The Kirk Session of the Gisbourne congregation of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland would like to put on record that they are deeply disturbed over the decision of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand in connection with the charge of heresy brought against Principal Geering. As a Presbyterian body they most solemnly and emphatically protest against the decision.
The Kirk Session hold that the denial of the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead has far-reaching implications bearing fatally upon all the cardinal doctrines of the Christian Faith. The denial of Christ’s resurrection is a denial of His eternal deity, for “He was declared to be the Son of God with power by His resurrection from the dead.” (Rom. 1.4). It is a denial of His Virgin Birth, and the atonement which by the sacrifice of Himself He made for sin. “He was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification.” (Rom. 4.25). It is a denial of the resurrection of the just and the unjust at the last day. (1 Cor. 15, 14-17). It is a denial of the doctrine of regeneration, for all whom the Lord will acknowledge as His people were “begotten again to a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1.4). It makes Him who is the Truth a liar, for He said to His disciples after His resurrection, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” (Luke 24.39). The denial of Christ’s bodily resurrection nullifies the validity of the sacraments of the New Testament Church — Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. No longer can they be regarded as divinely appointed symbols and seals of the mysteries of our faith, but meaningless rites fraught with spiritual death and the divine displeasure. (1 Cor. 11.29).
In the light of the base treachery shown to the Divine Redeemer by the decision of the General Assembly, the Kirk Session are of the opinion that the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand can no longer be regarded as a branch of Christ’s visible church on earth, but apostate from the faith once delivered to the saints, and that to those within her pale, the exhortation also applies, “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Rev. 18.4).
The Kirk Session re-affirm their unshaken belief in the inspiration, infallibility and inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures, and in the unchanging doctrines of the Christian Faith as set forth in the Westminster Confession of Faith.
Rev. William MacLean, M.A., Moderator.
Van Dorp, Session Clerk.