creeds & confessions
our CREEDS & confessions
We affirm the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed as ecumenical expressions of the Christian faith. In doing so, we confess our faith in unity with followers of Jesus Christ throughout all nations and generations who affirm these creeds. We affirm the Reformed confessions, including the Belhar and the Great Lakes Catechism on Marriage and Sexuality, as Reformed expressions of the Christian faith, whose teachings agree with the Word of God.
By affirming these creeds and confessions, we affirm that they inform the way we understand the Bible and shape the way we live in response to the Gospel.
our confessions
The Heidelberg Catechism:
With the warm tone of a gentle teacher, the Heidelberg Catechism unpacks the gospel, the sacraments, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer.
The Canons of Dort:
Written as a response to Arminianism, the Canons of Dort clarify the Reformed teaching of salvation and God’s grace
The Belgic Confession:
The most comprehensive of the ARC’s confessions, the Belgic Confession, outlines the central beliefs of the Christian faith with a Reformed accent.
The Belhar Confession:
The Belhar Confession makes the case for unity, reconciliation, and justice. The Belhar Confession has its roots in the struggle against the apartheid policy and theology of South Africa. This “outcry of faith” and “call for faithfulness and repentance” was first drafted in 1982 by the Dutch Reformed Mission Church (DRMC).
The Great Lakes Catechism
on Marriage and Human Sexuality:
This catechism is offered as a basic teaching tool to help all members of Christ's body better understand the biblical teaching on marriage, family, and sexuality. It is not meant to be an exhaustive explanation of these complex issues but a succinct, clear foundation on which we can continue to build.