Welcome to Christ Centered Reformed Ministries

Our Journey: From Past to Present

Christ Centered Reformed Ministries, originally founded as Covenant Community Reformed Ministries in 2003, has been a beacon of light and truth, steadfastly offering resources to the body of Christ. Guided by the dedicated leadership of Pastor Justin Hoke, this ministry has navigated through seasons of change, including a temporary pause in 2014 and a transformative period in 2022 under the name "Gospel Centered Preaching." Today, we are profoundly grateful to reclaim our original domain and identity as Christ Centered Reformed Ministries, a testament to our enduring commitment to proclaiming the gospel and equipping believers worldwide.

Our Mission: Equipping the Saints for the Work of Ministry

At the heart of Christ Centered Reformed Ministries is a fervent desire to serve the global Christian community by providing an array of resources that span Bible study tools, articles, insightful books, and much more. Our vision is rooted in the Apostle Paul’s exhortation in Ephesians 4:12, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. Whether you are a new believer seeking to understand the basics of faith or a seasoned theologian pursuing deeper truths, our repository is designed to support and enrich your spiritual journey.

Our Resources: Deepening Your Faith and Understanding

Bible Study Tools: Dive into Scripture with our comprehensive guides and tools, designed to help you navigate and understand the Bible’s depths with greater clarity and insight.

Articles: Explore a wealth of articles that delve into theological topics, historical contexts, and biblical exegesis, offering both scholarly depth and practical application.

Books and Publications: Discover our curated selection of books that span theological discourse, devotional insights, and pastoral wisdom, aimed at nurturing your faith and knowledge.

Join Us on This Journey

As we continue to grow and expand our offerings, we invite you to join us in this journey of faith, learning, and ministry. Christ Centered Reformed Ministries is more than a website; it is a community of believers united in our passion for the gospel and our commitment to see the Kingdom of God flourish in hearts and homes around the world.

Stay connected with us for updates on new resources, upcoming seminars, and opportunities to engage with fellow believers. Together, let us pursue the call to know Christ more deeply and to make Him known with greater fervor.

Welcome, and may your time here be richly blessed.

What We Believe

Statement of Faith with Scripture Proof and Exposition.

1. The Bible alone is the inspired, inerrant Word of God and the only infallible rule for faith and practice.

The Bible alone is the inspired, inerrant Word of God and the only infallible rule for faith and practice because Scripture teaches that it is "God-breathed" (2 Timothy 3:16), that God's Word is flawless (Psalm 12:6), and that Scripture equips us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17). Jesus himself submitted to the authority of Scripture, trusting in the sufficiency of God's Word to sustain him through temptation (Matthew 4:1-11). The apostles and prophets consistently pointed to the Scriptures as the final authority for doctrine and godly living (Acts 17:11; 2 Peter 1:19-21). Additional supporting verses include Psalm 119:160, Proverbs 30:5-6, Matthew 5:17-19, John 10:35, and 2 Peter 3:15-16.

2. There is one God eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The Bible clearly teaches that there is only one God who exists eternally in three co-equal, co-eternal persons - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Scripture declares “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4) yet also reveals God speaking of Himself in the plural (Genesis 1:26), Jesus commanding baptism in the triune name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19), and the apostles mentioning all three persons of the Trinity together (2 Corinthians 13:14). God has eternally existed as three distinct yet inseparable persons unified in one divine essence. Additional supporting verses include Isaiah 48:16, Matthew 3:16-17, John 14:16-17, Acts 5:3-4, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Galatians 4:4-6, Ephesians 2:18, 4:4-6, 1 Peter 1:2, and Jude 1:20-21.

3. God sovereignly decrees all that comes to pass for His glory and the good of His people.

The Bible teaches that God sovereignly decrees all things that come to pass, directing all things for His glory and the good of His people. Scripture declares “Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him” (Psalm 115:3) and that He “works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will” (Ephesians 1:11). Through God’s wise and holy providence, He ordains whatsoever comes to pass, yet this does not violate human responsibility. We see this displayed in examples like Joseph’s brothers selling him into slavery which God decreed for eventual good (Genesis 50:20), and evil actions like Judas’ betrayal and Christ’s crucifixion which God predestined to bring salvation (Acts 2:23). Additional verses include Proverbs 16:9, 33, Isaiah 46:10, and Daniel 4:35.

