First Presbyterian Church of Chipley

The Presbyterian Church (USA) is a part of the family of

Reformed churches found all over the world. Reformed churches have their beginning in the Protestant

Reformation of 16th century Europe. Martin Luther is credited

with starting the Reformation movement that swept Germany

and quickly spread to other European countries. Luther's followers

were called "Lutherans" because of their adherence

to his popular

teachings about the Bible and Christian faith. Soon other

reformers

in various European countries picked up on new Reformation

doctrines

and began refining them as always happens during a fresh new

wave of thought. Most notably among these new reformers was a

Frenchman by the name of John Calvin who was working in Geneva,

Switzerland at the time. His ideas were based on Luther's, but he

modified them and wrote them in a book entitled "The Institutes of

the Christian Religion". In order to distinguish his movement from

the "Lutheran" movement,the name "Reformed" was given to

Calvin's part of the Reformation teaching. Later on, a young

Scotsman named John Knox studied under Calvin and took the

Reformed faith back to Scotland with him. When early settlers came

from Scotland to America, they brought their faith with them. The

Presbyterian Church (USA) is descended in large part fromScottish

Presbyterianism. Some of our major beliefs include: The

Sovereignty

of God, the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the presence of the

Holy Spirit to believers. We affirm that we are called into the service

of Christ's church to proclaim the gospel ("good news") of

salvation to all who will receive Christ as Lord and Savior. We accept the Bible as God's word and believe that it contains all

that is needful for Christian faith and practice. We take part in the

common life of the church by meeting together for Worship, Prayer

and study. We enjoy a warm fellowship among our church family

and we reach out to others in acts of service and compassion. We

believe in living responsibly in the world and exercising faithful

stewardship over all that God has given us. Presbyterians recognize

two Sacraments -- Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Each particular

church is governed by a board of Elders who have oversight of the

church and it's mission. We have periodic classes for those who

wish to inquire further into what it means to be a Presbyterian. We invite you to contact us for

further information about our church.