(Greek: euangelikos, pertaining to the Gospel)
Designation originally claimed by all Protestants on the ground that their tenets were derived solely from the Bible, later attached to those congregations which teach the total depravity of human nature, the necessity of human conversion, the justification of the sinner by faith alone, the free offer of the Gospel to all, and the inspiration and authority of the Bible. These beliefs are held largely by the Presbyterians in Scotland, the Nonconformists in England, and the corresponding churches in America. In the Anglican Church they form the great body of the "Low Church." In Germany it is the special designation of the United Church as distinguished from the old Lutheran and Reformed churches. The term is also applied by the orthodox sects of Protestantism to distinguish themselves from the liberal bodies.