Evangel Presbytery is a Presbyterian denomination, formed in 2019, by four churches. Two independent churches, one church formerly from the Presbyterian Church in America, and one reformed baptist church formed the presbytery to protect the individual freedom of the churches regarding the doctrine of baptism, thus allowing the adhesion of churches paedobaptists and credobaptists.[2][3][4]
History
In 2019, a group of churches formed Evangel Presbytery under the leadership of Pastor Tim Bayly.[5][6][7] The main cause of the formation of the denomination was the defense of the individual freedom of its churches regarding the doctrine of baptism. Therefore, both paedobaptist and credobaptist churches formed the Presbytery.[2]
After its formation, the denomination continued to grow and plant new churches. In 2022 it was formed by 10 churches and congregations.[1]
Doctrine
The denomination subscribes to the Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, Athanasian Creed, Chalcedonian Creed, Westminster Confession of Faith, Westminster Larger Catechism and Westminster Shorter Catechism.[8] Individual churches may hold to credobaptism or paedobaptism but must allow freedom of belief of members. The presbytery as a whole does not divide over timing or mode of baptism.[9]
References
- ^ a b "Churches Federated to the Evangelical Presbytery". Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ a b Bayly, Tim (February 1, 2019). "Evangelical Presbytery: A New Association of Churches". The Aquila Report. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "Clearnote Church, Bloomington Votes to Join Evangelical Presbytery". Recovering The Reformed Confession. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ James Brown Jr. "Open letter to our credobaptist and paedobaptist brothers" (PDF). Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "History of the Trinity Presbyterian Church". Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "History of the Reformed Church Trindade". Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "History of the Reformed Church of the Holy Trinity". Archived from the original on January 21, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
- ^ "Preface to the Book of Church Order". Evangel Presbytery. February 1, 2022.
- ^ "Provisions Concerning Baptism". Evangel Presbytery. February 1, 2022.
