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
Presbyterian Church (USA) - around 3,650,000 members - Very Liberal, non-Calvinist
partially: United Church of Canada - around 2,800,000 members - Liberal, Presbyterian & Congregational & Methodist
Presbyterian Church in America - around 312,000 members - Evangelical, Conservative, Presbyterian
Presbyterian Church in Canada - around 225,000 members - Very Liberal, non-Calvinist
Evangelical Presbyterian Church - around 68,000 members - Liberal, Presbyterian
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church - around 39,000 members - Conservative, Presbyterian
Korean American Presbyterian Church - around 33,000 members - Conservative, Korean-Presbyterian
Orthodox Presbyterian Church - around 30,000 members - Conservative, Presbyterian
Korean Presbyterian Church in America - around 29,000 members - Liberal, Korean-Presbyterian
Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches - around 15,000 members - Evangelical, Conseervative, Dutch Reformed/Presbyterian, Reformed Baptist
Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America - around 7,000 members - Conservative, covenanting Presbyterian, Calvinist
Bible Presbyterian Church - around 3,500 members - Orthodox, Presbyterian, Calvinist
Smaller Presbyterian Denominations:
American Presbyterian Church - Orthodox, Presbyterian, Calvinistic
Christian Presbyterian Church - Orthodox, Korean-Presbyterian, Calvinist
Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church - Conservative, Presbyterian, Calvinist
Evangelical Reformed Presbyterian Church - Orthodox, Presbyterian, Calvinist
Free Presbyterian Church - Orthodox, Presbyterian, Calvinist
Presbyterian Reformed Church - Evangelical, Presbyterian
Reformed Presbyterian Church - Hanover Presbytery - Conservative, Presbyterian
Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States - Conservative, Presbyterian
Reformed Presbyterian Church General Assembly - Conservative, Presbyterian
Reformed Presbytery in North America - Orthodox, covenanting Presbyterian, Calvinist
Upper Cumberland Presbyterian Church - less than 1000 members - Conservative, Presbyterian, Four-Point Calvinist
Westminster Presbyterian Church in the United States - Orthodox, covenanting Presbyterian, Calvinist
Reformed Episcopal Church - around 13,000 members - Conservative, Episcopal/Anglican
Traditional Protestant Episcopal Church - Evangelical, Episcopal/Anglican
Reformed Church in America - around 313,000 members - Liberal, Dutch Reformed
Christian Reformed Church - around 300,000 members - Evangelical, Dutch Reformed
United Reformed Churches in North America - around 20,700 members - Conservative, Dutch Reformed
Canadian and American Reformed Churches - around 16,000 members - Conservative, Dutch Reformed
Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches - around 15,000 members - Evangelical, Dutch Reformed/Presbyterian, Reformed Baptist
Netherlands Reformed Congregations - around 9,500 members - Puritan, Dutch Reformed, Calvinist
Protestant Reformed Churches in America - around 7,000 members - Orthodox, Dutch Reformed, Hyper-Calvinist
Free Reformed Churches in North America - around 4,500 members - Orthodox, Dutch Reformed, Calvinist
Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregations - around 2,000 members - Puritan, Orthodox, Dutch Reformed, Calvinist
Orthodox Christian Reformed Church - around 1,500 members - Conservative, Dutch Reformed