Archive for April, 2011
Presbyterian Evangelical Churches
Presbyterian evangelical churches believe in reformed orthodoxy, such as the essentials of the Christian faith, including the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit in redeeming lives through the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross, and trusting in His free gift of grace for salvation from sin. They are headquartered in Livonia, Michigan, which is close to Detroit.
The Evangelical Presbyterian Church, OR EPC, broke off from the United Presbyterian Church of the USA, or PCUSA, in the early eighties because of differences in beliefs and a perceived liberalism abounding in that denomination. One of the breaking points was when a pastor was elected to a Maryland church who did not fully affirm that Jesus was the Son of God. One of the first things that the EPC did was to draft a list of beliefs centered around the theological core of the Gospel, in order to promote unity within their ranks. Other highlights of the history of this denomination are the fact of its being bound to the Westminster Confession of Faith, without adding to it like the United Presbyterian Church of the USA has. Furthermore, it follows along the main stream of Reformed church denominations such as the Presbyterian Church in America, and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.
Where it differs primarily from these other church denominations is when it comes to things it considers nonessential, such as beliefs pertaining to the charismatic movement and the ordaining of women in the church. It leaves the ordaining of women to each individual governing church. Their motto is, “In Essentials, Unity; In Non-Essentials, Liberty; In All Things, Charity. Truth in Love.” They also adhere to the Five Points of Calvinism, which is essential to the Reformed understanding of scripture. This denomination has also been thought of or referred to as the “New School” Presbyterianism, whereas the Orthodox Presbyterian Churches and the Presbyterian Churches in America would be thought of as the “Old School” form of Presbyterianism.
Tags: church evangelism, internet evangelismRelated posts
Christian Evangelism And The “Parable Of The Talents,” You Could Have At Least Earned Interest
According to the late Bill Bright of Campus Crusade, only two percent of Christians regularly share their faith with others. In Matthew and Luke, Jesus recounts two versions of the parable of the talents. Most people think of these parables in terms of money stewardship or ability stewardship. However, the same principles equally apply to evangelism.
While different in many aspects, three points remain consistent:
- These parables are instructions to Christians. The nobleman represents Jesus. Both versions refer to the servants of the nobleman using the Greek word, “doulos.” A “doulos” is not merely a servant but a person “wholly-involved in a subservient relationship.” Therefore, these parables are specifically aimed towards people in relationship with the noble man. The Luke version specifically refers to the citizens as a distinctly separate group from the servants.
- In both parables, the Nobleman entrusts the servants with His treasure and, then goes away for a time with a promise to return. At His return, He asks the servants for an account of the treasury.
- Whether the servants received the same number of talents or differing talents was not critical to the parable. The amount of profit was unimportant. The Nobleman’s response was, “Well done, good and faithful servant, ” whether the increase was two times or ten times. (Mat 25:21 CEV) The point of the parable was solely “increase.” Both parables contain the same woeful admonition to the servant who did not increase.
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Why Do We Do Evangelism? Why Do We Carry Out Mission?
It is because we have a God who loves and wants all human beings to love him. It is also because we have a God who communicates. He speaks to us through Jesus, through the Bible, through creation, through conscience and in other ways.
These are the opening words of a sermon preached by Tony Higton and recently published on the Church in the Woottons website. These are not just rhetorical questions; they are questions that not only demand an answer, but should be answered in the fullest possible language available.
As Christians we are called upon to communicate the word of God, He is after all a God who communicates with us. As I have spent more time recently working closely with developing online missionary outreach projects, I am finding it increasingly frustrating how little there is available online for those people out there who are actively searching for information on faith, spirituality, Jesus, the Bible and what it means to be a Christian. But what about those that aren’t searching, that perhaps need our help to find their way to God?
Tags: church evangelism, internet evangelism