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The CRC shares some distinctive teachings and emphases
with the other church in the Reformed tradition. Here's a list
of five important ones.
Our God Reigns
The CRC teaches that nothing in this world happens outside
of God's will. Our Creator is in control of all things. No forces
in heaven, earth, or hell can frustrate what God promises to
do for us (Ps. 2). That does not mean that everything that happens
is God's will. We do many things God does not want. Our disobedience
set into motion many disastrous events that are our own doing.
In spite of that, we may still exercise our human freedom. But
our actions and decisions are under our heavenly Father's restraining,
providing care. Nothing we do can spoil God's wondrous plan
for us (Rom 8:28). This gives us the confidence to do our Lord's
work in this world. Our Provider's loving, guiding hand will
sustain us in good times and in hard times as well.
Partners With God
Believers belong to God. Our Creator receives us as members
of his family and grants us the precious promise of eternal
life (Eph 1:3-5). In this way we may live in partnership with
God. The Bible calls this relationship the covenant. It's God's
agreement with us to fulfil his promises if we accept them with
a repentant, believing heart (Heb. 8:6). Because we can fulfil
our part only when he gives us the Holy Spirit, God takes the
initiative in this agreement. We celebrate our partnership in
baptism and in the Lord's Supper. Through the cleansing water
of baptism God shows us we belong to the family. the bread and
the cup we share in the Lord's Supper remind us of Jesus' sacrifice
on the cross by which he draws us into fellowship with God and
with each other (Matt. 26:27-28).
The Bible teaches that God also includes our children
in this partnership. They also receive the promise (Acts 2:39).
Therefore we baptize them, even while they are still infants.
To be able to accept and benefit from that promise, they need
the Holy Spirit. The Spirit alone can give them the faith in Christ
that will let them inherit eternal life. To confirm that they
accept Jesus as their Saviour and Lord, we ask children and new
believers, when they are ready, to make a public profession of
faith (Rom. 10:9-10). By doing so they confess and accept their
partnership with God. They also commit themselves to joining with
all believers to fulfil the task God gives us: to take the Good
News of Jesus Christ everywhere (Matt. 28:18-20).
Jesus Is Lord
The CRC emphasizes Christ's authority over all
creation. Jesus is not only our crucified Saviour. He is also
our Lord. He not only rose from the dead but he also ascended
into heaven. From there he now rules the whole world (Eph. 1:22).
He will not only rescue our souls from hell but also raise us
from the dead and give us eternal life. There's more. When he
returns, Jesus will restore this spoiled creation. He will make
it truly good and glorifying to God. Through God's Word and Spirit
Jesus has already begun this work and claims our lives as his
own. In our worship, work, relationships, and recreation, our
Lord calls us to be disciples, to live our whole lives under his
leadership (Col. 3:1-7). To help us do that, the CRC promotes
Christian day schools, universities, and organizations that allow
us to live out our confession that Jesus is Lord.
God Gives Us Assurance
The CRC teaches that we can be sure that we belong
to God and confident that we shall inherit eternal life. Of course
we do not base this certainty on our own ability or strength.
We know ourselves too well for that! We base our conviction on
God's faithfulness. Our heavenly Father has chosen us and rescued
us through Christ (Rom. 8:29-30). God assures us that we are safe
in the protecting, sheltering care of our Good Shepherd. No one
can tear us from Jesus' hand (John 10:27-29), not even our own
failings or the weakness of our faith (Luke 22:31-32). This teaching
does not make us complacent about living our lives in God's service.
It fills us daily with deep gratitude and an earnest desire to
live as God's joyful, obedient children (Rom. 8:12-17).
God With Us
The CRC believes that our Lord speaks to us through
the preaching and teaching of God's Word. He confirms what is
spoken through baptism and the Lord's Supper. Unlike some Christians,
we do not believe that the elements of the Lord's Supper turn
into Jesus' actual body and blood. But we do believe that this
celebration is more than just a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice.
Jesus is present with us through the Holy Spirit in our hearts
(John 14:15-18). Christ, our host, strengthens our faith as we
participate, remember, and believe.
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