GS 2004 art 99

GS 2004 Article 99 – Appeal of the church at Grand Rapids against Arts. 22, 34, 36, 45 of Synod Neerlandia

Committee 3 presented its proposal on the appeal of the church at Grand Rapids against Articles 22, 34, 36, 45 of Synod Neerlandia 2001. After several rounds of discussion, the following was adopted:

1.     Material

Appeal of the church at Grand Rapids against Articles 22, 34, 36, 45 of Synod Neerlandia 2001

2. Admissibility

This appeal is admissible since it appeals a decision of Synod Neerlandia 2001.

3.     Observations

  • 3.1. The church at Grand Rapids requests Synod to judge that:
    • 3.1.1.Synod Neerlandia 2001 erred in its “consideration” of Articles 22, 34, 36 and 45 that the differences between the Westminster Standards and the Three Forms of Unity (particularly with respect to the doctrinal points listed in the “Evaluation of Divergences”) may “express the catholicity of the Church of God and enrich the body of Christ ….”
  • 3.1.   2.The same “consideration” also jeopardizes the pure preaching of the gospel in the Canadian and American Churches (Article 29 of the Belgic Confession).
  • 3.2.   The church at Grand Rapids states that some formulations in the Westminster Standards are not in agreement with the Three Forms of Unity, “and therefore should be reckoned as divergences that must be resolved outside the bounds of Ecclesiastical Fellowship.” The church at Grand Rapids gives the doctrine of the covenant as an example.  It feels that Synod Neerlandia has opened the door to false preaching on the covenant, similar to the preaching which the churches rejected in connection with the Protestant Reformed Church.

4.       Considerations

  • 4.1.   The church at Grand Rapids’ appeal is, in fact, an appeal against Synod Lincoln 1992, Art. 72, Recommendation B.
  • 4.2.   Both Synod Abbotsford 1995 (Art. 106, pg. 69) and Synod Fergus 1998 (Art. 130) denied appeals concerning the same matter.  The church at Grand Rapids does not interact with these decisions.

5.      Recommendation

Synod decide to deny the appeal of the church at Grand Rapids.