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Free Presbyterian Church of North America

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Not to be confused with Free Presbyterian Church Synod of the United States.

The Free Presbyterian Church of North America (FPCNA) is a Presbyterian denomination in the United States and Canada with mission works in Liberia, Jamaica, and Kenya. Originally consisting of North American congregations under the auspices of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, the North American group became a separate denomination in May 2005.

Free Presbyterian Church of North America
ClassificationChristian
OrientationProtestant Reformed
PolityPresbyterian
RegionNorth America
Origin17 May 2005
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Congregations24
Tertiary institutionsGeneva Reformed Seminary
Official websitewww.fpcna.org

Origin

Main article: Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster

The churches now comprising the FPCNA were previously part of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, which itself was formed in 1951 in Northern Ireland by the cleric and politician Ian Paisley, who remained the FPCU's moderator until 2008. The North American churches organized as the FPCNA and first elected their own moderator in 2005. In 2009 the denomination consisted of 24 churches in the United States and Canada.[1]

Beliefs

  • Fundamental in Doctrine, believing in the divine authority and verbal inspiration of the Bible, and the great fundamental doctrines of grace it contains. The Scriptures alone are the supreme authority in matters of faith and practice. The Free Presbyterian Church uses only the Authorized Version (KJV) of the Bible.
  • Evangelical in Outreach, in obedience to the great commission of Christ to "go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel". A virile program of Gospel preaching, missionary endeavour and radio ministry is actively pursued with the great objective of leading people of every class, colour and creed to an experiential knowledge of Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
  • Sanctified in Behaviour, encouraging its members to lead godly lives in obedience to God’s Word, that will be testimonies of holiness and righteousness, in a world increasingly plagued by lowering moral values.
  • Presbyterian in Government, being ruled by elders and deacons chosen from the people, by the people, to serve the people. The Free Presbyterian Church stands for a born-again membership and the ministers, elders and deacons are men genuinely born-again by the Spirit of God, and dedicated to the extension of the Kingdom of Christ.
  • Protestant in Conviction, gladly taking its stand alongside the great Christian leaders of the Protestant Reformation. The twin pillars of Protestantism, namely a positive witness for Christ, and a protest against error, are cherished and defended.
  • Separatist in Practice, believing and practicing the doctrine of Biblical separatism. In accordance with this, the Free Presbyterian Church has no association with the modern Ecumenical or Charismatic movements, nor will it fellowship with any church which has departed from the fundamental doctrines of the Word of God.[2]

Paedobaptism

The Free Presbyterian Church of North America accepts both paedobaptist and credobaptist ministers, not practicing division or exclusion over "the proper mode and subjects of baptism."[3]

Let the Bible Speak

Let the Bible Speak is the radio ministry of the Free Presbyterian Church, which is heard on approximately 30 stations around the world. LTBS publishes The Quarterly, an informative and devotional magazine written by several Free Presbyterian ministers.

Geneva Reformed Seminary

Main article: Geneva Reformed Seminary

For many years the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster operated the Whitefield College of the Bible in Northern Ireland for the training of ministers. In 1982, an extension of this institution commenced in Greenville, South Carolina under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Alan Cairns, who assumed most of the instructional duties. This extension was established as a separate institution under the North American Presbytery and renamed Geneva Reformed Seminary.[4] Dr. Michael P. V. Barrett was appointed president of the institution in 2001. The seminary has been a fully accredited member of the Association of Reformed Theological Seminaries (ARTS) since 2005.[5]

References

  1. ^ FPCNA website.
  2. ^ Separated Unto the Gospel, a brief history of the Free Presbyterian Church
  3. ^ Christian Baptism at FPCNA.org
  4. ^ Free Presbyterian website.
  5. ^ ARTS website
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