The Salters' Hall Synod of 1719

[Martin Marprelate]

Never heard of it?
Read about it here and its relevance for today.

http://marprelate.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/learning-the-lessons-of-history-1/

http://marprelate.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/learning-the-lessons-of-history-2/

Steve

 

[billwald]

The relevance for today is that after 2000 years of Christian denominational fighting there is little hope of recovering exactly what Jesus had in mind.

 

[Martin Marprelate]

That is a rather sad and jaundiced view.
If it is true then there really is no purpose either in this forum or any other.

Steve

 

[Jerome]

What should the saints do when their elders start teaching contrary to the church's statement of faith?

 

[Martin Marprelate]

What should the saints do when their elders start teaching contrary to the church's statement of faith?

Hello Jerome,
I'm sorry! I missed your question.

I think one should try to follow Matt 18. First, go and see your Minister and speak to him about your concern. Maybe you're misunderstanding him. If he won't explain himself and you think he's still in the wrong, find someone else who feels as you do and go back to the Pastor. If you still get no resolution, bring it to the Church Meeting. Then if you still get nowhere, wipe the dust off your feet and find another church.

Steve

 

[Jerome]

In the OP controversy, the original church (eventually) succeeded in removing their minister, at enormous cost to the church and even other denominations.

A better way, as articulated by Charles Spurgeon:

Sirs, when I accepted the office of minister of this congregation, I looked to see what were your articles of faith; if I had not believed them I should not have accepted your call, and when I change my opinions, rest assured that as an honest man I shall resign the office, for how could I profess one thing in your declaration of faith, and quite another thing in my own preaching?

 

[Martin Marprelate]

In the OP controversy, the original church (eventually) succeeded in removing their minister, at enormous cost to the church and even other denominations.

A better way, as articulated by Charles Spurgeon:

In the OP, the church in question was under Presbyterian government which meant that the congregation did not have authority to remove him. You are right that the correct thing for a pastor who did not wish to uphold his church's Statement of faith, is to resign. Alas, those who will do so are few indeed.

My church belongs to the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches (www.fiec.org.uk ). Every Minister and officer has to sign each year that he upholds the Fellowship's Statement of Faith. failure to do so would result in the church being expelled from the fellowship, which would, of course, bring the matter to the notice of the congregation. I think that's a very good idea.

Steve