The Christian Reformed Church shares some distinctive teachings and emphases with the other churches in the Reformed tradition. Here’s a list of five important ones.

The Christian Reformed Church 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.

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).

The Christian Reformed Church 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 Christian Reformed Church promotes Christian day schools, universities, and organizations that allow us to live out our confession that Jesus is Lord.

The Christian Reformed Church 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).

The Christian Reformed Church 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.