Assyrian Evangelical Church
St. Thomas Evangelical Church in Tehran, Iran.
TypeEastern Reformed Christian
ClassificationProtestant
OrientationPresbyterian Reformed
RegionAustralia, Canada, United States, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Syria
Origin1870

The Assyrian Evangelical Church is a Presbyterian church in the Middle East that attained a status of ecclesiastical independence from the Presbyterian mission in Iran in 1870.[1]

Members

Its members are predominantly ethnic Assyrians, an Eastern Aramaic speaking Semitic people who are indigenous to Upper Mesopotamia (what had been Assyria between the 25th century BCE and 7th century CE), and descendants of the ancient Assyrians. (see Assyria, Assyrian continuity and Assyrian people).

Most Assyrian Evangelicals (as well as members of the Assyrian Pentecostal Church), before conversion to Protestantism, had initially been members of the Assyrian Church of the East; its later 18th century offshoot, the Chaldean Catholic Church; or the Syriac Orthodox Church. The vast majority of ethnic Assyrians remain adherents of these ancient Eastern Rite churches to this day.

Statement of faith

Here is a list of the core beliefs of the Assyrian Evangelical Church:[2]

  • The mission of Assyrian Evangelical Church is the same as what Jesus gave his followers: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:18-20)
  • Belief in the deity and personality of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in every believer and enables them to live a holy life and do the work of the Lord through His guidance.
  • Man was created in the image of God; that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature.
  • Jesus Christ died for the sins of mankind as a substitutionary sacrifice and that whoever believes in Him is justified on the ground of His shed blood. Salvation is by grace through faith only and is the gift of God.
  • The Church is meant to be the visible body of Christ, sent into the world to glorify God and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
  • The body of the church is composed of all those who personally receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

Locations

There are several Assyrian Evangelical churches in the diaspora, e.g. in San Jose, Sydney, Melbourne, Turlock, and Chicago. There are also a few in Lebanon and as well as in Jordan, although Arabic services are more common in these countries.

Language

The liturgical language spoken by the members, church choir, and the pastors is Assyrian Neo-Aramaic, a language descended from the Mesopotamian Aramaic introduced into the Assyrian Empire during the 8th century BC. Prayers and scripture are read and recited from a Syriac Aramaic Bible.[3]

Incidents

In 2010, Iranian Assyrian pastor Wilson Issavi was arrested in Kermanshah and detained for 54 days for allegedly attempting to convert Muslims to Christianity. Whilst in prison, Issavi was allegedly tortured as he had bruises and marks from beatings on his body.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Vander Werff, Lyle L. (1977). Christian mission to Muslims: the record : Anglican and Reformed approaches in India and the Near East, 1800-1938. The William Carey Library series on Islamic studies. William Carey Library. pp. 366. ISBN 978-0-87808-320-6.
  2. ↑ "STATEMENT OF FAITH – CORE BELIEFS". ASSYRIAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  3. ↑ "Aramaic Bible Translation". aramaicbible.org. Archived from the original on 2015-05-31. Retrieved 2015-05-17.
  4. ↑ Cole, Ethan (Mar 31, 2010). "Jailed Iranian Pastor Temporarily Freed, In 'Good Spirits'". The Christian Post. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
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