REFORMED CHURCH
Are you looking for a reformed church in the Fresno-Clovis area? Good news, Harvest Fresno Church is a reformed church, that is, we believe in reformed theology.
Harvest Fresno Church is an reformed church. What does that exactly mean?
What does it mean to be a reformed church?
What Does the Term "Reformed" Mean?
“Reformed” is a loaded term and means different things to different people and different churches adhere to different elements of reformed theology.
So first, let’s define “reformed church.” In its broadest sense. It is a type of Protestant Church that emerged from the Reformation in the 16th century. It centers on the authority of the Bible, the sovereignty of God including in the one’s salvation. The essential doctrine of the reformation that Martin Luther led against the Catholic church is justification by faith alone, which is at the center of the reformed faith.
The reformed church encapsulated the main tenants of with what are called the “5 Solas.” They are as follows:
1. Grace Alone (Sola Gratia)
2. Christ Alone (Solus Christus)
3. Faith Alone (Sola Fide)
4. Scripture Alone (Sola Scriptura)
5. To God Alone Be the Glory (Soli Deo Gloria)
What Does the Reformed Acrostic "TULIP" Mean?
Additionally, contained within those broad categories of the “5 Solas” there are other principles that further define a reformed church.
Those more specific five points are found in the well-known acrostic: “TULIP.”
T - “Total Depravity" which affirms the doctrine of original sin and all of man has been tainted by sin. It does not mean that man is as wicked as one could be, but the total represents all of man has been corrupted by sin so that he is unable to respond to the Gospel apart from the sovereign work of God (Eph 2:1-4; Rom 3:12-21)
U - “Unconditional Election” represents God’s sovereign choice of specific sinners for salvation without respect to any thing he or she may have done. In other words, the Lord’s saving love for the redeemed is not contingent on any work, bloodline, position, or anything else one may do or possess. As Paul writes in Romans, salvation is does not depend on human will or exertion, but on God who has mercy (Rom 9:15-16).
L - “Limited Atonement” also known as particular redemption or definite atonement, is probably the most challenging principles in reformed theology. It answers the question: “For whom did Jesus die?” Limited atonement the intent of the atonement was Jesus would die for those chosen by God from eternity past (Eph 1:4). It is said, Christ death is sufficient for all, but efficacious for elect children of God. In other words, Christ’s death on the cross is sufficient so that if the whole world repented and trusted in Christ, as one’s Savior, His death would cover every sin of every person. However, Christ did not die for the possibility of someone being saved, but He died on the cross so that very specific people can be saved (John 6:65)
I - “Irresistible Grace” refers to God’s power to save. God’s being able to overcome any resistance of man to save His elect child. God’s love for His child is stronger than any force human or spiritual (John 6:37-30). God, through the Holy Spirit never fails to bring His children to faith (John 6:44). That is why this this doctrine is also called effectual calling. The doctrine of irresistible grace teaches that since man is dead in his trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1-4), he needs to be made spiritually alive (John 3:3). Once he is made alive (regenerated), then he is able to respond favorably to the Gospel (1 John 5:1). In reformed circles, this is stated as “regeneration precedes faith.” This is the sovereign action of the Holy Spirit working on a person’s hear so that he will believe and live out the faith (Ezek 36:26-27).
P - “Perseverance of the Saints” is one of the most comforting tenants of the reformed faith. It means that once saved, always saved. It refers to God’s power to keep and preserve a person who has been regenerated until the end of his life and will reach heaven. In other words, a regenerated child of God can never fall from a state of grace. Furthermore, God guarantees that child will be kept safe in the hands of God until he reaches glory. Again, no power or force can snatch a believer from the mighty grip of the Lord (John 10:28-30).
How Does Harvest Fresno Church Apply Reformed Beliefs?
These are the tenants of the reformed faith that Harvest Fresno believes. That being said, when some asks, "What type of church is Harvest?" we say that we are a Gospel church. We believe the gospel is central and essential to our faith. We are unapologetic about teaching God’s truths; however, challenging them may be, but we also teach each passage faithfully, according to the author’s intent, to the best of our abilities. So the tenants of the reformed faith will be taught as they come up in the portion of the Bible we are studying or in which the pastor is preaching.
Also, we don’t know who God has chosen, so our job is to be faithful to the great commission (Matt 28:19-20) and share God’s love and the Gospel wherever we can.
So, if you are looking for a reformed church in Fresno or Clovis, please join us at Harvest Fresno Church. You can click the link below and plan your visit. We look forward to seeing you soon!
WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU