The Free Reformed Churches of North America (FRCNA) is a theologically conservative federation of churches in the Dutch Calvinist tradition with congregations in the United States and Canada. It officially adopted its current name in 1974.[3]
The Free Reformed Churches see the church as a community of people who believe in Jesus Christ.[4] They believe that the church is a divine institution, for three reasons:[4]
It is the temple of the Holy Spirit and is guided by His teaching.[7]
Its members believe the true Church is recognized by the "pure preaching of God's Word."[8] This preaching is the proclamation of the whole Word of God (the Bible), the attributes of God the Creator, the sin which humanity has fallen into, the redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit in both bringing sinners to salvation and sanctifying them in this life.
The Free Reformed Churches hold to both adult and infant baptism, believing that the Bible teaches that children born of believing parents are set apart by God and therefore members of His covenant of grace.[9] However, being in the covenant still carries with it the necessity for every person to be born again, which is a promise given that needs to be prayed for, and asked fulfillment of, from God.[10]
The FRCNA fully subscribe to the Three Forms of Unity, believing that while these three historic Reformed creeds are not inspired by God, they do agree with, and are a faithful summary of the Word of God in all respects:
^ ab"2012 Yearbook of the Free Reformed Churches of North America."
^"Congregations". Free Reformed Churches of North America. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
^For a short history of the formation of this federation of churches, dating back to 1834 in the Netherlands, see:Our HistoryArchived 2018-09-29 at the Wayback Machine (accessed: Dec. 12, 2013).
^ abIntroducing the Free Reformed Churches of North America, (St. Thomas, ON: Free Reformed Publications, 1996), p. 5.
^Although Presbyterianism itself originated in Scotland, those denominations stand out as having a more proeminent scottish heritage and/or connection with scottish presbyterian denominations.
^Those denominations allow member churches to be more diverse as regards the reformed tradition that they adhere to.
