The Christadelphian January 1950

Intelligence

MELBOURNE AND MALVERN.—We rejoice to report the union in fellowship of the ecclesias meeting at Albert Hall, Melbourne, and U.F.S. Hall, Malvern. Following correspondence, representatives were appointed to each ecclesia, and a conference was held on Aug. 28, 1949, to determine whether unity of belief on Scriptural essentials existed sufficiently to enable delegates to recommend to their respective ecclesias the desirability of the resumption of fellowship. Five resolutions embodying recommendations were carried unanimously and were confirmed at special meetings of the two ecclesias. The effect of these decisions is that the two ecclesias have agreed to resume fellowship on the basis of the Amended Birmingham Statement of Faith, after agreement upon the Editorial articles in The Christadelphian of May, 1939, “On the Nature of Man and the Sacrifice of Christ”, and of December, 1940, “A Time to Heal”. We are very hopeful that many brethren and sisters in country parts of Victoria who have been separated, will also be able to enjoy fellowship together. Most have already expressed agreement on the above basis. We are indeed grateful to God at the successful outcome, and pray for His blessing in our united work in His service.—Frank R. Morgan (rec. bro.), U.F.S. Hall Ecclesia, Malvern; Robt. G. Walker (rec. bro.), Albert Hall Ecclesia, Melbourne.

The Christadelphian May 1956

“Basis for Union and Fellowship in Victoria 1953”

“Dear bro. Carter,—In view of the caption appearing at the head of current Australian Intelligence in The Christadelphian magazine and bearing in mind the misrepresentations which appear to be circulating in Great Britain concerning fellowship in this country, we enclose herewith copies of (a) The June, 1953, Basis for Union and Fellowship in Victoria, and (b) The Australia-wide letter on Union and Fellowship. The first letter will, we trust, give all brethren and sisters a clear picture of the position in Victoria. The second letter indicates the efforts being made to extend fellowship throughout Australia, and we ask you to note particularly that the basis is the acceptance by all of the scriptural truths expressed in the Amended Birmingham Statement of Faith. Perhaps some of you are troubled on account of relatives or friends in Australia, and the purpose of this letter is to give the assurance that the brethren and sisters here have not discarded the ‘One Foundation’ and also to enable all to judge for themselves whether or not our basis is a sound one. We feel that publication of this letter and enclosures in The Christadelphian will help in clarifying the position. It would be appreciated if you would arrange publication.”

This is signed by the recording brethren of the following ecclesias: Balwyn, Moorabbin, Hughesdale, Malvern, Latrobe St. (Melbourne), Moreland.

The following is the Basis for Union and Fellowship in Victoria agreed to by Horticultural Hall, Balwyn, Coburg, Malvern and Moorabbin, ecclesias in June, 1953:

(A) Basis:

(a) That as fellowship is generally upon the doctrines and precepts of Scripture expressed in the “Birmingham Amended Statement of Faith”, including “Doctrines to be Rejected”, and “Epitome of the Commandments of Christ”, we recommend that this be the basis of union and fellowship throughout Victoria.

(b) That we recognize as brethren and welcome to our fellowship all who have been immersed by whomsoever, after their acceptance of the same doctrines and precepts; and that any brother departing from any element of the one Faith as defined in the Birmingham Amended Statement of Faith is to be dealt with according to Apostolic precept.

(B) In applying the above basis to ecclesial life and association:

1. It is accepted that, should the need arise for a further elaboration of clauses 4 to 12 of the “Birmingham Statement of Faith”, the “Time to Heal” articles shall be deemed quite satisfactory for the purpose. [Links to Time to Heal Articles 1939 and 1940]

2. It shall also be agreed that the basis of faith and fellowship being essentially the determination of each ecclesia any ecclesia may, if it desires, adopt for its own use a more explicit definition or elaboration of the Statement of Faith without it being an addition thereto, and may restrict fellowship at its meetings to those in agreement therewith; but this shall not affect the general fellowship among all ecclesias who accept the basis set out in resolutions 1 (a) and (b).

3. It shall be understood that fellowship with all ecclesias in Australia or overseas shall be limited to those who accept the doctrines and precepts as expressed in the “Birmingham Statement of Faith” and where it is not known by letter of introduction from ecclesias in fellowship or other reliable sources, that visitors are in harmony with the doctrines set out in the “Birmingham Statement of Faith”, they shall be interviewed to ascertain oneness of mind and their relationship to fellowship.

