We believe in the central doctrines of the Christian Faith as found in the written Word of God, the Bible. We also accept its subordinate standard, the Westminster Confession of Faith, while granting liberty of opinion in those matters that do not enter into the substance of the faith. The substance of the faith is well expressed in the creeds of the Church most recently summarised as follows:
We believe in one God:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
God is love.
We praise God the Father:
Who created the universe and keeps it in being.
He has made us his sons and daughters to share his joy,
Living together in justice and peace,
Caring for his world and for each other.
We proclaim Jesus Christ, God the Son:
Born of Mary, by the power of the Holy Spirit,
He became one of us, sharing our life and our death.
He made known God’s compassion and mercy
Giving hope and declaring forgiveness of sin,
offering healing and wholeness to all.
By his death on the cross and by his resurrection
He has triumphed over evil.
Jesus is Lord of life and of all creation.
We trust God the Holy Spirit:
Who unites us to Christ and gives life to the Church;
Who brings us to repentance and assures us of forgiveness.
The Spirit guides us in our understanding of the bible,
Renews us in the sacraments
And calls us to serve God in the world.
We rejoice in the gift of eternal life:
We have sure and certain hope of resurrection through Christ,
and we look for his coming again to judge the world.
Then all things wilI be made new.
And creation will rejoice in worshiping the Father,
through the Son, in the power of the Spirit,
one God, blessed for ever.
Amen.
Church of Scotland Statement of Faith 1992 General Assembly.
