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Indian Pentecostal Church of God

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The Indian Pentecostal Church of God (IPC)
AbbreviationIPC
ClassificationProtestant
OrientationEvangelicalism
TheologyPentecostal
PolityPresbyterian polity
HeadquartersKumbanad, 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 websitehttps://ipcinternational.live
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The Indian Pentecostal Church of God (IPC) is one of the largest Pentecostal Christian Denomination in India.[2] Its organisational headquarters located in Kumbanad, Kerala, India. It was founded in 1924.[3][4][5]

History

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The IPC traces its origins to the Pentecostal revival in India in the early 20th century. The movement was spearheaded by Pastor K. E. Abraham, who was originally affiliated with the Jacobite Syrian Christian Church. After experiencing what he described as the baptism in the Holy Spirit in 1923, he separated from his former denomination and began preaching Pentecostal doctrine.[6]

The first united Pentecostal convention associated with the IPC movement was held in April 1925 in Ranny, Kerala. This gathering brought together several early Indian Pentecostal leaders, including Pastors T. G. Oommen and P. M. Samuel. Their emphasis was on restoring New Testament Christianity with Indian leadership, independent of Western missionary control.[7]

In 1933, a council of twelve ministers was formed, and P. M. Samuel was elected as 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. This act marked the official birth of IPC as a registered religious organization, focused on the spiritual and administrative self-reliance of Indian Christians.[8]

IPC grew rapidly across South India, particularly among Malayalam-speaking Christians, and eventually expanded throughout India and into countries with significant Indian diaspora populations, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East.[9]

Church Governance

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The IPC follows a Presbyterian form of church governance. It is structured into several administrative levels: the General Council, State or Region Councils, District Councils, and Local Church Councils. The General Council is the supreme legislative and administrative body of the denomination and is elected every three years by the General Body.[10]

Spiritual oversight is maintained through the Presbytery system, which functions at the general, regional, and district levels. The General Presbytery, composed of ordained ministers, is responsible for upholding doctrinal integrity, ordaining pastors, and resolving disciplinary matters. Below this, State and Region Presbyteries coordinate the ministry at state levels, while District Presbyteries provide local pastoral care and oversight.[11]

Each local church operates autonomously in its day-to-day functions but is required to adhere to the constitution and doctrinal standards of IPC. Local churches are led by Elders, elected from among spiritually mature members, and are responsible for administering sacraments, organizing worship, and overseeing local ministries. Congregations with more than 21 baptized members can be formally recognized as a local church under IPC governance.[12]

IPC maintains a strong Trinitarian theology, affirming the doctrine of the Trinity and salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It is also Evangelical in nature, emphasizing the authority of Scripture, the need for personal conversion, and active evangelism.[13]

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There are many auxiliary ministries associated with IPC such as Bible Colleges & schools, Pentecostal Young People Association (PYPA),[14] Fellowship of Women – Indian Pentecostal Women's Association, and sunday schools.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Home page of Indian Pentecostal Church of God". IPC Home Archived 6 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed 4 January 2014.
  2. ^ "History – Indian Pentecostal Church of God". Archived from the original on 30 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  3. ^ Burgess, Stanley (2001). "Pentecostalism in India: an overview" (PDF). Asian Journal of Pentecostal Studies. 4 (1): 85–98. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  4. ^ Michael Bergunder, The South Indian Pentecostal Movement in the Twentieth Century, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, USA, 2008, p. 33
  5. ^ Michael Bergunder, The South Indian Pentecostal Movement in the Twentieth Century, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, USA, 2008, p. 40
  6. ^ M. M. John, History of the Indian Pentecostal Church, IPC Literature, 1982.
  7. ^ Kunjachen Chacko, History of the Pentecostal Movement in Kerala, Faith Publishing, 1998.
  8. ^ The Indian Pentecostal Church of God, 1Library.net. [1]
  9. ^ IPC UK & Ireland Region. [2]
  10. ^ IPC Constitution, 2015 Edition.
  11. ^ Indian Pentecostal Church of God, Governance Overview, Scribd Document. [3]
  12. ^ IPC Sreekariyam Church, "Our Ministries". [4]
  13. ^ Statement of Faith, IPC UK & Ireland. [5]
  14. ^ "Pentecostal Young Peoples' Association". Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  15. ^ "IPC Sunday School, Maharshtra Region". Archived from the original on 17 January 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
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