Presbyterianism has a glorious history and a great heritage. Its origins are to be found in the church of the New Testament and its rebirth as the climax of the Reformation. Presbyterianism is Biblical Christianity; this is seen in its devotion to biblical doctrine and in its form of church government. Its greatness does not lie in what men have done or accomplished in their own power but in what God has seen fit to do through those who were surrendered to His will and have been dedicated to the great truths of the Scriptures.
Presbyterianism as a system of belief and form of church government appeared as a result of the Reformation. The Reformation, which began as a sincere attempt to reform the Roman Catholic Church of the latter Middle-Ages and to purify it from its corruptions, brought forth the Lutheran, Reformed, and Anglican churches. In Scotland the Reformed churches became known as the Presbyterian Church.
The teaching of the great Reformer John Calvin (1509-1564) was to have a great effect on Presbyterianism. Born in France, Calvin would make Geneva, Switzerland the great center of the Reformation in all Europe through his preaching and writing. A gifted theologian, Calvin set himself to the systematic study of the Scriptures and set forth their teaching in a system which has become known as Reformed theology.
Through the ministry of John Knox (1514-1572) Reformed Theology took hold in Scotland. In 1688 the Church of Scotland was reorganized and became the Established Presbyterian Church in Scotland. Out of this body arose the Associate Presbytery in 1733 under the leadership of the Rev. Ebenezer Erskine. Ten years later, another group of Christians who for years had suffered problems with the Established church formed themselves into the Reformed Presbytery.
Both churches spread to Northern Ireland and eventually to America, these folks being known as the ‘Ulster-Scots’. The immigrants came to the Pennsylvania area first, and it was there that both the Associate and the Reformed Presbyteries of Pennsylvania were organized in the 1750 to 1770’s. Eventually there was a union between the two Presbyteries which resulted in the Associate Reformed Synod in 1782.
At this time our congregation was known as the ‘Associated Reformed Church of East Liverpool, Ohio’. In 1858 our church was absorbed into the United Presbyterian Church of North America. And in 1958, the United Presbyterian Church of North America was enlarged by merger with the Presbyterian Church, USA to form the United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, (UPC, USA). In 1980, our congregation withdrew from the UPC, USA and joined the Presbyterian Church in America. At this time the name of ‘the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of East Liverpool, Ohio (PCA) was adopted.
First Evangelical Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the PCA which is faithful to the Scriptures, devoted to the Reformed faith, and obedient to the Great Commission.
Learn more about the PCA ( Presbyterian Church in America ) here:
WHAT WE BELIEVE
First Evangelical Presbyterian Church
We believe the Bible is the written word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the revelation of God’s truth and is infallible and authoritative in all matters of faith and practice.
We believe in the Holy Trinity. There is one God, who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We believe that all are sinners and totally unable to save themselves from God’s displeasure, except by His mercy.
We believe that salvation is by God alone as He sovereignly chooses those He will save. We believe His choice is based on His grace, not on any human individual merit, or foreseen faith.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who through His perfect life and sacrificial death atoned for the sins of all who will trust in Him, alone, for salvation.
We believe that God is gracious and faithful to His people not simply as individuals but as families in successive generations according to His Covenant promises.
We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells God’s people and gives them the strength and wisdom to trust Christ and follow Him.
We believe that Jesus will return, bodily and visibly, to judge all mankind and to receive His people to Himself.
We believe that all aspects of our lives are to be lived to the glory of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
top