The Hungarian Evangelical Fellowship (HEF), is a member of the Universal Mother Church of Jesus Christ. Our oldest legacy is the history of the Church of the Book of Acts, the Word of God.
Looking back over the past centuries, it is very difficult to trace which branch of the Church’s life continued most clearly. The spiritual questions, decisions, and actions of all ages are important to us. We know that God had people at all times, and in all nations, those who feared God’s name and did justice. The elect of God in the changing ages struggled with the eternally human, always new-faced, yet ancient temptations; they sought to apply the unshakable truths of Scripture in the fading present, and were empowered by the Holy Ghost to adjust their practical lives to the will of God and the attributes of their Savior. We identify with these Christians, no matter what they have been called over the centuries. These followers of Christ gave a testimony that the flame of total devotion could be preserved in spite of unbelief, apostasy, and the depravity of the official church, while remaining within its framework.
However, it has also happened that the depraved official church has expelled or persecuted its loyal members. Such situations, a sincere commitment to Scripture, the pursuit of the purity of faith, and the pursuit of spiritual fruitfulness have often made the formation of new denominations unavoidable throughout church history. It is unfortunate that there have been ruptures due to mistakes and human mortality.
We consider it necessary to emphasize that the formation of the Hungarian Evangelical Fellowship was not urged by its founders, but by the compulsion of circumstances. While on the one hand we regret that the number of already divided Christian denominations has been multiplied by our community, on the other hand we rejoice that our church can work within the unity of believers in Jesus Christ as a member of our Lord’s universal mother church.
On October 2, 1981, the following official announcement was issued by the Hungarian government about our formation: “The President of the State Office of Church Affairs declared the Hungarian Evangelical Fellowship a legally recognized religious denomination with effect as of October 1, 1981. The denomination originated from the Hungarian Methodist Church. In their presented bylaws, they have stated that they will abide by the laws and regulations of the state and intend to operate in its spirit. ”
Behind this succinct report are eight years of struggles, sadness, and hopes. To summarize them briefly, there was a disagreement within the Hungarian Methodist Church, the essence of which was that one part of the pastoral body wanted to impose specific human interests and ideas on the whole community with which the other half of the clergy did not agree according to the Word of God and the laws of the church. The term of office of the Superintendent of the Hungarian Methodist Church expired in 1973. In 1974, the former church leader remained in office without election, and with the help of his friends and non-Methodist supporters, charged and removed 12 of the 19 Methodist Church ministers (10 pastors and pastoral candidates and 2 non-pastoral preachers) from the church on fabricated charges. For those who were removed and the congregations supporting them, the opportunity to work within the Hungarian Methodist Church had disappeared.
For seven and a half years, they tried unsuccessfully to restore the unity of the Hungarian Methodist Church on the basis of ecclesiastical laws and the principles of the Bible. When it became clear that this would not be successful, they organized themselves into an independent church.
The Hungarian Evangelical Fellowship undertakes the spiritual kinship with 18th-century Methodists and communion with today’s Methodist churches that have preserved this legacy, but disagrees with secularized Methodist churches that have turned away from biblical teachings and the holiness of life.
We had hoped that closely related church denominations would express compassion to us, but God closed those doors, however, we have found and accepted support from those brothers and sisters who share a basic faith in Christ, but expresses it through customs and opinions that are not as familiar to us.
We feel one with true Christians, whether they belong to any branch of the Reformation or Christian renewal, and we want to nurture fraternal relations with them.
We consider it important to be sure of our own vision, but we respectfully allow others to think freely as well. Therefore, our church is open to any form of baptism or customs of worship. The HEF considers the Bible to be the primary rule of faith and daily life; believes in the love of God, who seeks and attracts all human by Christ; acknowledges the responsibility of every human being to accept or reject this salvation. Because salvation depends on a relationship with Jesus Christ, the HEF believes in the safety of those who remain in that relationship and obedience but does not believe in unconditional eternal security. The HEF proclaims salvation by grace through faith, of which the Holy Spirit gives assurance to the believer; trusts in God, who is able to purify people here and now, and sanctify them, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and to confirm that one will accomplish God’s purposes in the world.
With sincere Christians who seek salvation for the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, conform to His gospel, and follow Him — as far as they understand the way of faith — we welcome fellowship even if we do not fully agree on other things.
Our Church serves people in need regardless of their worldview, especially those who have fallen victim to demonic forces operating in this world that humiliate and addict people to passions. It seeks to help people recognize their human dignity and moral responsibility in an age where dehumanization is a growing temptation and where selfishness and indifference to the misery of others is growing. We take every opportunity to perform a healing and rescue service where it is needed, and we can serve.
