Evangelicalism

=== Church government and organizations ===
[[File:HK HongKongBaptistTheologicalSeminary Admin&EdBlock.JPG|thumb|right|[[Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary]], in [[Hong Kong]], 2008.]]
[[File:Baptist Hospital Mutengene.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Baptist Hospital Mutengene ([[Tiko]]), member of the [[Cameroon Baptist Convention]].]]
The word ''church'' has several meanings among evangelicals. It can refer to the universal church (the [[body of Christ]]) including all Christians everywhere.<ref>Robert Paul Lightner, ''Handbook of Evangelical Theology'', Kregel Academic, USA, 1995, p. 228</ref> It can also refer to the [[church (congregation)]], which is the [[visible church|visible]] representation of the [[invisible church]]. It is responsible for teaching and administering the [[sacrament]]s or [[Ordinance (Christianity)|ordinances]] ([[baptism]] and the [[Eucharist|Lord's Supper]], but some evangelicals also count [[footwashing]] as an ordinance as well).<ref>Robert Paul Lightner, ''Handbook of Evangelical Theology'', Kregel Academic, USA, 1995, p. 234</ref>

Many evangelical traditions adhere to the doctrine of the [[believers' Church]], which teaches that one becomes a member of the [[Christian Church|Church]] by the [[new birth]] and profession of faith.<ref name="religion.info">Religioscope, Sébastien Fath, [https://www.religion.info/2002/03/03/evangelisme-et-eglises-evangeliques-en-france-entretien-avec-sebastien-fath/ À propos de l'évangélisme et des Églises évangéliques en France – Entretien avec Sébastien Fath] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101053917/https://www.religion.info/2002/03/03/evangelisme-et-eglises-evangeliques-en-france-entretien-avec-sebastien-fath/ |date=November 1, 2020 }}, religion.info, France, March 3, 2002</ref>{{sfn|Ohlmann|1991|p=155}} This originated in the [[Radical Reformation]] with [[Anabaptism|Anabaptists]]<ref>Sébastien Fath, ''Du ghetto au réseau: Le protestantisme évangélique en France, 1800–2005'', Édition Labor et Fides, Genève, 2005, p. 378.</ref> but is held by denominations that practice [[believer's baptism]].<ref>Donald F. Durnbaugh, ''The Believers' Church: The History and Character of Radical Protestantism'', Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2003, p. 65, 73</ref> Evangelicals in the Anglican, Methodist and Reformed traditions practice [[infant baptism]] as one's initiation into the community of faith and the New Testament counterpart to [[Religious male circumcision|circumcision]], while also stressing the necessity of personal conversion later in life for [[Salvation in Christianity|salvation]].{{sfn|Balmer|2002|p=54}}{{sfn|Bebbington|1993|pp=8–10}}<ref name="UMC – By Water and the Spirit">{{cite web|url = http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=4&mid=992| title = By Water and the Spirit: A United Methodist Understanding of Baptism|publisher = [[The United Methodist Church]]|quote= John Wesley retained the sacramental theology which he received from his Anglican heritage. He taught that in baptism a child was cleansed of the guilt of original sin, initiated into the covenant with God, admitted into the church, made an heir of the divine kingdom, and spiritually born anew. He said that while baptism was neither essential to nor sufficient for salvation, it was the "ordinary means" that God designated for applying the benefits of the work of Christ in human lives. On the other hand, although he affirmed the regenerating grace of infant baptism, he also insisted upon the necessity of adult conversion for those who have fallen from grace. A person who matures into moral accountability must respond to God's grace in repentance and faith. Without personal decision and commitment to Christ, the baptismal gift is rendered ineffective. <br /> ''Baptism as Forgiveness of Sin''. In baptism God offers and we accept the forgiveness of our sin (Acts 2:38). With the pardoning of sin which has separated us from God, we are justified—freed from the guilt and penalty of sin and restored to right relationship with God. This reconciliation is made possible through the atonement of Christ and made real in our lives by the work of the Holy Spirit. We respond by confessing and repenting of our sin, and affirming our faith that Jesus Christ has accomplished all that is necessary for our salvation. Faith is the necessary condition for justification; in baptism, that faith is professed. God's forgiveness makes possible the renewal of our spiritual lives and our becoming new beings in Christ. <br /> ''Baptism as New Life''. Baptism is the sacramental sign of new life through and in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Variously identified as regeneration, new birth, and being born again, this work of grace makes us into new spiritual creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17). We die to our old nature which was dominated by sin and enter into the very life of Christ who transforms us. Baptism is the means of entry into new life in Christ (John 3:5; Titus 3:5), but new birth may not always coincide with the moment of the administration of water or the laying on of hands. Our awareness and acceptance of our redemption by Christ and new life in him may vary throughout our lives. But, in whatever way the reality of the new birth is experienced, it carries out the promises God made to us in our baptism.|access-date =August 2, 2007}}</ref>