4. God created man upright but he fell into sin and misery. All are guilty and corrupted in Adam.

The Bible teaches that God created man upright and in His image, but through Adam's disobedience, sin and misery entered the world affecting all humanity. Genesis 1 shows that God made man and woman in His image and it was "very good" (Gen 1:31). However, Genesis 3 records the temptation and fall which led to a curse on creation (Gen 3:14-19). Scripture declares that through one man, Adam, sin entered the world and death spread to all men (Rom 5:12). We are all now conceived in sin (Psalm 51:5), by nature children of wrath (Eph 2:3), dead in trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1). Through Adam, all became guilty and corrupted (Rom 5:18-19). Additional supporting verses include Genesis 6:5, 8:21, Job 14:4, Jeremiah 17:9, John 3:6, and 1 Corinthians 2:14.

5. God graciously saves sinners by faith alone in Christ alone, through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible clearly teaches that God graciously saves sinners from their lost condition solely by faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross, not by any human effort or merit. Scripture declares that “by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works” (Ephesians 2:8-9). God grants the gift of faith and regenerates dead sinners that they may believe in Christ (John 3:3-8, Acts 16:14, Phil 1:29). Good works have no part in justification but are rather the evidence and fruit of authentic faith in Christ (James 2:14-26). Additional verses include John 1:12-13, Acts 4:12, Romans 3:21-26, Galatians 2:16, 2 Timothy 1:9, and Titus 3:5-7.

6. The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. He lived a sinless life and died as a substitute for sinners.

The Bible affirms that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. Scripture declares that the Word was God and the Word became flesh (John 1:1, 14). Jesus claimed equality with God (John 10:30) and embodied the divine attributes (Col. 2:9) yet was also born as a human baby (Luke 2:7) and experienced human weaknesses (Heb 2:17). Christ exercised divine prerogatives like forgiving sins (Mark 2:5-7) and accepting worship (Matt 14:33) while also displaying human limitations in knowledge (Mark 13:32) and needing to pray (Luke 6:12). Jesus was and is the God-Man, the mediator between God and humanity (1 Tim 2:5). Additional verses include Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:35, Philippians 2:5-8, and 1 John 4:2-3.

7. Sinners are justified by faith alone in Christ alone. Good works are the fruit of true faith.

The Bible clearly teaches that sinners are justified by faith alone in Christ alone, not by works. Scripture declares "a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law" (Rom 3:28) and "we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ" (Gal 2:16). Works have no part in justification (Eph 2:8-9, Titus 3:5). However, good works will necessarily follow as the evidence of genuine saving faith (James 2:14-26). The reformers restored the biblical teaching of salvation by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone, in contrast to the erroneous teaching of justification by works. Additional verses include Romans 4:1-8, 5:1, Galatians 3:1-14, Philippians 3:8-9.

8. The Holy Spirit indwells believers, sealing them for eternity. He empowers them to grow in grace.

The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit indwells all genuine believers, sealing them for eternity. Scripture declares that the Spirit dwells within every Christian as God's guarantee of their salvation (Eph 1:13-14, 2 Cor 1:22). Believers are sealed by the Spirit as belonging to God forever (Eph 4:30). The indwelling Spirit also empowers believers to grow in Christlike character and overcome sinful desires (Gal 5:16-25). As Christians walk in the Spirit, manifesting the fruit of the Spirit, they experience victory over the flesh (Rom 8:13, Gal 5:16). Additional verses demonstrating the Spirit's indwelling for holiness include Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, and 1 John 3:24.

9. The Church is the body of Christ. Baptism and the Lord's Supper are ordinances instituted by Christ.

The Bible teaches that the church is the body of Christ, comprised of all true believers united to Him and each other by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Scripture declares that Christ is the head and believers are members of His body (Eph 1:22-23, 5:23). Believers are baptized into this one body by the Spirit (1 Cor 12:13) and are to live out unity as members together (Rom 12:5). Jesus instituted two ordinances for the church: baptism and the Lord's Supper (Matt 28:19, 1 Cor 11:23-26). Baptism signifies spiritual regeneration and identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Rom 6:3-4). The Lord's Supper commemorates Christ's death on our behalf and our communal participation in Him by faith (1 Cor 10:16-17). Additional verses include Acts 2:41-42, 20:7, 1 Peter 2:9-10.

