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Reformed Congregations of New Zealand |
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What Is A Reformed Congregation?Our Distinctive Convictions of Scriptures TeachingsThe Core Teachings of God's WordThe Authority of God's WordImportance of PreachingGod Centered WorshipChurch OfficesDisciplineAnswers to Commonly Asked QuestionsWhy a Separate Church From The Many Others In Town or The Area?Does this mean that we consider our church to be the only true church?Aren't You a Dutch Church?What can we do for you?
At first impression, you probably wonder what a Reformed Congregation is all
about. Therefore have we written this article to make ourselves better known to our surrounding community. It is our hope that after reading this you will feel desirous to join us in the worship of God and study of His Word. Let us assure you that you are very welcome!
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The Christian Church began early after the Lord Jesus Christ returned to heaven (Acts 1-2). Many churches multiplied all around the world. Sadly, however, many began to compromise the truths as God had predicted (1 Tim. 4:1-3). For centuries long, the Bible was suppressed as the only source of truth. People were told to believe numerous fables as God's teachings. In history these centuries are referred to as the "Dark Ages."
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Graciously the Lord did revive the truths of the Holy Scripture in the 16th century. The re-discovery of what it actually says in the age-old Scriptures, led to an large revival of the Christian Church. This period is known in history as the "Reformation". God raised up many godly preachers to boldly proclaim His teachings. These preachers, such as Martin Luther and John Calvin, were instruments to break the grip of the Roman Catholic Church to establish Bible faithful churches once again.
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Since the Reformation, the Church of God has again gone through various difficult periods. During the last centuries there has been compromise and outright rejection of Bibles teachings. This has resulted in differing views about the Christian religion which explains why there are so many separate churches.
Some of these have radically departed from the teachings of the Holy Bible, as revived during the Reformation. Sadly today there are people who call themselves Christians who yet deny the miracles recorded in Scripture, inspiration of Scripture or Godhead of Jesus Christ. Others have substituted the teaching of Gods Word with a feel-good religion or with an emphasis on healing, speaking in tongues and prophesying. Other churches aim at entertaining the audiences with choirs, actors performances, movies and Christian rock music while watering down Gods truths.
Thankfully, since the 1960s there has been a steady increase in the interest in the teachings of the Reformation. The writings of the Reformers and their successors (Puritans) are republished rapidly and read eagerly within the Western and non-Western world. In itself this is quite remarkable as their writings are over 300 to 400 years old. Recent surveys in some European countries indicate that particularly young people are hungry for these solid Biblical teachings. We hope that this will become true in New Zealand as well.
Our Name: New Zealand Reformed Congregation
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In the name of our church, we have consciously included the word "Reformed." The intention is to establish the link to Reformation. The truths God did revive in the Reformation, we continue to believe and teach as the core teachings of Holy Scripture. In this clinging to God's distinctive and authoritative teachings on God and man, sin and salvation through Jesus Christ, we define our distinctiveness from other churches in New Zealand.
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The word "congregation" simply means that we regularly meet together (congregate) for the worship of God and instruction from His Word.
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Our main distinctive points of truth follow and in this we stand in the line of the Reformation of the 16th century.
As a Reformed Congregation we declare our unwavering conviction that the teachings known as "Calvinism" are the best reflection of Scripture's teachings. These teachings are conveniently summarized with the word "TULIP." Each letter of this word TULIP stands for one major teaching of Holy Scripture
Man, as result of his fall in Paradise, is in absolute
bondage to Satan and wholly incapable of exercising his own will freely to trust in Christ for salvation. Salvation is therefore dependent upon the work of God Who must give man spiritual life before he can repent and believe in Christ for salvation.
(Gen. 2:16,17; Gen. 6:5; 8:21; 2 Chron. 6:36; Job 14:4; Job 15:14-16; Ps. 51:5; Ps. 58:3; Ps. 143:2; Eccl. 9:3; Is. 53:6; Is. 64:6; Jer. 13:23; Jer. 17:9; Mark 7:21-23; John 3:19; John 6:44; John 6:65; John 8:44; Rom. 8:7-8; 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:1-3; Eph. 4:17-19)
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God, in His sovereign right as Creator, has purposed
from all eternity to save His chosen people to eternal life in His glorious
heaven. This election of a large part of mankind is entirely free and
therefore not conditioned on any merit or any foreseen act or response
on their part but absolutely sovereign and gracious.
(Deut. 10:14,15; Ps. 33:12; Ps. 65:4; Ps. 106:5; Matt. 11:27; Matt.
22:14; Matt. 24:22, 24, 31; Mark 13:20; Luke 18:7; Rom. 8:28-30; Rom. 8:33; Rom. 11:28; Eph. 1:4; Col. 3:12; 1 Thess. 5:9; Titus 1:1; 1 Peter. 1:1-2; 1 Peter 2:8-9; Rev. 17:14)
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Christ died on the cross to secure the salvation of the elect
part of mankind. Sometimes this is also referred to as the "particular
redemption or definite atonement." The salvation that Christ earned includes everything involved in bringing His people into a restored relationship with God as well as restoring their heart condition.
(Matt. 1:21; Matt. 20:28; 26:28; John 10:14, 15, 27, 29, 46; John 17:2, 6, 9, 11; 1 Peter 2:9)
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Salvation, He makes such sinners willing in the day of His power, and they all will respond to Him with repentance and faith.
(Deut. 30:6; Ps. 110:3; Ezek. 36:26-27; Dan. 4:35;
John 1:12-13; John 3:3-8; John 5:21; John 6:37 & 44;
Acts 16:14; Eph. 2:4-52; Tim.1:9; Titus 3:5)
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The elect sinners are not only saved by God's sovereign
grace but also are kept in faith by God's almighty power. Therefore each
regenerate soul is absolutely secure in his or her salvation and will
persevere to the end. Scripture does not maintain that all who profess
the Christian faith are certain of their salvation.
(Is. 54:10; Jer. 32:40; Matt. 18:12-14; John 6:39; John 10:28; John 17:2, 11, 12, 15; Phil. 1:6; Phil. 3:20-21; 2 Thess. 5:23-24; 2 Tim. 1:12; 2 Tim. 4:18; 1 Peter 1:4-5; Jude 1, 24-25)
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