Reformation Society of Pittsburgh A local chapter of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals

Reformation Society of Pittsburgh *A local chapter of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals.*
Home RSP Home page. About Us Mission Steering Committee Cambridge Declaration Reforming Your Bible Study Events Quarterly Breakfasts Annual Reformation Conference Resources MP3s of Previous Lectures Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals BibleGateway.com Friends RPTS BibleBurgh	Mission Today's church is increasingly dominated by the spirit of this age rather than by the Spirit of Christ. We call ourselves to repent of this sin and to recover the historic Christian faith. Our mission is to encourage, embolden, and equip ministers and other church leaders for the work of Biblical reformation in the churches. To this end we envision informal, voluntary Reformation Societies throughout Pittsburgh under the model of the Alliance Confessing Evangelicals, where church leaders will meet for the joining of hearts and minds in pursuit of actual and practical reformation in their churches. Our Goal The Reformation Society of Pittsburgh calls upon local pastors and Christian leaders to unite in our effort to bring reformation to the church by joining us: To create a network of leaders to cooperate in the work of reforming the church by affirming the conviction of the Cambridge Declaration, and to encourage, embolden, and equip one another for the practical implementation of Biblical principles in our churches; To elevate the great truths of the Bible in the life of our churches and region, in particular the "solas" of the Protestant Reformation. We know by Scripture alone that we are saved because of Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone and all to the glory of God alone. How Does God Bring Reformation to the Church? Both Scripture and Church history show God's readiness to aid His Church in humble repentance and reformation. God brings reformation through the recovery of his Word in the church. King Josiah "read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant.... then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant" (2 Kings 23:3). In the time of Ezra's reformation, "They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand" (Neh. 8:8). Our duty, therefore, is that of Jude 1:3, "To contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." He adds, "Build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit... Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others, show mercy, mixed with fear" (Jude 1:20,22). The Reformation Society of Pittsburgh believes therefore, that the times demand that leaders in Christ's Church must: Confess, before God, their worldliness; Humbly ask God for the wisdom and grace necessary for reformation in His Church; Seek guidance given to us in God's infallible and all-sufficient Word; Establish the Bible as our churches' only rule of faith and practice, employing means and seeking ends that are Biblical in principle. Our Convictions We believe that Gods infallible Word is the source and norm for all faith and practice in Christ's Church. We hold that Word to be effective and sufficient for our needs in His service. Furthermore, we affirm the following Reformation principles as vital summaries of Biblical teaching. Scripture Alone: The inerrant Scripture is the sole source of written divine revelation, which alone can bind the conscience. *Christ Alone:* Our salvation is accomplished by the mediatorial work of the historical Christ alone. *Grace Alone:* In salvation we are rescued from God's wrath by His grace alone. Salvation is of his unmerited love and not of man's works. *Faith Alone:* The knowledge of Scripture alone and the believing of and commitment to such knowledge shows forth that Christ alone is the object of saving faith through which we are justified by his atonement for our sins. *To God Alone Be the Glory:* Because salvation is of God and has been accomplished by God, it is for God's glory. Therefore, we must glorify Him always. Why A Call to Action? We must act because worldliness - both in the means we employ and the goals we pursue - has gripped the evangelical Church. We must act out of obedience to the exalted Lord of the Church and give devotion to His Gospel of Grace which alone "is the power of God for the salvation of those who believe." Rom.1:16 Why a Society? Reformation means standing against the spirit of the age, so pastors and church leaders must join together to encourage, equip, and embolden one another in the work of the Reformation. Most importantly, a society brings the Word of God and prayer to bear on the leaders themselves, strengthening them for the work of a faithful shepherd. What Will A Reformation Society Do? The activities of the Reformation Society of Pittsburgh will meet and act in support of reformation in the church. Typical Reformation Societies engage in the following: Hosting pastors' or church leaders' luncheons and/or other events which encourage, equip, and embolden them as heralds of the Gospel. Have Reformation Bible Studies (RBS). These were used by the reformers to guard the faith by sharpening their handling of the Word of God. Our free get-acquainted packet will include guidelines for Reformation Bible Studies along with the Cambridge Declaration and other start-up materials. Our get-started packet will include a tape of a live RBS and the "Here We Stand" tape by the late Dr. James Boice. This packet will include tape costs and postage making a charge of $10.00 a necessity. The RBS luncheons are an important part of a local Reformation Society's bonding and growing in the reformation of the local church. They act as a means of equipping, encouraging, and emboldening pastors and teachers in proclaiming the whole counsel of God. Host a seminar or conference in your local area to elevate the great themes of the Bible and of Reformation Theology.
Reformation Society of Pittsburgh c/o Harry Metzger • North Hills Reformed Presbyteiran Church • 606 Thompson Run Blvd. • Pittsburgh, PA 15237 412-486-0730 • patrick.marx@verizon.net

Reformation Societies logo Today's church is increasingly dominated by the spirit of this age rather than by the Spirit of Christ. We call ourselves to repent of this sin and to recover the historic Christian faith.

