What we believe
Dandenong Presbyterian Church is part of the Presbyterian Church of Victoria. We are Evangelical, Reformed and Presbyterian. We hold onto the Word of God as our supreme standard and the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646), as amended from time to time by the General Assembly of Australia, read in the light of the Declaratory Statement contained in the Basis of Union (1901) as our subordinate standard. Besides the Westminster Confession of Faith as our doctrinal statement, and a helpful summary of the Bible's teaching, some of what we believe can be summarised by the the five Solas which are five Latin phrases or statements of the evangelical faith which lay at the center of what distinguished the theology of the Reformation from the theology of the Roman Catholic church in the 16th century. 

Scripture alone
We believe that the Scriptures of both the Old Testament and the New Testament is the only infallible and authoritative rule of both our faith and practice in every area of our lives.

We accept Scripture Alone as the sole revealed word of God. We do not accept the traditions of men or institutions added to the Scriptures, or along with the Scriptures, but only the Bible, as the word of God alone.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 
2 Timothy 3:16-17

Christ alone
We believe that salvation is given in and through no other name than Jesus Christ, the one and only Son of God.

We believe that redemption is both accomplished and applied in no other way than in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

This salvation or redemption that we understand and receive is in Christ, without anything else added or amended: not works, nor institutions, nor the traditions of men or churches, but in Christ alone and only Christ.

“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.  And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12

Grace alone
We believe that salvation is the free gift of God. It is by grace and grace alone that it is given: not earned, bought, or anyone's by right or by works. It is the gift of God alone (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 2:5; Titus 3:7).

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” 
Ephesians 2:8-9

Faith alone
We believe that we receive this salvation and enter into the life of salvation by faith, and by faith alone. We do not receive this salvation by works, or by faith plus works, or faith plus anything else, but by faith alone. This faith is a faith and trusting in the finished and completed work of Christ for Sin and Sinner. (Romans 3:25, 4:5, 5:1-2; Galatians 2:16, 3:22-25).

"and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith”
Philippians 3:9

Glory to God alone
We believe that all glory must be given to God and to God alone. As the sole author of life and salvation God alone is to be glorified. The highest end and purpose for man and mankind is to glorify God and God alone. God will not share his glory with another, neither should we give or ascribe glory to another (Isaiah 42:8; Acts 15:6; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Revelation 15:4).

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” 
Romans 11:36