The Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) is an American church body holding to presbyterian governance and Reformed theology, expressed in an orthodox, conservative vein. The motto of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church is Augustine's saying "In Essentials, Unity. In Non-Essentials, Liberty. In All Things, Charity." The Office of the General Assembly is located in Livonia, Michigan, near Detroit. As of 2005, there are approximately 175 churches in 29 states, representing about 70,000 members. Presbyterianism is part of the Reformed churches family of denominations of Christian Protestantism based on the teachings of John Calvin which traces its institutional roots to the Scottish Reformation, especially as led by John Knox. ... The Reformed churches are a group of Protestant denominations historically related by a similar Zwinglian or Calvinist system of doctrine but organizationally independent. ... St. ... Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of Assemblies of presbyters, or elders. ... Livonia is a city located in the northwest part of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Nickname: Motto: Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus (Latin for, We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes) Location in Wayne County, Michigan Coordinates: Country United States State Michigan County Wayne County Settled 1701 Incorporation 1806 Government  - Type Strong Mayor-Council  - Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Area  - City  143. ...

History

The EPC began as a result of prayer meetings in 1980 and 1981 by pastors and elders increasingly alienated by liberalism in the "northern" branch of Presbyterianism (the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., which merged with the Southern and border-state Presbyterian Church in the U.S. in 1983 to form the present Presbyterian Church USA). Perhaps the main catalyst of their separation was the decision of a Maryland presbytery to permit a minister of the United Church of Christ who did not forthrightly affirm Trinitarian views of the Christian faith to become pastor of one of its churches. Also, issues regarding social action and sexuality over the previous 20 years prompted these conservatives, increasingly despairing of gaining significant influence in the UPCUSA (or PCUS), to look for alternative expressions of their traditional faith. Mary Magdalene in prayer. ... Liberalism is an ideology, philosophical view, and political tradition which holds that liberty is the primary political value. ... The United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (UPCUSA or UPUSA) was the northern branch of Presbyterianism in the United States. ... The Presbyterian Church in the United States was the Southern branch of Presbyterianism in America. ... This article needs cleanup. ... Official language(s) None (English, de facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Area  Ranked 42nd  - Total 12,407 sq mi (32,133 km²)  - Width 90 miles (145 km)  - Length 249 miles (400 km)  - % water 21  - Latitude 37°53N to 39°43N  - Longitude 75°4W to 79°33... Disambiguation: This article is about the United States denomination known as United Church of Christ. ...

The first general assembly of the church met in late 1981, drafting a list of essential beliefs.

Doctrine

The EPC declares all Scripture to be "self-attesting and Truth, requiring our unreserved submission in all areas of life. The infallible Word of God, the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is a complete and unified witness to God's redemptive acts culminating in the incarnation of the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible, uniquely and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, is the supreme and final authority on all matters on which it speaks". From this premise, the EPC derives the following "Essentials of faith": In Christian religions that trace their roots to belief in the Nicene Creed, the Holy Spirit (Hebrew: Ruah haqodesh; Greek: ; Latin: ; also called the Holy Ghost) is the third consubstantial Person of the Holy Trinity or the Godhead. ...

1. "We believe in one God, the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To Him be all honor, glory and praise forever!"

2. "Jesus Christ, the living Word, become flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and His virgin birth. He who is true God became true man united in one Person forever. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. On the third day He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He now is our High Priest and Mediator." This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... Christ is the English of the Greek word (Christós), which literally means The Anointed One. ...

3. "The Holy Spirit has come to glorify Christ and to apply the saving work of Christ to our hearts. He convicts us of sin and draws us to the Savior. Indwelling our hearts, He gives new life to us, empowers and imparts gifts to us for service. He instructs and guides us into all truth, and seals us for the day of redemption."

4. "Being estranged from God and condemned by our sinfulness, our salvation is wholly dependent upon the work of God's free grace. God credits His righteousness to those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation, thereby justifies them in His sight. Only such as are born of the Holy Spirit and receive Jesus Christ become children of God and heirs of eternal life."

5. "The true Church is composed of all persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit are united together in the body of Christ. The Church finds her visible, yet imperfect, expression in local congregations where the Word of God is preached in its purity and the sacraments are administered in their integrity; where scriptural discipline is practiced, and where loving fellowship is maintained. For her perfecting, she awaits the return of her Lord."

6. "Jesus Christ will come again to the earth—personally, visibly, and bodily—to judge the living and the dead, and to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. 'Even so, come, Lord Jesus.' (Rev. 22:20)"

7. "The Lord Jesus Christ commands all believers to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world and to make disciples of all nations. Obedience to the Great Commission requires total commitment to 'Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.' He calls us to a life of self-denying love and service. 'For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.' (Eph. 2:10)"

As its name and the doctrinal points above strongly intimate, the EPC is a thoroughly conservative evangelical denomination, associating mainly with Reformed bodies holding similar or identical beliefs regarding Christology, ecclesiology, and ethical/moral stances. As with practically all orthodox Presbyterian bodies, the EPC holds strictly to Biblical interpretation governed by the Westminster Confession of Faith, steadfastly refusing to supplement Westminster with other confessions, as, for instance, the PCUSA has. The word evangelicalism usually refers to a broad collection of religious beliefs, practices, and traditions which are found among conservative Protestant Christians. ... The Reformed churches are a group of Protestant denominations historically related by a similar Zwinglian or Calvinist system of doctrine but organizationally independent. ... The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith, in the Calvinist theological tradition. ...

The EPC is distinct from the PCUSA because of its conservatism on matters such as theology and personal behavior. However, it is distinguished from more conservative bodies such as the Presbyterian Church in America and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church because it allows more latitude with respect to Calvinism, allows the ordination of women to the offices of elder and deacon, and is more tolerant of the charismatic movement than these older bodies. Its motto is "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity." The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) is a Protestant denomination, the second largest Presbyterian church body in the United States after the Presbyterian Church (USA). ... Along with Westminster Theological Seminary, the Orthodox Presbyterian Church (OPC) was founded by conservative Presbyterians who revolted against the modernist theology within the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (PCUSA) during the 1930s. ... Calvinism is a theological system and an approach to the Christian life that emphasizes Gods sovereignty in all things. ... The charismatic movement began with the adoption of certain beliefs typical of those held by Pentecostal Christians —specifically what are known as the biblical charisms of Christianity: speaking in tongues, prophesying, etc. ...

External links

• Evangelical Presbyterian Church Website
• Book of Order for the EPC