THE REFORMED BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF KENYA
P.O. BOX 87 20225
KIMULOT
26th April 2011
Dear Brethren,
RE: AN APPEAL TO YOU ALL
Greetings in Christ’s Name from your brethren in the RBAK Churches.
During the last Reformed Baptist Association of Kenya Annual General Meeting held on 24th February 2011 in Kamketo, Pokot North, we received the final report from the Mediation Committee set up by the Association on 24th February 2010 at Oyani, Migori.
It came very clearly that the brethren chosen tried as much as possible to meet with all the concerned parties to bring about mediation and reconciliation since the Biblical method of resolving conflict is meeting face to face. They kept all the parties well informed of the following step about all the meetings. Sadly, the brethren accusing Keith Underhill were not willing to meet with us in his presence. We thought that they would have a biblical ground for refusing this effort but there was no Biblical reason given. The 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, that we all hold so dear, is also very clear on how we are to resolve such conflicts:
XV. In cases of difficulties or differences, either in point of doctrine or administration, wherein either the churches in general are concerned, or any one church, in their peace, union, and edification; or any member or members of any church are injured, in or by any proceedings in censures not agreeable to truth and order: it is according to the mind of Christ, that many churches holding communion together, do, by their messengers, meet to consider, and give their advice in or about that matter in difference, to be reported to all the churches concerned;[ Acts 15:2, 4, 6, 22-23, 25] howbeit these messengers assembled, are not intrusted with any church-power properly so called; or with any jurisdiction over the churches themselves, to exercise any censures either over any churches or persons; or to impose their determination on the churches or officers.[ II Cor. 1:24; I John 4:1]
1689 LBCF XXIV:XV
It is on this ground that we appeal to you brethren to agree with one another (2Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 4:2) for it is good for your own pursuit of godliness and the edification of the church of God. How can you live as enemies with one another when you all have been ransomed by the Lord Jesus Christ, have had your sins forgiven, you have all been brought into the commonwealth and family of God? How can you glory in division when our Lord is praying for us to be united just like He and the Father are One? Our unity is one of the grounds for the world to Believe! (John 17:21). Is it not to disobey the Lord? For how long will you let this schism to persist when it is hurting the work of the gospel in Kenya and overseas? Is it not putting Christ’s Name to shame brethren? How can you keep quiet for so long when the Name of Christ is at stake in Kenya?
Based on this we urge all the brethren who reads this to talk to all these brethren and seek to use every means available, according to the Word of God to bring about harmony through repentance and reconciliation.
ARBCA and GBM started a mediation effort that they left on the way when the fallout took place. They left the four Kenyan Mediators to carry on with the work. We all need to get together to put all godly pressure to this brethren to agree with one another – not just for their sake but for the sake of the Lord. We highly respect our brothers in America and Britain but as we pointed out in the report, their decisions precipitated the situation further. Please try to make a remedy for this. Involve us since we are the ones on the ground and know more than you do. If this situation is not rectified it will continue the work here further and further. We had invited you all to the February 2011 meeting in Pokot North but you did not acknowledge even receiving the invitation yet these are penitent issues brethren. We cannot wish them away or sweep them under the carpet. Our children are coming and history will judge us harshly if we do not deal with the issues affecting the Reformed Faith in Kenya. We must act with speed because many are being loosing heart on account of this.
Keith repented before ARBCA Mediators and Trinity Baptist Church yet all these brethren did not. They have continued to accuse him without laying even a single blame on themselves! We find it hard to believe that they would be completely guiltless in all these matters. We are particularly appalled that the issues of a local church were being broadcast all over. We find it hard to accept that RBAK was not involved and yet TBC was and is a member hitherto. We find it hard that you brethren who are accusing left the church of Christ under other circumstances and reasons only to turn around later and support the few who were not pleased. We find it hard to believe that all the doors of meeting with us have been tightly closed and our efforts have been ignored. They dismissed us to be working for Keith - surely brethren let us not go this way. Our aim has been to seek peace and harmony for the sake of the Body of Christ. This is why we are urging you to come back to the drawing board without condemning anyone.
We all have a responsibility to bring these men who were once together in mind and spirit back together. We should NOT let them go their separate ways when they all profess the same faith and are within the same geographical realm. Please let us act speedily to bring this to pass. Do not ignore us for the sake of the Name of Christ.
Yours in Christ,
DAVID NGETICH
RBAK CHAIRMAN
No comments:
Post a Comment