Faith of Our Fathers ~ A Distinctively Reformed Ministry

T - Total Depravity (Romans 3:11)

U - Unconditional Election (John 15:16)

L - Limited Atonement (John 10:15)

I  - Irresistible Grace (John 6:37)

P - Perseverance (Preservation) of the Saints (1 Peter 1:5)

 

This gives a brief look at our distinctively Reformed ministry, as outlined by the Five Points of Calvinism known as TULIP. To read an explanation of each point, please follow this link. 

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The Bible - Our Foundation

The Best Version

Even though the King James Version has its weaknesses, it is an excellent translation and by far the best version available today. We must not be taken in by the modern versions and their claims. Our 400-year-old Bible is to be preferred above all others because it is better than them all.

1) It was translated by men who are unsurpassed in their knowledge of Biblical studies.

2) The translators were pious men of God who believed in the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures.

3) It is the mature fruit of generations of English translations as well as the careful work of its translators.

4) The King James Version is based upon the Received Text rather than the critical Greek text of modern versions.

5) It is a word-for-word translation which faithfully and accurately reflects the originals.

6) The language is one of reverence and respect which gives honor to the majesty of its Author.

7) Of all the English versions of today, it alone is the Bible of the Reformation.

8) Our spiritual forefathers thought so highly of it that they were willing to suffer and even die for it.

9) It is the version which has been recognized for generations and generations as the Bible God has given to His English-speaking Church.

 

Source: Rev. Steven Houck's pamphlet "The King James Version of the Bible"

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The Creeds We Hold To

We hold to the four Ecumenical Creeds (Apostle's Creed, Nicene Creed, Athanasian Creed, and the Creed of Chalcedon), four Reformed Creeds (Belgic Confession of Faith, Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dordrecht, and the Compendium of the Christian Religion), and the Liturgical Forms(Administration of Baptism, Public Confession of Faith, Administration of the Lord's Supper, Excommunication, Readmitting Excommunicated Persons, Ordination of Ministers of God's Word, Ordination of Elders and Deacons, Installation of Professors of Theology, Ordination (or Installation) of Missionaries, Confirmation of Marriage, Consolation of the sick, and the Formula of Subscription).

 

First, the confessions are the means by which the church expresses her faith over against the world, and by which specifically, we as Protestant Reformed Churches, express our faith over against other churches.  Secondly, the confessions are means to preserve the truth as it is delivered from one generation to the next throughout the ages.  Thirdly, the confessions serve as the bond that unites us as believers and churches.  Fourth, the confessions serve as a wonderful teaching tool.

 

For more information about our Creeds, click here.

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The Sacraments

We hold to the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper (Communion).

Baptism is "an ordinance of God to seal unto us and our seed His covenant." We believe that "although our young children do not understand these things, we may not therefore exclude them from baptism, for as they are without their knowledge partakers of the condemnation in Adam, so are they again received unto grace in Christ:" ("Form for the Administration of Baptism", pg. 86 in the back of the Psalter). 

The Lord's Supper was instituted by Christ to help us remember His work on the cross to save us from our sins. We are led to see, through this institution, "that He directs our faith and trust to His perfect sacrifice (once offered on the cross) as to the only ground and foundation of our salvation....For by His death He hath taken away the cause of our eternal death and misery, namely, sin, and obtained for us the quickening Spirit, that we by the same (who dwelleth in Christ as in the head, and in us as His members) might have true communion with Him, and be made partakers of all His blessings, of life eternal, righteousness, and glory." ("Form for the Administration of the Lord's Supper"

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Our Songbook - The Psalter

We use the Psalter as the songbook for our churches. To read the words of the songs and listen to their music, please follow this link. This site is also a good way to sing the songs at home if you do not have a way to play the music.