American Council of Christian Churches
75th Annual Convention, October 18-20, 2016
Faith Baptist Church, Kittery, Maine
“Resolution on the Conference Theme: ‘WW2 to T4G: 75 Years of Faithful Gospel Ministry’”
“It was 1941. A new house cost $4075, a new car $850, a gallon of gas, 12 cents. World War II raged in Europe. Franklin Roosevelt entered a third term as president, and on December 7 Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, bringing the US to war.
“Other attacks raged, subtle and deadly. Liberal theologians attacked Scripture, denying its authority and reliability. Christians had to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). Amid this fray and for this purpose, the American Council of Christian Churches arose to contend.
For many, battle lines soon blurred. Battle fatigue begat defectors who, like Demas, “loved this present world” (2 Tim. 4:19). Some flattered the foe, naïvely hoping for good. Zeal for worldly respect drove men to truce with error and its proponents. Truth faded amid diminished obedience.
“Ecumenical evangelism, charismatic confusion, morality movements, manhood meetings, entertainment worship—innovations waxed and waned. Utopian hopes yielded disappointment in unfulfilled promises, soon to be replaced by another fad, another variation of the same theme.
“Among them, one seeks in vain the biblical admonition, “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11). Absent is the exhortation, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” (2 Cor. 6:14-16a).
“Neither tradition, nor memories of the fathers, nor preoccupation with things old, but the unchanging, ever-new Word of God has been our cause and our standard as we rejoice together in 75 years of faithful gospel ministry. Faithful is He who has called us; He has done it (1 Thess. 5:24).
“Therefore, the American Council of Christian Churches, at its annual convention, October 18-20, 2016, at Faith Baptist Church, Kittery, Maine, blesses the God of heaven whose sufficient grace has preserved the work of the Council over 75 years for His glory. We are thankful for the gospel ministry of fellow-soldiers of Christ who have left us a lasting legacy of faithful obedience, which we determine to preserve for those who come after us. We resolve to keep that which has been committed to our trust (1 Tim. 6:20), depending on Him who alone can keep us from falling (Jude 24), looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2).”
