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What is Reformed?
From time to time people often ask us ‘what is a reformed church?’. In fact, the term ‘Reformed’ does not come from something new. Historically, ‘Reformed’ refers to the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century (1517) - when some zealous churches faced the prevailing distortion of the predominate churches, they compelled to reform against the false teaching, rediscovered the biblical truth and returned to the pristine purity of Christianity. These “Protestant” churches became the prototype of the modern Christian churches.
As now for the term ‘Reformed’, in a broad understanding, refers to the reformed faith and theology inherited from the Protestant Reformation and initiated by theologians who affirmed and upheld the biblical truth and beliefs such as John Calvin since that time. This reformed faith features the sovereignty and grace of Christ and the comprehensive covenant from God to men.
One Faith is one of the churches that adheres to this indispensable Christian reformed faith. We believe that Christ-centered faith is vital to entail our understanding to Christianity and how we respond to our surrounding, regardless of today’s changing culture.
Features of Reformed Theology
Reformed theology is mainly represented by Calvin’s theology or Calvinism, that highlights a Christian life with Christ-centredness, God’s sovereignty and grace (Psalm 135:6; Dan 4:35; Eph 1:11). The Five Solas gives a core summary of what Reformed faith stands for, and the TULIP gives an overview of how the salvation is interpreted according to the Bible.
The Five Solas
Scripture alone
We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the verbally inspired Word of God, the final authority for faith and life, inerrant in the original writings, infallible and God-breathed. (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; Matt. 5:18; John 16:12-13)
Christ alone
We recognised that Jesus Christ, the perfect God and the perfect man, is the only mediator that pay for our sins and bring salvation to us. Only through Jesus Christ, we can reconcile to God. (Acts 4:12)
Grace alone
We insist that the entirety of salvation is God’s gracious gift through Christ. People could not contribute to their own salvation nor gain their merit to the work of Christ in order to receive God’s salvation. (Rom. 3:10–12; 5:6; Eph. 2:1)
Faith alone
We affirm that the only way to receive the justification before God is through faith to him alone. We cannot be freed from sin by good deeds or keeping the law. Faith is the only instrument that we can receive the grace of Jesus Christ. (Rom. 3:28; 5:1; Eph. 2:8; Galatians 2:16)
To the glory of God alone
Ultimately, the four solas of the above is for glorifying God. We are called to reflect the image of Jesus Christ in all things to His glory. (1 Cor 10:31, 1 Pet. 4:10–11)
TULIP
These five points have come to be known as The Five Points of Calvinsim, or by the acronym T.U.L.I.P.:
Total depravity
Man is spiritually dead. Because of the fall, man has become spiritually dead, blind and deaf to the things of God and is therefore unable of himself to choose spiritual good and determine his eternal destiny. (Rom 5:12; Mark 7:21-23; John 6:44)
Unconditional election
God’s election is unconditional. God’s choice of certain individuals for salvation was not based on any foreseen response of obedience on their part, but was based solely in His good and sovereign will. (John 6:65; Rom 8:28-33; Deut 7:6-8; 2 Thes 2”13-14)
Limited atonement
The gospel of Christ is ecumenic. God has paved the way for all nations to be saved. (John 3:16-18; 1 Tim 4:10; 1 John 2:2) But who will actually ‘receive’ the salvation is all predestinated by God. God secured and accomplished the salvation of all of God's chosen people. He has determined that all for whom Christ sacrificed Himself will be saved. (Matt 1:21; John 10:11; Rom 8:32) It is worth noting that none of us is told who would be saved or not. This belongs to the sovereignty and mystery of God. Therefore, as disciples we should still evangelise as Christ commanded us to do.
Irresistible grace
For those who are destined to be chosen, God also presupposes Holy Spirit to work on them and lead them to God (John 6:37,44). This does not mean that God forces people to accept God against their will. On the contrary, the Holy Spirit creates within them a new heart and enables them to freely and willingly believe in Christ as Saviour and Lord.
Perseverance of the saints
All who are chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and regenerated by the Holy Spirit are eternally saved. True believers are kept in faith by the power of almighty God and therefore continue to persevere in faith and would not fall off from salvation. (John 3:16; John 10:27-30; 1 Peter 1:23) Salvation means that Jesus Christ has paid the price for all our sins in our lives, whether these are past, present or future sins, that God forgives us and make us spiritually justified.
LOCATION
Point Cook Community Learning Centre
1-21 Cheetham St
POINT COOK, VIC 3030
© 2025, One Faith Reformed Evangelical Church