Indian Pentecostal Church of God

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The Indian Pentecostal Church of God (IPC)
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AbbreviationIPC
Classification Protestant
Orientation Evangelicalism
Theology Pentecostal
Polity Presbyterian polity
General PresidentRev. Dr. T. Valson Abraham
General Vice PresidentRev. Dr. Philip P. Thomas
General SecretaryRev. Dr. Baby Varghese
Headquarters Kumbanad, India
OriginStarted in July 1924;101 years ago (1924), as 'Thennindia Pentecosthu Daivasabha'
Registered on 9 December 1935 as "The Indian Pentecostal Church of God" at Eluru
Congregations10,000+
Official website https://ipcinternational.live

The Indian Pentecostal Church of God (IPC) is the largest indigenous Pentecostal Christian denomination in India. [1] [2] [3] Its organisational headquarters is located in Kumbanad, Kerala, India. [4] [5] The movement originated in 1924. [6] [7]

Contents

History

IPC traces its origins to the Pentecostal revival in India during the early twentieth century. The movement was initiated by Pastor K. E. Abraham, originally associated with the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church. After what he described as an experience of the baptism in the Holy Spirit in 1923, he separated from his former denomination and began to preach Pentecostal doctrine. [4] [8]

The first united Pentecostal convention related to the IPC movement was held in April 1925 in Ranny, Kerala. The meeting brought together several early Indian Pentecostal leaders, including Pastors T. G. Oommen and P. M. Samuel. [9] [10] These early leaders emphasised restoring New Testament Christianity under indigenous Indian leadership, independent of Western missionary control. [11]

In 1933, a council of twelve ministers was formed, and P. M. Samuel was elected the first President of the fellowship. The denomination was formally registered as The Indian Pentecostal Church of God on 9 December 1935 in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, marking the establishment of the organisation as a legally recognised body committed to spiritual and administrative self-reliance. [12] [13]

The denomination expanded rapidly across South India, especially among Malayalam-speaking Christians, and later throughout India and regions with significant Indian diaspora populations, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East. [1] [4]

A notable schism occurred in 1953, resulting in the formation of the Sharon Fellowship Church. [9]

Church governance

IPC follows a Presbyterian form of church governance.

General Presbytery

Spiritual oversight is exercised through the Presbytery system, which functions at the general, regional, and district levels.

The General Presbytery, comprising ordained ministers, is responsible for doctrinal supervision, ordination of clergy, and disciplinary matters.

State and Region Presbyteries coordinate ministry at the state level, while District Presbyteries oversee local church affairs. [14]

General Council

The denomination is structured at multiple administrative levels:

The General Council is the supreme legislative and administrative authority and is elected every four years by the General Body. [15]

Local churches

Local churches operate autonomously in daily matters but remain subject to IPC’s constitution and doctrinal standards. Elders, elected from among spiritually mature members, provide leadership and administer sacraments. Congregations with more than 21 baptised members may be formally recognised as local churches under IPC governance. [16]

Beliefs

IPC adheres to Trinitarian Christian theology, affirming the doctrine of the Trinity and salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. As an Evangelical denomination, it emphasises biblical authority, personal conversion, and active evangelism. [17]

IPC oversees several auxiliary ministries, including Bible colleges and schools, the Pentecostal Young People’s Association (PYPA), [18] the Fellowship of Women – Indian Pentecostal Women’s Association, and Sunday schools. [19]

References

  1. 1 2 Williams, Raymond Brady (13 November 1996). Christian Pluralism in the United States: The Indian Immigrant Experience. Cambridge University Press. ISBN   978-0-521-57016-9.
  2. ↑ Sahoo, Sarbeswar (3 May 2018). Pentecostalism and Religious Conflict in Contemporary India. Cambridge University Press. ISBN   978-1-108-41612-2.
  3. ↑ Kaminsky, Arnold P.; Long, Roger D. (23 September 2011). India Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. ISBN   978-0-313-37463-0.
  4. 1 2 3 Anderson, Allan (13 May 2004). An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity. Cambridge University Press. ISBN   978-0-521-53280-8.
  5. ↑ Anderson, Allan; Tang, Edmond (2005). Asian and Pentecostal: The Charismatic Face of Christianity in Asia. OCMS. ISBN   978-1-870345-43-9.
  6. ↑ Burgess, Stanley (2001). "Pentecostalism in India: an overview" (PDF). Asian Journal of Pentecostal Studies. 4 (1): 85–98.
  7. ↑ Bergunder, Michael. The South Indian Pentecostal Movement in the Twentieth Century. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2008, pp. 33, 40.
  8. ↑ John, M. M. History of the Indian Pentecostal Church. IPC Literature, 1982.
  9. 1 2 Anderson, Allan Heaton (24 October 2013). An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity. Cambridge University Press. ISBN   978-1-107-47069-9.
  10. ↑ Sahoo, Sarbeswar (3 May 2018). Pentecostalism and Religious Conflict in Contemporary India. Cambridge University Press. ISBN   978-1-108-41612-2.
  11. ↑ Chacko, Kunjachen. History of the Pentecostal Movement in Kerala. Faith Publishing, 1998.
  12. ↑ Pachuau, Lalsangkima; Meloottu, Allan Varghese (12 November 2024). Christians and Christianity in India Today: Historical, Theological, and Missiological Assessments. Fortress Press. ISBN   978-1-5064-9348-0.
  13. ↑ The Indian Pentecostal Church of God. 1Library.net. https://1library.net/document/indian-pentecostal-church-god-progress-church-indigenous-leadership.html
  14. ↑ Indian Pentecostal Church of God, Governance Overview. Scribd. https://www.scribd.com/document/691143838/Indian-Pentecostal-Church-of-God
  15. ↑ IPC Constitution, 2015 Edition.
  16. ↑ IPC, General Council (1933). IPC Constitution 2023. Registrar of Societies.
  17. ↑ Statement of Faith, IPC UK & Ireland. https://ipcukireland.org/about-us/statement-of-faith/
  18. ↑ "Pentecostal Young Peoples' Association". Archived from the original on 8 January 2014.
  19. ↑ "IPC Sunday School, Maharashtra Region". Archived from the original on 17 January 2014.



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