What Does Our Church Teach?

C. Schaveling. Trowel & Sword, June/July 1959.

Preamble: This article was originally published across two editions as shown above. It begins with a brief introduction, presumably written by Dr. K. Runia, in which he invites readers to share their copies of Trowel & Sword to people who may be interested in learning more about the teachings of the Reformed Churches. A much more comprehensive summary of the Christian Reformed Faith was also written by Dr. Runia in the Dutch language and later translated into English by Rev. Martin Geluk for use in Catechism classes. It is titled, “A Summary of the Reformed faith”.This booklet was published by the Reformed Church Publishing House in Geelong and printed by List Print which was operated by Rev. John Piening. We at TSR have reproduced this booklet to make it available to any church interested in using it for current catechism classes; at no cost for an electronic version or for the cost of postage for hard copies. In the process, we have changed the scripture quotes from RSV to NIV.

What Does Our Church Teach?

(This article was prepared by Mr. C. Schaveling of South Australia. The reason was that so very often we are asked: “What does your church teach?”, and so very often we have much difficulty in formulating this teaching. In order to give some help he collected the following items from the February, March and April 1959 issues of the Family Altar, published by the Back to God Hour organisation of the Christian Reformed Church. If you have friends who are genuinely interested in our Churches, you might pass this, and the next copy of “Trowel and Sword” on to them. Editor.)

Sooner or later, if we don’t believe in isolationism, we will be confronted with the question; What does your church stand for, is it an all Dutch concern? What does it teach, and why does it differ from other denominations?

Are you able to give a satisfying and convincing answer?

Are you propagating and supporting the Back to God Hour? Are you circulating your “Trowel and Sword” and other literature?

Well, here is your golden opportunity, let this magazine be read by as many as are willing to read it; don’t think, they won’t, because they are eager to find out the”TRUTH”; John 14:16.

Here then follows condensed what the Reformed Church teaches.

THE SAVIOUR

The Reformed Church teaches that Jesus Christ, the Saviour, is the Son of God, and equal to the Father in all things; that he is also the son of the virgin Mary and became like unto all men in all things, sin excepted; that he satisfied the demands of the divine law by his life, passion, and death; that he arose bodily from the dead, ascended to glory, and is now our intercessor with the Father; and that he will return visibly at the last day to judge the living and the dead. John 14:9; Gal. 3:13; Matt, 1:18-25; Heb. 2:17; Heb. 4:15; Rom, 4:25; Acts 1:9-11; 1 John 2:1; Acts 10:42.

THE ATONEMENT 

The Church teaches that the justice of God required that the demands of the law be met; that Jesus Christ as a substitute atoned for the sin of mankind and wrought an eternal redemption for man; and that the satisfaction of Christ applies to those whom God in His sovereign love has chosen as His people and secures their salvation.

The Reformed Church repudiates the doctrine which holds that the atonement is universal and that man’s actual redemption depends on his own free choice. Is. 53:6; John 10:11,15; Matt. 1:21 Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25-27.

THE GOSPEL 

The Church teaches that the gospel is the revelation of that which God in Christ Jesus has done and will do for the salvation of sinners and to His glory, and that to all who hear the gospel God offers salvation in the way of faith and repentance. Mark 1:15; Mark 16:15; John 3:16; Rom. 1:16; Acts 15:7.

REGENERATION 

The Church teaches that regeneration consists in the implanting of the new spiritual life in man by God through the Holy Spirit; that this radical change is not a gradual process, but is completed in a moment of time; that the in man evidences of this change are seen in a new life; and that without regeneration it is not possible to enter the kingdom of God. Ezek. 11:19; John 3:3; Cor. 2:14; Eph. 1:18; Col. 3:10, Gal. 6:15.

CONVERSION 

The Church teaches that conversion is not a mere reformation of habits, but change wrought by God in which the to a regenerated man consciously turns

him in repentance and faith; that repentance is a sincere sorrow for and an acknowledgement of sin with a trustful appeal to God for forgiveness and a resultant change in life; and that it is a condition of the heart without which no man can hope to be saved, Acts 17:30; Joel 2:12,13; Is. 55:6,7; Luke 13:5; Acts 3:19; Acts 2:38; 2 Cor. 7:9,10.

