence of Christ, there to enjoy conscious fellowship with the Savior until the day of the resurrection and glorious transformation of the body. The saved will then forever dwell in blissful fellowship with their great Triune God. We also believe that when unbelievers die they are consigned to hell, there to await the day of judgment when they shall be punished with eternal separation from the presence of God (Matthew 25:46; Luke 16:19-31; John 5:25-29; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10; Philippians 1:19-26; 3:20-21; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:1-22:15).
16. We believe that the Kingdom of God came in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, that it continues to expand by the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the Church, and that it will be consummated in the glorious, visible, and triumphant appearing of Christ when he returns to the earth as King. We believe that after Christ returns, he will bring about the ultimate defeat of Satan, the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, and the eternal blessing of the righteous. At that time, the Kingdom of God will be completely fulfilled in the new heavens and the new earth, in which righteousness dwells and in which he will be worshipped forever (1 Corinthians 15:20-28,50-58; Philippians 3:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11; 2 Thess 1:3-12; Rev 19:1-21).