Church members of a particular Evangelical Free church must believe:
“5.10(b) that every local church has the right under Christ to decide and govern its own affairs;
and,
5.11 In the premillennial, personal, and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .”
The following exception is granted:
“They must believe all articles in the Statement of Faith, with the possible exceptions of 5.10b (though they must believe Lakeland has the right under Christ to decide and govern its own affairs) and 5.11.”
1) Does anyone find this odd? If one does not believe that “every local church has the right . . .[to] govern its own affairs”, why should “Lakeland” be given a special exemption?? Should there be some special right given to this church to govern itself? I think I have a bigger problem with this exception than with the doctrine itself. It just doesn’t make any sense. If you don’t think other churches can govern themselves, why would you think this one can? Unless of course this is the only true church. In that case, they have a serious problem. What does this mean? What are they trying to say? Any insights would be welcome.
From the Westminster Confession of Faith XXXI-III: “It belonged to synods and councils, ministerially to determine controversies of faith, and cases of conscience; to set down rules and directions for the better ordering of the public worship of God, and government of His Church. . . not only or their agreement with the Word, but also for the power whereby they are made, as being an ordinance of God appointed thereunto in His word.”
The Westminster has stood the test of time. I’m not sure what will come of the other church constitution in question.
2) Secondly, when did premillennialism become a fundamental doctrine of the church? . . .
“5.10(b) that every local church has the right under Christ to decide and govern its own affairs;
and,
5.11 In the premillennial, personal, and imminent coming of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .”
The following exception is granted:
“They must believe all articles in the Statement of Faith, with the possible exceptions of 5.10b (though they must believe Lakeland has the right under Christ to decide and govern its own affairs) and 5.11.”
1) Does anyone find this odd? If one does not believe that “every local church has the right . . .[to] govern its own affairs”, why should “Lakeland” be given a special exemption?? Should there be some special right given to this church to govern itself? I think I have a bigger problem with this exception than with the doctrine itself. It just doesn’t make any sense. If you don’t think other churches can govern themselves, why would you think this one can? Unless of course this is the only true church. In that case, they have a serious problem. What does this mean? What are they trying to say? Any insights would be welcome.
From the Westminster Confession of Faith XXXI-III: “It belonged to synods and councils, ministerially to determine controversies of faith, and cases of conscience; to set down rules and directions for the better ordering of the public worship of God, and government of His Church. . . not only or their agreement with the Word, but also for the power whereby they are made, as being an ordinance of God appointed thereunto in His word.”
The Westminster has stood the test of time. I’m not sure what will come of the other church constitution in question.
2) Secondly, when did premillennialism become a fundamental doctrine of the church? . . .
2 comments:
Re: sledding... amazing the energy it takes... mom used to bundle us four up and then forbid us entry to the house for at least an hour to prevent having to go through the whole ordeal again when we decided we were bored ten minutes after getting outside.
Adam
The dispensationalists have always made premil a tennent of the faith. If you look at any dispy school it is required of all teachers. If you join a dispy church it is usually one of the main doctrines that they confess.
And it is all 19th-20th century American Christianity to the core. Most of the Christian church laughs at such a doctrine.
I love the church building on the article though. Very nice; maybe you will finance the GR church to have that built here?
Post a Comment