 370,000 members across 1,500 churches  Formed in 1950 as an association of churches  Branched off from in the US in the 17th century – Scandinavian roots (Sweden, Norway, and Denmark)  Fleeing the state church; hence the name “Free”

 Faith in Christ Fellowship, Oak Grove, with thanks to Pastor John Jones  18 in Kansas City and the surrounding communities  Grace Evangelical Free Church – w/thanks to Pastor Paul Langmade

by grace  Focus on the life of Christ through faith in and becoming like Him Christ  Following and Obedience  “To Know Him and Make Him Known” – Grace’s mission statement  “Sharing the Hope of Eternal Life while building Christ-Centered Lives” – Faith’s mission statement

 Scripture (OT and NT)  Scripture (OT and NT)  Hold to Sola Scriptura

 “Sound Christian doctrine must be coupled with dynamic Christian

experience.” – EFCA brochure

 Biblical Trinity  Biblical Trinity

 Incarnation  Incarnation  Both God and man  Both God and man

 Redemption  Redemption  Reconciliation  Reconciliation  Vicarious  Vicarious Satisfaction/Atonement Satisfaction/Atonement  Savior  Savior

 Fallen sinners in need of  Fallen sinners in need of redemption, of salvation redemption, of salvation  Original sin  Original sin  Bondage of the Will  Bondage of the Will  Total depravity  Total depravity

 Ephesians 2:8-9  Some decision theology  Grace Alone  Altar calls – not all churches  Faith Alone  A “ experience”  “We are justified by ‘God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone.’ But this faith is an active, living faith. Saving faith is the root while living faith is the flower.” – EFCA membership manual

 A means of grace  Ordinances  Commanded by Christ  Symbols  With a visible element  Baptism  Baptism  Lord’s Supper  Lord’s Supper  No term for it, but they  Absolution hold immediate grace

 Points you to the means of  1 John 5:11-13 grace:  Examine the heart to see if  Baptism they’re in the faith  Lord’s Supper  “Who do you say that I  Absolution am?”  Not based on you or your  What has Jesus done for works, but on God and you? what He has done for you.

 Church as the Body of Christ  Church as the Body of Christ  Visible and invisible church  Mixture of Congregational  Marks of the Church – and Presbyter polity – Preaching and the governed by congregation, sacraments led by elders  One divinely instituted  Also have deacons office – the Preaching Office or the Office of the Keys  Auxiliary offices are rooted in the Office

 Life after Death  Life after Death  Bodily Resurrection  Bodily Resurrection  Amillennial  Premillennial  Some amillennial

 Role of Women in the  Role of Women in the Church Church  Age of the earth  Age of the earth  Abortion  Abortion  In Vitro Fertilization  In Vitro Fertilization  Cohabitation  Cohabitation  Same-sex Marriage  Same-sex Marriage