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There are many who state that there are no
differences between the Dawn and Central Christadelphians, those who say
this are either those who have left our number and seek to justify their
position or those who simply are ignorant of the differences.
Therefore the intent of these pages is to explain the reasons for
Dawn Christadelphians being separate from other Christadelphians and
to explain the differences between Dawn and Central Fellowships.
There are major differences in practice, even if the
majority of our doctrines are the same. The detail in the difference is
very important!
There are two issues which primarily are the reasons
why we are separate. The one supports the other and leads to an
undermining of the principles of fellowship. The first difference is the
Central Fellowships perception and application of 'Ecclesial
Autonomy' and the second is their acceptance of brethren
and sisters divorcing and re-marrying and being allowed
to stay in fellowship. In principle, Central
only accept that brethren and sisters can divorce and re-marry
when adultery has occurred. This, for example, is what the
Central Bible Mission Correspondence Course has to say on the subject:
'The only possible exception (to
marriage being binding) is when the marriage is broken by a sexual act
outside the marriage'
They then quote Matthew 19:9 to support this idea,
where Christ speaks of fornication or uncleanness under the Law
of Moses - nothing to do with adultery!
In practice however, divorce is allowed even
where no adultery has taken place. Now it must be noted, some
Central ecclesias will not allow either case. But the
question must be asked how do they satisfy their consciences over this
situation? By using the concept of 'Ecclesial Autonomy'.
The following is a quote from the words of Brother Ashton, the Editor of
the Christadelphian (10/8/93)
'If an ecclesia decides that under certain
conditions a brother or sister can be in fellowship despite having
remarried after divorce, that is for each ecclesia to
determine for itself.......I appreciate that Dawn
operates differently in matters of fellowship,
requiring greater unanimity of view in certain matters.......'
Brother Ashton's letter, and especially in the words
in bold type above, explains Central's 'ecclesial autonomy' approach to
the important issues of fellowship, e.g. with regard to
divorce and re-marriage. Now, lets see then this policy in action and
understand, what it means in reality.
A brother, once a member of the Dawn
Fellowship in
the U.K., is married to a sister, who also was a member of the
Dawn Fellowship. The brother in question abandoned his wife and moved in
with another sister. In due course, despite efforts to persuade him to
change his behaviour, fellowship was withdrawn from him for conduct
unworthy of a brother of Christ. This brother divorced his wife, though there
was
no adultery on her part. He then subsequently married another sister, and
they
were accepted into a Central Fellowship Ecclesia. This is
the entry in 'The Christadelphian' for January 1998:
Cleethorpes - We welcome Bro X and Sis Z
and their children and trust that our
fellowship will glorify God's Name
What does this mean?
By Christ's standards, indeed by (nominal) Central Fellowship
standards, this brother and his new 'wife' are living in adultery.
How can it 'glorify God's name? There is no
divorce in the sight of God so it is an adulterous liaison. What a travesty of fellowship, brethren and
sisters! This is, what members of the Dawn Fellowship cannot accept, because
we believe such behaviour is adultery, something which Paul states will exclude
us from the
Kingdom. This example of divorce and remarriage can be repeated, it is by
no means
unique.
Subsequent to this event, we are sorry to
say as a result of this brothers behaviour his true wife lost her faith
altogether. This hurt and damage to the innocent spouse does not appear
to matter to those, who contrary to scripture, allow divorce and
remarriage.
So, why is this being written? To
upset? To annoy Central brethren and sisters? NO, that is the last thing
intended and if the directness of what is written upsets then we assure
you it was not meant in this way. It was written because we want you to
think carefully about it. If you think this is acceptable doctrine and
practice, then by all means join or remain in the Central Fellowship, but
at least do so being aware of the scriptural implications involved and
thus why we in the Dawn Fellowship see such actions and belief as
apostasy. Apostasy being a departure from an element of the one faith.
We are not judging my brethren and sisters in any
way, as we in Dawn are often accused, but we are stating that as
an organisation, Central has departed from sound doctrine and WE
need to guard humbly and sincerely against the same errors in the Dawn
Fellowship. There are many sincere brethren and sisters in Central and
many sincere ecclesias, for that matter, but they are not prepared to separate
themselves from the errors that exist, citing the reason for tolerating error as
being the principles of ecclesial autonomy. This principle itself being a
divergence from sound doctrine and thus apostate in nature.
Our appeal to Central brethren and sisters
is simply this. Please put aside the upset and possibly anger you may
initially feel at reading what you may feel is an attack upon the Central
fellowship and examine our case against scripture. If you think the
principles of the Central fellowship are correct well and good, if not
well put aside pride and enter into discussion with us.
Our aim is not the
vindication of the Dawn Fellowship, nor to justify our stand. We
only desire the glory of God and the upholding of scriptural principles. A
name, Dawn or otherwise, is meaningless, we are not of Paul or Apollos or
Dawn or Central. All that matters is the glory of God and His purpose. All
that matters is that those who hold to sound doctrine, of whatever
fellowship, should be able to fellowship freely and separately from error
and those who uphold error. But whilst such error is tolerated, there can be no
fellowship. |
