This page is about 'the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Liberated)'. Abbreviated as RCN(lib.).
Their Dutch name is: 'Gereformeerde Kerken in Nederland (vrijgemaakt)'.

It is a Reformed church federation in the Netherlands which is faithful to the Bible and consists of close to 300 congregations with as many ministers. The churches number more than 125,000 souls, of whom 77,000 are confessing members.

The RCN(lib.) maintains and seeks relations with faithful Reformed church federations in the Netherlands and elsewhere in the world.

To this end, they are members of the 'International Conference of Reformed Churches' (ICRC).

 
The RCN(lib.) sterns from the Great Reformation of the 16th century. John Calvin in particular has had great influence on the reformation of the church in the Netherlands.

Because of the decline of the church due to all sorts of liberal teachings, in the 19th century separation became necessary. The church of the Reformation had become a national church with the name "Nederlandse Hervormde Kerk." Those who separated took on the "Gereformeerde Kerken" (Reformed Churches). 

In the 20th century there was another split. In 1944 the general synod wanted to force the churches to accept certain doctrinal statements about the covenant of grace and the baptism of infants. These doctrinal statements were not in agreement with the Word of God and certain ministers and elders resisted them. When, as a result of this resistance, they were deposed, they liberated themselves from the church federation which was being led by this hierarchical synod. They were called the liberated churches in contrast to the churches which followed the synod.

For a number of years now, the synodical Reformed churches are involved in a process of unification with the "Nederlandse Hervormde Kerk"; this process is called "Together on the way." In both churches, liberal doctrine is officially permitted.

The RCN(lib.) conducts talks with two Reformed church federations, which are faithful to the Bible and oppose liberal doctrine, in order to come to more unity.
These churches are the "Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken" and to a lesser degree the "Nederlands Gereformeerde Kerken." Both churches have the same roots and the same confessions.

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