FAITH 

The Church teaches that faith is the act of the soul by which the convicted sinner receives the truth of the gospel, relies upon the promises of God, and thus embraces Jesus Christ with all his merits; that such faith is not a personal achievement but rather the result of the work of the Holy Spirit in the sinner’s heart; and that without it no salvation is possible. Eph. 2:8; Acts 10:43; Acts 16:31; Gal. 2:16; John 3:18.

JUSTIFICATION 

The Church teaches that on the basis of the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ God grants forgiveness of sins and declares the sinner righteous before him; that God imputes Christ’s righteousness freely of his grace and not because of any merit of man; and that this righteousness becomes the possession of all who believe in Christ with true faith.  Eph. 1:17; Rom. 3:24; Rom. 5:1; Rom. 3:28; Acts 10:43; Gal. 2:16.

SANCTIFICATION

The Church teaches that God, having renewed the sinner by the operation of the Holy Spirit, enables him to live a godly life; that all christians manifest the fruit of their faith in good works; and that, though sanctification is progressive, perfection is not attained until man enters glory. 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 5:24; 2 Cor. 7:1; James 2:22; Gal 5:6; James 3:2; Rom. 7:7-26; Philip. 3:12-14; 1 John 1:8.

DIVINE ELECTION 

The Church teaches that God in his eternal plan for all creatures has foreordained all things that come to pass; that in his sovereign love and according to his good pleasure he has chosen in Christ out of the whole human race a people unto eternal salvation; that from this election proceed faith and all the gifts of salvation; and that the ground for this election is not anything in man which would merit for him any favour but solely the good pleasure of God. Is. 46:9,10; Eph, 1:4; Acts 13:48; Psalm 33:11; Eph. 1:11; 2 Tim. 1:9.

ETERNAL SECURITY 

The Church teaches that by virtue of their election, the substitutionary atonement of Christ, and his intercession for them, the salvation of God’s people is assured; that God will not suffer those who are joined to Christ in true faith to totally fall away from faith and grace; and that by reason of the continuous abiding of the Holy Spirit the believers will persevere in the way of salvation to the end. John 10:28,29; Heb. 7:25; Rom. 11:29; Philip. 1:6; 2 Thess. 3:3;  2 Tim, 1:12.

THE CHURCH 

The Reformed Church teaches that there is an invisible Church, which consists of all true believers; that Jesus Christ is the Head and King of the Church; that this Church is one; and that this Church has been from the beginning of this world, and will be unto the end thereof.

The Reformed Church also believes that this invisible Church becomes visible in the fellowship of those who profess the true religion together with their children; and that it is the duty of every Christian to join and support that section of the visible Church which stands for the pure preaching of the Word, the Scriptural administration of the Sacraments; and the elimination of those from its membership who are not sound in doctrine or lead offensive lives. Eph. 1:22,23; Tim, 3:15; Col. 1:18; 1 Cor. 12:13; Matt, 16:18; John 8:32,33; Acts 2:42; Matt. 18:18,

BAPTISM 

The Church teaches that Baptism, even as circumcision in the Old Testament days, is a sign and seal of the Covenant of Grace; that children, as well as their believing parents, are included in that Covenant and hence are entitled to that Sacrament; and that God in baptism seals his promises of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life to those who profess their faith in Jesus Christ, and to their children. Gen. 17:7; Acts 2:39; Matt, 28:19; Matt, 19:14; Col. 2:11,12; Rom. 1:11.

THE LORD’S SUPPER 

The Church teaches that the bread and wine in the Lord’s Supper represent the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, broken and shed upon the cross; that by these visible signs and seals of his love the believer is assured of the promises and blessings of God’s Covenant; and that through the proper observance of his ordinance of Christ the faithful believer grows in the grace and knowledge of his Saviour. Cor, 10:16;  Matt, 26:28;  Mark 14:22-25; 1 Cor. 11:23-29.

