Soviet Evangelicals Since World War II, Walter Sawatsky, 1981

Dec. 18-20, 1979, pp. 39 and Appendix 1 Statute of Unity, October 27, 1944 § 1 From two unions—the Union of Evangelical Christians and the Union of Baptists—one union for the entire territory of the USSR is established: the Union of Evangelical Christians and Baptists. § 2 The leading organ of the Union of Evangelical Christians and Baptists is the All-Union Council of Evangelical Christians and Baptists— AUCEC-+B. , § 3 The following are to be elected from the members of the All-Union Council of Evangelical Christians and Baptists: Chairman, two vice- chairmen (Tovarishchyi), secretary and treasurer, who form the presidium of the council. § 4 The All-Union Council of Evangelical Christians and Baptists has its seal on which is written “All-Union Council of Evangelical Christians and Baptists’’ and the words on the inner circle: “One Lord, one faith, one bap- tism.”” 476 Soviet Evangelicals Since World War II § 5 Evangelical Christians and Baptists existing as separate unions before the amalgamation are now fused into one society. Congregations, existing separately, as congregations either of Evangelical Christians or of Baptists, now enter into one union. § 6 Each congregation, entering the Union of Evangelical Christians and Baptists, bears the name: (some specific) Congregation of Evangelical Christians and Baptists. § 7 All a Nc of Evangelical Christians and Baptists must if possi- ble have ordained presbyters and deacons in accordance with the Word of God: Titus 1:5; Acts 6:1-6; and 1 Tim. 3:1. § 8 In each congregation baptism, communion, and marriage are performed by ordained presbyters. In the absence of such, these activities may also be performed by unordained members of congregations, however only by charge of the church. § 9 Baptism and marriage, performed with the laying-on of hands, or without laying-on of hands on those baptized and married, has equal force. But to attain full unity in church practice, it is eaiinedded that the performance of marriage and baptism be done with the laying-on of hands, interpreting this action as a form of festive prayer for blessing. Further, in the event of more than two baptismal candidates, the laying-on of hands is performed by raising the hands above the candidates while pronouncing a prayer for them. § 10 The Lord’s Supper or the breaking of bread may be conducted either by breaking the bread into many little pieces, or else by breaking it into two or three or several larger pieces. Bread and wine are received by the members of the congregations canciny, thereby expressing our reverence for the command to break read. Appendix 2 The August Agreement, 1945 The following twelve points were agreed to as a basis of union between the Christians of Evangelical Faith (Pentecostal) and the Union of