The Free Reformed Church has adopted a number of doctrinal standards.

 

Three Forms of Unity

The three forms of unity are a summary of what we believe, and are based wholly on the Bible.

 

Heidelberg Catechism

Written in Heidelberg by two German theologians, Zacharius Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus, at the request of Elector Frederick III, it was adopted by the Synod of Heidelberg in 1563.

It consists of a number of questions and answers, and is organised into 52 Lord’s Days, allowing the minister to preach on one each Sunday of the year.

 

Belgic Confession

Adopted by the Synod of Dort in 1618-1619 by the Reformed Churches, the Belgic Confession was written in 1561 by a preacher of the Reformed Churches in the Southern Netherlands (now Belgium), Guide de Bres, who died a martyr in 1567.

Its primary purpose at the time was to protest against the cruel oppression by the Roman Catholic government, and to prove to the persecuters that the adherents of the Reformed faith were not rebels, but law-abiding citizens.

 

Canons of Dort

Also known as the Five Articles against the Remonstrants, the Canons of Dort were adopted at the Synod of Dort in 1618-1619, and are statements of doctrine written to define the Reformed doctrine and reject that of Arminius and his followers.

 

Ecumenical Creeds

We confess the ecumenical creeds to be true and accurate summaries of the Bible.

 

The Apostles’ Creed

This creed is called the Apostles’ Creed, not because it was written by the apostles themselves, but because it contains a brief summary of their teachings. It sets forth their doctrine, as has been said, “in sublime simplicity, in unsurpassable brevity, in beautiful order, and with liturgical solemnity.”

 

The Nicene Creed

The Nicene Creed is a statement of the orthodox faith of the early Christian church, in opposition to certain heresies, especially Arianism. These heresies concerned the doctrine of the Trinity and of the person of Christ and were refuted at the Council of Nicea (325 A.D.).

 

The Athanasian Creed

This creed is named after Athanasius (293-373 A.D.), the champion of orthodoxy over against Arian attacks on the doctrine of the Trinity. The teachings of Augustine (354-430 A.D.) in particular form the background to the Christological section.