THE
EVANGELICAL UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION

WHAT DOES EVANGELICALISM MEAN?

For the evangelical Christian, the Bible is accepted as the only authority in all matters of faith and practice. The doctrines of sola scriptura and sola fide are primary. The historicity of the miracles of Jesus and the virgin birth, crucifixion, resurrection, and Second Coming are maintained and defended.

Four characteristics of evangelicals are :

Conversionism - Emphasis on the conversion experience, also called being saved, or new birth or born again after John 3:3. Thus many evangelicals often refer to themselves as born-again Christians. This experience is said to be received by "faith alone" and to be given by God as the result of "grace alone".
Biblicism - The Protestant canon of the Bible as the primary, or only, source of religious authority, as God's revelation to humanity. Thus, the doctrine of sola scriptura is affirmed and emphasized.
Activism - Encouragement of evangelism (the act of sharing one's beliefs) -- in organized missionary work or by personal encounters and relationships with others.
Cruci-centrism - A central focus on Christ's redeeming work on the cross as the only means for salvation and the forgiveness of sins.

Despite many other variations, evangelicals all adhere to the following four core beliefs.

1.Sola Scriptura - Biblical inerrancy
2.Sola Fidi - Salvation comes only through faith in Jesus and not good works (in particular the belief in atonement for sins at the cross and the resurrection of Christ)
3.Personal Commitment - Individuals must personally trust in Jesus Christ for salvation.
4.Evangelism - All Christians are commissioned to evangelize and should be publicly baptized as a confession of faith.

EVANGELICAL UNIVERSALISTS therefore believe 1) in reliance on the Bible alone as the only rule for faith and practice, 2)That salvation is only by grace alone and through faith in Jesus alone and apart from works and 3) the necessity of havng a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We believe in the Great Commission, which is the clear command of Lord Jesus that we are to evangelize the world for him, and finally, 4) the belief that ultimately everyone who ever lived will be saved, some by being called and rdeemed in this life and the rest by being called and redeemed from hell in the after life.