| Free Reformed Churches of North America | |
| Main Classification: | Protestant |
| Orientation: | Reformed |
| Polity: | Presbyterian |
| Founded Date: | 1950s |
| Branched From: | Christian Reformed Churches of the Netherlands CGKN |
| Associations: | North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council |
| Congregations: | 19 (2012) and 2 church plants [1] [2] |
| Members: | 4689 (2012) |
| Seminaries: | Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary |
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]
These churches together confess the Bible to be the Word of God and believe it is faithfully summarized by the Belgic Confession, Heidelberg Catechism, and Canons of Dort. This denomination adheres to the five points of Calvinism. It is affiliated with the Christian Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken).
Despite similar naming styles, the Free Reformed Churches of North America should not be confused with the Free Reformed Churches of Australia or Free Reformed Churches of South Africa.
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]
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]
Theological students from the FRCNA attend Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Puritan Reformed opened in 1995 and offers masters' and doctoral degrees.[11]
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:
The FRCNA also fully subscribe to the three creeds of the early Christian church:
Free Reformed Publications publishes and prints various books, magazines, and articles on behalf of the FRCNA. These include: