About Us
What's in a Name?
A name reveals a lot about an organization. The choices we make about our own title describe our ideas, goals, and beliefs.
REDEEMER
“Redeemer” comes from the Old Testament concept of the nearest family member obligated to perform certain functions for the family. They recovered property (Leviticus 25:25-27, 47-49), acted as avenger (Numbers 35:9-34), and ensured that the family and inheritance in the Promised Land continued (Deuteronomy 25:5, Ruth 3, 4). In Exodus 6:6, God makes Himself the Redeemer of Israel and takes these “family obligations” upon Himself on behalf of His people. As our Redeemer, Jesus Christ ensures that all who put their hope and trust in Him alone come safe through life to be received and welcomed by God on the Last Day. Jesus Christ has redeemed His people by suffering God’s judgment against them. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, God poured out on Him all His wrath and judgment against the people Jesus came to save. Jesus Christ suffered the punishment for our guilt. As stated in Titus 2:14, Jesus Christ “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”
REFORMED
By calling ourselves “Reformed,” we identify with the teaching expressed in the confessions of the 16th and 17th century as a result of the Protestant Reformation. The key ideas of the Reformation were captured in five Latin slogans:
- SOLA SCRIPTURA – The scripture alone is our final authority in every area of life because it is the Word of God.
- SOLA CHRISTI – Christ’s perfect life and atoning death in the sinner’s place is the only basis for our acceptance with God.
- SOLA GRATIA – Sinners are saved by God’s grace alone.
- SOLA FIDE – Faith alone is the channel by which sinners receive God’s grace.
- SOLI DEO GLORIA – All glory for our salvation must go to God alone.
BAPTIST
By taking the name “Baptist,” we are stating our conviction that only professing believers should be baptized and become members of the local church. We are convinced of this because of the progression of the Bible from Old to New Testaments, the clear commands of Christ, and the example of the early church. Baptism is an outward visible sign that a believer is united to Christ through His death, burial, and resurrection.