GS 1971 ARTICLE 1 – Opening
On behalf of the convening Church at New Westminster, the Rev. J. Mulder calls the assembly to order. He requests to sing from the Book of Praise Hymn 13: 1 and 2, reads Revelation 1: 4 – 20, and leads in prayer.
He addresses the delegates as follows:
“Esteemed brethren,
On behalf of the convening Church and its consistory, the Church at New Westminster, I welcome you most heartily as delegates to the General Synod 1971.
You have come from far and near and we are thankful to God for your safe arrival.
You have been given great responsibility. Your deliberations and decisions concern the work of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
You must select a brother to fill the vacancy created by the passing away of Professor Kouwenhoven whose work we remember in thankfulness to the Lord. The brother to be appointed will fill a responsible position in the Church.
You will have to deal with other matters concerning the only Reformed Theological College in this country, which, by the grace of God, could hold its first Annual Convocation last week Friday, May 21st, on which occasion four students received their degree. Thankful to the Lord we remember that historic event.
Weighty decisions are also to be made with respect to the correspondence with Churches abroad, the contact with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the Christian Reformed Church.
What makes your task such a responsible one is that in all these and other matters you are engaged in the work of “the Church of the Lord, which He has purchased with His own blood.” (Acts 20:28).
Is this not too great a responsibility bestowed upon fallible men? Keep in mind, however, that reassuring and comforting promise of Revelation 1. He, Jesus Christ, who purchased His Church with His own blood, is the same one who triumphantly rose from the dead, who appeared in the midst of the golden candlesticks, who still holds the stars in His right hand. He Himself is present with His Churches and is actively involved in their work, guiding them in all the truth by His Holy Spirit. If only you sincerely submit yourselves to Him with ardent love, He will enable you to fulfil your responsible task and will sanctify your work by His blood and Spirit, to the glory of the Father, to the edification of the Church.
‘His everlasting care bends like a wall around her.’ Brethren, there is work to be done.
This confidence which we have upon our Lord and Saviour activates us and encourages us.
Let us proceed in humble dependence upon the Lord our God, performing our tasks in constant obedience to His infallible Word, submitting ourselves to the creeds of the Church, maintaining the articles relating to the lawful order of the Church.
May the Lord bless you as you now undertake ‘the work which hereafter will be referred to as the Acts of the sixth General Synod of the Canadian Reformed Churches.”