Our Denomination
First OPC is a congregation of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. The Orthodox Presbyterian Church is a Protestant denomination established in 1936 to maintain and defend the Bible as the Word of God, the Westminster Confession of Faith as the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures, and the principles of Presbyterianism as being founded upon and agreeable to the Word of God.
For more about the heritage and history of the OPC visit the Historian of the OPC, where you'll find books and articles that tell the story. Another online resource, the booklet called What is the Orthodox Presbyterian Church? provides basic information about our federation of churches.
"Orthodox"
The word, orthodox, means "right thought, teaching, or glory". We require our teaching, worship and lives to be transformed by, and conformed to what the Bible says. Our churches hold one another accountable in this aim by agreeing together about what the Bible says. This is the role served by our doctrinal standards
"Presbyterian"
The Church is governed by Jesus Christ, who ascended into heaven and now abides in his church by the Holy Spirit whom he has sent. It belongs to his majesty from his throne of glory not only to rule his church directly but also to use the ministry of men. As this authority comes not from themselves but from Christ, the men appointed by him to serve and teach in his Church are bound to do so according to his Word and in submission also to one another: as described in our Book of Order.
The commandment of Scripture in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 establishes elders ("presbyters") as the governors of the local church. Higher assemblies, in which the elders from many churches gather for decisions affecting them all, are seen in Acts 15. First OPC belongs to a regional group of churches (Presbytery of the Northwest) which meets at least two times a year.
Membership affirmations
- Do you believe the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, to be the Word of God, and its doctrine of salvation to be the perfect and only true doctrine of salvation?
- Do you believe in one living and true God, in whom eternally there are three distinct persons.God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.who are the same in being and equal in power and glory, and that Jesus Christ is God the Son, come in the flesh?
- Do you confess that because of your sinfulness you abhor and humble yourself before God, that you repent of your sin, and that you trust for salvation not in yourself but in Jesus Christ alone?
- Do you acknowledge Jesus Christ as your sovereign Lord, and do you promise that, in reliance on the grace of God, you will serve him with all that is in you, forsake the world, resist the devil, put to death your sinful deeds and desires, and lead a godly life?
- Do you promise to participate faithfully in this church's worship and service, to submit in the Lord to its government, and to heed its discipline, even in case you should be found delinquent in doctrine or life?
| Regular Schedule: | Address: |
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Sunday School: 9:30am Sunday Morning: 10:30 am Sunday Evening: 6:00 pm |
8245 NE Fremont Street Portland, Oregon 97220 Phone: 503-253-0695 |
