First Reformed Church's Core Beliefs

What do we Believe?

Bible

We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is trustworthy, without error (infallible and inerrant) as the supreme authority in all matters of faith and lifestyle.

2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21

God

We believe in the Holy Trinity.  There is One God who exists eternally in three persons:  the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  We believe God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. We believe the Bible teaches God is sovereign over all that He has made in heaven and on earth. God is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being.  God is the source of all wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. We believe God is all-powerful, all-present, and all-knowing.

Genesis 1; John 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:1-3; Deuteronomy 6:4: Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Matthew 28:18-19

Humans

We believe that humans are special above all creation, made in the image of God, male and female.  As image-bearers of God, we believe in the sanctity of all human life from the womb to the tomb.

Genesis 1:26–27; Psalm 139:13-14

Fall and Sin

We believe the Bible teaches all creation was affected by original sin, including humans.  Once Adam and Eve sinned, they took on a broken, sinful nature, which has been passed on to every generation. Sin is anything we do, say, or think that intentionally misses the mark of God’s holy and righteous character.  The result of sin is eternal death and separation from God.  We believe that because of the fall into sin humans became dead in their sins and are unable to save themselves from God’s wrath against sin.

Genesis 3; Romans 3:10; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23

Salvation through Christ Alone

The good news is that God, in His infinite mercy and grace, sent His son Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity to take on human flesh.  Jesus lived a perfect life without sin and willingly went to the cross to pay for the sins of all who place their faith in him as Lord and Savior.  We believe there is only one way to salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ.   The good news is that we are made new in Christ Jesus. We are no longer dead in our sin but made alive in Him.

John 14:6; John 3:16-18; Romans 10:9-10

Bodily Resurrection

We believe that Jesus conquered death through the literal and bodily resurrection from the dead on the third day. Before his ascension, he promised to send the Holy Spirit and commissioned his disciples to be His witnesses to the world concerning him.  We believe that Jesus Christ is now in heaven, at the right hand of God the Father, and on the last day will return to judge the living and the dead.  At His return all will be raised with new bodies and those who are declared righteous by faith in Christ will live with Him, in glory forever, but anyone who does not have faith in Christ as Lord and Savior will be thrown into the lake of fire.

Luke 24:6-7; Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:15

Holy Spirit

We believe the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity.  The chief work of the Holy Spirit is to work in the hearts and minds of all people to reveal God’s plan of redemption and salvation in the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit works in all who believe through repentance and faith to experience a new and transformed life in Christ.

John 14:26; Mark 1:8; Luke 11:13; Acts 2:38

Church

We believe Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the Church.  There is one holy and universal church for all believers. The Church is composed of sinners who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit.  As the church, we believe that all aspects of our lives are to be lived to the glory of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ in accordance with His Scriptures. We believe the Scriptures clearly define marriage between one man and one woman.

Acts 14:23; Colossians 1:8; Ephesians 4:15; 1 Corinthians 12:27

Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, Born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit; the universal Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body, and the Life everlasting. Amen.

Standards of the RCA: Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, Canons of Dort, Belhar Confession

Our Mission Statement:

TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS!