Reformed Churches

The Reformed Churches are a group of Protestant Churches, that originated during the 16th century Reformation, led by Huldrych Zwingli and John Calvin. Reformed Churches are Calvinist in doctrine.

History

The Reformer, John Calvin was of French decsent, however he wrote and preached mostly in Switzerland. Here he published his "Institutes of the Christian Religion". From here, Calvinism spread throughout Europe, but especially the Netherlands and Scotland. Various Confessions were drawn up to distinguish the Reformed faith. English Puritans and Scottish Presbyterians brought the Reformed faith to the United States after the Reformation.

Doctrine

For a summary of the Reformed beliefs, see Calvinism.

The Reformed Doctrine is expressed in various confessions, which they believe to be explanations of the doctrine of the Bible:

• Dutch: The Belgic Confession, The Heidelberg Cathegism and the Canons of Dordt.
• Scottish: The Westminster Confession, The Westminster Larger Cathegism and The Westminster Shorter Cathegism, as well as the Scots Confession.
• Swiss: The Second Helvetic Confession.

In Reformed Churches, the Bible is, however, the sole and supreme authority in all matters of faith.

Form of Governance

Reformed Churches use the Presbyterian polity for their church government. This emphisizes the autonomy of the local church, which is governed by elders.

Different Traditions

Scottish Presbyterian, Dutch and Swiss Reformed churches are merely distinguished by different confessions, and hold to the same set of beliefs. Two other traditions have developed, however, "Reformed Baptist" and "Reformed Episcopal" denominations. They share the same Calvinist beliefs as the general Reformed Churches, but Reformed Baptists baptize adults and not infants as other Reformed Churches do. They have the London Baptist Confession. Reformed Episcopals hold to an Episcopal form of Church government (by bishops) and holds steadfastly to the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion.

Summary of Reformed Churches Worldwide

United States and Canada

Liberal, Non-Calvinist:

Presbyterian Church (USA) - around 3,600,000 members

United Church of Canada - around 2,800,000 members - Presbyterian & Congregational & Methodist

Evangelical Presbyterian Church - around 68,000 members

Korean Presbyterian Church in America - around 29,000 members

Presbyterian Church in Canada - around 225,000 members

Reformed Church in America - around 300,000 members

Conservative, Evanelical

Presbyterian Church in America - around 315,000 members

Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church - around 40,000 members

Korean American Presbyterian Church - around 33,000 members

Orthodox Presbyterian Church - around 30,000 members

Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches - around 15,000 members, Reformed and Reformed Baptist

Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America - around 7,000

Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church

Free Presbyterian Church - Reformed Baptist

Presbyterian Reformed Church

Reformed Presbyterian Church - Hanover Presbytery

Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States

Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly

Upper Cumberland Presbyterian Church - less than 1000 members - Four-Point Calvinist

Reformed Episcopal Church - around 13,000 members - Episcopal

Traditional Protestant Episcopal Church - Episcopal

Christian Reformed Church - around 300,000 members

United Reformed Churches in North America - around 20,700 members

Canadian and American Reformed Churches - around 16,000 members

Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches - around 15,000 members - Reformed Baptist

Orthodox Christian Reformed Church - around 1,500 members

Orthodox-Calvinist

Bible Presbyterian Church - around 3,500 members

American Presbyterian Church

Christian Presbyterian Church - Korean

Evangelical Reformed Presbyterian Church

Reformed Presbytery in North America

Westminster Presbyterian Church in the United States

Netherlands Reformed Congregations - around 9,500 members - Dutch

Free Reformed Churches in North America - around 4,500 members

Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregations - around 2,000 members

Hyper Calvinist

Protestant Reformed Churches in America - around 7,000 members