Reformed churches are rooted in the Swiss Reformation, whose greatest theologian and writer was John Calvin (1509–1564). Born in Noyon, France, in an influential family, Calvin’s mental acumen was obvious to his parents, and they provided him with the very best education. At his father’s urging, Calvin studied law, fully intending to enter this profession, when he experienced a sudden and dramatic conversion to Protestantism in 1533.
The year of his conversion, Calvin—not shy about sharing his views—was arrested for his activities as a Reformer. He managed to escape to Geneva, where he continued promoting the Reformation. Calvin’s stature in Geneva was larger than life, and under his forceful influence the city became somewhat of a theocracy, leading some to call Geneva “a Protestant Rome.” His principles for civic activity extended to every area of life. In this God-ruled city, heretics were persecuted, and one well-known one—Michael Servetus, who denied the doctrine of the Trinity—was burned at the stake in 1553. By 1559, Calvin had established the University of Geneva, and its graduates spread Reformed theology far and wide throughout Germany, Italy, and Scotland.
Among his greatest accomplishments is his Institutes of the Christian Religion, which started out as an essay but was continually revised and expanded until it eventually became a substantial book in 1559. Among other things, the book sets forth Calvin’s (now) well-known views on the sovereignty of God in creation and human salvation. The wonder of the printing press served to spread Calvin’s Reformed ideas around the world.
Reformed churches eventually found their way to American soil, largely as a result of the heavy immigration of Dutch people (members of the Dutch Reformed Church) into the colonies. As well, many German Reformed Christians immigrated into Pennsylvania in the eighteenth century. (More than half the Germans in Pennsylvania at this time were proponents of Reformed theology.) Influential leaders in the Reformed tradition in America at that time include Johann Philip Boehm (1683–1749) and Michael Schlatter (1718–1790). Since colonial days, Reformed churches have permeated the United States.
Reformed churches generally subscribe to three key confessions of faith:
• The Belgic Confession was written by Dutch Reformed pastor Guido de Bres in 1561 to demonstrate to King Philip II of Spain that Reformed theology was not heretical. De Bres was martyred for his beliefs in 1567.
• The Heidelberg Catechism, written by Zacharias Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus in 1563 (during Reformation times), sought to mediate between Lutheran and Reformed theology.
• The Canons of Dort were written in 1618 to address the theological controversy over predestination and how God’s sovereignty related to God’s work of salvation. It outlined the five well-known points of Calvinism. As noted in an earlier chapter, these five points are often represented by the acronym TULIP: total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints.
Distinctive Ideas in Reformed Churches
• Reformed churches emerged out of the teachings and writings of reformer John Calvin.
• The sovereignty of God is emphasized.
• There is a strong commitment to the five points of Calvinism.
• Christ died only for the elect (one of the five points).
• Many are amillennial or postmillennial. (Some make a special point of rejecting premillennialism, especially dispensational premillennialism.)
CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH IN NORTH AMERICA
Founded: 1857
Members: 185,500
Congregations: 780
Beginnings
In the 1830s, the Dutch monarchy wanted to control the church in the Netherlands. Members of the Reformed Church wanted independence.
The Reformed Church, under the leadership of Hendrik DeCock, Henrik Scholte, and Albertus van Raalte, decided to split off from the government-controlled state church and form an independent body. This did not sit well with the government, however, and they were persecuted for their action. In 1847, these Dutch believers made the decision to emigrate to America.
From 1850 to 1857, these Dutch immigrants affiliated with the Reformed Church in America because this body initially rendered aid to them and seemed to share their same basic faith. It proved not to be a happy marriage, however. The Dutch believers became disenchanted with the Reformed Church in America, which (1) practiced open communion (serving all believers instead of just Reformed believers), (2) neglected catechism preaching, (3) lacked the piety the Dutch were used to, and (4) utilized inappropriate hymns in church services. The Dutch believers called a conference in Holland, Michigan, and founded a separate church in 1857. After going through a few name changes over the next two years, the group settled on the name Christian Reformed Church in 1859.
