First Presbyterian Church of Maitland (FPCM) bears the name Presbyterian because it follows the Presbyterian form of governance, which is a representative system by which we are governed by elders elected from and by the congregation. Our local church governing body is known as the session.

As Presbyterians we hold to what is known as Reformed theology. Reformed theology is "catholic" in that it affirms the doctrines of historic Christianity such as those defined by the Apostles' and Nicene creeds as well as the great ecumenical councils of the first thousand years of Christian history. Reformed theology is "evangelical" in that it affirms the five great "solas" or "alones" of historic Protestantism: Sola Scriptura (by the Scripture alone), Sola Fide (by faith alone), Solus Christus (by Christ alone), Sola Gratia (by Grace alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (all to the glory of God alone). Reformed theology holds with all of Protestantism that the believer is justified before God by His free and unmerited grace by which He imputes (or transfers) the righteousness of Christ to the believer. The sole ground of our justification is through the merit of Jesus Christ alone, that is it is by God's grace alone, imparted to us by faith alone. Reformed theology is also "reformed" in that it holds to the distinctive doctrines or teachings of the great Reformers such as Martin Luther, John Calvin and John Knox, which distinguishes the Reformed tradition from other Protestant bodies. In short, Reformed theology places great emphasis on the doctrine of God's absolute sovereignty.

Within Presbyterianism there are several branches, the largest of which is the Presbyterian Church (United States of America), commonly abbreviated as PC(USA), of which we, FPCM are a member church. The rich history of Presbyterianism in America goes back to the early Puritans of the late 1600's. At least 14 signers of the Declaration of Independence were Presbyterians, including John Witherspoon, the only clergyman to sign the Declaration.

—Paul Tambrino, FPCM Director of Adult and Theological Education

For more detailed information you are invited to:

• Click here to learn more about the PC(USA).
• Download these Word documents: Glossary of Theology and Why We Are Reformed.
• Visit with our director of adult and theological education.
• Read his Ask Augustine column or buy the book (all proceeds benefit FPCM) .