Our church holds to the standards of the Continental Reformed Church, which as a whole are termed the Three Forms of Unity. These three documents are the result of intense academic theological study of the Scriptures by Reformation scholars. They concisely and accurately outline the Christian faith as presented in the Holy Bible. The documents which comprise the Three Forms of Unity are the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, and the Canons of Dordt. Click the links below to view each of these documents.
First published in 1563, the Heidelberg Catechism is the summary of the work of Zacharias Ursinus, a professor at Heidelberg University in Germany, and Caspar Olevianus, a court preacher. The catechism consists of 129 questions & answers and is divided into 52 parts with the intent that each part be studied on one Lord's Day of the year. At Phoenix United Reformed Church, we still hold to this practice of reviewing the catechism in its entirety once each year.
Composed in 1561, the Belgic Confession is the oldest of the Three Forms of Unity. The confession was written as a proof to the King of Spain that Reformed Christians in Belgium were not rebels, but law-abiding citizens that were obeying the true teachings of Scripture in their departure from the teachings of the Roman church. Although the document provided no relief from persecution, it has served well as an instructional document in the basics of the Reformed faith.
The only document of the Three Forms to be drafted by an ecclesiastical assembly, the Canons of Dordt were completed during the Great Synod of Dordtrecht held in 1618-1619. The Canons were drafted to refute particular doctrinal error, and as such are not a complete summary of the Reformed faith; however, it is significant to note they were approved by the entirety of the Reformed community in the world at the time of their drafting.