The most important thing about any church is what it believes. We believe firstly that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, the only rule to direct us, teaching us what we are to believe concerning God and what duty He requires of us. The Bible is our supreme standard.

The question which inevitably arises is, What do we believe the Bible teach? During her history the church has produced creeds, confessions and other documents to summarise her understanding of the Scriptures.

There are a number of such documents which have historically enjoyed an important place in the Free Church of Scotland. The most important of them are presented here with the references to the scripture proofs.

The Confession of Faith produced by the Westminster Assembly (1643-1648) is our church’s ‘subordinate standard’, representing our doctrinal position. Office-bearers subscribe to the Confession as “the confession of my faith.”

The Westminster Assembly also formulated catechisms for use in popular instruction – the Shorter Catechism and Larger Catechism.

Finally the Assembly drew up specific documents regulating the worship and government of the church which are also available here: the Directory for the Publick Worship of God and the Form of Presbyterial Church-Government.