ABBOT EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH, Abbot, Maine, 04406, is a member of the Evangelical Free Church of America (www.efca.org/explore), an association of autonomous churches united around the same theological convictions. The term ‘Evangelical’ refers to our commitment to the proclamation of the Gospel and the authority of Scripture. The term ‘Free’ refers to our form of church government which establishes an autonomous local church ‘free’ from a central controlling body. The Evangelical Free Church of America is divided into many districts; the Abbot Church is a member of the New England District, headed by Sam Huggard our District Superintendent (efcneda.org).
We are committed to Jesus Christ, to the gospel and to one another. As an association of churches that aligns itself with the same Statement of Faith, we are distinct yet deeply connected.
New immigrant families settling in the Midwest in the late 1800s began gathering in homes to study the Bible and worship. It didn’t take long for churches to blossom from those small gatherings.By 1884,several churches were sharing a treasury. Supporting missionaries, caring for the elderly, establishing Bible Institutes, youth conferences, new churches and orphanages were all part of the EFCA lifeblood from the earliest days. In 1950, two existing collections of churches - the Norwegian Danish and Swedish Evangelical Free Church Associations merged. The result was the Evangelical Free Church of America.
A T A B B O T E V A N G E L I C A L F R E E C H U R C H , W E B E L I E V E :
IN THE SCRIPTURES, both Old and New Testaments according to the Protestant Canon of 66 books in English, to be the inspired Word of God, without error in the original writings, the complete revelation of His will for the salvation of people, and the Divine and final authority for Christian faith and life. II Timothy 3:16,17
IN ONE GOD, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, coequal in Deity and personality, and one in essence and power. Matthew 28:19
THAT JESUS CHRIST is fully God and fully man, having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. Further, 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 Advocate. John 1:1-3; I John 2:1,2
THAT THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and during this age, to convict people, regenerate the believing sinner, indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service. John 16:8-14
THAT MAN was created in the image of God bet fell in to sin and is therefore separated from God and that only through regeneration by the Holy Spirit can salvation and spiritual life be obtained. Romans 3:9-23
THAT THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS AND HIS RESURRECTION provide the only way for justification and salvation for all who believe; and only such as receive Jesus Christ are born of the Holy Spirit, and thus become children of God. Hebrews 9
THAT WATER BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER (COMMUNION) are ordinances to be observed by the Church during the present age. They are, however, not to be regarded as means of salvation. Acts 2:37-39; I Corinthians 11:23-26
THAT THE TRUE CHURCH is composed of all who through saving faith in Jesus Christ have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit and are united together in the Body of Christ of which He is the Head. Matthew 16:16-18
THAT ONLY THOSE WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE TRUE CHURCH are eligible for membership in the local church. Acts 2:41-47
THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE LORD AND THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH, and that every local church has the right, under Christ, to decide and govern it's own affairs. Ephesians 1:22,23
IN THE PERSONAL AND PREMILLENIAL SECOND COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST and that this "Blessed Hope" has a vital bearing on the personal life and service of the believer. I Thessalonians 4:14-18
IN THE BODILY RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD; of the believer to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord; of the unbeliever to judgement and everlasting conscious punishment. I Corinthians 15:50-58