Basis of Union (Presbyterian Church of Australia)
Encyclopedia
The Basis of Union of the Presbyterian Church of Australia
is the document under which the constituent state churches agreed to unite at its first General Assembly on 24 July 1901, and is still a foundational text for the Uniting Church.
The first point of the Basis on Union affirmed that the "Supreme Standard" of the united church would be the "Word of God contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments," while the second point affirmed that its "Subordinate Standard" would be the Westminster Confession of Faith
, read in the light of a declaratory statement. This in turn consisted of six points. Much of it is derived from Declaratory Acts adopted by churches in Scotland, and, more particularly, the Declaratory Act approved (but not adopted) by the General Assembly of Victoria in 1882.
The declaratory statement presses the necessity of preaching the free offer of salvation, and the "cardinal facts" of Jesus Christ's
incarnation
, atoning life and death, resurrection
and ascension, as well as the bestowment of his Holy Spirit
. It also qualifies some statements in the Westminster Confession, and allows "liberty of opinion" on matters in it which are "not essential to the doctrine therein taught."
Presbyterian Church of Australia
The Presbyterian Church of Australia is the largest Presbyterian denomination in Australia. .-Beginnings:...
is the document under which the constituent state churches agreed to unite at its first General Assembly on 24 July 1901, and is still a foundational text for the Uniting Church.
The first point of the Basis on Union affirmed that the "Supreme Standard" of the united church would be the "Word of God contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments," while the second point affirmed that its "Subordinate Standard" would be the Westminster Confession of Faith
Westminster Confession of Faith
The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith, in the Calvinist theological tradition. Although drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly, largely of the Church of England, it became and remains the 'subordinate standard' of doctrine in the Church of Scotland, and has been...
, read in the light of a declaratory statement. This in turn consisted of six points. Much of it is derived from Declaratory Acts adopted by churches in Scotland, and, more particularly, the Declaratory Act approved (but not adopted) by the General Assembly of Victoria in 1882.
The declaratory statement presses the necessity of preaching the free offer of salvation, and the "cardinal facts" of Jesus Christ's
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
incarnation
Incarnation
Incarnation literally means embodied in flesh or taking on flesh. It refers to the conception and birth of a sentient creature who is the material manifestation of an entity, god or force whose original nature is immaterial....
, atoning life and death, resurrection
Death and Resurrection of Jesus
The Christian belief in the resurrection of Jesus states that Jesus returned to bodily life on the third day following his death by crucifixion. It is a key element of Christian faith and theology and part of the Nicene Creed: "On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures"...
and ascension, as well as the bestowment of his Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
. It also qualifies some statements in the Westminster Confession, and allows "liberty of opinion" on matters in it which are "not essential to the doctrine therein taught."