Confessions

The doctrinal standards of our church are the Reformed confessions, known as the Three Forms of Unity.

These documents date back to the 16th century, and have been used by Reformed churches ever since. If you come from a Presbyterian background, they are similar to the Westminster Confessions.

Our confessions do not add anything to the Word of God. We hold to them only because they faithfully summarize the core doctrines revealed in Scripture. They serve as helpful tools for teaching and summarizing the key truths of the Christian faith.

The documents that make up the Three Forms of Unity are:

• The Canons of Dort

• The Belgic Confession

• The Heidelberg Catechism

For an introduction to the Heidelberg Catechism, visit Heidelberg-Catechism.com, a website with many resources to help you become familiar with the Heidelberg Catechism.

Baptism

We believe that all members, including infants, should be baptized, as a sign of God’s covenant promises.

We believe this is taught by Scripture. In the Old Testament, God made a covenant with Abraham that was sealed with circumcision. This was more than just an outward sign – it was given to Abraham “as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith.” On account of his faith, the promise was given to him and his children – a promise that is repeated in the New Testament (Acts 2:39).

We believe that in the New Testament baptism is also given on account of faith to both the believer and their children. The children of believers are covenant children who are part of God’s church. This is the model taught to us in Acts 16 where we read of two instances where a new believer’s entire household was baptized. First, when Lydia came to faith: “and after she was baptized, and her household as well…” (Acts 16:15), and later the Philippian jailer “was baptized at once, he and all his family” (Acts 16:33).

In His time on earth Jesus often reached out to children, and we believe He continues to include them in His church: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” –(Luke 18:16).

Infant baptism has been practiced throughout the New Testament. Origin, one of the earliest Christian authors, wrote “The Church has received from the apostles the custom of administering baptism even to infants.”

This does not mean covenant children are guaranteed salvation, or that they are any better than others. It does mean, however, that God has laid claim to them and gives covenant parents a responsibility to teach their children the gospel message. As children grow up, they must respond with faith and obedience to Jesus. God calls the children of believers to keep His covenant from generation to generation.

Lord’s Supper

“We, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.” – 1 Cor 10:17
The Lord’s Supper is a symbol of our unity as members of Christ’s church. The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Jesus as a means to strengthen our faith through the visible sacraments. (1 Cor 11:23-25)

The elements of the Lord’s Supper are the bread and wine, which are shared by members of the congregation in memory of Jesus’s sacrifice for our sins.