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| Bastion of Truth Reformed Churches in the Philippines (BTRC) | |
|---|---|
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| Classification | Protestant |
| Orientation | Conservative Calvinistic |
| Theology | Evangelical Reformed |
| Polity | Presbyterian |
| Region | The Philippines |
| Origin | 2004 Quezon City,Philippines |
| Separated from | Church of the Foursquare Gospel in the Philippines |
| Congregations | 4 (Antipolo,Rizal;Batasan Hills,Quezon City;Lucban,Quezon Province;San Jose,Batangas) |
TheBastion of Truth Reformed Churches in the Philippines is aChristian denomination and it is located inSouthern Luzon, Philippines.
In April 2004, representatives from three formerPentecostal-Charismatic churches and a group with anArminianBaptist background convened to establish a separate denomination ofReformed Churches. This became theBastion of Truth Reformed Churches (B.T.R.C.) emerged in the tradition of the 16th-centuryProtestant Reformation.[1]
Their formation as a reformed denomination stemmed from doctrinal conflicts within theChurch of the Foursquare Gospel in the Philippines, aPentecostal-Charismatic and fundamentally Arminian denomination founded in the United States byAimee Semple McPherson. The primary theological dispute centered on God's sovereignty in salvation, particularly regarding the believer's perseverance in faith until the end, as well as the biblical practice ofChrist-centered preaching.[2] The Foursquare denomination ultimately rejected both doctrines. These Reformed (Calvinistic) ideals gradually influenced one of the denomination's Bible colleges through exposure to Reformed literature and a growing awareness of church history, particularly the Protestant Reformation. Pastor Ronald R. Santos—the Associate Pastor at Capitol City Foursquare Church and director and instructor at Foursquare Bible College ofQuezon City—stood for the Reformed doctrines, and refused to retract from said beliefs, opting to resign his office. As the doctrinal divide deepened, other pastors resigned from their positions, while several Bible college students abandoned their ministerial training.[3]
The Bastion of Truth Reformed Churches profess to defend God's only and trueGospel of "sovereign particular irresistible grace",[4] which is his "power" unto the salvation of those who believe (Romans 1:16, 17; 1 Corinthians 15:1, 2).
The churches acknowledge that the bearer of the glorious Gospel in the last 450 years is the historic Reformed faith, proclaimed by faithfulReformed andPresbyterian churches holding fast to the faith of the apostolic church. The BTRC's identify themselves as "Reformed" Churches, although the term "Reformed" has been claimed by so manyapostate modern Protestant churches. Their reason for this is that the significant and colossal battles for Biblical truth were bound within the historical circumstances of theProtestant Reformation of the sixteenth century.[5]
The doctrinal standards, church government, and worship of the Bastion of Truth Reformed Churches are set forth in theirChurch Order. However, the church believes in the priesthood of all believers, maintaining that God calls certain men (Romans 10:14, 15; 1 Timothy 3:1-13) through the church to fulfill the tasks of the distinct Biblical offices. Office-bearers are required to subscribe to this church order. The denomination holds to thePresbyterian form of church government and convenes on significant occasions as a singleclassis. The BTRCs emphasize that each congregation is self-governed by a body of elders chosen out of the congregation in compliance with the principle of the "autonomy of the local congregation". Hence, the name of the denomination—not "Church" (singular), but "Churches" (plural). The BTRCs do not allow women to be preachers, elders, or deacons.[6]
The church uses a simple liturgy—consisting of prayer, singing,preaching, and giving. As a matter of biblical principle, the BTRCs do not entertain in their worship services. As a church that derives fromPentecostalism/Charismaticism, they denounce human-centered and entertainment-motivated styles of worship. For this reason, the BTRCs practice the Biblical heritage ofPsalm singing without the accompaniment of musical instruments.[citation needed]
