{"id":"39.1","chapter":39,"number":1,"text":"General Councils, or Assemblies, consisting of Bishops, Elders, and Brethren, of the several Churches of Christ, and being legally convened, and met together out of all the Churches, and the Churches appearing there by their Representatives, make but one Church; and have lawful right and suffrage in this General Meeting, or Assembly, to act in the Name of Christ; It being of Divine Authority; and is the best means under Heaven to preserve Unity, to prevent Heresie, and Superintendency among, or in any Congregation whatsoever within its own Limits, or Jurisdiction. And to such a Meeting, or Assembly, Appeals ought to be made, in case any Injustice be done, or Heresie, and Schism countenanced, in any particular Congregation of Christ; and the Decisive Voice in such General Assemblies is the Major part, and such General Assemblies have lawful power to Hear, and Determine, as also to Excommunicate.","segments":[{"text":"General Councils, or Assemblies, consisting of Bishops, Elders, and Brethren,","proofs":["Acts 15:1–7"],"refs":[{"printed":"Acts 15:1–7","osis":["Acts.15.1-Acts.15.7"]}],"note":null},{"text":"of the several Churches of Christ, and being legally convened, and met together out of all the Churches, and the Churches appearing there by their Representatives, make but one Church; and have lawful right and suffrage in this General Meeting, or Assembly, to act","proofs":["Acts 15:11–14, 19, 22, 25, 28"],"refs":[{"printed":"Acts 15:11–14, 19, 22, 25, 28","osis":["Acts.15.11-Acts.15.14","Acts.15.19","Acts.15.22","Acts.15.25","Acts.15.28"]}],"note":null},{"text":"in the Name of Christ; It being of Divine Authority;","proofs":["Matthew 18:20"],"refs":[{"printed":"Matthew 18:20","osis":["Matt.18.20"]}],"note":null},{"text":"and is the best means under Heaven to preserve Unity, to prevent Heresie, and Superintendency among, or in any Congregation whatsoever within its own Limits, or Jurisdiction.","proofs":["Acts 15:1–2, 30–31"],"refs":[{"printed":"Acts 15:1–2, 30–31","osis":["Acts.15.1-Acts.15.2","Acts.15.30-Acts.15.31"]}],"note":null},{"text":"And to such a Meeting, or Assembly, Appeals ought to be made, in case any Injustice be done, or Heresie, and Schism countenanced, in any particular Congregation of Christ; and the Decisive Voice in such General Assemblies is the Major part, and such General Assemblies have lawful power to Hear, and Determine, as also to Excommunicate.","proofs":["Matthew 18:18–20","1 Corinthians 5:4–6"],"refs":[{"printed":"Matthew 18:18–20","osis":["Matt.18.18-Matt.18.20"]},{"printed":"1 Corinthians 5:4–6","osis":["1Cor.5.4-1Cor.5.6"]}],"note":null}],"relations":{},"diffs":[],"page":"62","leaf":86}