The Bible

The Holy Scriptures are the infallible rule of faith and practice, the authoritative guide for Christian living. The Holy Scriptures are the sixty-six books contained in the Old and New Testaments. 
 

The Trinity

We believe in God as Creator and Caretaker. We believe in God the Father, and in His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Divine Savior and Lord. We believe in the Holy Spirit, who indwells believers and does God's work in creation. See our pastor's longer study on The Holy Spirit in Ephesians. 
 

Sin and Salvation

All human beings have disobeyed God and are in need of spiritual rebirth. God initiates salvation by sending the Holy Spirit, Who affirms the Good News in the Scriptures. He calls people to repentance and faith through preaching and teaching the Word of God. People have a choice to accept or reject God's offer of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. "Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved." Persons are set into a right relationship with God by faith, and not by works. Salvation is a free gift of God's grace, not something earned, merited, or predestined. Salvation by faith leads Christians walk in the obedience of faith. See our pastor's study on The Love of God in 1 Corinthians 13. 
 

The Sacraments

The sacraments are celebrations of the covenant in which Christ mysteriously is present and active. We accept two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Baptism symbolizes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It marks membership in the Church. It is administered to infants whose parents are members of the covenant community. It is also administered to those who affirm personal faith in Jesus Christ, and have not received the sacrament. Pouring, sprinkling, or immersion are our generally accepted modes of baptism: the validity of this Sacrament does not depend on the mode. We receive members into the Cumberland Presbyterian Church by profession of faith, by transfer of membership, and by reaffirmation of faith. A new member may be received into the church before baptism is administered.

The Lord's Supper is celebrated frequently but not every Sunday in most Cumberland Presbyterian Churches. Bread (leavened or unleavened) and the fruit of the vine are usually used. All believers are welcome to the Table. In some congregations the children partake of this Sacrament. 
 

Death and Resurrection

Eternal life is a gift from God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We are raised with him through our conversion. Eternal life is a living relationship with God (John 17:3) which continues more completely after death when full redemption shall be ours in the resurrection of the body. 
 

Last Things

Cumberland Presbyterians declare the final words in our Confession of Faith: "In the consummation of history, at the coming of Jesus Christ, the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever."