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Defining
Terms
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Who Are We?
In 1936, liberal Presbyterians denied the authority of the Bible and
denounced many historic doctrines of the Christian faith, conservative
church leaders responded boldly. Much like their Puritan ancestors,
they risked church buildings, pensions, and their place in an
increasingly secular culture. In attempting to preserve the historic
Protestant faith they had inherited from the Reformation, they formed
what became the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC).
The OPC believes that the correct teaching of scripture is best
expressed in the confessions of faith formed during the Reformation.
Therefore, the OPC is committed to the Westminster Confession of Faith
and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, which the Puritans developed in
the heat of the spiritual/intellectual battles of seventeenth-century
England. Like their spiritual forefathers, the OPC has a heritage of
fighting for the truth of God. Redeemer OPC became a particular church
in April 19, 1971 attempting to remain faithful to this worthy
heritage. We desire to be faithful to a narrow way of orthodoxy. Hence,
we have included the word orthodox in our name.
Orthodox
"Ortho" comes from the Greek word, which means straight; an
orthodontist straightens your teeth. "Dox" comes from the Greek word,
which means praise; the doxology is a song of praise. When put
together, the word orthodox literally means straight praise or the most
typical translation of this word is "correct teaching". We here at
Redeemer OPC stand firmly on the teachings found in the Bible.
These teachings from God's word apply to every area of life. Instead of
the shifting opinions of human thinking, we proclaim the gospel of
Jesus, the Christ. For this, we make no apology to modern man. To the
contrary, we believe that the gospel is the power of God unto
salvation. This gospel offers life and hope for our suicidal culture.
God-Centered & Family-Oriented
We believe in God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and
in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord. We believe in the virgin
birth, by which Jesus came to earth to offer himself as the perfect
substitute for sinners. He was crucified and died, but was resurrected
and ascended into heaven. We, also believe that the Holy Spirit is the
giver of life and, with the Father and the Son together is worshipped
as God. Thus, we believe that the trinity is the only acceptable
expression of the Christian faith. Since, the Bible is the exclusive
and the infallible guide for faith and practice, we submit to it in
every area of our lives. The Bible provides a foundation upon which we
construct our view of the world.
Covenant Theology
God is a covenant God. He always relates with people by means of
covenants. A covenant is a binding relationship that God establishes.
He pledges himself to his people and he defines the relationship. For
example, in the garden of Eden, God entered into covenant with Adam.
This covenant required Adam to obey God perfectly upon pain of death.
Since Adam failed as our first covenant-mediator, a covenant of grace
was given through the second Adam, our covenant-mediator, Jesus, the
Christ.
For Christians, God is our covenant God and we are his covenant people.
Covenants structure and define our lives. In Christ, they bind us
together with God and with one another. When we submit to Christ we
become part of a covenant community. It requires commitment to others
but it also offers mutual comfort and strength as a community of
believers. The heart of this community centers on the family.
Therefore, Redeemer OPC focuses on the family. We long for our children
to love and to honor the Lord for generations to come. Our families
commit themselves together for mutual protection, and for strength,
and, ultimately, for the glory of God.
Worship
As a covenant community, one of our highest callings is formal/public
worship. In worship, we come into the special presence of God,
listening to him and responding to him in commanded acts of faith and
love.
Worship is God-centered and God-defined dialogue. He speaks to us in
his word, and we respond to him with that which pleases him. Notice
that our actions are limited to that which is commanded in the Bible.
Does this hinder us from expressing ourselves in worship? No, indeed,
it enhances our ability to please God. We worship God for his glory and
not for our own pleasure. This is a grand privilege! |
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