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[Feb 7, 1996] Richard Bacon to Edmonton Clerk of Session.

To: Dohms

From: Richard Bacon

Subject: books of order and worship

Lyndon Dohms says:

>To the issue of the Book of Church Order, the Edmonton

>Session is not of a mind to be altering the Westminster

>Directory for Public Worship or the Form of Church

>Government that was approved at that time, until it can be

>shown that our presbytery has the authority to do so.

Presbytery's authority is based upon the Westminster Confession of Faith:

WCF XXXI:3. Competent Functions of Synods

It belongeth to synods and councils ministerially to determine controversies of faith, and cases of conscience; *to set down rules and directions for the better ordering of the publick worship of God, and government of his church;* to receive complaints in cases of mal-administration, and authoritatively to determine the same: which decrees and determinations, if consonant to the word of God, are to be received with reverence and submission, not only for their agreement with the word, but also for the power whereby they are made, as being an ordinance of God, appointed thereunto in his word.

Acts 16:4

4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. (KJV)

Matthew 18:17-20

17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (KJV)

Hypertext (c)1995 Blue Banner Ministries. Used by permission.

Dick Bacon

dbacon@airmail.netTo: davese@microsoft.com