Fall 2023             The Statement of Faith of the Evangelical Free Church of America

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Introduction

A statement of faith clarifies the shared core beliefs of a denomination or church. The notion of producing a statement of faith is derived from the Bible itself. Throughout Scripture we find brief summaries of essential doctrine. See, for example, Deut. 6:4–9 (“Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one…”) and 1 Cor. 15:3–5 (“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins…”). Over the course of church history, statements of faith often have been written in response to false teaching or schism. By means of a statement of faith, a denomination or church distinguishes itself from worldly ideas, or even from other Christian traditions that differ on secondary matters. 

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The statement of faith of the EFCA draws upon historical creeds of the church, especially with respect to the doctrine of the Trinity, the person of Christ, and justification by faith. It places significant emphasis on the gospel. Doctrines are included especially if they touch on matters that are essential to salvation from sin and judgment. Finally, this statement of faith reflects a commitment to Christian unity. It remains silent on secondary issues that have traditionally divided faithful Christians (baptism, eschatology, etc.). Like all creeds, the EFCA statement of faith is subordinate to Scripture itself. Nonetheless, as the Trinity Fellowship handbook expresses it, "we believe wholeheartedly these facts which are life to us."

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Schedule

Sept 3:         God: His Nature                                                             (Nathaniel Jackson)

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Sept 10:       God: His Purposes                                                         (Stefan Matzal)

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Sept 17:       The Bible: Its Inspiration and Inerrancy                        (Nathaniel Jackson)

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Sept 24:      The Bible: Its Sufficiency and Authority                       (Stefan Matzal)

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Oct 1:           The Human Condition: Human Dignity                        (Jay Koshy, International Assembly)

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Oct 8:          The Human Condition: Human Depravity                    (Nathaniel Jackson)

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Oct 15:         Jesus Christ: His Identity and Life                                (Stefan Matzal)

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Oct 22:        The Holy Spirit: His Identity and Work                         (Nathaniel Jackson)

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Oct 29:        Reformation Sunday: The Work of Christ                    (Paul Epp, Ithaca First Chinese Christian Church)

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Nov 5:         The Church: Its Nature                                                   (Nathaniel Jackson)

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Nov 12:        The Church: Its Ordinances                                           (Stefan Matzal)

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Nov 19:        Christian Living: The Great Commandment                 (Nathaniel Jackson)

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Nov 26:       Christian Living: The Spiritual Battle                             (Stefan Matzal)

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Dec 3:         Christ’s Return: Its Nature and Effect                            (Nathaniel Jackson)

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Dec 19:        Response and Eternal Destiny forever”                       (Stefan Matzal)

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--The Eldership: August 2023