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Some Background Information (see also my testimony)
I have come to cherish the biblical truths rediscovered by such men as Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox and their like. I accept the summary of these truths as found in such documents as the Canons of Dort (more commonly known as the Five Points of Calvinism) and the Westminster Standards (including the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms). I also acknowledge that the same truth is to be found in other confessions of the Reformed church such as the Three Forms of Unity. I accept these documents as subordinate standards, which, while acting as a reliable guide for the Christian life, are nevertheless non-binding on the individual conscience and actions of the believer. "The authority of the holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God (who is truth itself), the Author thereof; and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God...."The Supreme Judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture." (WCF, 1/4, 10). I believe that acceptable Christian worship is instituted by God and so limited by His revealed will that He should not be worshiped according to the imaginations and devices of people or in any way not prescribed by scripture or deduced from scripture by good and necessary consequence. It is my belief that many contemporary worship practices are unbiblical and tend to promote a subjective atmosphere where the worshiper’s emotions and feelings take precedence over his or her humble acknowledgment of God’s greatness, glory and majesty. Notwithstanding, I also believe that there is much freedom in the order and form of worship and that such things as the forms of musical praise must be practiced according to the understanding and the inspired conscience of each and every believer. For instance, it is my own firm belief and conviction that the content of the musical praise must always consist of the unaccompanied singing of the psalms in any musical form which is fit and in keeping with the content of those psalms. However, I also acknowledge that this cannot be considered a factor in one's salvation, and so a certain liberty must exist among Christians who hold differing convictions about this issue. I believe the best and necessary route to take is expressed by the Reformed slogan: "In essentials, unity. In non-essentials liberty. In all things, charity." I hold that biblical, apostolic worship is, by itself and on its own merit, convicting and liberating, serious and joyful. It is a rich experience of the power of God working in and through His people. I believe that preaching the gospel accurately and passionately, explaining it in ways that people can understand and which empowers them to live obedient lives, in line with God’s promises and purpose, is the primary means God has chosen to sanctify believers and convert lost souls. I also believe the proper administration of the sacraments is a continuing means of grace for the church. I maintain that the plain preaching of God’s word in sincerity and truthfulness is sufficient for His purposes and needs no enhancements of any sort whatever and that the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper are sufficient to witness to God’s continuing presence in the lives of His children. I believe and uphold the traditional marks of a true church: biblical preaching and proclamation (kerugma), the proper administration of the sacraments (baptism and the Lord's Supper) and discipline (in the sence of protecting right doctrine). I also believe the three purposes of the church (and therefore every assembly of believers) are: ministry to God (worship), ministry to believers (nurture, edification, discipleship) and ministry to the world (commpassionate outreach and evangelism). I believe
that the gospel is revolutionary. The gospel message in and of itself
cannot be made relevant to the
world, nor
can the world be forced, fooled or cajoled to embrace the spiritual
truth
found therein, as the world of unregenerate Man and the Kingdom
of God are antithetical. I hold to Christ’s command to
be in the world, but not of it and to be salt and light in a
sin-darkened
world, though
we ourselves be fallen sinners without merit, except for that
which comes to us through our abiding in Christ through the Holy
Spirit.
I further believe that the true church, manifested in any local
assembly of believers, is called upon to be a city set on a hill,
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