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Australian Christadelphian Central Standing Committee
Unity In Australia

Conclusion

The reunion effected some five years ago was not a capricious action but the result of years of effort by brethren having deep conviction of the truth and love of the brotherhood. The faults and misunderstandings of some 50 years of division were not overcome in a moment.

Our heartfelt thanks should go out to those brethren who laboured so patiently to bring about a better understanding amongst brethren and sisters. Particularly do we acknowledge our great indebtedness to Bro. John Carter for the wealth of understanding and patience he brought to bear upon the problems concerning reunion in Australia.

The benefits and fruits of this reunion have been so precious that all brethren and sisters are urged not only to familiarise themselves with the history of reunion and the basis upon which it was effected, but to realise their individual responsibility to do all in their power to preserve the blessings of this reunion.

Purity of doctrine is essential, but above all, the Truth must reach the heart and engage the affections. Brethren are urged to avoid the mistakes of the past, to avoid personalities and discord in the body (1 Cor. 12:20); to cease from all evil speaking, slander, enmity, strife, dissentions, party spirit, base suspicions, morbid craving for controversy and disputes about words, all of which things are works of the flesh that destroy unity and harmony, and will exclude from the Kingdom of God. [1 Pet. 2:1; Gal. 5:19-21 (R.S.V.); 1 Tim. 6:3-5 (R.S.V.).]

We exhort brethren everywhere to have a deeper appreciation of the blessings of reunion, to maintain the spirit of Christ amongst us and to excel in those lovely fruits of the spirit, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22-23 R.S.V.; Eph. 4; 1 Cor. 13 R.S.V.).

It is our sincere prayer that each brother and sister may ever seek the wellbeing of the brotherhood in love (Rom. 14:19, Phil. 2:4, 1 John 3:14-19; 1 Peter 1:22, John 13:34), and may it please the Father to guide us in the way of all Truth and to bless all our efforts to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”.

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