What We Believe

WE’RE A CHRISTIAN CHURCH

We believe in the GOSPEL [the good news] that Jesus of Nazareth, who was God in the flesh, the second member of the Trinity, lived a sinless life and was then put to death on a cross in Jerusalem approximately 2,000 years ago. He lived and died as our representative before God, in our place. He was then raised bodily from the dead, by God. He ascended on high to be seated at the right hand of God. He is alive and reigning forever more. God the Father gave Him all authority in heaven and earth, including the authority to judge and forgive. The GOSPEL teaches us that the life of perfect obedience to God’s commands which Jesus lived is credited as a gift to the believer. Likewise, we believe the death Jesus suffered was no accident, but a God given sacrifice for our sins. Jesus died the death we deserved for our rebellion against God, dying in our place to give us life. He could do this for He is God’s eternal Son who came to represent us for this very purpose. In coming to know Jesus as God’s Son we’ve also been brought to know God the Father who sent the Son into the world, and God the Spirit whom the Father entrusted to the Son to pour out on those who trust Him. Thus we confess One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Creator of all there is. In trusting Jesus by believing His GOSPEL we have come to know for ourselves what He has promised to those who trust Him – forgiveness of sin, peace with God, the gift of His Spirit, adoption as His children, and the hope of eternal life. That eternal life will see its final expression when Jesus returns in glory to usher in the final judgement and the new heaven and earth.

WE’RE A BIBLE BASED CHURCH

We can know this gospel because God has given us the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament. In the New Testament we find the witness of the apostles, Jesus’ chosen messengers, to the life, death, rising and teaching of Jesus. We also find their letters which help us understand what those events mean for us, and how to live as followers of Jesus in this world. In the Old Testament we find the prophetic writings that point us to Jesus and enrich our understanding of God’s plan, purpose and promises fulfilled in Jesus. All the books of the Bible are given to us by God – God breathed. As the Word of God they enable us to trust Jesus and are active in our lives to teach, rebuke, correct and train us to live godly lives. They are wholly reliable and trustworthy, and all we need to trust and follow Jesus. The Bible is our Church’s ‘Supreme Rule of Faith and Life’.

WE’RE A REFORMED CHURCH

We don’t take credit for believing, but are full of praise and thankfulness to God for opening our eyes to see His glory in the face of His Son. Of ourselves we are dead in our sin, like all the children of Adam, and it is God who saves through and through, from electing His people before the creation of the world, to redeeming them on the cross, to calling them to Himself in the gospel and giving them new life, continuing His good work in them throughout our lives, and finally to raising us up to live with Him forever. Our confidence is not in ourselves but in God, and His steadfast love never fails.

WE’RE AN EVANGELICAL CHURCH

We believe that the GOSPEL (the good news about Jesus) is for all, and that it’s God’s will that it goes throughout the world. We actively seek to share it with our neighbours, in our community, and to participate in its spread throughout the world. We do this because we believe God wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth of Jesus, for He is the only Saviour, and the Saviour of His people in all the world. We’re not embarrassed about this, for we know both that there will be a judgement of all at the end and only those who are in Jesus’ book of life will be saved, and that knowing God’s love in Jesus is a treasure beyond any price.

WE’RE A PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

We believe that God has given to the congregations of His people elders to shepherd His people and direct their life together under His word. We also think that it is good for congregations to fellowship together on the basis of a common understanding of the faith. The Bible is our Church’s ‘Supreme Rule of Faith and Life’. However, the common understanding of the faith shared by Presbyterian churches in Australia is the Westminster Confession of Faith read in the light of the Declaratory Statement to which all our elders and pastors must subscribe. You can find a copy of the Confession here.

OUR DENOMINATION

The Presbyterian Church of Victoria (PCV) has its historical roots in the Church of Scotland which was reformed in Scotland in 1560. The PCV was founded in Victoria in 1859 when certain groups of Presbyterian churches came together to form one body. Also, the PCV is federated with Presbyterian Churches in the other states and is part of the Presbyterian Church of Australia (PCA). The PCA was formed in 1901 when the various state Presbyterian Churches came together to form one national body. The formation of the national Church was timed to coincide with Australia becoming a Federation in 1901.

If you have any questions about our beliefs, why not contact us below?