10. At death, believers immediately enter God's presence. The souls of unbelievers go to torment.

The Bible teaches that when believers die they immediately enter into God's presence in heaven, while unbelievers go to torment in Hades awaiting final judgment. Jesus promised the repentant thief, "today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). To be "away from the body" is to be "at home with the Lord" for Christians (2 Cor 5:8). But the rich man who died unsaved was in torment in Hades (Luke 16:22-23). All the dead stand before God for judgment, believers to receive eternal rewards and unbelievers to be condemned (Heb 9:27). Unbelievers will ultimately be thrown into the lake of fire at the final resurrection (Rev 20:11-15). Additional verses include Philippians 1:21-23, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10.

11. Christ will physically return to judge all men. Believers will dwell with Him eternally.

The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ will bodily and visibly return to earth again in power and glory to judge all people at the last day. Scripture declares, “This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11). The Son of Man will come on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory to judge all nations (Matt. 24:30-31, 25:31-32). Every knee will bow before Christ the judge, and believers will dwell with Him in the new creation (Phil. 2:10-11, 2 Pet. 3:13). Additional verses pointing to Christ's future return as judge include John 5:28-29, Acts 17:31, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, Hebrews 9:28, and Revelation 1:7.

12. The righteous will be resurrected to eternal life and the wicked to eternal punishment.

The Bible teaches there will be a future bodily resurrection for all people - believers unto eternal life and unbelievers unto eternal punishment. Jesus declared that there will be a resurrection of the just and unjust (John 5:28-29, Acts 24:15). Believers in Christ will be resurrected to immortality, imperishable and glorious (1 Cor 15:42-44, 49). Unbelievers will be resurrected to dishonor and condemnation (Dan 12:2, John 5:29). The saints will inherit the kingdom and eternal life, but the wicked will suffer wrath and fiery torment away from God's presence (Matt 25:46, Rom 2:5-9, Rev 20:11-15). The destiny of both the saved and the lost is conscious, bodily, and eternal. Additional verses include Luke 14:14, Phil 3:20-21, 2 Thess 1:5-10.

13. God's sovereign decrees do not violate human responsibility. His ways are often beyond our understanding.

The Bible teaches that God sovereignly decrees all things that come to pass, yet this does not eliminate or violate human responsibility and moral accountability. Scripture presents a compatibilist view - God ordains whatsoever comes to pass (Eph 1:11) yet humans remain morally responsible for their actions (1 Cor 10:13). Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery, yet Joseph later asserts God meant it for good (Gen 45:5, 50:20). The greatest sin was Judas betraying Jesus and the Romans crucifying Him, yet it was God's predestined plan (Acts 4:27-28). We cannot fully reconcile God’s sovereignty and human responsibility, yet both are repeatedly affirmed in Scripture. Additional verses include Isaiah 10:5-19, Jeremiah 10:23, Proverbs 16:33, 21:1, Romans 9:19-24, and Philippians 2:12-13.

14. True believers can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace but they may fall into sin.

The Bible teaches that genuine believers cannot lose their salvation and completely fall away from grace, yet they may temporarily backslide into serious sin. Scripture declares that nothing can separate believers from God’s love (Rom 8:38-39) and no one can snatch them from Jesus’ hand (John 10:28-29). God preserves the saints and guarantees their perseverance by the indwelling Spirit (Phil 1:6, 1 Pet 1:3-5). However, believers can fall into sin and spiritual decline for a time through disobedience (Rev 2:4-5). King David is an example of a righteous man falling into grievous sin yet being restored (Psalm 51). While they cannot lose their salvation, believers can bring great harm through sinning and lose temporal blessings until repenting. Additional verses include John 6:37-40, Rom 11:29, Heb 3:12-14.

15. Prayer and the reading of Scripture are spiritual disciplines commanded by God for the spiritual growth of believers.

The Bible commands believers to regularly practice spiritual disciplines like prayer and Scripture reading for their spiritual health and growth in Christlikeness. Jesus modeled a life of fervent prayer and dependence on God (Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12). The apostles devoted themselves to prayer (Acts 2:42, 6:4) and exhorted believers to pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17). Scripture reading allows believers to feed on God's Word (Matt 4:4), is profitable for teaching and training (2 Tim 3:16-17), and aids in cleansing and transformation (John 15:3, Ps 119:9). Additional verses depicting prayer and Scripture reading as essential spiritual disciplines include Deuteronomy 6:6-9, Psalm 1:2, Psalms 42:1-2, Jeremiah 15:16, Acts 17:11, and 1 Peter 2:2.