Video
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Audio
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Notes
The slides from the class in PDF form can be downloaded from https://s3.amazonaws.com/clurt/Class_1_Unless_the_LORD_Build_the_House.pdf
Summary Points
Note: This summary was written independent of the class presenter and contains additional information.
1. Unity is desired, but on a sound basis
We seek unity with our Unamended brethren; not union or periodic association, but unity on a scriptural basis, one in which we are all of one mind, all speak the same thing, and all give the same judgment regarding Bible teaching and fellowship (Eph. 4:1–6; 1 Cor. 1:10).
2. Brethren ought to deal with one another in sincerity and truth
We are commanded to worship God in sincerity and truth (Josh. 24:14; John 4:23-24); this applies equally in how brethren deal with each other – we must say what we mean and mean what we say; a reunion document that means different things to different people does not reflect this divine command and will not result in all believing the same doctrine or upholding the same fellowship practice.
3. The BASF must remain the basis of inter-ecclesial fellowship
Our worldwide fellowship basis is founded upon a shared belief among our ecclesias in the principles summarized in the BASF, which is the touchstone for our common beliefs; the UA08, by contrast, makes the NASU the touchstone and the basis for inter-ecclesial fellowship, in place of the BASF; the NASU originally stated the BASF would be the touchstone but this was removed after 2001.
4. A preponderant majority is needed before reunion will succeed
The process used to implement the UA08, in which some ecclesias were consulted and some bypassed, contributed to the fracturing caused at its introduction and ignored the past practice of our community to first obtain a preponderant majority of support to avoid division; it is now known that when the NASU was submitted for a continental vote in 2005, Amended and Unamended brethren on the Steering Committee had two different understandings as to its doctrinal teaching regarding resurrectional responsibility; the acceptance into fellowship, by the UA08 ecclesias, of five Midwest Unamended ecclesias in 2010, over the objection of the Midwest Amended ecclesias has caused further discord; the reunion process needs to be put back on a proper scriptural basis that achieves a preponderant majority of support from our Amended ecclesias if our unity is to be restored.
5. A reunion basis that accommodates error and fellowship outside the Central community will not retain unity among our ecclesias
A reunion basis that does not recognize the BASF as the basis for inter-ecclesial fellowship, that does not eliminate the doctrinal errors of Bro. Thomas Williams, that does not require ecclesias to be members of the Central community, that does not restrict fellowship at the Memorial Table to ecclesias in the Central community, and that accommodates fellowship with ecclesias who reject the reunion basis, will never unite our Amended ecclesias; all previous reunion efforts in our community have included these provisions with the result that a preponderant majority favoured reunion and our unity was preserved
6. The scriptural counsel of brethren who preceded us cannot be ignored
The brethren who have preceded us for over 100 years have given a consistent basis of scriptural counsel regarding the need for sound doctrine on these matters, a common fellowship practice, and agreement with a single Statement of Faith; when we follow such scriptural counsel we honour God’s Word (1 Tim. 5:17; Prov. 22:28; Jer. 6:16); we ignore it to our own peril.
7. Ontario Amended ecclesias have a responsibility not to export division to the brotherhood
After three years, the UA08 has proven to be a divisive reunion basis, causing discord and division among Ontario Amended ecclesias; if nothing is done to correct the underlying concerns, the same impact will be spread to the rest of North America and beyond, causing permanent division among the Central brotherhood; each Ontario Amended ecclesia has a responsibility to help prevent this from happening.