Here, then are the Ten Essentials of Reformed Faith…

Presbyterians are people of three books:

• The Bible
• The Book of Confessions
• The Book of Order

The Book of Confessions and The Book of Order comprise the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church.

The Book of Order lists ten doctrines (beliefs) which we Presbyterians take to be essential to our faith:

Two are shared with the one catholic, apostolic Church:
1. The mystery of the Trinity.
2. The Incarnation of the Word of God in Jesus Christ. (John 1:1-14)Two are identified with our affirmation of the Protestant Reformation:
3. Justification by grace through faith. (Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:8-9)
4. The Scriptures as the final authority for salvation and faithful living. (II Timothy 3:16)
   

   Sola gratia — grace alone
   Sola fide — faith alone
   Sola scriptura — Scripture alone

   Six express the faith of the Reformed tradition:

5. The Sovereignty of God. (Psalm 103:19)
6. God’s choosing (Election) of people for service and for salvation. (Ephesians 2:10)
7. The Covenant life of the Church, ordering itself according to the Word of God.
8. A faithful Stewardship of God’s creation.
9. The sin of idolatry, our tendency to make created things ultimate, rather than worshipping only the Creator.
10. The necessity of Obedience to the Word of God.

“Thus the creeds and confessions of this Church reflect a particular stance within the history of God’s people. They are the result of prayer, thought, and experience within a living tradition. They serve to strengthen personal commitment and the life and witness of the community of believers.” The Book of Order, Chapter II (G 2.0500)