CREEDS & CONFESSIONS

We believe the Bible is the true Word of God and nothing should be added or subtracted from the written Word. We believe in the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe God sent Jesus to pay the price for our sin and only  through repentance  and confession and belief in His sacrifice, can we be saved. We believe in the in-dwelling work of the Holy Spirit, guiding and correcting us on the path of life.

The Christian Reformed Church of North America (CRC) holds three creeds in common with most other Christian churches.

  • The Nicene Creed comes from the fourth century, when people taught that Jesus was only a creature. This creed boldly emphasizes the biblical message that Jesus is truly, fully God.
  • The Apostles' Creed also comes from the fourth century. It elegantly expresses our faith in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
  • The Athanasian Creed affirms the biblical teaching that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God, but in such a way that there is only one God. It then goes on to confess that Jesus Christ is at the same time fully God and fully Human.
There are also three confessions that the CRC shares with other churches of the Reformed faith. These distinguish its teachings from that of other denominations.

  • The Belgic Confession was written as a defense against accusations that the Reformed churches promoted false teachings. It summarizes what the Bible teaches about itself, our fall into sin, Christ, salvation, the church, civil government, and our Lord's return.
  • The Heidelberg Catechism provides an excellent tool for teaching the Reformed faith. It emphasizes that our rescue from sin is a free, unearned gift of God through Jesus Christ. Responding to that gift, we show our gratitude to God by living in faith and obedience to our Lord.
  • The Canons of Dort assert that we cannot save ourselves because sin has affected every part of our nature. We cannot even come to faith by ourselves. God must break through our stubborn rejection. God takes the initiative, choosing us in Christ without consideration of any good in us, not even foreseen faith. God's Spirit alone can work in us the miracle of saving faith that gives us new life in Christ.
In 1986 the CRC adopted a new statement of faith to counter modern secularism. Secularism is the widespread belief in our culture that our faith in God is limited to our private lives. It denies that it has any real influence in the marketplace, the classroom, the office, or the legislative assembly. The contemporary testimony Our World Belongs To God reasserts the claim of our Lord over every area of life. Being Jesus' disciples means that we serve God everywhere, all the time.