Faithful, orthodox Anglicans within the England have once more been encouraged by the courage and clarity of the leaders of the Gafcon movement. In a Reformation Day Statement, the Primates Council of Gafcon rebuked Justin Welby for his comments to Alastair Campbell and called for his personal repentance.
“While he may claim to not have modified the doctrine of marriage, the Archbishop of Canterbury has demonstrably modified the doctrine of sin, by promoting the sanctification of sin by the use of a divine blessing,” they said in an announcement.Â
The continued, “We are guided by Jesus’ solemn words of warning to the Church of Thyatira, because, ‘they tolerate the teaching of Jezebel,’ which endorses sexual immorality. Only judgment awaits Jezebel and all who follow her, unless they repent (Revelation 2:21-22; 22:15). Any toleration, let alone endorsement, of immorality is liable to God’s judgment.
“For this reason, in response to his public comments, we solemnly repeat our call for Archbishop Justin Welby to personally and publicly repent of this denial of his ordination and consecration vows, where he promised to, “teach the doctrine of Christ because the Church of England has received it.”
There are not any threats. The majority of the Anglican Communion, represented by Gafcon and the GSFA (Global South Fellowship of Anglicans) have long since rejected the authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the opposite ‘Instruments of Communion’ and are getting on with the work of mission, evangelism and church planting.
Instead, there are guarantees to proceed to “champion” the ever-growing Anglican Network in Europe, as “Gafcon’s authentically-Anglican structural provision for individuals who cannot by conscience remain throughout the historic, revisionist structures,” and “support for The Alliance as they seek to face firm in defence of biblical marriage throughout the Church of England.”
The Primates opened their statement with words from Jude’s letter – a letter which matches on to talk of the scoffers that cause division and calling on the faithful to construct themselves up within the holy faith while showing mercy to those that doubt, saving others by snatching them out of the fireplace and showing mercy with fear to some.
The statement ended by declaring afresh to all those in England who “contend for the religion that was once for all delivered to all of the saints” that “you are usually not alone”.
It is unlikely that this statement will change the Archbishop of Canterbury’s mind, but should he repent and return to believing and teaching the Doctrine of Christ because the Church of England has received it, he too would find he was not alone.
