Standards of Doctrine
The evangelical churches in the Middle East were largely established by Reformed and Presbyterian missionaries who declared the sovereign work of the triune God as Creator, Redeemer, Counselor, and Ruler of all the world and history for His glory. The Bible and the historic Reformed confessions form the theological basis for MERF, as it labors to "declare the whole counsel of God."
The Bible is our Primary Standard.
The Bible and it alone is the Word of God written. It is our final standard for all that we believe and do. It is inspired of God and therefore the absolute authority as truth, inerrant and infallible in all matters, including history and science. The whole counsel of God in Scripture is our standard in every area of life and thought.
The Reformed Confessions are our Subordinate Standards.
When asked, "What does the Bible teach?" or "How do you interpret it?" we respond by referring to the historic creeds and confessions of the historic Reformed and Presbyterian churches which summarize the message of Scripture. These confessions include the Three Forms of Unity (Canons of Dort, Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism) and the Westminster Standards (Confession of Faith, Larger Catechism, Shorter Catechism). We also embrace the Apostle's Creed and other orthodox creeds of the early church such as the Nicene and Athanasian Creeds. We affirm and teach that system of doctrine which is set forth in these doctrinal standards which were born of the Protestant Reformation and which define what it means to be "reformed."
