Upon several occasions the Christian Reformed Church has concerned itself in synodical assemblies with its proper relations to other churches. The most detailed and definitive study of this salient subject was presented to the Synod of 1944 which expressed “agreement with the substance of the twelve propositions set forth.” These are found in Acts, 1944, pp. 357–361, and begin with the following declarations:

“1. On the assumption that other chmch., than om own are Christian churches indeed, those churches and our own are closely related as being all and severally manifestations of the one and indivisible Body of Christ.

2. The term sister-churches is applicable to particular churches that affiliated denominationally. In these cases the parallelism implied in the term is perfectly legitimate. They simply cannot consolidate and form one congregation. But the parallelism of denominations is not legitimate, barring exceptions to be specified below. It may be unavoidable, but it is not by that token warranted, just as the imperfection of believers is unavoidable in this life but is not therefore justified or even excusable.

3. Though denominational consolidation is not, as some would have us believe, the paramount interest of the church, it is not on that account negligible. It goes without saying that the spiritual unity of all true churches of Christ should come to expression, us much as is physically possible, in ecclesiastical unity and uniformity on the score of doctrine, polity, and liturgy.”

(to be continued)