Concerning this Basis a circular dated March, 1955, has the following:

“The proposed basis was drawn up by a Committee of the Melbourne ecclesias at Horticultural Hall, Victoria Street, Balwyn, Coburg, Malvern, and Moorabbin, and agreed to by all these ecclesias before being submitted throughout Victoria by the Committee. It is of particular interest that this Basis was agreed to almost unanimously by brethren and sisters throughout Victoria. After the acceptance of the proposed Basis throughout Victoria they were put into effect by the ecclesias at Balwyn, Malvern, and Moorabbin, together with the Melbourne (Oddfellows’ Hall, Latrobe Street) and Elsternwick ecclesias, and later by the newly formed ecclesias at Upwey and Moreland. The ecclesias at Melbourne (Horticultural Hall, Victoria Street) and Coburg afterwards demanded further requirements. Ecclesias throughout Victoria are now enjoying fellowship upon the Victorian Basis. As you will know, that Basis involves the acceptance of the doctrines and precepts of Scripture expressed in the Statement of Faith of the Birmingham ecclesia, with the provisions regarding limitation of fellowship to those accepting the doctrinal truths, that the agreement sets out. As a result, the majority of brethren and sisters in the Melbourne area are now happily united in fellowship in service to Christ, and are actively assisting each other in all branches of the Truth’s activities.”

A further circular of May, 1955, contains the following: “One outstanding fact that has emerged from the negotiations is that the Christadelphian ecclesias throughout Australia have generally stated their agreement with the Scriptural truths set out in the Birmingham Amended Statement of Faith.”

After quoting 1 (a) and 1 (b) clauses of the Basis for Union of June, 1953, the circular continues: “In view of the fact stated in paragraph 2 of this letter, and in order that we can all be finally assured that every ecclesia in Australia is in agreement on fundamentals, we earnestly ask that we shall all declare our adherence to the first principles of Scriptural truth, of which the Birmingham Amended Statement of Faith is an expression, and that we will only accept in fellowship individuals and ecclesias who likewise accept the same basis. The united ecclesias of Victoria have already given this assurance and we look forward to an early and favourable reply from you with the hope that ecclesias throughout Australia may freely fellowship one another.”

The following is the Open Letter issued, as we said, by ecclesias in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and elsewhere to which is appended a series of extracts from the writings of four brethren in support of their charges. Many of these extracts have appeared in other leaflets which have had apparently a fair circulation in Britain and elsewhere already, and we do not think space can be profitably spared for them.

An Open Letter on Re-union

Dear Brethren and Sisters,—Greeting in the Name of the Lord.—The brethren and sisters of the ecclesias in the “Central” fellowship in Australia, the names of which are appended to this letter, deem it advisable to acquaint those of the Central group in various parts of the world with the conditions which now prevail in this country.

We feel that this action is incumbent on us at this time because of the approaching conclusion of negotiations which have been proceeding for some time between the Central and Suffolk Street groups in England. We have followed the reports concerning this move for re-union with much sympathy, interest, and concern and we trust that the ultimate course taken will be one which will bring real unity to the brotherhood with the firm resolution to resist error and to build up the ecclesias in the bonds of love and truth.

During the course of the negotiations one question has naturally loomed largely before our brethren here, namely, “What course will the Suffolk Street ecclesias take regarding their Australian affiliations?” This matter is of great importance to us, as complications are bound to arise should this aspect of ecclesial obligation be overlooked or its importance be obscured in the deliberations.

Re-union of ecclesias on a sound Scriptural basis is very desirable. We had hoped that this could be achieved here in Australia. Evidence from various sources, however, shows that numerous errors are held in what is known as the Shield or “Regent Hall” group of ecclesias. It is freely admitted by many members of those ecclesias that many ideas are held which we believe to be subversive of important clauses in both the positive and negative sections of the Birmingham Statement of Faith; and they justify the retention in fellowship of those holding these serious reservations on the ground that it is better to “educate” such brethren than to withdraw from them.

This emphasizes that the Scriptural method of withdrawal is not and cannot be practised in the Shield ecclesias, many of whose members openly disavow it, claiming that their fellowship is with the Father and Son, and not necessarily with each other.

In our view the continued retention of teachers of error is contrary to such Scriptural injunctions as Titus 3:10 and 2 John 7 and 12. There is ample evidence that the requirements of Scripture regarding treatment of those who teach error are disregarded in the Regent Hall group.