THE LAW

The Church teaches that the Law of God is the divine revelation of his will for all rational creatures; that it serves to bring man under the conviction of sin and to lead him to Christ; that in the light of the law man learns more and more to know his sinful nature: and that it is the rule of life for believers in showing their gratitude to God for their salvation. Rom, 3:20; 1 John 5:3; Psalm 19:7,8; Gal. 3:24; James 2:10. 

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE 

The Church teaches that, having been implanted into Christ, the child of God delights in bringing forth fruits of thankfulness; that he shows his love for God by doing good works, namely, such as are done from true faith, according to the Law of God, and to his glory; that he should manifest a zeal for the honour of his God by recognising him in every sphere and relationship of life; and that he should labor ceaselessly for the propagation of the gospel and the evangelisation of the world until the kingdom of God shall embrace the whole of God’s creation. Matt. 7:17; Eph. 2:10; 1 Cor, 10:21; Matt, 5:16; Rom, 11:36; Matt, 28:19,20.

PRAYER

The Church teaches that prayer is the chief part of thankfulness which God requires of his children; and that the prayer of faith has God’s assured promises of acceptance and answer because of the merits of Jesus Christ, in whose name alone all men should pray. Psalm 50:14; James 5:16; John 14:13; Matt. 7:7; 1 John 5:14; Is. 65:24; Matt. 21:22,

DEATH 

The Church teaches that physical death is God’s judgment upon man’s sin; that for the Christian the sting of death has been removed through his deliverance from sin and its punishment; and that for the Christian death now is the means whereby God delivers him from the body of death and prepares him for Entrance into glory. Rom, 6:23; John 11:25,26; Rom, 5:12; Philip. 1:23; 1 Cor. 15:55-57.

THE INTERMEDIATE STATE 

The Church teaches that the believers enjoy a conscious life in communion with God and with Jesus Christ immediately after death; that sinners as well as saints continue to exist for ever; and that man’s eternal state is irrevocably fixed at death and no opportunity for repentance is possible beyond the grave. Luke 23:43; 2 Cor. 5:8; Rom, 5:12; Philip 1:23; 1 Cor. 15:55-57.

THE RESURRECTION AND THE LAST JUDGMENT 

The Church teaches that the body which in death was separated from the soul, will be raised on the Last Day and will be reunited with the soul; that the believers will be judged by Jesus Christ according to what they have done, whether it be good or evil; and that all the righteous will enjoy the perfect bliss of glory forever while all the ungodly will be sent to eternal condemnation. John 5:28,29; Matt, 25:31-46; Rev. 20:12-15; Gal. 6:7,8; Rev. 21:3,4.

APPENDAGE

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 

The Reformed Church maintains that the education of children is the task of parents; that it is proper for the parents to organise Christian elementary and high schools for the purpose of assisting them in bringing up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; that parents owe it to themselves, their children, and their God to cooperate in activities undertaken for the Christian education and training of children and young people; and that the Church should urge the opening of private Christian schools and lend such moral and financial support as may be required and is possible for the Church to give.

LIFE OF SEPARATION

The Reformed Church holds that Christians should lead a life of spiritual separation from the world; that they should avoid all fellowship with institutions and organisations that are anti-Christian in character or are guilty of un-christian practices; and that they should manifest in their lives an aversion to participation in activities and amusements which injure their spiritual and moral well-being.

CHURCH GOVERNMENT 

The Reformed Church maintains that Christ is the head of the Church and the source of all its authority; that Christ exercises his authority by means of the Word; that Christ as King has endowed his Church with power to carry out the work which he has entrusted to it; and that the ruling power in the Church sides primarily in the local consistory which consists of elders chosen by the congregation and, together with other consistories, deal in major assemblies, classis and synod, with matters of doctrine, church government, discipline, and all that pertains to the preservation of unity and good order in the Church of Jesus Christ.

C Schaveling

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