The Reformed Church in Latvia ( lv, Evanģēliskā Reformātu-Brāļu draudze) is a confessional
Calvinist denomination in
Latvia
Latvia ( or ; lv, Latvija ; ltg, Latveja; liv, Leţmō), officially the Republic of Latvia ( lv, Latvijas Republika, links=no, ltg, Latvejas Republika, links=no, liv, Leţmō Vabāmō, links=no), is a country in the Baltic region of ...
with two congregations and the Baltic Reformed Seminary in Riga.
Origin
This denomination currently has two congregations in
Riga
Riga (; lv, Rīga , liv, Rīgõ) is the capital and largest city of Latvia and is home to 605,802 inhabitants which is a third of Latvia's population. The city lies on the Gulf of Riga at the mouth of the Daugava river where it meets the Ba ...
. The oldest
Calvinist church was built in 1733, membership was mostly
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
traders and consisted of 1000 members till 1938. During World War II, the Germans left. In 1949, the Calvinist church joined the Evangelical Church of the Brethren and the Evangelical Brethren Community. The Evangelical - Reformed Brethren Community was formed. Later in 1964, during the Communist regime the church was transferred to a sound studio.
In the 1990s the church was reorganised and with the help of the
Presbyterian Church in America planted another church and founded The Baltic Reformed Seminary. The church building was returned to the church in December 1993, the rededication service was held in May 1994. Since 1996, a pastor from
Toronto serves the church.
The Reformed Church in Latvia is a member of the
World Communion of Reformed Churches.
Theology
The church teaches the five Solas:
* ''
Sola scriptura - Scripture Alone
* ''
Sola fide'' - Faith Alone
* ''
Solus Christus'' - Christ Alone
* ''
Sola gratia'' - Grace Alone
* ''
Soli Deo gloria'' - the Glory of God Alone
Creeds
*
Apostles Creed
The Apostles' Creed (Latin: ''Symbolum Apostolorum'' or ''Symbolum Apostolicum''), sometimes titled the Apostolic Creed or the Symbol of the Apostles, is a Christian creed or "symbol of faith".
The creed most likely originated in 5th-century ...
*
Nicene Creed
The original Nicene Creed (; grc-gre, Σύμβολον τῆς Νικαίας; la, Symbolum Nicaenum) was first adopted at the First Council of Nicaea in 325. In 381, it was amended at the First Council of Constantinople. The amended form is a ...
*
Athanasian Creed
The Athanasian Creed, also called the Pseudo-Athanasian Creed and sometimes known as ''Quicunque Vult'' (or ''Quicumque Vult''), which is both its Latin name and its opening words, meaning "Whosoever wishes", is a Christian statement of belief ...
Confessions
*
Heidelberg Catechism
The Heidelberg Catechism (1563), one of the Three Forms of Unity, is a Protestant confessional document taking the form of a series of questions and answers, for use in teaching Calvinist Christian doctrine. It was published in 1563 in Heidelberg, ...
(1563)
*
Westminster Confession of Faith (1647)
*
Canons of Dort (1618)
Churches
*Baltic Reformed Seminary
*Riga Reformed Church]
*Riga Reformed Bible Church]
*Mission to the World (PCA)
Interchurch relations
It is a member of the
World Communion of Reformed Churches.
www.wcrc.ch/node/164
References
{{Reflist
Reformed denominations in Europe
Members of the World Communion of Reformed Churches
Religion in Latvia
1733 establishments in the Russian Empire
Religious organizations established in 1733