Kingston Christian Reformed Church is a member of the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia (CRCA). Our denomination originates from the time of the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, which was founded on the principle that the Bible is the only ultimate source of Christian belief. As such, we seek to ground everything we believe and do on the Bible.
As Christian Reformed Churches, we affirm the truths laid out in the Apostles, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds. We also affirm the truths expressed in four Reformation Confessions, namely the Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, the Canons of Dort and the Westminster Confession. Copies of these documents are available on the CRCA website.
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one with God.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Jesus was born of the virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. He lived a sinless and yet fully human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of humanity by His death on the cross. He rose from the dead to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to heaven and will return again one day to judge the living and the dead and to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
The Holy Spirit is co-equal with the Father and the Son. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need of Jesus Christ. He lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He gives the Christian power for living the Christian life, spiritual gifts, and an understanding of spiritual truth. As Christians, we try to live under the Spirit’s control daily.
The Bible is God’s Word. It is inspired by God the Holy Spirit; infallible, in that it is completely reliable and trustworthy; and sufficient, because it contains the will of God and reveals everything we need to know in order to be saved and live the Christian life.
People are made in the image of God and are the pinnacle of God’s creation. All human beings, however, are marred by an attitude of rebellion and disobedience towards God (called ‘sin’), and are therefore under the wrath and condemnation of God.
Salvation is a free gift from God, which is received by believing in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. He redeems us from the guilt, penalty and power of sin by taking our place and bearing the punishment we deserve. His resurrection from the dead is the demonstration of His victory. We are saved to eternal life when we receive this gift in true repentance and faith.
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in that salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by self-effort; although, the Christian is called to strive for holiness. It is the grace and keeping-power of God that gives us this security.
Christians look forward to the day when Jesus Christ will personally return to judge the living and the dead, destroy all that is evil and bring into being a new heaven and new earth where God’s people will be with God and enjoy Him forever.
Sacraments are symbols given to us by the Lord Jesus Christ to strengthen His people in their faith and assure them of His forgiveness and love in and through the gospel. They are called ‘signs’ and ‘seals’: ‘signs’ in that they are physical symbols of a spiritual reality, and ‘seals’ in that they guarantee that what is symbolised is real.
Christ instituted only two sacraments: baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Scripture teaches that the sacraments are only for those who can receive them in true faith (i.e. for believers):
In baptism, the sign is water which points to the blood of Christ. The seal is the guarantee that as surely as water washes away dirt, so Christ’s blood cleanses us from all our sin. We believe that those who believe in Jesus, and their children, ought to be baptised.
In the Lord's Supper, the sign of bread and wine point to the body and blood of Christ. The seal in the Lord's Supper is the guarantee that as we share in the bread and wine, we are reminded that Christ’s sacrifice paid the price and reconciled us to God.