Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America

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The Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America (ARBCA) is an association of Reformed Baptist churches that was founded in 1997.[1]

History

On November 12–13, 1996, fifteen Reformed Baptist churches met in Fayetteville, Georgia[2] to begin the planning of a national association of churches. Four months later on March 11, 1997, the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America was founded in Mesa, Arizona.[3] ARBCA was founded by 24 member churches from 14 states.[4][5][6][7]

Theology

The association's churches all subscribe to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith.[4][5][8] The association's General Assembly has noted that their adherence to this Confession means "the model for (association) churches is Puritan and not one of a number of competing contemporary ones."[9] With respect to worship, they "eschew the following models: Roman, Lutheran, Anglican, high church liturgical, Brethren, seeker-friendly, charismatic, evangelical, etc."[9]

Theological training

ARBCA founded the Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies (IRBS) at Westminster Seminary California which provides training for seminarians as part of studies toward a Master of Divinity degree program.[4][10]

Missions

In 2000, ARBCA merged with the Reformed Baptist Mission Services (RBMS), a foreign missions organization.[11] RBMS, though founded 12 years before the ARBCA,[12] now acts as the foreign mission arm of the association.[4]

The association is recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense as an endorsing agency for United States military chaplains.[13]

References

  1. ↑ Jonas, William Glenn, ed (2006). The Baptist river: essays on many tributaries of a diverse tradition. Mercer University Press. p. 273. ISBN 0-88146-030-3.
  2. ↑ This meeting occurred at Heritage Church in Fayetteville, Georgia. http://www.arbca.com/history.
  3. ↑ Handbook of Denominations in the United States, 13th Edition. Abingdon Press: 2010. p. 170.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Melton, J. Gordon (2003). Encyclopedia of American Religions. Gale. p. 558. ISBN 0-7876-6384-0.
  5. 1 2 "News Briefs". Christianity Today. May 19, 1997. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  6. ↑ "Church Directory" (PDF). Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America. Retrieved February 11, 2012.
  7. ↑ Handbook of denominations in the United States (12th ed., 2005), p. 211.
  8. ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions". Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America. Retrieved 2013-05-29.
  9. 1 2 Theology Committee of the Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America (March 8, 2001). "A Position Paper Concerning the Regulative Principle of Worship" (PDF). Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies". Westminster Seminary California. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  11. ↑ "History". Association of Reformed Baptist Churches of America. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
  12. ↑ Brackney, William H. (2009). Historical Dictionary of the Baptists. Scarecrow Press. p. 472. ISBN 0-8108-5622-0.
  13. ↑ "Armed Forces Chaplains Board Endorsements". US Department of Defense. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
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