Free Presbyterian Church of Nepal

Free Presbyterian Church of Nepal
ClassificationProtestant
OrientationReformed and Evangelical
TheologyConfessional, Conservative and Calvinist
PolityPresbyterian
ModeratorPaul Thapa
RegionNepal
FounderPaul Thapa
Origin2003
Branched fromFree Presbyterian Church of Ulster
Congregations100 (2015)[1]

The Free Presbyterian Church of Nepal (FPCN) is a Reformed Presbyterian conservative founded in Nepal in 2003 by missionaries from the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster.[2][3][4]

History

In 2003, Rev. Paul Thapa and his wife, Mandira, were sent by the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster to serve as missionaries in Nepal.[2][3][4]

At first, an orphanage was formed and several children converted to Christianity.[2][3][4]

Later, the denomination began broadcasting evangelistic messages through a radio station.[5]

From the growth in membership, on November 29, 2013, 22 Nepalese pastors were ordained and the following day the Presbytery of the Free Presbyterian Church of Nepal was officially organized.[3][4]

The Rev. Paul Thapa, founder of the denomination, was elected its moderator.[6][7]

Due to the rapid growth, in 2015, the denomination was already formed by about 100 churches.[1]

Doctrine

The denomination subscribes to the Westminster Confession of Faith and does not permit ordination of women. In addition, it stands out for allowing its churches to opt for paedobaptism or credobaptism and for requiring abstinence from alcohol.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b "Free Presbyterian Church of Nepal affected by earthquake". April 25, 2015. Archived from the original on May 9, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "History of the Free Presbyterian Church of Nepal". Archived from the original on March 4, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d "Establishment of the Free Presbyterian Church of Nepal". Retrieved January 21, 2022.[permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^ a b c d "Establishment of the Free Presbyterian Church of Nepal". Retrieved January 21, 2022.[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ "Free Presbyterian Church of Nepal broadcasts evangelistic messages over radio". Archived from the original on July 26, 2021. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  6. ^ "Paul Thapa is elected moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church of Nepal". Retrieved January 21, 2022.[permanent dead link‍]
  7. ^ "Paul Thapa is elected moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church of Nepal". Retrieved January 21, 2022.[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ "Report on Presbyterian Denominations in the United States". February 15, 2014. Archived from the original on November 11, 2014. Retrieved January 21, 2022.