As mentioned elsewhere, Ascension Presbyterian Church adheres to the Westminster Confession and Catechisms as its statement of faith. These confessions teach a theology that may be defined as catholic, evangelical, and reformed.

Our theology is “catholic,” which means “universal” or “worldwide,” because it is not limited to any one ethnic group, geographical location, or period of time. Instead, our theology affirms the accepted teachings of historic Christianity, such as those defined by the Apostles’ Creed and the great ecumenical councils of the first millennium of Christian history (i.e., the councils of Nicea, Chalcedon, Constantinople, and others). These doctrines include such essential beliefs as the Trinity, the deity of Christ, the substitutionary atonement of Christ, and other teachings that are integral to historic Christianity.

Our theology is “evangelical” because it affirms and proclaims the Gospel (“good news”) of Jesus Christ as the heart and soul of the Christian message. This good news focuses on the person and work of Jesus Christ, who has provided forgiveness of sins, salvation, and eternal life.

Our theology is “reformed” because it affirms the distinctive doctrines of the early Reformers, such as Luther, Calvin, and Knox. Generally speaking, Reformed theology focuses foundationally on the glory of God and is undergirded by three prominent emphases: the sovereignty of God, a covenantal framework, and the gracious nature of salvation.

• God’s SOVEREIGNTY refers to God’s supreme rule and authority over the entire universe. This sovereignty is expressed, exercised, and displayed in the divine plan for and outworking of the history of salvation and is carried out though God’s works of providence.
• The biblical concept of COVENANT involves many things but can be summarized as a bond in blood (i.e. a bond of life and death) that is sovereignly administered. God initiates and governs the nature of the covenant as He establishes a relationship with His people. Through this relationship of love and faithfulness, God bestows blessings as He carries out His redemptive plan.
• GRACE refers to the undeserved and unearned nature of our relationship with God. Because of the generous overflow of the Father’s love toward the Son, human beings are recipients of God’s love. This love is most clearly demonstrated to humans through God’s selfless giving of His Son to enable people to enter into a loving relationship with God as they are empowered by the Holy Spirit.