Free Reformed Churches of South Africa
Encyclopedia
The Free Reformed Churches in South Africa (also known as the Vrye Gereformeerde Kerke in Suid Afrika) is a bond of Protestant Christian
churches. It follows Reformed Calvinist theology and has adopted three forms of unity as its doctrinal standards: Canons of Dordt, Belgic Confession
and the Heidelberg Catechism
and subscribes to the three Ecumenical Creeds: The Apostles' Creed
, The Nicene Creed
and The Athanasian Creed
.
The first church was established in Pretoria on 8 October 1950. Eventually other churches were established; they are, in order of institution:
The FRC's Church Order is based on that which was written at the Synod of Dort
1618/19.
The Churches have sister-church relationships with the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Liberated), the Canadian and American Reformed Churches
, the Presbyterian Church in Korea and the Free Reformed Churches of Australia
.
Brotherly contacts are also maintained with the following churches:
In addition to these contacts the FRC is also a member of the International Conference of Reformed Churches
(ICRC)
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
churches. It follows Reformed Calvinist theology and has adopted three forms of unity as its doctrinal standards: Canons of Dordt, Belgic Confession
Belgic Confession
The Confession of Faith, popularly known as the Belgic Confession, is a doctrinal standard document to which many of the Reformed churches subscribe. The Confession forms part of the Reformed Three Forms of Unity...
and the Heidelberg Catechism
Heidelberg Catechism
The Heidelberg Catechism is a Protestant confessional document taking the form of a series of questions and answers, for use in teaching Reformed Christian doctrine...
and subscribes to the three Ecumenical Creeds: The Apostles' Creed
Apostles' Creed
The Apostles' Creed , sometimes titled Symbol of the Apostles, is an early statement of Christian belief, a creed or "symbol"...
, The Nicene Creed
Nicene Creed
The Nicene Creed is the creed or profession of faith that is most widely used in Christian liturgy. It is called Nicene because, in its original form, it was adopted in the city of Nicaea by the first ecumenical council, which met there in the year 325.The Nicene Creed has been normative to the...
and The Athanasian Creed
Athanasian Creed
The Athanasian Creed is a Christian statement of belief, focusing on Trinitarian doctrine and Christology. The Latin name of the creed, Quicumque vult, is taken from the opening words, "Whosoever wishes." The Athanasian Creed has been used by Christian churches since the sixth century...
.
The first church was established in Pretoria on 8 October 1950. Eventually other churches were established; they are, in order of institution:
- FRC Pretoria, 1950
- FRC Cape Town, 1952
- FRC Johannesburg, 1957
- FRC Bethal, 1995
- FRC Pretoria-Maranata, 1997
- FRC Mamelodi, 2002
- FRC Soshanguve North, 2003
The FRC's Church Order is based on that which was written at the Synod of Dort
Synod of Dort
The Synod of Dort was a National Synod held in Dordrecht in 1618-1619, by the Dutch Reformed Church, to settle a divisive controversy initiated by the rise of Arminianism. The first meeting was on November 13, 1618, and the final meeting, the 154th, was on May 9, 1619...
1618/19.
The Churches have sister-church relationships with the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands (Liberated), the Canadian and American Reformed Churches
Canadian and American Reformed Churches
The Canadian and American Reformed Churches are a federation of over fifty Protestant Christian churches in Canada and the USA, with historical roots in the Reformed Churches of the Netherlands, and doctrinal roots in the sixteenth century Protestant Reformation...
, the Presbyterian Church in Korea and the Free Reformed Churches of Australia
Free Reformed Churches of Australia
The ' is a federation of 15 congregations, 13 in Western Australia and two in Tasmania, with over 4000 members. Their historical roots are in the Reformed Churches of the Netherlands as a result of post-World War II immigration, and their doctrinal roots are in the sixteenth century Protestant...
.
Brotherly contacts are also maintained with the following churches:
- The Free Church of Southern Africa (Suid Afrika)
- The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (Malawi & Zimbabwe)
- African Evangelical Presbyterian Church (Kenia)
- Reformed Church in East Africa (Kenia)
- Church of Christ in Sudan amongst the Tiv
In addition to these contacts the FRC is also a member of the International Conference of Reformed Churches
International Conference of Reformed Churches
The International Conference of Reformed Churches is a federation of Reformed or Calvinist churches across the world. Its theology is more conservative than the larger World Alliance of Reformed Churches and Reformed Ecumenical Council and is similar to that of the World Reformed Fellowship.-...
(ICRC)