Romanian Evangelical Alliance
The Romanian Evangelical Alliance (Romanian: Alianța Evanghelică din România) is a protestant Christian alliance between the Baptist Union of Romania, Pentecostal Union of Romania and Christian Evangelical Church of Romania.
| Romanian Evangelical Alliance | |
|---|---|
| Alianța Evanghelică din România | |
| Abbreviation | A.E.R. |
| Classification | Protestant |
| Scripture | Bible |
| Theology | Evangelicalism |
| Polity | Congregationalist |
| Structure | Partial Communion |
| President | Viorel Iuga |
| Branch Leaders |
|
| Region | Romania |
| Language | Romanian |
| Headquarters | Str. Carol Davila nr. 81, Sector 5, Bucharest |
| Founder | Iosif Țon |
| Origin | 21 October 1990 Palace Hall, Bucharest |
| Merger of | |
| Members | 495.348 (in 2011)
|
| Official website | https://aliantaevanghelica.wordpress.com/ |
History
Formation
The alliance was directly inspired by the Evangelical Alliance and the National Association of Evangelicals who managed to unite multiple Christian denominations both in UK and USA with the hope of preaching the gospel to more people. Established in 1990 from the initiative of multiple protestant religious figures, most notably Baptist pastor Iosif Țon, the idea of a Romanian Evangelical Alliance took birth in January, after the fall of communism, when Iosif first came back in the country after years of exile. On 25 April, alongside Silviu Cioată, Vasile Taloș and Emil Bulgăr, Iosif organised a meeting between all evangelical leaders. Together they analysed the doctrinal differences between the cults and, after realising how few they were, decided to form the union. The first congress of the alliance was held in October 1990 at the Palace Hall in Bucharest.[1]
Doctrinal differences
Although similar in their beliefs, the three Romanian evangelical denominations are divided over 3 major aspects of the Bible that define them as being their own denomination:
1) Second Coming
Pentecostals and evangelical Christians believe that Jesus will descend in Jerusalem and reign the Earth for 1000 years.
On the other hand, Baptists are generally amillenials, believing that Jesus's 1000 years reign is metaphorical referring to a heavenly kingdom, rather than a physical one, and will happen only after the Final Judgment. They also believe that the universal resurrection will happen at the same time with Jesus's second coming.
2) Ordination
While Pentecostals and Baptists ordinate their priests, the evangelical Christians do not.
3) Speaking in tongues
The Pentecostals believe that speaking in tongues is not only something to aspire to, but also an indicator of salvation.
Baptists and evangelical Christians officially consider speaking in tongues as a power that only the Apostles possessed. However, there are some Baptists and evangelical Christians who recognise the speaking in tongues, not as an indicator of salvation, but rather as a gift from the Holy Spirit that is given to some, but not all.[2]