Heritage Reformed Church of Hull
A Summary of Core Beliefs
We believe that there is one true God, and that He is eternal, incomprehensible,
invisible, immutable, in finite, omnipresent, independent, omniscient, indivisible, almighty, perfectly wise, just, gracious,
and the overflowing fountain of all good. “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour
and glory for ever and ever Amen” (1 Tim. 1:17). We believe that this God, though one in essence, has revealed Himself in three distinct and
coequal Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father,
the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one” (1 Jn. 5:7).
We believe that God has revealed Himself to man by two means: first,
by general revelation through His creation, His providence, and man's conscience; secondly, He makes Himself far more clearly
and fully known by special revelation through His Word, the Holy Bible. “For the invisible things of him from the creation
of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they
are without excuse” (Rom. 1:20). “But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment
of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith” (Rom. 16:26).
We believe that the Bible is not the
reflection of the will of man, but that holy men of God spake as they were inspired and moved by the Holy Spirit. “For
the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost”
(2 Pet. 1:21). The Bible is the complete and only infallible Word of God delivered to mankind, essential to know unto salvation.
In the English language, we believe that the King James Version most accurately and soundly conveys this Word to us.
We
believe that this Word of God not only teaches the truth about God but also about man. We believe that God created man perfect
and upright, and after His own image in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. “So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Gen. 1:27). “And have put on the new man,
which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Col. 3:10). “And that ye put on the new
man, which after God is created in righteousness and 'true holiness” (Eph. 4:24).
We believe that man willingly subjected
himself to sin and fell from his holy state. Consequently all are born in sin and will die in sin, unless regenerated by the
Spirit of God to find complete salvation in the one Mediator, Jesus Christ. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into
the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Rom. 5:12). “And you,
being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all
trespasses” (Col. 2:13).
We believe in the one and only Mediator between God and man, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Who in One Person is both God and man: Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, 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 sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence He shall come to judge the quick (living)
and the dead. (Apostles’ Creed). “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under
heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Act 4:12).
We believe in the so-called Five Points of Calvinism.
In man's total depravity: “And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every
imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5). “God looked down from heaven upon
the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back: they
are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Ps. 53:2, 3).
In unconditional
election: “For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on
whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy”
(Rom. 9:15-16).
In
limited atonement: “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me: for they
are thine” (Jn. 17:9). “I lay down my life for the sheep” (Jn. 10:15)
In irresistible grace: “No man can come to me, except
the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall
be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me” (Jn. 6:44-45).
In
the perseverance of the saints: “And I give unto them eternal life: and they shall never perish, neither shall
any man pluck them out of my hand” (Jn. 10:28).
We believe that the Word of God provides clear instruction not only for the way of salvation,
but also for man's everyday life in the world. We believe that all spheres and domains of life, education inclusive, must
be subject to the ordinances and glory of God. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the
glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31).
We believe that although infant baptism places us under the privileges of an external (non-saving)
covenant relationship with God, we need the personal regenerating work of the Holy Spirit to bring us into the covenant of
grace in an internal (saving) covenant relationship with God. “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither
is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly: and circumcision is that of the
heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter: whose praise is not of men, but of God.” (Rom. 2:28-29) “Jesus answered
and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (Jn.
3:8).
These beliefs are further explained in our doctrinal standards:
- Creeds:
- Confessions:
- The Ten Commandments
|