Aren’t all religions the same?

Yes, with one exception: Christianity.

The vast majority of religions do say that good people go to heaven and bad to hell, so try your best, be better than the person next to you, and you will be fine. Christianity, however, says the exact opposite.

The Bible teaches that our nature is corrupt and our wicked actions flow forth thus rendering us wholly incapable and unwilling to keep God’s commandments, much less achieve the absolute perfection that He requires to enter into the presence of His perfect holiness. The Bible also teaches that God loves his people, fulfills his own law in the person of and though the work of Christ and then transfers Christ’s merits to us when Christ suffers the penalties for our sins in a double exchange.

In this exchange a two-fold transfer takes place: God imputes our sin to Christ and punishes Christ for it on the cross; God also credits us with Christ’s perfection and gives us the rewards, such as eternal life, to which Christ is entitled. Of course some churches claiming to be Christian have said, and continue to say, the same as the rest of the religions. The Medieval Roman Catholic Church formulated the sentiment in the phrase “to those who do what is in them, God does not deny grace” and modern expressions of this sentiment might take the form of “Do your best and God does the rest” or something to that effect.

All of this is contrary to the Bible, which says you can do nothing but that God has already done everything on your behalf, transferring the penalty for your sin to Christ on the cross while simultaneously crediting you with the benefits of His perfect life at His resurrection.

Lessons

Free curriculum designed for your growth in Christian thinking and living.

What Is the Reformed Faith?

An introduction to the Christian worldview and the basic teachings of the Bible. Learn the basic differences among the main groups in the broad Christian tradition, and that “the Reformed faith” is just a nickname for the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Now available in iTunes.

Heidelberg Catechism Curriculum for Families

An exposition of a most treasured summary of the Bible’s basic teachings. Learn how you can be clear about the glory of Christ in His triumph over our sinful misery, so that you can pass it down to the next generation.

Now available in iTunes.

What We Believe

So that everyone visiting this website and our churches knows exactly what we believe and teach, we state our faith right alongside historic and Reformed Christian churches.

The Ecumenical Creeds

Ancient summaries of basic Bible teachings written in part to defend God’s people against heresies sadly still alive today.

The Three Forms of Unity

500-year-old summaries of basic Bible teachings written in part to defend God’s people from deep-seated theological and moral corruption in all kinds of false churches and movements.

Recent Sermons

Biblical sermons by local URC ministers

Scriptural Sermons

Rev. Tom Morrison
Jeremiah 46-49 | The Savior of the World

Rev. Movses Janbazian
1 Samuel 28 | Message for One Facing Death

Catechetical Sermons

Rev. Tom Morrison
Canons of Dort, Heads 3 & 4, 14-15

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Looking for a Church? Visit these United Reformed Churches or find more churches »

Pasadena, CA
Pasadena United Reformed Church
Pastor Movses Janbazian
626-437-4994

Victorville/Apple Valley, CA
High Desert United Reformed Church
Pastor Tom Morrison
760-951-0809

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