Doctrinal Standards

The Word of God in Holy Scripture is our one infallible and premier authority.

The Apostles' Creed or the Nicene Creed are excellent short summaries of what we believe. We use these often in our worship services.

A more full statement of our creed is found in the Westminster Confession of Faith along with the *Westminster Larger and *Shorter Catechisms. These detailed doctrinal statements were written in the early 1600s in England, by dozens of Puritan scholars and pastors who worked together for years; many of the same people who helped to translate the King James Bible were involved. This great Reformation creed has stood the test of time across 370 years. It once was the standard of faith for all Presbyterian bodies. It is an eminently worthy guide to Biblical doctrine, but as a man-made document, it is always secondary in authority to the Bible itself. All ordained officers in the PCA take a solemn oath that says they accept these documents as "representing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures” (BCO 21-5.2 and 24-6.2)."