Our mission is to encourage, embolden, and equip ministers and other church leaders for the work of Biblical reformation in the churches. To this end we envision informal, voluntary Reformation Societies throughout Pittsburgh under the model of the Alliance Confessing Evangelicals, where church leaders will meet for the joining of hearts and minds in pursuit of actual and practical reformation in their churches.

Our Goal
The Reformation Society of Pittsburgh calls upon local pastors and Christian leaders to unite in our effort to bring reformation to the church by joining us:

To create a network of leaders to cooperate in the work of reforming the church by affirming the conviction of the Cambridge Declaration, and to encourage, embolden, and equip one another for the practical implementation of Biblical principles in our churches;
To elevate the great truths of the Bible in the life of our churches and region, in particular the "solas" of the Protestant Reformation. We know by Scripture alone that we are saved because of Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone and all to the glory of God alone.

How Does God Bring Reformation to the Church?
Both Scripture and Church history show God's readiness to aid His Church in humble repentance and reformation. God brings reformation through the recovery of his Word in the church. King Josiah "read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant.... then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant" (2 Kings 23:3).

In the time of Ezra's reformation, "They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand" (Neh. 8:8).

Our duty, therefore, is that of Jude 1:3, "To contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." He adds, "Build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit... Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others, show mercy, mixed with fear" (Jude 1:20,22).

The Reformation Society of Pittsburgh believes therefore, that the times demand that leaders in Christ's Church must:

Confess, before God, their worldliness;
Humbly ask God for the wisdom and grace necessary for reformation in His Church;
Seek guidance given to us in God's infallible and all-sufficient Word;
Establish the Bible as our churches' only rule of faith and practice, employing means and seeking ends that are Biblical in principle.

Our Convictions
We believe that Gods infallible Word is the source and norm for all faith and practice in Christ's Church. We hold that Word to be effective and sufficient for our needs in His service.

Furthermore, we affirm the following Reformation principles as vital summaries of Biblical teaching.

Scripture Alone: The inerrant Scripture is the sole source of written divine revelation, which alone can bind the conscience.

Christ Alone: Our salvation is accomplished by the mediatorial work of the historical Christ alone.

Grace Alone: In salvation we are rescued from God's wrath by His grace alone. Salvation is of his unmerited love and not of man's works.

Faith Alone: The knowledge of Scripture alone and the believing of and commitment to such knowledge shows forth that Christ alone is the object of saving faith through which we are justified by his atonement for our sins.

To God Alone Be the Glory: Because salvation is of God and has been accomplished by God, it is for God's glory. Therefore, we must glorify Him always.

Why A Call to Action?
We must act because worldliness - both in the means we employ and the goals we pursue - has gripped the evangelical Church. We must act out of obedience to the exalted Lord of the Church and give devotion to His Gospel of Grace which alone "is the power of God for the salvation of those who believe." Rom.1:16

Why a Society?
Reformation means standing against the spirit of the age, so pastors and church leaders must join together to encourage, equip, and embolden one another in the work of the Reformation. Most importantly, a society brings the Word of God and prayer to bear on the leaders themselves, strengthening them for the work of a faithful shepherd.

What Will A Reformation Society Do?
The activities of the Reformation Society of Pittsburgh will meet and act in support of reformation in the church. Typical Reformation Societies engage in the following:

Hosting pastors' or church leaders' luncheons and/or other events which encourage, equip, and embolden them as heralds of the Gospel.
Have Reformation Bible Studies (RBS). These were used by the reformers to guard the faith by sharpening their handling of the Word of God. Our free get-acquainted packet will include guidelines for Reformation Bible Studies along with the Cambridge Declaration and other start-up materials. Our get-started packet will include a tape of a live RBS and the "Here We Stand" tape by the late Dr. James Boice. This packet will include tape costs and postage making a charge of $10.00 a necessity. The RBS luncheons are an important part of a local Reformation Society's bonding and growing in the reformation of the local church. They act as a means of equipping, encouraging, and emboldening pastors and teachers in proclaiming the whole counsel of God.
Host a seminar or conference in your local area to elevate the great themes of the Bible and of Reformation Theology.