13:14; Exod. Rom. We still sin. Each local church should recognize and affirm the divine calling of spiritually qualified men to give leadership to the church through the role of pastor-elder in the ministry of the Word and prayer. We believe that every believer is sanctified (set apart) unto God by justification and is therefore declared to be holy and is therefore identified as a saint. As we eat the bread and drink from the cup of communion, we remember Christs true body and blood, which we receive into our souls by faith. 1:2, 30; 6:11; 2 Thess. Even though you might stumble in your faith and make mistakes, the Holy Spirits seal on your heart cant be invalidated or wiped out. Contemporary Testimonies | Christian Reformed Church 3:4-7; 1 Pet. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. STATEMENT OF FAITH - Covenant Reformed Baptist Church 7. 2 Tim. 28:19; 1 Cor. THE HOLY SCRIPTURES 13:17. 1:23; Eph. 22:17). 15. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. These books, constituting the written Word of God, convey objective truth and are the believers only infallible rule of faith and practice. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. And by the power of the Holy Spirit, God is present to us, making us more into the image of Jesus Christ. We will pursue loving, gracious honesty in all of our communication. They are priests before God and to one another, responsible to serve God and minister to each other. healing the sick 28:19; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15; 1 Cor. The Christian church is a gathering of persons chosen in Christ through the Holy Spirit to profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in order to embody Gods intentions for the world (Book of Church Order, Preamble). 7:2, 9; Eph. 3:9; 1 Cor. 1:11-12; Heb. Reformed Christians sometimes say the Bible is the only rule of faith and life., Shalom: Hebrew for peace, a description of Gods design for creation as one of wholeness, harmony, justice, and life-giving peace. We share one faith, have one calling, are of one soul and one mind; have one God and Father, are filled with one Spirit, are baptized with one baptism, eat of one bread and drink of one cup, confess one name, are obedient to one Lord, work for one cause, and share one hope.. Wickedness will be destroyed and God will make all things new (Revelation 21:5). These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 18:23, 32; 33:11; John 3:18-19, 36; 5:40; Rom. We support and partner the vision of the missionary field with the organization:The Apple of Gods Eyesin Nepal and we also have a very strong bond with Pastor Fikret Bocek at Izmir Protestant Church in Turkey, recognizing their effort to reach out to the lost souls at this particular spot of the world so disputed by different ethnic and religious groups. They allow us to experience with our external senses what we hear in Gods Word and feel the Spirit do in our hearts. A Brief and Untechnical Statement of the Reformed Faith They are especially associated with the churches of the Protestant Reformation. Confession of faith | theology | Britannica We need statements that illuminate what exactly we see in the Scriptures: i.e. Rom. As Christ says, No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me (John 6:44). God gives us the faith to accept salvation as an act of undeserved grace (Canons of Dort, Main Point 1, Article 7). And no matter how badly we sin, salvation in Jesus covers us. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. We trust the words of the Bible above all because the Holy Spirit testifies in our hearts that they are from God (Belgic Confession, Article 5). There is neither first nor last: for they are all three one, in truth, in power, in goodness, and in mercy. Statement of Faith - University Reformed Church 4:13; 2 Tim 2:4; Eph. We do this because we believe humans are broken. Statement of Faith - Reformed Missions Organization - Serge God sculpted us in his own image, as mirrors of Gods goodness, justice, and holiness. Sacraments are visible, holy signs and seals instituted by Jesus to help us understand the promise of the gospel and to seal its promise in us (Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 66). We believe that separation from sin is clearly called for throughout the Old and New Testaments, and that the Scriptures clearly indicate that in the last days apostasy and worldliness shall increase (2 Cor. This material is meant to offer clear and concise descriptions of the positions of the CRCNA. A Short History of Creeds and Confessions by A.A. Hodge Abstract of Principles (1858) An Appendix to the Baptist Confession of Faith by Benjamin Cox (1646) An Excerpt from The History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines by Willian Hetherington Benjamin Keach's Catechism (1689) Calvin's Catechism by John Calvin 13:8; John 15:16; Tit. Read highlights of our Confession below. The membership of the Reformed Christian Churchshall be composed of individuals who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and affirm the tenets of the Church Constitution (BPC - Constitution), and who offer evidence, by their confession and their conduct, that they are living in accord with their affirmations and this Constitution and Bylaws, and are actively pursuing and continuing in a vital fellowship with the Lord, Jesus Christ. One of the responsibilities of church leadership is to care spiritually for church members who are not living in accordance with Gods Word. Gen. 2:24; Mal. The church is under the authority of Jesus Christ, who unites believers to himself and to each other. We believe the Church is the elect people of God, existing from the beginning of the world and completed at the return of Christ who is its head. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Faith is the instrument by which we embrace Christ. It keeps us in communion with him and with all his benefits (Belgic Confession, Article 22). Even in our best moments, our actions are stained with sin. In this sacrament, Christ is not offered up to His Father; nor any real sacrifice made at all, for the remission of sins of the quick or dead; but only a commemoration of that one offering up of himself, by himself, upon the cross, once for all. Statement of Faith - WRF A contemporary testimony is useful for study, faith formation, teaching, and worship. Three days after Jesus died, he rose from the dead. 2:8; Acts 16:14. We believe that justification before God is an act of God (Rom. 3:13; Mark 10:45; Rom. What we now know as "Judaism" grew out of this group, technically called "Rabbinic Judaism.". We know God through the world God created, including our own selves: The universe is before our eyes like a beautiful book in which all creatures, great and small, are as letters to make us ponder Gods eternal power and divinity (Belgic Confession, Article 2). 8:28-30; Eph. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, true faith in Jesus reshapes our hearts to better match the heart of Jesus. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life (Ps. No other creature bears the image of God. This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs. 1 Cor. (Matt. eating with outcasts, Reformed confessions of faith - Wikipedia Diversity remains. the God of Abraham and Sarah chose a covenant people The preconditions for church membership include an understanding of and agreement with the Gospel followed by . We aim to be part of Gods global redemption as He gathers worshippers from all the peoples of the world through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Scripture calls the church the body of Christ and calls Christ our head. We believe that, out of deep gratitude for the undeserved grace of God granted to us, and because our glorious God is so worthy of our total consecration, all the saved should live in such a manner as to demonstrate our adoring love to God and so as not to bring reproach upon our Lord and Savior. 5:21; Rom. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 13. Nutley, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 1970, pp. 8:32; John 3:15; John 11:25-26; 1 John 3:5; 2 Cor. Providence: The power God uses to see to it that everything happens in order to bring about his loving, wise purposes. How to Study Scripture with Dr. J. Todd Billings. 2:9-11. 10:81). Our Lord Jesus, in the night wherein he was betrayed, instituted the sacrament of his body and blood, called the Lords Supper, to be observed in his church, unto the end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance of the sacrifice of himself in his death; the sealing all benefits thereof unto true believers, their spiritual nourishment and growth in him, their further engagement in and to all duties which they owe unto him; and, to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each other, as members of his mystical body. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Because God is their true author, the words of Scripture are holy and divine. This plurality of elders is not only biblical, but practical. Presbyteries consist of particular churches within geographical areas across the United States and Canada. Limited abilities, traditional biases, personal sin, and cultural assumptions often obscure Biblical texts. Brief Statement of Faith - Presbyterian Mission Agency We believe that all the redeemed, once saved, are kept by Gods power and are thus secure in Christ forever (John 5:24; 6:37-40; 10:27-30; Rom. 8:4,6; Deut. 3:18; 1 Thess. teaching by word and deed whom alone we worship and serve. 5:12, 19; 1 Cor. We believe marriage is only to be between one man and one woman and that marriage was ordained by God and, therefore, cannot be redefined by man. to pray without ceasing, Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. 10:10; Isa. Such a conformity is climaxed in the believers glorification at Christs coming (Rom. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ shall come again to raise the dead, both righteous and unrighteous, and that the righteous shall enjoy everlasting life and the wicked endure everlasting punishment. Four statements of belief, known in the RCA as Standards of Unity, express what the Reformed Church believes: the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, the Canons of Dort, and the Confession of Belhar. With respect to those, who are members of the Church, they may be known by the marks of Christians: namely, by faith; and when they have received Jesus Christ the only Saviour, they avoid sin, follow after righteousness, love the true God and their neighbor, neither turn aside to the right or left, and crucify the flesh with the works thereof. These offices, as theyre called, are put in place for the oversight and care of the church. 1:5; Jude 24). (Psalm 45:6-7, Psalm 102:25-27, John 1:1, John 1:9, Colossians 1:16, Heb 1:8-13) Copyright 2021 Reformed Christian Church. 6:3; Ps. A confession is a written, formal statement that acknowledges, declares, and gives evidence of religious beliefs. We know God through the world God created, including our own selves: The universe is before our eyes like a beautiful book in which all creatures, great and small, are as letters to make us ponder Gods eternal power and divinity (Belgic Confession, Article 2). Total depravity: the belief that, because of the fall, human nature is deeply corrupted by sin. (Matt. We all believe with the heart, and confess with the mouth, that there is one only simple and spiritual Being, which we call God; and that He is holy, love, eternal, incomprehensible invisible, immutable, infinite, almighty, perfectly wise, just, good, and the overflowing fountain of all good. Through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, 2:5-10, 13-17; 5:1-5), We believe Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church, but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of his ingrafting into Christ, of regeneration, of remission of sins, and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life: which sacrament is, by Christs own appointment, to be continued in his Church until the end of the world. 2:24-25; Gal. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. But only someone who is both a true and righteous human, and also true God could ever pay the price for the sins of humanity (Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 15). adapted and edited writings from the Westminster Statement of Faith. in the one body of Christ, the Church. 46:10; Prov. Preamble). Romans 6:35; Col. 2:12; Galatians 3:27; Mark 1:4; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:4, Mark 16:16; Acts 8:36, 37; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12; Acts 18:8; Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 8:38; Matthew 3:16; John 3:23; 1 Corinthians 11:2326; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 17, 2; 2 Corinthians 6:14, 15; 1 Corinthians 11:26, 29; Matthew 7:6. No confession of faith looks merely to the past; every confession seeks to cast the light of a priceless heritage on the needs of the present moment and so to shape the future. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. His death is the only and entirely complete sacrifice and satisfaction for sins; it is of infinite value and worth, more than sufficient to atone for the sins of the whole world (Canons of Dort, Main Point 2, Article 3). 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 7:25; 13:5; 1 Pet. It is instantaneous and is accomplished solely by the power of the Holy Spirit through the instrumentality of the Word of God (John 5:24) when the repentant sinner, as enabled by the Holy Spirit, responds in faith to the divine provision of salvation. The most recent of the RCAs standards, the Belhar Confession makes the case for unity, reconciliation, and justice. We believe that the Lords Supper is a sacrament of the Lord in which gathered believers eat bread, signifying Christs body given for His people, and drink the cup of the Lord, signifying the New Covenant in Christs blood. 2:24) and the imputation of Christs righteousness to us (1 Cor. God supports the downtrodden, protects the stranger, helps orphans and widows and blocks the path of the ungodly (Belhar Confession, Point 4). Just; in leaving others in the fall and perdition wherein they have involved themselves. to live as one community. Statement of Faith | Reformed Believer PH We believe that election is the act of God by which, before the foundation of the world, He chose in Christ those whom He graciously regenerates, saves, and sanctifies (Rom. 3. We are convinced that to the Reformed churches a distinctive vision of the catholic faith has been entrusted for the good of the whole church. 5:16; Phil. To fully understand Reformed theology, we recommend reading the confessions themselves. 1:3; 1 Thes. 2:22; Heb. Reformed Living Bible Church | Statement of Faith accept lies as truth, The Father has never been without his Son, or without his Holy Ghost. While redemption has an eternal quality, God also cares about the immediate needs of people: God brings justice to the oppressed and gives bread to the hungry. But we dont believe God uses that power carelessly. In an effort to reflect the broadness of the Reformed family of churches, Serge workers have the option of affirming either the Westminster Confession of Faith OR the Serge Statement of Faith (adapted from both B.B. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The biblically designated officers serving under Christ and leading the assembly are elders and deacons. (2 Tim. God raised this Jesus from the dead, 16. 9:23-24, 2 Thess. 1:6; John 10:27-28; 1 Pet. We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. By this means God is enabled to be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus (Rom. Sinai . Statement of Faith and Educational Purpose - Wheaton College 4:5; Phil. preaching good news to the poor On March 31, 2011, the Board of Directors of the World Reformed Fellowship completed work on a Statement of Faith that was five years in the making. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. However, while Reformation Seminary is firmly and fundamentally of the Presbyterian conviction, the Seminary does permit Reformed Baptist planters and pastors if the elders of those churches substantially affirm and hold to The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. (Luke 22:19, 20; 1 Cor. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them (Revelation 21:3). In this way, the sacraments help us focus on the truth at the heart of our faith: the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as the only ground of our salvation (Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 67). and giving his life for the sins of the world. 12:13; Rom. Contemporary testimonies are dynamic statements of faith that serve the CRCNAits congregations and membersand speak to essential matters in a given time period. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Yet the truth of Scripture stands in judgment of men; never do men stand in judgment of it. Reformed Christians sometimes say were Reformed and always reforming. This means we never stop asking whether were being faithful to Gods vision and reforming the church to follow Gods will. We believe that God has revealed Himself and His truth by both general and special revelation. function googleTranslateElementInit() { 3:6; 1 Kings 8:27; Jer. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It has the benefit of rounding out the pastor's gifts to ensure the proper shepherding of God's church. 28:19; 2 Cor. from the house of bondage. We believe that there is also, by the work of the Holy Spirit, a progressive sanctification by which the state of the believer is brought closer to the standing the believer positionally enjoys through justification. 2:13; 2 Tim. Were broken, and its impossible for us to fix ourselves. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Statement of Faith Reformed Fellowship Knoxville Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. In a broken and fearful world We believe that the moral law of God is summarized in the Ten Commandments and that all the Ten Commandments continue today to be the standard of righteousness which every child of God ought to love and obey. 2:8-10). We believe that the Word of God provides clear instruction not only for the way of salvation but also for mans everyday life in the world, His divine healing and the Holy Spirit helping us through perseverance. 1:4-8; Eph. God calls the church to be a community that arises out of the world and lives in the world, for the world. 4:15. 1:17; Deut. 28:19; 1 Cor. Sacraments: practices instituted by Christ as signs and seals of Gods promises in the gospel. 42:8; Col. 3:17). This sacrament is not only for those who profess faith in and obedience unto Christ, but also the infants of one or both believing parents. 6:5; Gal. 3:22; Eph. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them (Revelation 21:3). 10:16-18; 11:23-29). The church is called to proclaim this gospel promise to all nations and people without discrimination (Canons of Dort, Main Point 2, Article 5). The Plan for Reunion called for the preparation of a brief statement of the Reformed faith for possible inclusion in The Book of Confessions. Our Faith | Christian Reformed Church This true Church must be governed by that spiritual policy which our Lord has taught us in his Word; namely, that there must be ministers or pastors to preach the Word of God, and to administer the sacraments; also elders, who, together with the pastors, form the session of the Church: that by these means the true religion may be preserved, and the true doctrine everywhere propagated, likewise transgressors punished and restrained by spiritual means;and the Deacons, so that the poor and distressed may be relieved and comforted, according to their necessities. 