About Christ Centered Reformed Ministries
Our Story
Founded in 2003 as Covenant Community Reformed Ministries, our organization has remained steadfast in its mission to provide biblical resources to Christians worldwide. Under the leadership of Pastor Justin Hoke, we've navigated seasons of transition—including a brief hiatus in 2014 and a period as "Gospel Centered Preaching" in 2022. Today, we've returned to our roots as Christ Centered Reformed Ministries, embracing our original identity with renewed purpose and vision.
Our Mission
We exist to equip believers for effective ministry and spiritual growth. Drawing inspiration from Ephesians 4:12, we strive to build up the body of Christ by offering resources that deepen faith, expand biblical understanding, and encourage practical application of Scripture. Whether you're new to the faith or a seasoned theologian, our resources are designed to meet you where you are and guide you forward.
What We Offer
In-Depth Bible Study Resources: Tools and guides to help you navigate Scripture with confidence and discover its relevance for today
Thought-Provoking Articles: Accessible yet scholarly content on theology, church history, biblical interpretation, and contemporary Christian living
Curated Publications: Carefully selected books and materials that represent sound doctrine and pastoral wisdom
Connect With Us
Christ Centered Reformed Ministries is more than a resource hub—we're a community of believers united by our love for Christ and commitment to biblical truth. We invite you to:
Explore our growing library of resources
Subscribe to receive updates on new content
Join our online discussions and events
Share our materials with your church, small group, or study circle
Together, we can deepen our knowledge of God's Word and strengthen our witness in an ever-changing world.
"Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." — Ephesians 4:13
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 (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 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, 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. This compatibilist view is shown 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 fall which brought a curse upon 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.
See also Article 7 on justification, which further expands on this vital doctrine.
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 weakness (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 (Mark 13:32) and praying (Luke 6:12). Jesus is the God-Man, the only 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 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). Good works contribute nothing to justification (Eph 2:8–9, Titus 3:5). However, good works necessarily follow as the evidence of genuine saving faith (James 2:14–26). The Reformers rightly recovered this biblical doctrine, rejecting justification by works as contrary to the gospel. Additional verses include Romans 4:1–8, 5:1, Galatians 3:1–14, and 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 is God's guarantee of salvation (Eph 1:13–14; 2 Cor 1:22), sealing believers as His own (Eph 4:30). The indwelling Spirit empowers believers to grow in holiness, produce spiritual fruit, and mortify sin (Gal 5:16–25, Rom 8:13). Through His sanctifying work, believers are conformed to the image of Christ. Additional verses 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 Church is the body of Christ, comprised of all true believers united to Him by the Spirit. Christ is the head; believers are members of His body (Eph 1:22–23, 5:23). All are baptized by the Spirit into one body (1 Cor 12:13), called to live in unity (Rom 12:5). Jesus instituted two ordinances for His Church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Matt 28:19, 1 Cor 11:23–26). Baptism signifies entrance into the visible Church and identification with Christ’s death and resurrection (Rom 6:3–4). The Lord’s Supper commemorates Christ’s death and our communion with Him and with one another by faith (1 Cor 10:16–17). Additional verses include Acts 2:41–42, 20:7, and 1 Peter 2:9–10.
10. At death, believers immediately enter God's presence. The souls of unbelievers go to torment.
Believers, upon death, immediately enter God’s presence in heaven, while the souls of the unredeemed go to torment. Jesus told the repentant thief, “Today you will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). To be “absent from the body” is to be “present with the Lord” (2 Cor 5:8). In contrast, the rich man in Luke 16 is depicted in conscious torment (Luke 16:22–23). All await the resurrection and final judgment (Heb 9:27; Rev 20:11–15). Additional verses include Philippians 1:21–23, 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, and 2 Thessalonians 1:5–10.
11. Christ will physically return to judge all men. Believers will dwell with Him eternally.
Jesus Christ will bodily and visibly return to judge the living and the dead. He will return in the same manner He ascended (Acts 1:11) and will come with power and glory (Matt 24:30–31). Christ will judge all nations (Matt 25:31–32; John 5:28–29). Believers will dwell with Him in the new heavens and new earth (2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1–4). Additional verses include Phil 2:10–11, Acts 17:31, 1 Thess 4:16–17, Heb 9:28, and Rev 1:7.
12. The righteous will be resurrected to eternal life and the wicked to eternal punishment.
The Bible teaches a bodily resurrection for all: the righteous unto life, the wicked unto judgment. Jesus declared a resurrection “of life” and “of judgment” (John 5:28–29). Believers will be raised incorruptible (1 Cor 15:42–44), to glory and immortality (Phil 3:20–21). The wicked will be raised to eternal punishment (Dan 12:2, Matt 25:46, Rev 20:11–15). The destiny of every soul is conscious, bodily, and everlasting. Additional verses include Luke 14:14, Acts 24:15, Rom 2:5–9, and 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 a compatibilist view of divine sovereignty and human responsibility: God ordains all things (Eph 1:11), yet man is fully accountable for his actions (1 Cor 10:13). Joseph’s brothers sinned, yet God intended it for good (Gen 45:5; 50:20). Judas’s betrayal and the crucifixion of Christ were predestined, yet morally culpable (Acts 4:27–28). We cannot fully grasp the harmony of these truths, but Scripture affirms both. 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, though they may fall into sin.
Genuine believers cannot lose their salvation, though they may fall into grievous sin and spiritual decline. Scripture assures that nothing can separate believers from God’s love (Rom 8:38–39) and that none can snatch them from Christ’s hand (John 10:28–29). God preserves His people and guarantees their perseverance (Phil 1:6, 1 Pet 1:3–5). Yet disobedience may lead to loss of joy, assurance, and temporal blessings until repentance. David’s fall and restoration (Psalm 51) is a sobering example. Additional verses include John 6:37–40, Rom 11:29, Rev 2:4–5, and Heb 3:12–14.
15. Prayer and the reading of Scripture are spiritual disciplines commanded by God for the spiritual growth of believers.
Prayer and Scripture reading are essential means of grace by which believers commune with God and grow in Christlikeness. Jesus modeled a life of prayer (Mark 1:35, Luke 6:12), and the apostles urged believers to pray constantly (Acts 2:42, 1 Thess 5:17). Scripture is vital nourishment for the soul (Matt 4:4, Ps 1:2), profitable for all godliness (2 Tim 3:16–17), and the means of sanctification (John 17:17). Additional verses include Deut 6:6–9, Psalm 42:1–2, Jeremiah 15:16, Acts 17:11, and 1 Peter 2:2.