 The Jerusalem Assembly?  The Layman – Volume 36, Number 2 – Posted April 21, 2003
Remember in Acts 15 how there was “sharp debate” on the major issue of whether non-Jewish converts to the Christian faith had to be circumcised and live by other parts of the Jewish law? So Paul and Barnabas and some others were commissioned to go to Jerusalem and discuss the matter with other elders. Together, they considered the question, with all aspects of the issue being presented. Together, they issued a letter with their understanding: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us ...” Their assembly spoke authoritatively on the matter and settled that issue as a matter of doctrine for all. The assembly I attended in 1988 spoke to dozens of issues – from an overture by Hudson River Presbytery for local ordination standards to peace in the Middle East to concern for our steady loss of members since 1965. But our decisions had seemingly little effect – those same issues will be returning to this assembly. However, this year’s gathering will have before it an issue as important to our denomination as the matter of essentials for Gentile believers. That issue is faithfulness to our constitutional covenant and its understanding of the teachings of Scripture. The matter comes from the case of defiance/compliance of Christ Church in Burlington, Vt. In 1998, that congregation’s session adopted a statement that it would not obey G-6.0106b – the ordination standard of the Book of Order that officers be faithful in heterosexual marriage or chaste in singleness. In 2000, the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission ruled that such defiance was not constitutionally acceptable; however, Christ Church did not immediately rescind its statement. The session finally “set aside” their policy just before the Assembly met in 2002, where an overture was pending to require Christ Church to comply with the constitution, but the Assembly was silent on the issue. In November, 2002, Christ Church issued a “statement of compliance,” which reinterprets the ordination standards to permit unrepentant sexually active homosexuals to hold office. The Presbytery of Northern New England has accepted the statement and forwarded it to the Assembly coming to Denver. Also before the Assembly is Overture 03-12, which asks for an official authoritative interpretation of G-6.0106b. Thus, THE issue that has troubled the PCUSA for the last 25 years will be squarely before the church. Will the commissioners speak faithfully and with authority to the question of moral standards for officers? Will the assembly choose for the PCUSA this day whom it will serve? Will this be a Jerusalem Assembly? Perhaps the two major qualities that determined the effectiveness of the Jerusalem Council almost 2000 years ago were what went in and what came out. Paul, Barnabas, and other elders “went in.” The Biblical account states that the members sent to Jerusalem were “appointed;” we officially use the term “commissioned.” Either word implies a deliberate sending out on behalf of others. Surely, at the time of Paul and Barnabas’ sojourn, prayers went up continually from the believers in Antioch. How many Presbyterians will commit themselves to praying fervently for our assembly and its participants? Will God act mightily without those prayers? What came out – the apostles and elders wrote a letter to the Gentile believers. It was short and to the point. Most important, the letter was sent because the council had agreed and was confident that its decision was a faithful one: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us ...” The truth of their discernment is borne out by the widespread and enduring acceptance of what they advised. How wonderful it would be to see such results from this coming assembly. To have the entire body of the PCUSA praying passionately for our commissioners to have the mind of Christ in their deliberations. To have the assembly be able to address simply and with authority the issues being sharply debated. To have an enduring word from the assembly beginning “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us ...” Let us commit ourselves to this. Peggy Hedden, an elder in the Mifflin Presbyterian Church, Gahanna, Ohio, is the chairman of the Presbyterian Lay Committee. |
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