Reformed Presbyterian Minutes of Synod 1993

REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 145are essential to the unity of the body of Christ. (See also ConfesFaith, Chap. 20, Para. 4, Constitution, Pg. A-60)FOCUS: THE INDIVIDUAL CONSCIENCEIn the estimation of your committee, the debate over Query #8 has, forthe most part, focused on the individual conscience of believers. It has beeninsisted, and with a great deal of Biblical support, that the Church'sresponsibiUty before God is so to believe and teach in harmony with theBible that believers may Uve in good conscience within that body. Andwhen conscientious objections to the Church's positions are raised, theChurch must allow its positions to be tested by those individual consciences.This results in decisions as to whether the convictions of thoseindividuals are informed by God's revelation and therefore should becomethe position of the Church, or whether they should not. This principle ofthe Church being tested before God's Word has been used by Himeffectively through the centuries to force the Church to re-examine itsassumptions and positions, and to adopt a more clearly Biblical stand, i.e.to be constantly re-formed by the Word.THE CONSCIENCE OF THE BODYBut there is a problem here. What of the "conscience of the body?" Inthe history of church synodsand councils, there has been a host of issuesdebated pro and con. Decisions have been made, and the conscience of thebody has been expressed. By the "conscience of the body" we mean thosedecisions that are rendered reflecting the understanding and convictions ofa majority of the rulers of the Church. Conscience, therefore, the consciencebefore God of a majority of the Church's ralership, becomes thedetermining force in establishing the law and order of the Church, in thelight of God's Word asit is understood. Such conscientious decisions,difficult as they are to make and sustain, have been necessary. No effectiveoversight and care of the Church could have existed without them.Today we wrestle with sharp differences of opinion and an "impasse"within the courts of the RPCNA over Query #8, and its requirement of totalabstinence for aU of its ordained officers. Similarly, other reformedchurches wrestle over other issues. Should women be permitted ordinationto the office of deacon? Is there any saving power in baptism? Shouldinfants be allowed to commune? Must all the infants of members bebaptized, or will the church allow a certain freedom to parent memberswith scruples about infant baptism? In each of these cases, many in thisSynod would feel that the answers are patent. We would have strongconvictions that a position or a course of action is required by Scripture,and others should quickly see this and conform to it. Instead, these issues