Reformed and Presbyterian Seminary
Statement of Faith
We believe the Bible is the written word of God, inspired by the Holy Spirit and without error in the original manuscripts. The Bible is the revelation of God’s truth and is infallible and authoritative in all matters of faith and practice.
We believe in the Holy Trinity. There is one God, who exists eternally in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We believe that all are sinners and totally unable to save themselves from God’s displeasure, except by His mercy.
We believe that salvation is by God alone as He sovereignly chooses those He will save. We believe His choice is based on His grace, not on any individual human merit, or foreseen faith.
We believe that Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, who through His perfect life and sacrificial death atoned for the sins of all who will trust in Him, alone, for salvation.
We believe that God is gracious and faithful to His people not simply as individuals but as families in successive generations according to His Covenant promises.
We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells God’s people and gives them the strength and wisdom to trust Christ and follow Him.
We believe that Jesus will return, bodily and visibly, to judge all mankind and to receive His people to Himself.
We believe that all aspects of our lives are to be lived to the glory of God under the Lordship of Jesus Christ
Our Commitment to Historic Confessions and Creeds
We stand firmly rooted in the historic Reformed and Presbyterian tradition, affirming that our faith is not a modern invention but is anchored in the “faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” Our identity is defined by a commitment to the following ecumenical creeds and Reformed standards:
I. The Ecumenical Creeds
These ancient summaries of faith express the foundational doctrines of the global Christian Church, specifically regarding the Trinity and the person of Christ.
- The Apostles’ Creed: The earliest summary of apostolic teaching, focusing on the trinitarian nature of God and the work of Christ.
- The Nicene Creed (381 AD): A definitive statement on the deity of Christ and the Holy Spirit, affirming that the Son is “of one substance” (homoousios) with the Father.
- The Athanasian Creed: A detailed and rigorous articulation of the doctrine of the Trinity and the incarnation of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the necessity of holding to the catholic (universal) faith.
II. The Three Forms of Unity
Originating from the Continental Reformed tradition, these documents provide a warm and pastoral articulation of the Gospel.
- The Belgic Confession (1561): A comprehensive systematic statement of Reformed doctrine, originally written to demonstrate that the Reformed faith was in harmony with the teachings of the early church fathers.
- The Heidelberg Catechism (1563): Famous for its personal and comforting tone, it is structured around three themes: Man’s Sin and Misery, Man’s Deliverance (Redemption), and Man’s Gratitude.
- The Canons of Dort (1618–1619): A judicial decision on the five points of doctrine (often summarized as TULIP) in response to the Arminian controversy, emphasizing the sovereignty of God in salvation.
III. The Westminster Standards
As a Presbyterian body, we hold to these documents as the most precise and accurate summary of Biblical teaching produced during the Reformation era.
- The Westminster Confession of Faith: The primary doctrinal standard, providing a robust systematic theology covering everything from Holy Scripture and God’s eternal decrees to the sacraments and the civil magistrate.
- The Westminster Larger Catechism: Designed for public exposition from the pulpit, it provides an in-depth explanation of doctrine and a thorough application of the Ten Commandments.
- The Westminster Shorter Catechism: A concise, “question and answer” tool used for the instruction of children and new believers, beginning with the famous declaration: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”
Biblical Grounding and Reformed Conviction
Our faith is defined by a commitment to the absolute sovereignty of God and the final authority of His Word. In accordance with the Reformed and Presbyterian confessions, we uphold the following core convictions:
I. The Sovereignty of God
We believe that God is the supreme Creator and Ruler of all things. He sovereignly ordains and governs all events in heaven and on earth for His own glory. This sovereignty extends to the salvation of sinners, which is entirely the work of God from beginning to end.
- Biblical Basis: “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases” (Psalm 115:3).
- Confessional Context: This aligns with the Westminster Confession of Faith (Chapter 3), emphasizing God’s eternal decree and His providential care over all creatures.
II. The Supreme Authority of Scripture (Sola Scriptura)
The Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God. It is the only certain rule of faith and practice. No human tradition, creed, or political ideology carries the same weight as the Holy Scriptures.
- Biblical Basis: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).
- Confessional Context: As stated in the Belgic Confession (Article 7), the Holy Scriptures fully contain the will of God and whatsoever man ought to believe unto salvation.
III. Justification by Faith Alone (Sola Fide)
We confess that we are accepted as righteous in the sight of God, not because of any work or merit in us, but only by the righteousness of Christ imputed to us. This gift is received through faith alone.
- Biblical Basis: “For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Romans 3:28).
- Confessional Context: This is central to the Heidelberg Catechism (Q&A 60), which explains that even though our conscience accuses us, God grants us the perfect satisfaction and holiness of Christ.
IV. Specific Doctrinal Positions
- Salvation by Grace Alone (Sola Gratia): Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace, not earned by human effort or decision (Ephesians 2:8-9).
- Covenantal Baptism: We believe the promise of the covenant is for believers and their children. Thus, infants of believing parents must be baptized, while adult believers must make a public confession of faith before baptism (Acts 2:39).
- Ecclesiastical Order: Following the creation order, we believe the public preaching of the Word and the office of teaching elder is reserved for men only (1 Timothy 2:12).
- The Spirituality of the Church: In the South Asian context specifically, we believe pastors should remain focused on their spiritual calling and avoid entanglement in secular politics to preserve the purity of the Gospel.