What do we believe?
“We BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;
he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Ghost;
One Holy Church; the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body;
and the life everlasting.
Amen.”
WHAT IS REFORMED THEOLOGY?
Broadly speaking, Reformed Theology includes any system of belief that traces its roots back to the Protestant Reformation of the 16th Century. During the Middle Ages, the Christian Church in the west became increasingly corrupt in its beliefs and practices. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the church experienced a great reformation. The term "Reformed" refers to the biblical standards confessed during the Protestant Reformation.
THE FIVE SOLAS
Question: What are the five solas?
Answer: The five solas are five Latin phrases popularized during the Protestant Reformation that emphasized the distinctions between the early Reformers and the Roman Catholic Church. The word sola is the Latin word for "only" or "alone" and was used in relation to five key teachings.
They are:
1. Sola fide = by faith alone
2. Sola scriptura = by scripture alone
3. Solo Christo = through Christ alone
4. Sola gratia = by grace alone
5. Soli Deo gloria = to the glory of God alone
Sola Fide
Sola fide emphasizes salvation as a free gift. The Roman Catholic Church of the time emphasized the use of indulgences (donating money) to buy status with God. Good works, including baptism, were seen as required for salvation. Sola fide stated that salvation is a free gift to all who accept it by faith (John 3:16). Salvation is not based on human effort or good deeds (Ephesians 2:9).
Sola Scriptura
Sola scriptura emphasizes the Bible alone as the source of authority for Christians. By saying, "Scripture alone," the Reformers rejected both the divine authority of the Roman Catholic Pope and confidence in sacred tradition. Only the Bible was "inspired by God" (2 Peter 1:20-21) and "God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Anything taught by the Pope or in tradition that contradicted the Bible was to be rejected.
Solo Christo
Solo Christo ("through Christ alone") emphasizes the role of Jesus in salvation. The Roman Catholic tradition had placed church leaders such as priests in the role of intercessor between the laity and God. Reformers emphasized Jesus's role as our "high priest" who intercedes on our behalf before the Father. Hebrews 4:15 teaches, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."
Sola Gratia
Sola gratia emphasizes grace as the reason for our salvation. Grace is not merited favor, but unmerited and de-merited favor. Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Soli Deo Gloria
Soli Deo gloria emphasizes the glory of God as the goal of life. The idea of soli Deo gloria is found in 1 Corinthians 10:31: "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
The vision of Mountain Reformed Church is to provide an open door to relationship with God for all through worship, teaching God’s Word, and by celebrating with music and the arts.
Our mission is simple: All Glory to God!
Our church is independent and non-denominational, with a theology based in the reformed way of being Christian (see our core beliefs).
It is our hope to build a home like no other for worship and the arts in the greater Prescott area. A home worthy of the beauty of Prescott and the beautiful art that our musicians and artists create. A church where the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is not only spoken, but lived out and is evident to all who come through our doors.
A part of our vision is to build a Sanctuary and Chapel that will also serve as a performing arts center for the greater Prescott area, and be used every day to teach and perform music, art, theater arts, dance and much more.
Another part of our vision is to launch the church with multiple ministry leaders, each with specific responsibilities, both men and women, paid and volunteer, all serving together in equal capacity. The staff will work as a team. Our church will be built on our mission: “All Glory to God” and not on personalities.