Why Are We Reformed?

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The REFORMED FAITH believes:
The Holy Bible is the innerrant and infallible rule of faith and practice. All of Christianity is under the authority of this, God's word. The Lord God Almighty is God of all heaven and earth. He is most holy, wise, righteous, loving and just. This Triune God is of three persons who are equal in power and glory - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit - but is one in substance and divine essence. He alone is due all worship. The Lord God is a sovereign God. This means He is no mere spectator but that He reigns supreme and secure, that none can thwart His divine will. His will is firmly established throughout time according to His counsel and good pleasure. In accordance with His will He has a plan of salvation for His sheep. He has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be born under the virgin Mary, to dwell among us, to suffer death and be a precious atonement for His Church, to be bodily resurrected and receive all glory and honor, and to return one day to judge both the living and the dead.
The Reformed Faith contains sound doctrine that emphasizes the majesty of the Lord, the lowliness of man, and the rich and amazing grace by which His Church has fellowship with Him.

What does REFORMED mean?
The term Reformed is a historical term that goes back almost five centuries. It refers to a period when the church underwent a Reformation in attempting to return Christianity to the authority of scripture. The desire of the Reformation was not to change God's word but rather to bring the church back into accord with it. Led by Martin Luther and John Calvin, the Reformation churches split off from the errors of the medieval Roman church and began what we know today as Protestantism.

What did the Reformers teach?
Martin Luther spent a large amount of time trying to convince the church that man, separated from God in his fallen, sinful state, was saved by God's grace alone through faith alone. He believed that all teachings and doctrines should be based upon scripture alone. Coupled with the works of Calvin these theologians recognized the clear teaching of scripture that God is indeed still the Ruler of the earth. They believed that God was not an idle viewer but was active in all of nature and the affairs of man, that "He who keeps you will not slumber."They taught, as Paul the apostle did, that "in Him we live and move and have our being." They were sure that God ruled over His creation sovereignly and that all events came to pass by God's design, for He "works all things according to the counsel of His will."

Is God a sovereign God?
Does the Creator of all have the right to do whatever He wants with the peoples of the earth, even to call some of the world back into fellowship with Him? The Reformers believed not only that He had that right but that He exercised His will righteously and that this principle was clear in scripture."He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, 'what have You done?' " His sovereignty was especially realized in the salvation of the elect. Those who followed in the footsteps of the Reformers brought this teaching into clarity in the doctrine of T U L I P.

What does T U L I P explain?
Early Protestant leaders found that they had to defend the scriptural teachings of the sovereignty of God against those who denied God these rights. Many felt that salvation was at least in part by their own hands and were aggravated that anyone would bring this pride under the authority of scripture. Church leaders valiantly proclaimed the Biblical answer to this attack on God's rightful place as Lord over His creation.
- total depravity: Man in his fallen, sinful state does "not receive the things of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned." Fallen and unregenerate man finds himself "dead in trespasses and sin."
- unconditional election: God has chosen "us in Him before the foundation of the world." This means that those who will be saved are those who have been chosen to be saved by the sovereign Lord, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy." He does not base His election on any condition within man, "lest anyone should boast."
- limited atonement: Christ's atonement is specifically for His people; "I lay My life down for My sheep." His did not shed His blood for those who would not come to Him, He has not paid the price for their sin - they will. "I do not pray for the whole world but for those you have given me."
- irresistible grace: Those whom He has chosen will surely come to Him. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." God sends His Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of His elect; "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you." The "gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."
- perseverance of the saints: "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand." Salvation was not merited by any, nor is the election of His true sheep ever purchased by the believer, for "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ."

(Want to know more about T. U. L. I. P. ? Be sure to check out our other page, Why the name TULIP?)

What is a Reformed church?
A Reformed church is one that holds the Bible in high esteem, one that pursues the worship of the Triune God in spirit and truth, one that seeks to live all areas of life for the glory of God, and one that relies upon God for her very existence. A Reformed church believes steadfastly in God's righteous and directing providence and strives to apply this in worship, study, and devotion. A Reformed church recognizes the universal Church as established by Christ. This recognition extends across denominational and cultural boundaries to those who also share in the Evangelical faith of Christianity. The Reformed church truly appreciates those doctrines that emphasize the grace and rule of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

What does a Reformed church encourage?
A Reformed church believes that worship is due their Creator and God and gathers together to worship Him. Worship is very central to the Reformed faith; "The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! Let them praise Your great and awesome name - He is holy." A Reformed church seeks to grow to be spiritually mature and to be even more diligent to make [their] call and election sure. A Reformed church desires the fellowship of the saints - "let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together." A Reformed church endeavors to share their joy in the Lord with others for "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Why is the Reformed faith important?
The Reformers five centuries ago sought to humble man and exalt God. This objective has been carried on from the beginning of time until now by those who desire to know the Lord of hosts. Reformed churches believe that the "fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." They want to teach and share the word of God in and out of season so that Christ's church may benefit from sound doctrine that exhorts a believer to a deeper appreciation of the God he serves.

Please note: Reformed theology is not an opinion on scripture, nor were its doctrines written to bend scriptural teachings. We at Christ Covenant Reformed encourage you to search the scriptures daily to find out whether these things are so as the Bereans did in Acts 17. We welcome opportunities to discuss the faith once for all delivered to the saints that all may be edified according to His will and for His glory.

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