Reformed Church Beliefs

General Information

We believe that the basis of truth and education must be found in the Triune God and His infallible Word. All core beliefs must be based upon principles established in the infallible sixty-six books of sacred Scripture.

These core beliefs are explained in these doctrinal standards:
The Heidelberg Catechism
The Belgic Confession of Faith
The Canons of Dordt

A short summary of these core beliefs is as follows:

We believe that there is one true God, and that He is eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, immutable, in finite, omnipresent, independent, omniscient, indivisible, almighty, perfectly wise, just, gracious, and the overflowing fountain of all good. "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen"(I Tim. 1:17).

We believe that this God, though one in essence, has revealed Himself in three distinct and coequal Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one" (I John 5:7)

We believe that God has revealed Himself to man by two means: first, by general revelation through His creation, His providence, and man's conscience; secondly, He makes Himself far more clearly and fully known by special revelation through His Word, the Holy Bible. "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20). "But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith" (Romans 16:26).

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We believe that the Bible is not the reflection of the will of man, but that holy men of God spake as they were inspired and moved by the Holy Spirit. "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (II Peter 1:21). The Bible is the complete and only infallible Word of God delivered to mankind, essential to know unto salvation. In the English language, we believe that this Word is most accurately and soundly conveyed to us by the King James Version.

We believe that this Word of God not only teaches the truth about God but also about man. We believe that God created man perfect and upright, and after His own image in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them" (Gen. 1:27). "And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him" (Col. 3:10). "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and 'true holiness' (Eph. 4:24).

We believe that man willingly subjected himself to sin and fell from his holy state. Consequently all are born in sin and will die in sin, unless regenerated by the Spirit of God to find complete salvation in the one Mediator, Jesus Christ. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Rom. 5:12). And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses" (Col. 2:13).

We believe in the one and only Mediator between God and man, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who in OnePerson is both God and man:
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of theVirgin Mary:
Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead, and buried: He descended into hell:
The third day he rose again from the dead:
He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. (Apostles' Creed)
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Act 4:12).

We believe in the so-called Five Points of Calvinism.

In man's total depravity:
"And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Gen. 6:5). "God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Psalm 53:2,3).
In unconditional election:
"For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not ofhim that willeth nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy" (Rom. 9:15-16).
In limited atonement:
"I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me: for they are thine" (John 17:9).
In irresistible grace:
"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me" (John 6:44-45).
In the perseverance of the saints:
"And I give unto them eternal life: and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (John 10:28).

We believe that the Word of God provides clear instruction not only for the way of salvation, but also for man's everyday life in the world. We believe that all spheres and domains of life, education inclusive, must be subject to the ordinances and glory of God. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Cor. 10:81).

We believe that although infant baptism places us under the privileges of an external (non-saving) covenant relationship with God, we need the personal regenerating work of the Holy Spirit to bring us into the covenant of grace in an internal (saving) covenant relationship with God. "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly: and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter: whose praise is not of men, but of God." (Romans 2:28-29) "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:8).

Also, see:
Canons of Dort
Belgic Confession
Heidelberg Confession

The individual articles presented here were generally first published in the early 1980s. This subject presentation was first placed on the Internet in December 1997.

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