The Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches is an evangelical Christian denomination with an Anabaptist Mennonite heritage. Evangelical has several distinct meanings: In its original sense, it means belonging or related to the Gospel (Greek: euangelion - good news) of the New Testament. ... In its simplist form, a Christian is a follower of and a believer in Jesus of Nazareth. ... Anabaptists (Greek ana+baptizo re-baptizers, German: Wiedertäufer) are Christians of the so-called radical wing of the Protestant Reformation. ... The Mennonites are a group of Christian Anabaptist denominations based on the teachings and tradition of Menno Simons. ...

Background

The Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches began in 1889 as the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Conference. This body originated among General Conference Mennonite immigrants that came to Canada and the United States from Russia around 1874. They withdrew from the General Conference to place greater evangelical emphasis on such doctrines as repentance and conversion. A new confession of faith was published in 1907. 1889 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1874 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1907 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

The Evangelical Mennonite Brethren and the Evangelical Mennonite Church began talks of merger in 1953, but the effort ended without success in 1962. In this period, the Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Conference was also strengthening ties with the Evangelische Mennonitische Bruderschaft von Südamerika (Evangelical Mennonite Brethren of South America). These South American brethren shared similar background, language, doctrine, and practice. Affiliation was accomplished in 1958, with the South American group being made a district of the general conference, but with self-government. Until 1983, the conference officially held the Mennonite position of non-resistance and not bearing arms in war. Since that year, the constitution, while maintaining the official position, has also recognized the individual's right to their own conscience concerning these matters. The Evangelical Mennonite Church is an evangelical body of Christians with a Mennonite heritage. ... 1953 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1962 was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... 1958 was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1983 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The concept of Non-resistance is based on a reading of the first half of Matthew 5:39, part of the Sermon on the Mount, which says, But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. ...

The Evangelical Mennonite Brethren Conference changed its name to the Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches (FEBC) on July 16, 1987. At that time the conference consisted of 36 congregations with a membership over 4500 (of which about 500 were in South America). July 16 is the 197th day (198th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 168 days remaining. ... 1987 is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Status

The Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches holds an orthodox Trinitarian theology, the infallible inspiration of the Scriptures, and is dispensational premillennial in eschatology. The body recognizes two ordinances – baptism and the Lord's supper. They practice water baptism of believers by immersion, but will recognize as valid other modes when administered by others, and observe open communion with bread and fruit of the vine. The Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches exists to increase fellowship between member congregations, promote evangelism & missions, and represent the congregations through membership in boards and organizations outside the FEBC. Trinitarianism is the Christian doctrine that God, although one being, exists in three distinct persons (hypostases) known collectively as the Holy Trinity. ... Biblical inerrancy is the view that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is in every detail infallible and without error. ... Rembrandts The Evangelist Matthew Inspired by an Angel. ... Baptism is a water purification ritual practiced in certain religions such as Christianity, Mandaeanism, Sikhism, and some historic sects of Judaism. ... The Lords Supper is a variation of the name and the service of The Last Supper or Eucharist. ...

In 2003 the FEBC in North America had 3620 members (Canada - 2170; USA - 1450) in 36 congregations (Canada - 20; USA - 16)¹, as well as 5 churches in Argentina and Paraguay. The Fellowship Focus is a bi-monthly magazine published by the FEBC. The conference headquarters are located in Omaha, Nebraska, having been moved there from Mountain Lake, Minnesota in 1956. They hold membership in the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (org. 1964), the National Association of Evangelicals (USA, org. 1942) and the Mennonite World Conference. 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Location in Nebraska Founded  -Incorporated 1854 1857  County Douglas County Mayor Michael Fahey Area  - Total  - Water 1290. ... Mountain Lake is a city located in Cottonwood County, Minnesota. ... 1956 was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Mennonite World Conference (MWC) is a body that attempts to bring fellowship and communication to diverse Anabaptist bodies across the world. ...

External links

• FEBC official Web Site
• MWC North American members
• Adherents.com

References

• Encyclopedia of American Religions, J. Gordon Melton, editor
• Handbook of Denominations in the United States, by Frank S. Mead, Samuel S. Hill, and Craig D. Atwood
• Leaving Anabaptism: From Evangelical Mennonite Brethren to Fellowship of Evangelical Bible Churches, by Calvin Wall Redekop
• Mennonite Encyclopedia, Cornelius J. Dyck, Dennis D. Martin, et al., editors

Footnote

• 1. source: Mennonite World Conference website – 2003 North America Mennonite and Brethren in Christ Churches