Beliefs

In perfect consistency with the above principle, every Christian Church, or union or association of particular churches, is entitled to declare the terms of admission into its communion and the qualifications of its ministers and members, as well as the whole system of its internal government which Christ has appointed. In the exercise of this right it may, notwithstanding, err in making the terms of communion either too lax or too narrow; yet even in this case, it does not infringe upon the liberty or the rights of others, but only makes an improper use of its own.

Our blessed Saviour, for the edification of the visible Church, which is His body, has appointed officers not only to preach the Gospel and administer the Sacraments, but also to exercise discipline for the preservation both of truth and duty. It is incumbent upon these officers and upon the whole Church in whose name they act, to censure or cast out the erroneous and scandalous, observing in all cases the rules contained in the Word of God.

Godliness is founded on truth. A test of truth is its power to promote holiness according to our Saviour’s rule, “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20). No opinion can be more pernicious or more absurd than that which brings truth and falsehood upon the same level.

On the contrary, there is an inseparable connection between faith and practice, truth and duty. Otherwise it would be of no consequence either to discover truth or to embrace it.

While, under the conviction of the above principle, it is necessary to make effective provision that all who are admitted as teachers be sound in the faith, there are truths and forms with respect to which men of good character and principles may differ. In all these it is the duty both of private Christians and societies to exercise mutual forbearance toward each other.

The Holy Scriptures establish the character, qualifications and authority of those who exercise each office in the church, as well as the appropriate method for their investiture. However, in any society, the power of choice for persons to exercise authority lies with that particular society.

The power of the Church, whether exercised by the body in general or by representation, has only a ministerial and declarative character, for the only existing standard of faith and practice is the Holy Scriptures. No church council can dictate laws that bind the conscience. Human frailty makes every ecclesiastical council liable to error, yet it is up to them to preserve the laws of the Scriptures, even if this obligation falls upon fallible beings.

Since the objective of ecclesiastical discipline is purely moral or spiritual and has no civil effect, it cannot infer any force but that of its own justice, from the approval of an impartial public and from the consent and blessing of the one who is grandiosely head of the Church.

If the above biblical principles are firmly observed, the strength and rigour of government and discipline applied with pastoral prudence and Christian love will contribute to the glory and welfare of the Church.