The three-self formula and PRCA foreign missions (11)
Rev. Richard Smit examines the three-self formula (self-propagating, self-supporting, and self-governing) as applied to PRCA foreign missions, demonstrating its biblical foundation in the early New Testament church as described in Acts. The article argues that the Jerusalem church under apostolic leadership manifested all three characteristics through its autonomous governance, evangelistic growth, and sacramental administration, providing theological grounding for contemporary missionary practice.
Previous article in this series: April 15, 2023, p. 327. It is important and encouraging to know that there are examples of the three-self formula in the early New Testament church according to the book of Acts. There is evidence that the church did manifest aspects of the three-self formula in its early, developing institutional life. This is true not just in the later years of the history of Acts, but even in the early history soon after Pentecost. Already then, the church manifested the...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org