I commented on an article recently in The Layman and received this response from Pastor Merrill:
Pastor Bob Merrill says:
Eric, while I respect your reasons for leaving the PC(USA) and joining the OPC, you need to let bygones be bygones. Using blanket statements like “apostate” to describe the entire denomination, lumps us all— together, even those of us who preach the Word and adhere to the Confessions.
Some of us find ourselves in challenging situations.
To leave my congregation would be to abandon one of the small handful of places in Northern New England which holds true to the Word and the Confessions. I very much feel that God still calls me to be their pastor, and when I have contemplated leaving, the Holy Spirit made it abundantly clear I am to remain.
By staying, your position is that I tacitly endorse what the majority of current PC(USA) ruling and teaching elders commissioners and PJC members are doing in regard to the Word and the Confessions. But this is far from the truth.
Every opportunity I find, I go on record in our Presbytery to speak against the tidal-bore of ignoring scripture and the confessions. I did so in the past by using the logic of our documents, which until July 2011 supported each other. Unfortunately, the Form of Government has now seemingly been elevated to a place higher than scripture and confessions.
One leg of the logical three legged stool has been hacked off.
Now, while I thank God for the interaction with Pastor Merrill, I find his idealism and hope for internal reform to be misguided, quite candidly. To this end, I would be more than willing to engage him further and I echo the sentiments of my good friend and brother in Christ, the Rev Jim Tuckett in inviting Rev Merrill to join the Westminster Fellowship.
http://www.westminsterfellowship.org/
2 Corinthians 6:14-17
1599 Geneva Bible (GNV)
14 Be not unequally yoked with the infidels: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath the believer with the infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the Temple of God with idols? for ye are the Temple of the living God: as God hath said, I will dwell among them, and walk there: and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and separate yourselves, saith the Lord, and touch none unclean thing, and I will receive you.
Westminster Confession of Faith (1646) Ch. 25
IV. This catholic Church has been sometimes more, sometimes less visible. And particular Churches, which are members thereof, are more or less pure, according as the doctrine of the Gospel is taught and embraced, ordinances administered, and public worship performed more or less purely in them.
V. The purest Churches under heaven are subject both to mixture and error; and some have so degenerated, as to become no Churches of Christ, but synagogues of Satan. Nevertheless, there shall be always a Church on earth to worship God according to His will.
Pastor Bob,
- You know what the Scriptures say. See also Proverbs 14:7, Proverbs 23:9, Matthew 7:6, Gal 1:7-9,1 Cor 5:9-11, 2 Thess 3:6,14......the list goes on...
- You're well aware that Christianity and liberalism are, one with the other, irreconcilable
- You know the Biblical and confessional definition of apostasy and that Louisville meets the criteria .....and then some.......
- You know how traditionalists are/ have been treated by the "powers that be" in the mainline..Bill Hill, D James Kennedy, J Gresham Machen...that list goes on...
- You know your effectiveness in witnessing for Christ is compromised for simply being in the PCUSA
- You know that, while many in the pews cling to traditional values, the national leadership is a poor reflection and does not represent their spiritual needs, positions and so forth
- You know what to do and, in your rationale, you're wasting time, kidding yourself and doing members of your flock a grievous disservice.....Albeit, unintentionally.
Couple all of the above with a hemorrhaging of nearly a half million people in the past six years alone and that doesn't exactly leave you with a potential laden scenario. On the other hand, the doors of true fellowship and witness for Christ hang on the hinges of welcome for you and the time is right now!
The German Hercules said it best and the very same principle is at work, here:
“I am refuted and convicted by testimonies of the Scriptures or by clear arguments (since I believe neither the Pope nor the councils alone; it being evident that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am conquered by the Holy Scriptures quoted by me, and my conscience is bound in the word of God: I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is unsafe and dangerous to do anything against the conscience. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me! Amen.”
Luther at the Diet of Worms, 1521
The Protestant faith in the mainline has become all too cosmopolitan and politically schizophrenic. As disheartening as it is, these are nonetheless exhilarating times to make a stand for Christ's Truths and His Kingdom, here on earth! God is so good He has already provided alternatives for those called to live out/ act on/ celebrate their faith, the Great Commission and the victory that is already their portion by way of the eternal decree of election! I needn't run any further risk of being anti- climactic.You know what to do, Reverend.........
Oh, by the way.........
Who said anything about leaving your congregation behind?????
God Bless, Eric
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