Protestant Reformed Churches in America
The Protestant Reformed Churches in America is a denomination that was founded as a separate denomination of Reformed churches in 1924. The controversy over the doctrine of common grace is what prompted it to establish the Protestant Reformed Churches (PRC) on the basis of the truth of God’s sovereign, particular grace in Jesus Christ as taught in Scripture.
The denomination is organized so each congregation is self-governing by a body of elders chosen out of the congregation and is self-governed. The churches maintain a seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan for the training of men for the ministry.
History:
The founders of the Protestant Reformed Churches in America (PRC)) was Herman Hoeksema (1886-1965). Hoeksema was a preacher. His exegesis (analysis of texts: the explanation or interpretation of texts) was always his strength. He was committed to defend the Scripture and the Reformed faith. Hoeksema hated church politics in any form. He believed with the adoption of common grace the Christian Reformed Church chose a path of apostasy which would led the denomination astray. He applied the truth of particular grace to the concept of revelation and subjected the doctrine of general revelation. Hoeksema saw the effects of the doctrine of self-governing and particular grace, rooted in eternal election, for the doctrine of the covenant. January, 1925 the beginning of the Protestant Reformed Churches in America.
The churches endured a severe, internal, doctrinal controversy in the early 1950s in defense of the unconditionality of the covenant of grace (sovereign, particular grace applied to the covenant).
Beliefs:
Protestant Reformed Churches in America has their own creeds as the “Three Forms of Unity” the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic confession, and the Canons of Dordt. The churches require that all office bearers hold true to these Reformed confessions.
The Protestant Reformed Churches in America confess and proclaim the doctrines of double predestination; limited, effectual atonement; total depravity; irresistible grace; and the perseverance of saints, as fundamental truths of the gospel of grace.
Protestant Reformed Churches in America believes the calling of the church to promote and defend marriage, the earthly symbol of the covenant between Christ and the Church as a life-long unbreakable bond.
Protestant Reformed Churches in America believes their rejection of “common grace,” they mean specially to deny that God is gracious in the preaching of the gospel to all who hear. They believe the gospel should be preached to all and should be command to repent and believe, God is gracious in the preaching to the elect alone which is “particular grace”.
Protestant Reformed Churches in America believes the truth which we embrace is no new truth, but has been the confession of the church through the ages. The Holy Spirit of truth has been at work in His church using various influences to lead the church to formulate statements concerning the teaching of God’s Word.
Protestant Reformed Churches in America confess and proclaim the doctrines of double predestination; limited, effectual atonement; total depravity; irresistible grace; and the perseverance of saints, as fundamental truths of the gospel of grace.
Reference:
Official Website can be found: http://www.prca.org/
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Protestant Reformed Churches in America:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Aug 2013.< https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2454,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2013, August) “Protestant Reformed Churches in America:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2454,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2013) “Protestant Reformed Churches in America:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (August), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=2454, (accessed).
