Australian Free Church
Encyclopedia
Australian Free Church is a Presbyterian
denomination in Australia
. It was established in 1979 when Eric Turnbull was removed from being a minister of the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia
. According to Rowland Ward and Robert Humphreys, this was for "refusing to desist from teaching that the King James Bible is the very Word of God to the exclusion of other translations," although the church's website states that it was formed "out of a desire to maintain the standards of doctrine, worship and church government held by our Scottish spiritual forebears." The website also states that the church uses "the King James Version as a faithful translation."
Turnbull was the minister at East St Kilda and took the more active part of the congregation with him. After a number of moves in 1988 a small church building was purchased in Chadstone
. A handful of adherents exist in Hamilton. In 1994 the Australian Free Church applied to join the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland
but their application was declined. The first Presbytery
of the Australian Free Church was constituted in 2002.
There are currently congregations in Chadstone, Hamilton
and Rockhampton
. The Rockhampton congregation was received in 2009 and had previously been a congregation of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church
that had withdrawn from that body. The Australian Free Church holds to the Westminster Confession of Faith
, Westminster Shorter Catechism
and Westminster Larger Catechism
as their confessional standards. The total following is about 60.
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
denomination in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. It was established in 1979 when Eric Turnbull was removed from being a minister of the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia
Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia
The Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia is a Presbyterian denomination which was formed in Sydney on 10 October 1846 by three ministers and a ruling elder...
. According to Rowland Ward and Robert Humphreys, this was for "refusing to desist from teaching that the King James Bible is the very Word of God to the exclusion of other translations," although the church's website states that it was formed "out of a desire to maintain the standards of doctrine, worship and church government held by our Scottish spiritual forebears." The website also states that the church uses "the King James Version as a faithful translation."
Turnbull was the minister at East St Kilda and took the more active part of the congregation with him. After a number of moves in 1988 a small church building was purchased in Chadstone
Chadstone, Victoria
Chadstone is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Monash. Landmarks include the Waverley Basketball Centre, Jordanville Community Centre and the Matthew Flinders Hotel...
. A handful of adherents exist in Hamilton. In 1994 the Australian Free Church applied to join the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland
Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland
The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland was formed in 1893 and claims to be the spiritual descendant of the Scottish Reformation...
but their application was declined. The first Presbytery
Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
of the Australian Free Church was constituted in 2002.
There are currently congregations in Chadstone, Hamilton
Hamilton, Victoria
Hamilton is a city in western Victoria, Australia. It is located at the intersection of the Glenelg Highway and the Henty Highway...
and Rockhampton
Rockhampton, Queensland
Rockhampton is a city and local government area in Queensland, Australia. The city lies on the Fitzroy River, approximately from the river mouth, and some north of the state capital, Brisbane....
. The Rockhampton congregation was received in 2009 and had previously been a congregation of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Evangelical Presbyterian Church (Australia)
The Evangelical Presbyterian Church is a small Reformed Christian denomination. In September 2010 it had five centres - Brisbane, Londonderry , Cohuna, Vic...
that had withdrawn from that body. The Australian Free Church holds to the Westminster Confession of Faith
Westminster Confession of Faith
The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith, in the Calvinist theological tradition. Although drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly, largely of the Church of England, it became and remains the 'subordinate standard' of doctrine in the Church of Scotland, and has been...
, Westminster Shorter Catechism
Westminster Shorter Catechism
The Westminster Shorter Catechism was written in the 1640s by English and Scottish divines. The assembly also produced the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Westminster Larger Catechism...
and Westminster Larger Catechism
Westminster Larger Catechism
The Westminster Larger Catechism, along with the Westminster Shorter Catechism, is a central catechism of Calvinists in the English tradition throughout the world.- History :...
as their confessional standards. The total following is about 60.
External links
- Official site
- Grace Presbyterian Church in Rockhampton