Evangelical Free Church of America
The Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) is a conservative evangelical denomination that traces its roots to Scandinavian free church movements of the 19th century. The EFCA is known for its strong doctrinal commitments — affirmed in a detailed statement of faith revised in 2008 — combined with a deliberate policy of allowing secondary doctrinal freedom on non-essential questions such as the precise millennial position, modes of baptism, and the nature of spiritual gifts. The denomination is congregational in polity and places a high premium on biblical authority, evangelical mission, and church planting.
Theology
Christology
Soteriology
Salvation
Affirms
Salvation by grace through faith alone in Christ; regeneration and justification
Atonement & Ransom
Affirms
Substitutionary atonement; Christ's sacrifice reconciles sinners to God
Predestination
Varies
Secondary doctrinal freedom; Calvinist and Arminian views both present
Original Sin
Affirms
Adam's sin brought corruption and guilt to all humanity; universal sinfulness
Eschatology
Soul & Afterlife
Affirms
Immortal soul; conscious afterlife; bodily resurrection to eternal states
Hell
Affirms
Eternal conscious punishment for the unrepentant; bodily resurrection to judgment
Heaven
Affirms
Eternal life with God; bodily resurrection; believers dwell in God's presence
Second Coming
Affirms
Christ will return personally, bodily, and visibly to judge and consummate
Millennium
Varies
Officially open since 2008; premillennial, amillennial, and postmillennial views present
Ecclesiology
Church Authority
Affirms
Congregational polity; local church autonomy; Scripture supreme authority
Clergy & Priesthood
Nuanced
Ordained pastors and elders lead; women's ordination varies by congregation
Sacraments & Ordinances
Nuanced
Two ordinances; baptismal mode and subjects debated; Lord's Supper as memorial
Scripture
Biblical Canon
Affirms
66-book Protestant canon; Scripture is God's complete and final written Word
Biblical Inerrancy
Affirms
Bible inerrant in original manuscripts; fully true in all it affirms
Extra-biblical Revelation
Nuanced
Canon closed; ongoing prophetic gifts debated; Scripture always the final norm
Scripture Interpretation
John 1:1 — "The Word Was God"
Affirms
Logos is fully God; co-eternal with Father; foundational to EFCA theology
Isaiah 7:14 — "Virgin or Young Woman"
Affirms
Virgin birth affirmed as historic fact and theological necessity
Matthew 16:18 — "Upon This Rock"
Nuanced
Peter's faith as foundation; apostolic office; no papal authority claimed
Romans 9:18-21 — "God's Sovereign Choice"
Nuanced
God's sovereignty in salvation affirmed; human freedom and responsibility also maintained
James 2:24 — "Justified by Works"
Affirms
Faith without works is dead; genuine faith produces righteous living and obedience
Matthew 28:19 — "Baptize in the Name"
Affirms
Trinitarian baptismal formula; baptism in the name of the Trinity is essential
Hebrews 1:8 — "Your Throne, O God"
Affirms
Christ addressed as 'God'; affirms full divinity and worship of Christ
Revelation 20:1-6 — "The Thousand Years"
Nuanced
Premillennial view prominent; some diversity allowed on millennium interpretation
Genesis 1:1-2 — "In the Beginning"
Affirms
Creation ex nihilo affirmed; six-day literal creation widely taught in EFCA churches
Mark 16:9-20 — "The Longer Ending"
Affirms
Longer ending is canonical and authoritative for EFCA teaching and practice
John 7:53–8:11 — "The Woman Caught in Adultery"
Nuanced
Textual questions noted; passage valued for gospel truth and pastoral use
1 John 5:7-8 — "The Comma Johanneum"
Nuanced
Trinitarian truth affirmed; textual questions acknowledged; fuller reading appreciated
Deuterocanonical Books — "Tobit, Wisdom, Sirach, Maccabees"
Denies
Deuterocanonical books not canonical; 66-book canon is the complete Scripture
Shepherd of Hermas — "Early Christian Text"
Denies
Shepherd of Hermas is not canonical; not recognized as Scripture
Ethics & Practice
Sabbath
Nuanced
Sunday worship as Lord's Day; no strict Sabbatarian rules; local church practice varies
Blood Transfusions
Affirms
No prohibition; life-preserving medical care consistent with human dignity
Military Service
Affirms
Military service permitted; just war tradition; individual conscience respected
Holidays
Affirms
Christmas and Easter observed; no formal liturgical calendar; local church freedom