Some evangelical denominations operate according to [[episcopal polity]] or [[presbyterian polity]]. However, the most common form of church government within Evangelicalism is [[congregational polity]]. This is especially common among nondenominational evangelical churches.{{sfn|Balmer|2002|p=549}} Many churches are members of a national and international [[Christian denomination|denomination]] for a cooperative relationship in common organizations, for the [[Mission (Christianity)|mission]] and social areas, such as [[Christian humanitarian aid|humanitarian aid]], schools, [[Bible college|theological institutes]] and hospitals.<ref>William H. Brackney, ''Historical Dictionary of the Baptists'', Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2021, p. 7, 173–174</ref><ref>Henrik Enroth, Douglas Brommesson, ''Global Community?: Transnational and Transdisciplinary Exchanges'', Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, USA, 2015, p. 125</ref><ref>Timothy J. Demy PhD, Paul R. Shockley PhD, ''Evangelical America: An Encyclopedia of Contemporary American Religious Culture'', ABC-CLIO, USA, 2017, p. 105</ref><ref>Brad Christerson, Richard Flory, ''The Rise of Network Christianity'', Oxford University Press, USA, 2017, p. 58</ref> Common [[Minister (Christianity)|ministries]] within evangelical congregations are [[pastor]], [[Elder (Christianity)|elder]], [[deacon]], [[evangelism|evangelist]] and [[worship leader]].<ref>Walter A. Elwell, ''Evangelical Dictionary of Theology'', Baker Academic, USA, 2001, pp. 370, 778</ref> The ministry of [[bishop]] with a function of supervision over churches on a regional or national scale is present in all the Evangelical [[Christian denominations]], even if the titles president of the council or general overseer are mainly used for this function.<ref>John H. Y. Briggs, ''A Dictionary of European Baptist Life and Thought'', Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2009, p. 53</ref><ref>William K. Kay, ''Pentecostalism: A Very Short Introduction'', OUP Oxford, UK, 2011, p. 81</ref> The term bishop is explicitly used in certain denominations.<ref>Walter A. Elwell, ''Evangelical Dictionary of Theology'', Baker Academic, USA, 2001, p. 171</ref> Some evangelical denominations are members of the [[World Evangelical Alliance]] and its 129 national alliances.<ref>Brian Stiller, ''Evangelicals Around the World: A Global Handbook for the 21st Century'', Thomas Nelson, USA, 2015, p. 210</ref>

Some evangelical denominations officially authorize the [[ordination of women]] in churches.<ref>Brian Stiller, ''Evangelicals Around the World: A Global Handbook for the 21st Century'', Thomas Nelson, USA, 2015, p. 117</ref> The female ministry is justified by the fact that [[Mary Magdalene]] was chosen by Jesus to announce his resurrection to the apostles.<ref>Mark Husbands, Timothy Larsen, ''Women, Ministry and the Gospel: Exploring New Paradigms'', InterVarsity Press, USA, 2007, p. 230</ref> The first [[Baptist]] woman who was consecrated pastor is the American Clarissa Danforth in the denomination [[Free Will Baptist]] in 1815.<ref>Rosemary Skinner Keller, Rosemary Radford Ruether, Marie Cantlon, ''Encyclopedia of Women and Religion in North America, Volume 1'', Indiana University Press, USA, 2006, p. 294</ref> In 1882, in the [[American Baptist Churches USA]].<ref>Erich Geldbach, ''Baptists Worldwide: Origins, Expansions, Emerging Realities'', Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2022, p. 110</ref> In the [[Assemblies of God]] of the United States, since 1927.<ref>Lisa Stephenson, ''Dismantling the Dualisms for American Pentecostal Women in Ministry'', BRILL, Leyde, 2011, p. 46</ref> In 1965, in the [[National Baptist Convention, USA]].<ref>Larry G. Murphy, J. Gordon Melton, Gary L. Ward, ''Encyclopedia of African American Religions'', Routledge, Abingdon-on-Thames, 2013, p. LXXIV</ref> In 1969, in the [[Progressive National Baptist Convention]].<ref>Erich Geldbach, ''Baptists Worldwide: Origins, Expansions, Emerging Realities'', Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2022, p. 111.</ref> In 1975, in [[The Foursquare Church]].<ref>Lisa Stephenson, ''Dismantling the Dualisms for American Pentecostal Women in Ministry'', BRILL, Leyde, 2011, p. 55.</ref>