Christian Traditions

What Is Evangelicalism?

Evangelicalism is not a single denomination but a movement that runs across many of them. The word comes from the Greek 'euangelion', meaning good news, the gospel. Evangelicals are Christians who emphasise the authority of the Bible, the saving death and resurrection of Jesus at the cross, the need for a personal turning to Christ often called being 'born again', and a heartfelt commitment to sharing this good news with others. You will find evangelicals among Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Anglicans, Pentecostals, and non-denominational churches alike.

What they believe and treasure

Evangelicals are often described by four marks: a high regard for the Bible as God’s written word; the cross of Christ at the centre, where forgiveness is won; the necessity of personal conversion, a real turning to Jesus in repentance and faith; and active mission, living out and sharing the gospel. These emphases, more than any single institution, define the movement.

Because it crosses denominations, evangelicalism is best seen as a spirit and set of priorities rather than a separate church. An evangelical Anglican and an evangelical Baptist keep their own traditions while sharing this common heartbeat: Scripture, the cross, conversion, and mission. This is why evangelicals often cooperate warmly across denominational lines.

What they share with all Christians

Evangelicals confess the faith of the whole Church. They worship the one God and hold to Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, as the only Saviour, received by grace through faith.

These are the words of the one faith the Nicene Creed puts on the lips of every Christian: one God, one Lord Jesus Christ, crucified and risen. On this the whole family stands together.

What is distinctive

What is distinctive is not a structure but an emphasis: the personal, life-changing nature of the gospel and the urgency of sharing it. Evangelicals stress that faith is not merely inherited or formal but must become one’s own through a genuine turning to Christ.

Because it spans so many churches, evangelicalism contains real internal variety, and it is a movement within Christianity, not a rival to the historic traditions. Christians differ on some of the emphases, and evangelicals themselves hold a range of views on secondary questions while sharing the central convictions above.

What to expect if you visit

Because evangelicals are found in many kinds of church, a visit could look quite different from one place to the next, from a formal Anglican service to a contemporary non-denominational gathering. What you can generally expect is Bible-centred preaching that calls for a personal response, heartfelt worship, and a warm welcome to newcomers. If in doubt, look also at our pages on the specific traditions, since an evangelical church will usually belong to one of them.