The Faith and Practice of the PRC: A Summary

INTRODUCTION

This brief study is intended to serve as a basis for introducing the Protestant Reformed Churches to those who are interested in knowing more about our historical roots and doctrinal foundations, as well as certain practices which distinguish us from many other churches. I have prepared this especially for those who, in God's providence and by the work of evangelism or church reformation, are considering whether or not to join us. It is my prayer that God will use this material as a means of instruction, perhaps also to clear up certain misconceptions, and to serve the strengthening of His Church.

This study is not intended in any way to be a comprehensive study. Because of its brevity, the user would also do well to read collateral material, some of which is noted in this study. Recommended as companion volumes for this entire study are Doctrine According to Godliness, by Ronald Hanko (Reformed Free Publishing Association, 2004), For Thy Truth’s Sake, by Herman Hanko (Reformed Free Publishing Association, 2000), and The Confessions and the Church Order of the Protestant Reformed Churches (Protestant Reformed Churches in America, 2005 - available in muiltiple digital formats at the link provided). The latter volume includes the scripturally referenced creeds of the Reformed churches: The Belgic Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Canons of Dordt. Study them.

But above all, show yourself as the Bereans (Acts 17:11), who searched the Scriptures daily, to see whether the teaching and preaching of the Apostle was according to God's own Word.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE PROTESTANT
REFORMED CHURCHES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Pre-Reformation Period. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
The Reformation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
The Spread of the Reformed Faith.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
The Beginnings of the Protestant Reformed Churches. . . . . . 11
OUR REFORMED CONFESSIONS.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
OUR TEACHINGS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
The Bible. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
The Doctrine of God. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Creation and Providence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Man and His Fall into Sin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
The Doctrine of Predestination. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Jesus the Christ. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
The Preaching of the Gospel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
The Doctrine of Salvation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
The Church.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
The Sacraments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
The Last Things. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
OUR WORLD AND LIFE VIEW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
The Relationship between Doctrine and Life.. . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
The Place of the Law in the Life of the Christian. . . . . . . . . . 59
Some Distinctive Practices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
In Worship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Divorce and Remarriage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Christian Labor and Submission to Authority. . . . . . . . . . 66
Christian Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
APPENDIX: The Three Points of Common Grace Adopted by the
Christian Reformed Church, 1924: A Summary and
Evaluation
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68