We understand from information published in The Christadelphian by bro. John Carter, that this was formerly the case in the Suffolk Street ecclesia but that this attitude has now given place to one in harmony with Scripture.

In view of the foregoing and of the fact that interchange of fellowship has hitherto obtained between the Regent Hall and Suffolk Street groups of ecclesias, we now make a special appeal to all Central ecclesias to seek for a definite assurance from the Suffolk Street brethren that their fellowship will be extended only to those who unreservedly and sincerely accept the Birmingham Statement of Faith, and who refuse to retain in fellowship those who teach or support erroneous beliefs.

We trust that when you have carefully weighed the evidence contained herein concerning the toleration of error in the Regent Hall group of ecclesias, you will see the need to request an immediate investigation by the Suffolk Street ecclesias.

The claim to accept the Birmingham Statement of Faith by ecclesias or individuals is a false claim when teachings such as those set out below are allowed to work as leaven in an ecclesia. It is idle and wrong to claim that there is unity of belief or that there is no difference when such doctrines undermine the very foundations of the true Faith. The Ecclesial Guide gives good advice in relation to this matter. Faithfulness to vital truths is a duty to God, and brethren owe it to the rising generation to give them a good lead in holding steadfastly to the basic principles of doctrine and fellowship.

We believe that, even if we never broke bread at the same table with brethren holding wrong beliefs, we would carry responsibility as condoning those beliefs if we knowingly allied ourselves with the group to which they belong. We cannot clear ourselves by simply making sure that individual brethren visiting our meetings are personally sound, for through them we would be in fellowship association with those with whom they regularly meet.

In conclusion, we wish to comment on a statement in The Christadelphian for August, 1955, page 309, as follows:

“The position in Australia is known to be confused. Discussions on re-union have been going on for three or four years, and some ecclesias are giving effect to proposals before others are willing to do so. The Shield group have adopted the Birmingham Amended Statement of Faith—it is the duty of Australian brethren to seek for loyalty to it as a condition of re-union.”

While heartily supporting the final sentiment, we consider that a part of the statement is rather misleading. There is no evidence that the group as a whole has adopted the Birmingham Statement of Faith, though some individual ecclesias have done so. Some refuse to have any statement of faith but the Scriptures. The position in Australia may appear confused to those in England, but to us it is well defined. Ecclesias remaining in the Central group still refuse fellowship to those in the Regent Hall group. The effort to bring about re-union in Australia has not resulted in the healing of the breach made in the days of bro. John Bell 50 years ago, but it has had the effect of enlarging the membership of the Regent Hall group of ecclesias at the expense of those who are contending against the same errors which caused the original division.

John T. Burns

(Recorder, Sydney ecclesia)

The Christadelphian March 1958

Statement of Position Adopted By Horticultural Hall Ecclesia, 4 August, 1957

1.—That the Statement of Faith (B.A.S.F.) contained in our printed Constitution be re-affirmed as our basis of fellowship, and that clauses 4 to 12 be understood according to the teaching of the “Time to Heal” articles (published in The Christadelphian in December, 1940.—Ed.).

2.—That our past practice with regard to fellowship be modified to the following extent: That we welcome to our fellowship visiting brethren and sisters who individually accept the basis set out in paragraph 1, subject to the following conditions: (a) That, if they are members of an ecclesia, that ecclesia accepts all doctrines expressed in the B.A.S.F. (b) That if their ecclesia has not adopted the “Time to Heal” articles, such visiting brethren or sisters should urge them to do so. (c) That, if we know of any of the ecclesia from which the visitors come who teach wrong doctrine, they give an assurance that they will press for action according to apostolic precept against such error. (d) That if time does not permit of discussion of these matters with a visitor whose position is not known, he be given a statement of our basis and practice, and be received, without prejudice, on the understanding that he express his agreement before any further meeting with us. (e) That if an ecclesia is proved to be wilfully and persistently preaching error, no member of such ecclesia shall be received by us at the Lord’s Table without first repudiating such error and giving assurance of intention to take the scriptural course to terminate his association with such ecclesia.

3.—That members of our ecclesia recognize the duty to break bread only with ecclesias which accept the doctrines and precepts set out in the B.A.S.F. together with the explanation of clauses 4 to 12 given in the “Time to Heal” articles.