The emblem of the denomination is a cross inside a triangle. The cross represents belief in Jesus Christ. The triangle represents the Trinity (one God who is eternally manifest in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit).
The denomination holds to the Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dort. As well, the denomination subscribes to the Apostles’ Creed, the Athanasian Creed, and the Nicene Creed.
Beliefs
The Bible. The Bible in its entirety is God’s Word. It is verbally and entirely inspired by the Holy Spirit and is therefore infallible and inerrant in all its parts. Scripture is the supreme and final authority in all matters on which it speaks. It is the final rule of faith and practice.
God. God is absolutely sovereign, and nothing is outside His control. No force in heaven or on earth can frustrate His sovereign plans. This one God is eternally manifest in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Son of God and is of the same divine essence as the Father. He is Savior and Lord. He died on the cross for human salvation, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and now rules over the world from heaven.
The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is of the same divine essence as the Father and the Son. He is involved in various ministries in the church and among Christians. Any teaching regarding a separate baptism of the Holy Spirit, or a “second blessing,” is rejected.
Sin and salvation. Due to the sin of Adam, humanity is now fallen in sin. Jesus was crucified on the cross to atone for human sin. Only faith in Christ the Savior brings salvation. Christians can have an assurance of salvation because of God’s faithfulness. Nothing can take the Christian out of God’s hand—not even the weaknesses and failings of Christians.
The church. The church is made up of Christians. In church worship services, congregants confess sin, ask for forgiveness, listen to a Scripture reading, hear a sermon, partake of the Lord’s Supper, and participate in prayers of intercession.
Church polity is presbyterial—councils oversee local churches, classes oversee the councils and the churches affiliated with them, and the General Synod oversees the entire denomination.
Women can be ordained to the offices of deacon, elder, minister, and evangelist.
The sacraments. The relationship Christians enjoy with God involves a covenant that stipulates that God fulfills His promises as long as Christians accept them with a repentant and believing heart. This covenant is celebrated through the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is not just for adults but for infants too because they are part of the covenant community. The Lord’s Supper—only for those who have professed faith in Jesus as Savior (of any denomination)—is celebrated at least four times a year (frequency is set by each individual church). This sacrament is a reminder to every Christian of the sacrifice Jesus made to make our salvation possible.
The end times. Jesus will one day come again and establish His perfect, eternal kingdom. The spoiled creation will finally be restored. The saved—those who have trusted in Christ the Savior—will live with Him for all eternity in heaven. Those who reject Jesus will suffer everlasting punishment.
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• It is a heavenly country, filled with light, glory, and love (Hebrews 11:13-15).
• It is a holy city, full of purity and without sin (Revelation 21:1-2).
• It is the home of righteousness (2 Peter 3:13).
• It is a kingdom of light, where Christ, the light of the world (John 8:12), dwells (Colossians 1:12).
• It is the paradise of God, full of pleasure and delight (Revelation 2:7).
• It is the New Jerusalem, a massive city of the saints of all ages (Revelation 21).
UNITED REFORMED CHURCHES IN NORTH AMERICA
Founded: 1996
Members: Unknown
Congregations: 75
Beginnings
The United Reformed Churches in North America began on October 1, 1996, at a synod in Lynwood, Illinois. Most of the congregations that joined had a background in the Christian Reformed Church but wanted to return fully to the orthodoxy that is reflected in the Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, and Canons of Dort. They felt the Christian Reformed Church had drifted from the orthodoxy reflected in these creeds.
Beliefs
The Bible. The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit and is fully authoritative in all matters of faith and practice.
God. The one true God is eternally manifest in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ. Jesus is full Deity. In the Incarnation, He was fully God and fully man. He was a sinless person. He died for human sin, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven.
The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is engaged in a variety of ministries in the church and among individual believers.
Sin and salvation. Man is fallen in sin. Salvation is found only in Jesus Christ. Nothing can separate the true believer from God.
The church. The church is the people of God on earth. Congregations exhibit a variety of worship styles. Government is by elder rule. Women are not allowed in the ministry. The General Synod meets at least once every three years, though it can meet every year if church officials deem it necessary.