2:10-12; Rev. 9:11-16). This was a lecture presented at Reformed Theological Seminary, Washington DC's lecture series "Luther's (Re)formative Years, 1517-1521," in October 2017. One of the defining characteristics of the Reformation was its insistence on sola Scriptura, or the belief that everything we need for salvation and a life of faith is available in Scripture. We are committed to the supreme authority and complete truthfulness of the Word of God and we believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally inspired word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible, and God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; 2 Peter 1:20, 21; Matthew 5:18; John 16:12, 13). Beliefs | EPC - Evangelical Presbyterian Church We believe that the term marriage has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Gen. 2:18-25). 2:17; 1 Tim 2:1-2; Acts 5:29. 2:12b; Col. 3:16; 2 Pet. We believe that election should not be looked upon as based merely on abstract sovereignty. This statement is therefore not intended to stand alone, apart from the other confessions of our church. 4:11 with Col. 2:11-12. 1:18-2:4; 2:14-16; Ps. (Rom. Jesus proclaimed the reign of God: * While Reformation Seminary is firmly and fundamentally Presbyterian, the Seminary does permit churches of the Reformed Baptist conviction and, thereby the credobaptist position, within our enrollment if the elders of those churches affirm and hold to The 1689 London Baptism Confession of Faith. Although church and state are distinct institutions, believers are to submit to the government within the limits of Gods Word. It does not pretend to be a complete list of all our beliefs, nor does it explain any of them in detail. One of the defining characteristics of the Reformation was its insistence on, , or the belief that everything we need for salvation and a life of faith is available in Scripture. Women are not to fill the role of pastor-elder in the local church but are encouraged to use their gifts in appropriate roles that edify the body of Christ and spread the gospel. Introduction *, *Instead of saying this line, congregations may wish to sing a version of the Gloria, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Luke 23:42, 2023 Presbyterian Mission Agency Privacy Policy | PC(USA) Donor Privacy Policy | GDPR Privacy Policy | Legal Notices. 8:30. The oldest and most comprehensive of the RCAs standards, the Belgic Confession outlines the central beliefs of the Christian faith with a Reformed accent. These are some of the foundational beliefs articulated in our Reformed confessions. A confession begins its formation at a time when an extremely serious situation and a very important issue or issues arise that are contrary to what the Bible says or questions the integrity of the Bible. Luther in 1520: Justification by Faith Alone Howard GriffithProfessor of Systematic TheologyReformed Theological Seminary, Washington D.C. 5:9), We believe Christians should gather together in local assemblies. We affirm that the sixty-six books of the Bible are the written Word of God given by the Holy Spirit and are the complete and final canonical revelation of God for all time. Our statement of faith is based on the 1833 New Hampshire Baptist Confession and the Nicene Creed. Why a new Statement of Faith? (Adopted April, 1997) (Revised November . These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Gen. 1:26-27). and the communion of the Holy Spirit, 3:27; Tit. 2:8-10). Hence A Brief Statement of Faith lifts up concerns that call most urgently for the churchs attention in our time. 407-410. . 1:10, Col. 2:16, Heb. It is the foundation for what we will preach, teach, pray, instruct, and counsel, and how we will discipline. Justification: to be made right in the eyes of God. This, God has done since the beginning of the world and will do to the end (Belhar Confession, Point 1). In that new life, we will have perfect blessedness such as no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no human heart has ever imagined (Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 58). Statement of Faith - Reformed Baptist Church of Kansas City We believe that the church, which is the body and espoused bride of Christ, is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons (Ephesians 1:22, 23; 5:2527; 1 Corinthians 12:1214; 2 Corinthians 11:2). vindicating his sinless life, and to live holy and joyful lives, Rom. 2:4; 2 Cor. We believe the elect, who are called by grace, are justified in the sight of God on account of the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ which is received by faith alone. 5:56; Exod. Position Statements Over time, the Christian Reformed Church has stated its position on a variety of contemporary topics. 10:9-10; I Cor. 55:6-7) and confess Him as sovereign Lord (Rom. This statement of faith does represent the doctrinal understanding of the leadership of ERC, and it is our intention that the teaching and preaching at ERC reflect this understanding. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". It is a declaration to the world and a reminder to itself that the church is called to be radically attentive to the world, even as God is radically attentive to the world as creator, sustainer, and redeemer. We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. The most recent of the RCAs Standards of Unity, the Belhar Confession makes the case for unity, reconciliation, and justice.