BAPTIST DISPUTE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25052, 16 November 1944, Page 4

BAPTIST DISPUTE

TABERNACLE CHTJBCH

MEMBERS STAND FIRM V A meeting of members of the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle which was held last night to receive the reports of officers who attended the recent annual assembly of the Baptist Union in Christ- j church reaffirmed the Tabernacle's determination to be no longer regarded as a constitutent of the union. The resolution stated the Tabernacle's refusal to "bow to any Baptist tribunal which it regards as guilty of arrogant assumption of unjust and unscriptural author- < ity." The meeting, which was presided over 1 by the Rev. Dr Alexander Hodge, also carried a series of other resolutions. All were passed unanimously by an attendance which crowded the labernacle hall. The resolutions were as follows: — "That this meeting places on record ■ the church's deep indignation at the recent proceedings of the Baptist Union Assembly when, behind closed doors, in the absence of the verbatim report of the Auckland hearing, and after statements known in this church to be untrue, the delegates confirmed the Union executive's unjust action against the Tabernacle minister, Dr Hodge. "That this church reaffirms its full and entire confidence in Dr Hodge and pledges to him its full co-operation and support in his outstanding ministry. "That this church repudiates as raise the Union charge that the minister is responsible for necessary acts of discipline and roll revision, these having been undertaken by the elders at the urgent demand of the church members. "That the complete severance of this church from the Baptist Union is now finalised."