The Evangelical Free Church Of America Essay

The Evangelical Free Church Of America Essay, Research Paper The Evangelical Free Church of America is a protestant church that dates back to the 17th century. Its liberal beliefs, international missions and personal relationships among congregations make this church one of the most community affiliated and yet closely knit churches in America. The Evangelical Free Church of America is an association of some 1250 churches united by a mutual commitment to serve our Lord Jesus Christ. They are committed to cooperate with one another in ministry and fellowship as they seek to fulfill the word of God. The growing ministry of the EFCA currently extends to some 40 nations of the world, now encompassing nearly 1400 additional congregations. The Evangelical Free Church of America was

formed in 1950 by the merger of two church bodies: the Swedish Evangelical Free Church and the Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Free Church Association. Both of these groups were birthed in the revival movements of the late 19th century. John Gustaff Princell was the first man to introduce this religion to the United States in 1893. Th Evangelical Free Church of America has twelve specific beliefs that govern and are applied to everyday life. They are: 1. The Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of men and the Divine and final authority for Christian faith and life. 2. In one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three

persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 3. That Jesus Christ is true God and true man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross, a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He is now our High Priest and Advocate. 4. That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and, during this age, to convict men, regenerate the believing sinner, and indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service. 5. That man was created in the image of God but fell into sin and is, therefore, lost, and only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be

obtained. 6. That the shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe, and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit and, thus become children of God. 7. That water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordinances to be observed by the Church during the present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as means of salvation. 8. That the true Church is composed of all such persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the Body of Christ of which He is the Head. 9. That only those who are, thus, members of the true Church shall be eligible for membership in the local church. 10. That Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head

of the Church and that every local church has the right, under Christ, to decide and govern its own affairs. 11. In the personal premillennial and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and that this “Blessed Hope” has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer. 12. In the bodily resurrection of the dead; of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord; of the unbeliever to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment. The Evangelical Free Church has no specific creed but each member have faith that all believers are destined for heaven. Evangelists do not believe in purgatory but do believe that any non-believers will be sentenced to judgement and everlasting punishment. One thing that interested me was that the Evangelists do not