The sacraments. The two sacraments are baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Baptism is for both adults and infants. The Lord’s Supper is only for professing Christians. It is a supervised sacrament. Nonmembers must obtain permission from an elder before participating.
The end times. The church has no official position on the end times. Many church members are amillennial in their eschatology; others are postmillennial. Heaven and hell are viewed as eternal destinies for the saved and unsaved.
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Founded: 1628
Members: 265,000
Congregations: 890
Beginnings
The Reformed Church in America had a humble beginning. In the year 1628, a mere 50 Dutch Reformed immigrants met around a crude table in a mill loft in New Amsterdam—what is now Manhattan Island in New York. At this table they celebrated the Lord’s Supper together, and at that moment their denomination was born. The first minister of the church was Domine Jonas Michaelius, from the Netherlands.
This initial church of the denomination exists even to the present day. It is the Collegiate Reformed Church in New York City and is widely known as the oldest evangelical church in North America with a continuous ministry.
During the early colonial days, the church was under the authority of the Classis of Amsterdam. This eventually became a problem for church members. Once these Dutch immigrants became Americanized, they sought independence from the church authorities in Holland. Under the able leadership of Reverend John Livingston, the group attained independence from the Classis of Amsterdam in 1776. The new denomination adopted its constitution in 1792, formally incorporated in the United States in 1819 as the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, and then changed its name in 1867 to the Reformed Church in America. The denomination experienced consistent growth, primarily due to the steady wave of Dutch immigrants that poured into the United States in the late 1840s.
Beliefs
The denomination accepts the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, and the Canons of Dort, as well as the Apostles’ Creed, the Athanasian Creed, and the Nicene Creed. All such creeds, however, are subject to evaluation in the light of Scripture.
The Bible. The Bible constitutes God’s Word for every person. It is a source of revelation for finding God’s will and is the final authority in matters of faith and practice. It is the standard against which all teachers and teachings should be measured.
God. The one God is eternally manifest in three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Son of God. He became a human, born of the Virgin Mary, for the purpose of rendering a perfect sacrifice for the sins of humankind. He then rose from the dead and ascended into heaven.
The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. All Christians receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. He enables Christians to live the Christian life and illumines their hearts so they can understand the Word of God. There is no “second blessing” from the Holy Spirit.
Sin and salvation. Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and this resulted in all humanity falling into a state of sin. Because of God’s love for humanity, He has a plan to restore humans to a state of joy and peace. This plan involved sending Jesus, who lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father and then rendered a perfect sacrifice for human sin at the cross. Those who call on the name of Jesus are saved.
The church. The church is made up of those who have accepted Jesus as God’s Son. The church is Christ’s body on earth and has the responsibility of continuing Christ’s work.
Each congregation is governed by a consistory. A group of congregations in a geographical area forms a classis, which supervises churches in that area. Regional synods are comprised of churches and classes within a broader geographical boundary. The General Synod is the highest ecclesiastical authority.
Women can become missionaries, teachers, study leaders, elders, deacons, and even ministers.
The sacraments. Baptism is a sign and seal of God’s covenant of grace and demonstrates God’s promise that we are cleansed in Christ’s blood, buried with Him in death, and risen with Him in newness of life. In baptism God promises by His grace to forgive our sins, adopt us into His body (the church), send the Holy Spirit daily to renew and cleanse us, and resurrect us to eternal life. Infants are permitted to be baptized because they are a part of the covenant community of God. The mode may be sprinkling, immersion, or pouring.
The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament in which Christ Himself is present (through the power of the Holy Spirit) and His life passes into us and is made ours. It is a means by which Christ continually strengthens, comforts, and nourishes believers. The sacrament is only for those who have been baptized into Christ.
The end times. Jesus will one day come again. He will judge the living and the dead. All believers will be resurrected and live with Him forever in heaven. Unbelievers are excluded from God’s presence for all eternity.
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• destruction (Matthew 7:13)
• a fiery furnace (Matthew 13:42)
• an eternal fire (Matthew 18:8)
• a lake of burning sulfur (Revelation 19:20)
• eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46)
• exclusion from God’s presence (Luke 13:27)