The Christadelphian November 1947

“Further Notes on Reunion Efforts”

Last month reference was made to the recent negotiations for reunion between representatives of the Central and Berean fellowships and to the causes of the failure of those negotiations. The Berean brethren submitted to the Central brethren the terms of a suggested Joint Statement to be issued to the ecclesias as a basis of reunion. Some amendments were made by the Central brethren, the principal difference being the omission of the Clause 5 to which reference was made last month. The amended statement is appended for the information of brethren and sisters and for purposes of record. Next month we propose giving the statement on marriage and divorce prepared by the Central brethren, and which was read at a joint meeting of the representatives.

Suggested Joint Statement as Amended by the sub-committee of The Christadelphian (London) Re-union committee of the Central Fellowship, and representatives from Birmingham Central Ecclesia

Arising out of prologed discussions, both by conference and by correspondence, between brethren representing the above Committee it is UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED to recommend the resumption of Fellowship between ecclesias comprising the “Berean” and “Central” Fellowships, having regard to the fact that agreement exists on the following matters:

1. Both parties subscribe to the Scriptural principles and doctrines which are stated positively and negatively in the Birmingham (Amended) Statement of Faith. This implies acceptance of other Statements which embody the same First Principles though words may differ.

2. Fellowship is extended to all who so subscribe.

3. Conversely, fellowship cannot be extended to those who believe and teach the contrary.

4. Accepting as they do without reserve the Bible teaching concerning the nature and sacrifice of Christ as set forth in Articles III to X of the aforementioned Statement of Faith, both parties repudiate the teaching known as “the Clean Flesh doctrine” as also the fellowship of those who tolerate it. Accordingly, they welcome the attempt to clarify the issue in America and, while not suggesting that the Statement of Faith should be elaborated, they recognize and approve the re-statement of the first principles of Scripture teaching on this subject as set forth in the four doctrines contrary to the Truth and six items expressive of the Truth appearing in The Christadelphian Magazine, 1940, p. 564.

5. A Meeting of the representatives of the Berean (Edmund St.) and Central (Midland Institute) Ecclesias in Birmingham has shewn that there is no cause of separation on the issue of Military service and Police service; and the following Statement adopted by all the Central Fellowship Ecclesias in 1937 when war seemed inevitable, is submitted as a Statement of the position of both parties on this issue:

“That we re-affirm our agreement with the attitude taken by the Christadelphian body since its inception, that the Commandments of Christ prohibit the resistance of evil or the doing of violence and that service in any branch of the Army, Navy, or Air Force, or any other service involving the taking of the Military Oath, is contrary to the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“That for the same reasons we agree that service in the Police Force is incompatible with our position as Christadelphians.”

6. Withdrawal of Fellowship for (a) Conduct unworthy of the name of Christ or (b) Departure from the revealed Truth can only be properly effected when the principles stated in Matthew 18 and Titus 3:10, 11 have been applied.

Our bond of Union being the acceptance of the ONE FAITH and our submission to the Commandments of the Lord, the above Joint Statement is issued as thankful evidence that unity of mind and purpose exists between us and Ecclesias in our respective fellowships are recommended to restore that Ecclesial unity which prevailed up to 1923.

It is recommended that in those places where Ecclesias of both fellowships exist such Ecclesias should get into touch with each other forthwith with the object of giving practical effect to the above recommendation.

(The names of the secretaries of the two Committees were appended with the suggestion that ecclesial decisions be notified to them, and the names of all the brethren on the two Committees.)

As stated last month, the Berean brethren insisted on the inclusion of Clause 5 of their draft and the negotiations came to an end. As this Clause 5 involves an addition to the basis of fellowship, the Statement of the Central brethren as given above remains the appropriate ground upon which reunion can be effected.