What We Believe

At the Presbyterian Church of Manchester, our faith is rooted in the Holy Scriptures and expressed in the historic confessions of the Reformed faith. We are, in short, a Confessional Presbyterian Church in the Reformed tradition.

We believe ...

The Scriptures

We believe that the Bible is the written Word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit, and without error in the original manuscripts. As the very Word of God, the Scriptures are the final authority in all matters of faith and life.

The Triune God

We believe in one living and true God, who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, equal in power and glory.

Sin and Our Need for Salvation

We believe that all people are sinners by nature and by choice, and are therefore unable to save themselves or reconcile themselves to God apart from His grace.

Salvation by Grace

We believe that salvation is entirely the work of God. From eternity, God graciously chose a people for Himself, not because of anything in them, but according to His mercy and grace. Those whom God calls, He brings to faith in Jesus Christ and preserves unto eternal life.

Jesus Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who became truly man for our salvation. Through His perfect life, sacrificial death on the cross, and bodily resurrection from the dead, He accomplished redemption for all who trust in Him alone.

The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit applies the work of Christ to His people. He gives new life, grants faith and repentance, and dwells within believers, enabling them to grow in holiness and obedience.

God’s Covenant People

We believe that God gathers His people into the Church and that His covenant promises extend not only to individuals but also to their children from generation to generation.

The Return of Christ

We believe that Jesus Christ will return personally, visibly, and bodily to judge the living and the dead and to bring His people into the fullness of His kingdom.

Living for the Glory of God

We believe that all of life is to be lived before the face of God and under the lordship of Jesus Christ, to the glory of God alone.

Our Confession of Faith

The Presbyterian Church of Manchester is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and holds to the historic confessions of the Reformed faith. This means that our doctrinal standards are the Westminster Confession of Faith along with the Westminster Larger Catechism and Westminster Shorter Catechism, which together summarize the teaching of the Scriptures.

These confessions have served the church since the seventeenth century as faithful summaries of biblical doctrine.

You can read them here.