What is an Evangelical?

What is a Local Evangelical Church?

A Church
A church is not a religious building! It is not a national or international religious organisation! It is not a social construct invented by people! A church is far more important and glorious than any of those things! The church is people! People from every tribe, language, ethnic heritage and nation on the earth. Ah, but which people? People who once were lost but now are saved by God’s grace alone, through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8), in the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:7). People who are saved are called the ‘body of Christ’, and Christ is the head (Colossians 1:18). This is the church.

A day is coming when all kingdoms, nations, parties and organisations on this earth will come to an end! The great day of judgement is coming for all people. Jesus is the judge (Acts 17:31). But God’s great purpose and plan, through all human history, and for all eternity, is that his people will reign with him in perfect happiness forever. “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17, Revelation 5:9-10).

An Evangelical Church

The word ‘Evangelical’ comes from the word ‘evangel’ meaning ‘good news’ – and that’s exactly what the Christian message in the Bible is all about.

Despite the fact that we are the crowning glory of the creation of God, created to live and bring glory and honour to the Lord Jesus Christ, we are instead hostile and disobedient toward the one by who and for whom we were created. The Bible calls this disobedience towards God ‘sin’ and it says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Every person is therefore under the just condemnation of God.

But God so loved lost sinners that he sent his Son into the world. The Bible says “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Jesus Christ died on the cross as a substitute in the place of sinners, bearing God’s punishment for their sin, redeeming them by his blood, he rose from the dead and is now exalted as Lord of all (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 2 Corinthians 5:21).

Our only hope is to believe in Jesus who was crucified and rose again. If you believe this to be true, repent (completely turn from) your sinful patterns of life, and place your faith completely in Jesus Christ. Forgiveness is a gift from God, not something we can earn ourselves by being a good person or being religious. The Bible says salvation is through faith alone, in Christ alone, by God’s grace alone. This message is at the very centre of our worship (Luke 24:46-47, Ephesians 2:1-10).

A Local Evangelical Church
God wants his people to live a life of serving others. This means meeting as a visible local group of people committed to each other, living within a local community. (John 13:34-35, John 17:21, Acts 2:42).

When Jesus came to earth he didn’t commute to meet, speak and love people. He didn’t make a dream house his priority! He chose to live among people, so they could see, hear and know him in a personal way (see John 1:14), and so he could serve them and speak the words of life. This is the way God wants you and I to make his love, goodness and glory known (Mark 12:31, Matthew 5:16). We live in a fractured and lonely society, desperate to experience and see real loving relationships. There are no shortcuts. You and I need to follow Jesus’ example.

This is a Local Evangelical Church.

‘What is a Church?’ – a publication by Christ The Word, Wixams, that describes a church’s definition, purpose, motivation, leadership, membership, and the importance of beliefs. PDF 674k.