Background
This denomination has its roots in the European Reformation of the 15th and 16th centuries, affirming the beliefs that God grants salvation by grace alone, in Christ alone and through faith alone.
The denomination is part of the worldwide family of reformed churches which came into being at the time of the Reformation, and declared themselves reformed from the teachings and practices of the Roman Catholic Church at that time. Whereas Martin Luther was the champion of the Reformation in Germany, John Calvin was the champion of the Reformation in Switzerland, Holland and northern Europe. It is John Calvin's understanding of the Bible, as spelled out in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, that forms the doctrinal basis of the various reformed churches.
This doctrinal basis is further summarized in the three Confessions to which the continental reformed churches adhere:
- Belgic Confession.
- Heidelberg Catechism.
- Canons of Dordt.
And by the Confession to which the Presbyterian churches adhere:
- Westminster Confession.
Read more about this topic: Christian Reformed Churches Of Australia
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