Bastion of Truth Reformed Churches in the Philippines

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Bastion of Truth Reformed Churches in the Philippines (BTRC)
BTRCseal2011PNG(2in).png
Classification Protestant
OrientationConservative Calvinistic
TheologyEvangelical Reformed
Polity Presbyterian
RegionThe Philippines
Origin2004
Quezon City, Philippines
Separated from Church of the Foursquare Gospel in the Philippines
Congregations4 (Antipolo, Rizal; Batasan Hills, Quezon City; Lucban, Quezon Province; San Jose, Batangas)

The Bastion of Truth Reformed Churches in the Philippines is a Christian denomination, located in Southern Luzon, Philippines.

Contents

Origin

In April 2004, representatives from three former Pentecostal-Charismatic churches and a group with an Arminian Baptist background convened to establish a separate denomination of Reformed Churches. The Bastion of Truth Reformed Churches (B.T.R.C.) emerged in the tradition of the 16th-century Protestant Reformation. [1]

Their formation as a reformed denomination stemmed from doctrinal conflicts within the Church of the Foursquare Gospel in the Philippines , a Pentecostal-Charismatic and fundamentally Arminian denomination founded in the United States by Aimee Semple McPherson. The primary theological dispute centered on God's sovereignty in salvation, particularly regarding the believer's preservation or perseverance in faith until the end, as well as the biblical practice of Christ-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 of Quezon City—stood for the Reformed doctrines, and refusing 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]

Beliefs

The Bastion of Truth Reformed Churches profess to defend God's only and true Gospel 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 faithful Reformed and Presbyterian 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 many apostate modern Protestant churches. Their reason for this is that the significant and colossal battles for Biblical truth were bound within the historical circumstances of the Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century. [5]

Church Government

The doctrinal standards, church government, and worship of the Bastion of Truth Reformed Churches are set forth in their Church 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 the Presbyterian form of church government and convenes on significant occasions as a single classis. 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]

Worship

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 from Pentecostalism/Charismaticism, they denounce human-centered and entertainment-motivated styles of worship. For this reason, the BTRCs practice the Biblical heritage of Psalm singing without the accompaniment of musical instruments.[ citation needed ]

References

  1. ↑ "BASTION OF TRUTH REFORMED CHURCHES IN THE PHILIPPINES INC. | Solemnizing Officers Information System". sois.psa.gov.ph. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  2. ↑ Chapell, Bryan (1994). Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the Expository Sermon. Grand Rapids: Baker.
  3. ↑ "BTRC Philippines". bastionoftruth.org. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  4. ↑ Engelsma, David. A Defense of Calvinism as the Gospel. South Holland IL: Protestant Reformed Church.
  5. ↑ "BTRC Philippines". bastionoftruth.org. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  6. ↑ "The Organization of the Berean Protestant Reformed Church in the Philippines – The Standard Bearer Magazine by Reformed Free Publishing Association | RFPA" . Retrieved 2025-08-12.
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