Presbyterian Church (USA)

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The Presbyterian Church, USA, was bom out of the formal reuniting of two once-divided bodies: the United Presbyterian Church in the USA and the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. Although they shared a rich history dating back to the first presbytery in the 1700's, they separated during the Civil War. On June 10, 1983, the Presbyterian Church USA had their first Communion together as a cooperative body.  In 2000 there were 11,178 congregations with 2,525,330 members.

Abortion: Abortion should not be restricted by law.  The considered decision of a woman to terminate a pregnancy can be a morally acceptable, though certainly not the only or required, decision.  However, the church does not accept abortion as a means of birth control, gender-selection, or as a means solely to obtain fetal parts for transplants.   The church considers late term abortions a matter of grave moral concern and believes they should be undertaken in the rarest of circumstances.

Affiliations: The PCUSA is in full communion with three other denominations:  The Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Reformed Church in America, and the United Church of Christ.  They are also affiliated with the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, the National Council of Churches, the World Council of Churches and Churches Uniting in Christ,

Baptism: Baptism is performed by the washing or sprinkling of an adult believer, or infant of one or both believing parents.  Baptism is a one-time sacrament and is a perpetual sealing of the baptized.

Birth Control: The PCUSA supports full and equal access to contraceptive methods.

Capital Punishment: The church does not support capital punishment.

Christ's Return: Christ shall come again at the last day in great power and in the full manifestation of his own glory and of his Father's to judge the world in righteousness.

Communion: The Lord's Supper is only for those who are believers and who can examine themselves in their faith and their duty to their neighbors.  The doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of bread and wine into the substance of Christ's body and blood is not accepted in the PCUSA.

Creation vs. Evolution: The true relation between evolutionary theory and the Bible is that of noncontradiction.
Deity of Jesus: Jesus Christ was both fully human and fully God.

Divorce and Remarriage: The Presbyterian Church, USA, prefers marriages to be healed through the ministry of the church.  However, if divorce does occur, remarriage may take place in the church.

Euthanasia: The 2002 the 214th General Assembly commissioned a new moderator-appointed special committee to conduct a study of the Christian and reformed view of human life in relation to the practices of euthanasia and assisted-suicide.  This committee will focus on the biblical witness, the confessional standards expressed in the constitution and historical reformed theology.  It will include pertinent medical and scientific findings related to humans while avoiding secular, popular, and cultural precedence.

Heaven/Hell: The righteous go into everlasting life and receive that fullness of joy and refreshing which shall come from the presence of the Lord.  The wicked, who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments.  There they will be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power.

Homosexuality: Even where the homosexual orientation has not been consciously sought or chosen, it is neither a gift from God nor a state or a condition like race.  It is a result of living in a fallen world.  Although the church opposes homosexuality and refuses to ordain practicing homosexuals, it does not exclude homosexuals from membership.  It urges an end to discriminatory legislation.

Inspiration of Scripture: By the Holy Spirit the prophets were moved to speak the Word of God, and all the writers of the Holy Scriptures were inspired to record infallibly the mind and will of God.

Miracles:  Beliefs vary from church to church.

Restrictions:  None

Security of Salvation:  Those that truly believe in the Lord Jesus may in this life be assured that they are in a state of grace.  This is an infallible assurance of faith.  They are sealed to the day of redemption.

Speaking in Tongues and Other Gifts of the Spirit: The practice of sign gifts varies from church to church.

Trinity:  The Presbyterian Church, USA, trusts in the one triune God, who is one in substance and yet distinct in three persons:  the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Women in Ministry:  Women are ordained as elders and ministers.
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For more information contact:
Presbyterian Church USA
100 Witherspoon St.
Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: (800)872-3283 or (502)569-5000
Fax:(502)569-5018
E-mail:presytel@pcusa.org
Web site: www.pcusa.org 

Church information from The 60-Second Guide to Denominations: Understanding Protestant Churches of North America (2003) by Shelly Steig, Published by World Bible Publishers, Inc.  Iowa Falls, Iowa