We believe that God, in his forgiving love, became a human being as the person Jesus of Nazareth in order to redeem us. We believe that Christ alone, by his death and resurrection, cleanses the human soul from sin and enables us to live in the power of his Holy Spirit. We believe that God is sovereignly in control of the whole universe and not only that he is personally present and active in the world but also that he has a keen interest in our lives.

The Church of Scotland allows much liberty of doctrinal opinion but our doctrine is rooted in the classical understanding of Christian faith.

That understanding is coloured especially by teachings of the early church fathers who were most influential in the development of orthodox teaching in the first few centuries of the New Testament. The Kirk though owes its distinctive character to the Reformers of the 16th Century Roman Catholic Church, such as Martin Luther and John Calvin.

The Reformer who most influenced Scotland was, of course, John Knox. He did more than anyone to establish the theological confession of the Church of Scotland.

Our church government is Presbyterian, which means that it is ruled by a system of courts rather by individual bishops.

• Do you believe in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and do you confess Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord?

• Do you promise to join regularly with your fellow Christians in worship on the Lord's Day?

• Do you promise to be faithful in reading the Bible, and in prayer?

• Do you promise to give a fitting proportion of your time, talents and money for the Church's work in the world?

• Do you promise, depending on the grace of God, to confess publicly your loyalty to Jesus Christ, to serve him in your daily work, and to walk in his ways all the days of your life?