Soviet Evangelicals Since World War II, Walter Sawatsky, 1981

Evange- lical Christians and Baptists. Repeated requests for a revision of the Agreement has not resulted in any changes. § 1 - The congregations of the Christians of Evangelical Faith unite with congregations of Evangelical Christians and Baptists into one union. § 2 The single union has its general executiv. e center i as well asa single treasury. * Ronee § 3 Representatives of Christians of Evangelical Fai aap Lee shah ngelical Faith are also included in § 4 The spiritual workers of the Christians of Evangeli i in j _ The: \ gelical Faith remai their spiritual calling which they bore before uniting with vanaelical Christians and Baptists, that is, senior presbyters, presbyters, and deacons. § 5 Both sides recognize that the fullness of powers from on high, spoken of in Acts 1:8, may be manifested through the sign of oth as without this sign (Acts 2:4; 8:17, 39; 10:46; 19:6) ee er 478 Soviet Evangelicals Since World War II :; “6 Both sides recognize, on the basis of Holy Scripture, that diverse tongues are one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, not given to all but to some (1 Cor. 12:4-11). This is supported by the words of verse 30 of this chapter: “Do all have | the gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?” § 7 Both sides recognize that unknown tongues without interpretation is fruitless, concerning which the Apostle Paul explicitly states: 1 Cor. 14:6-9; 1 Cor. 14:28; “If there be no interpreter, then keep silent in the church.” Both sides uphold this as a rule given by God, through the Apostle Paul. § 8 Considering the word of the Apostle Paul about the fruitlessness of un- known tongues in the absence of an interpreter, both sides agreed to abstain from unknown tongues in general meetings. - §9 Recognizing that, along with the operation of the Holy Spirit in the services, there may be manifestations leading to the destruction of the de- cency and decorum of the service (1 Cor. 14:40), both sides agreed to conduct an educational program against this type of manifestation, re- membering that God is not a God of confusion, but of peace (1 Cor. 14:38). § 10 In view of the fact that the Evangelical Christians and the Baptists do not practice foot washing, the present agreement recommends that the Christians of Evangelical Faith conduct an educational program designed to achieve a common understanding with the Evangelical Christians and Baptists on this question, aiming toward unity and the uniformity of public worship. § 11 Both sides are to utilize all measures, so that among the Evangelical Christians and Baptists on the one hand, and the Christians of Evangelica! Faith on the other, the most sincere fraternal and mutual relations will be established for reciprocal joy and blessed joint labor. § 12 After signing the present agreement, both sides will announce the unificati