Gainesville Open Kingdom PCA Church is a member of the Presbyterian Church in America, an assembly of over 1,600 churches nationwide. The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) is committed to historic Biblical Christianity affirmed in statements of faith, such as the Apostle’s Creed, Nicene Creed, and theWestminster Confession of Faith which are anchored in the doctrines of grace; “by Scripture alone,” “by faith alone,” “by grace alone,” “by Christ alone,” and “to the Glory of God alone.”
Below are a summary of our core beliefs:
About the Bible
We believe the Bible, the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is the written word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the revelation of God’s truth and is infallible and the ultimate authority in all matters of faith and life. (Isaiah 40:8, 55:10-11; Matthew 24:35; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Thess. 2:13; 2 Peter 1:19-21)
About God
There is one God, who exists eternally in three persons (Trinity): the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three are one God, equal in power and glory. In himself, he is infinite, unchanging and eternal, perfectly holy and powerful, altogether just and wise, and utterly good and loving. He created the entire universe out of nothing and rules over all his creation. (Genesis 1:1; Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:29; John 14:9; 2 Corinthians 13:4; Hebrews 1:2-3; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 John 4:8)
About Mankind
We believe that God created all people in his image with dignity and value, to have fellowship with him, and to glorify and enjoy him forever. In their original state, Adam and Eve were reasonable, righteous, holy, and immortal, possessing the liberty of their will to disobey the law of God written on their hearts. However, Adam and Eve, by their own will, chose to disobey God’s command, which is called “sin.” Their disobedience resulted in the image becoming marred, losing relationship with God and becoming totally corrupt. Adam, as the head of the human race, through his sin plunged all of humanity into a state of sin and misery. We believe that all people are born as sinners and are completely unable to save themselves from God’s displeasure, except by his mercy. (Genesis 1:26-28, 2:17; Psalms 8:3-6; Romans 5:12-21; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22;Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2; Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 3:10-18)
About Jesus
We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal God the Son, the second person of the Trinity, who through his perfect life and sacrificial death made complete payment for the sins of all who trust in him, alone, for salvation. We believe that Jesus will return, bodily and visibly, to judge all humanity and to receive His people to himself, and to renew all things. (John 1:1, 14; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:3; John 3:16; Titus 2:13-14; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Titus 3:4-7; Ephesians 1: 9-10; 1 Timothy 2:5; Revelation 19:16; Revelation 21:5)
About Salvation
We believe that salvation is through Christ alone by grace alone through faith alone. We believe that salvation is by God alone as he sovereignly chooses those he will save. We believe his choice is based on his grace, not on any human individual merit, or foreseen faith. The salvation earned by Christ is applied to us by the Holy Spirit, who convinces us of our sin and enables us to receive Christ. We believe that God is gracious and faithful to his people not simply as individuals but as families in successive generations according to his covenant promises. (Ephesians 1:4-6, 2:8-10; Romans 4:1-5, 8:28-30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Titus 3:5; Philippians 3:9)
About the Church
We believe that God saves individuals into a people group for himself called the Church, of whom Christ is the head. The church is not a building but a people. It is these people that the Bible refers to as Christ’s bride and his body, the fullness of Him that fills all in all. The church and its work are the most significant thing happening in the world today. For the Holy Spirit indwells Christ’s body and gives them the strength and wisdom to trust and follow him as they fulfill their role as the primary instrument God has chosen to expand the Kingdom and renew all things until Christ’s second return. (Ephesians 1:22-23, 3:10, 5:22-27; Colossians 1:18-20; Acts 9:1-4; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Acts 1:8, John 20:21; Matthew 16:18-19, 18:17-18, 25:18-20)