We, as faithful brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ in the Church of the living God (1Tim 3:15; Eph 2:19-22), through our wholehearted conviction in living by all the Scriptures according to the Spirit of Truth, have decided to move away from man-made traditions and structures (Rev 22:18-19; Dt 4:1-6; Ezk 34:2-6; Heb 12:25-29).  Such separation has been painful and continues to be a profound learning experience for each of us (2Tim 3:1-13; Jn 6:63-69).  Our spiritual battles help us identify with the disciples of Jesus Christ (Mt 10:34-36; Rom 7; Dan 11:32-35) who walked away from the culture of those who usurped Moses' seat (Mt 23:2,13,23,28-31; Jn 5:45-47; 2Pet 3:1-3).  This Christian life challenges our decision-making as it did with Abraham (Gen 12:1-4), Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Rahab, Deborah, David, Hosea, Jeremiah (20:7-18), Paul, Lydia (Acts 16:14-15), and all the brethren in Jesus Christ (Heb 11:36-40). As our spiritual ancestors did so we follow the same Gospel (Gal 3:8; Jude 14) believing in one God, our Father, and Jesus Christ His Son, whom He sent, and that Jesus Christ is Creator (Col 1:16), Saviour (Jn 3:16-17), Redeemer (Isa 59:20); and Messiah (Jn 17:3; 2Tim 1:10; Jn 1:14,18; 13:20; 14:28; 20:17; Rev 1:6; 5:9-10).  We are called to fulfill the Father's Law, just as Christ gave us example by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (1Cor 2:11-16; Mt 4:4; 5:17,48; 7:12).  God's Law includes the Ten Commandments (Rev 12:17; 14:12), Sabbaths and Festivals (Jn 17:17; Ps 119:97-104; Nah 1:15; Ezk 20:12-25; 2Jn 9-11) kept to their fullness (Mt 5:17; Rom 7:12,14).  The Bible reveals we must live by the inspired word of God (Dt 8:3; Mt 22:36-40). 
As members of the Body of Christ, we meet (Heb 10:23-25), and we will continue to fellowship with like-minded disciples of the Way (Acts 16:17; 18:26; 19:9, 23), who observe the Sabbaths and Festivals which outline the Gospel of Salvation (Lev 23; Ezk 20), and which we want to zealously and joyfully share with all those whom God is calling (Jn 6:44-45, 65-69; Jn 13:34-35; Rom 12:10-21).  Like the Bereans (Acts 17:10-12), we regard our Faith as an enduring personal responsibility of growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (2Pet 3:17-18; Dt 30:15, 19-20; Jude 20-21; Rev 14:4,12; 19:7-9).

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all (Rev 22:21).

The Church of God in Williamstown, Melbourne
22nd-23rd March, 1997

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