2025 Bolton Conference

The New England Reformed Fellowship (NERF) began the annual Bolton Conference in 1985 to stimulate spiritual growth among God's people and to deepen vital understanding of historic Christian doctrine through the exposition of the Word of God. Every year on the last weekend of October, this conference has hosted two notable reformed men who have spoken in six sessions on matters of biblical and theological interest and importance to those who hold convictions of historic, confessional, reformed theology.

This year Christians around the world commemorate the Council of Nicaea (325 AD), which gathered 1700 years ago in response to the challenge of Arianism. The faith we confess has been shaped by the currents and controversies that led our forefathers to the all-sufficient truth of Scripture. The Nicene Creed is one of many milestones along the enduring path of the faithful who labor to discern and defend "the faith once for all delivered" in their time. Such glorious labor remains as a perennial call for the church at all times. At this 1700th anniversary, how may our confession be nourished? What lessons can be learned and applied? What truth may be better cherished?

We will consider the context and history surrounding the Council of Nicaea, along with its grasp of the biblical revelation of the Trinity, in order to grow our understanding and delight in the wondrous majesty of our thrice holy God. It is the hymn of Reginald Heber (commonly paired with the tune "Nicaea") that so ably captures this sentiment: "Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! All Thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth, and sky, and sea! Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! God in three Persons, blessed Trinity."