{ "book_metadata": { "book_name": "History of Christianity in India: Source Materials", "book_author": "M. K. Kuriakose", "publisher": "Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge", "published_on": "2011" }, "chunks": [ { "chunk_index": 1, "chapter_name": "182. Round Table Conference: Proposed Basis of Negotiation for the Church of North India", "page_numbers": [ 376 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00400-e21c75204924e2a6bf3b.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Chapter Introduction", "chunk_data": "182. ROUND TABLE CONFERENCE: PROPOSED BASIS OF NEGOTIATION FOR THE CHURCH OF NORTH INDIA (1947 A.D.)", "time": { "start_year": 1947, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1947, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1947" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North India" ], "event": "The chapter presents the proposed basis of negotiations for the Church of North India.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Church Union", "India" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 2, "chapter_name": "182. Round Table Conference: Proposed Basis of Negotiation for the Church of North India", "page_numbers": [ 376 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00400-e21c75204924e2a6bf3b.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Earlier Union Conference", "chunk_data": "The first Round Table Conference on church union in North India had taken place at Lucknow in 1929. Discussions had not gone smoothly.", "time": { "start_year": 1929, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1929, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1929" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "Lucknow", "North India" ], "event": "The first Round Table Conference on church union in North India met at Lucknow, but its discussions were difficult.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Church Union", "Conferences" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 3, "chapter_name": "182. Round Table Conference: Proposed Basis of Negotiation for the Church of North India", "page_numbers": [ 376 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00400-e21c75204924e2a6bf3b.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Allahabad Conference Revives Union", "chunk_data": "In 1947 a Round Table Conference held at Allahabad revived the movement. Portions of the Basis of Negotiation adopted at that meeting are reproduced here. Cited in G. K. A. Bell, Documents on Christian Unity, Third Series, 1930-48, pp. 212-222.", "time": { "start_year": 1947, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1947, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1947" }, "meta": { "people": [ "G. K. A. Bell" ], "places": [ "Allahabad" ], "event": "A Round Table Conference at Allahabad revived the movement for church union and adopted portions of a Basis of Negotiation.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Church Union", "Conferences" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 4, "chapter_name": "182. Round Table Conference: Proposed Basis of Negotiation for the Church of North India", "page_numbers": [ 376 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00400-e21c75204924e2a6bf3b.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Faith in Christ and Trinity", "chunk_data": "Doctrines:\n(i) The Uniting Churches in North India hold the faith which the Church has ever held in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the World, in whom men are saved by grace through faith, and in accordance with the revelation of God which He made, being Himself God incarnate, they worship one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.", "time": { "start_year": 1947, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1947, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1947" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Jesus Christ", "God the Father", "God the Son", "God the Holy Spirit" ], "places": [ "North India" ], "event": "The uniting churches affirmed faith in Jesus Christ as Redeemer and worship of the triune God.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Doctrine", "Trinity" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 5, "chapter_name": "182. Round Table Conference: Proposed Basis of Negotiation for the Church of North India", "page_numbers": [ 376 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00400-e21c75204924e2a6bf3b.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Authority of Scripture", "chunk_data": "(ii) They accept the Holy Scriptures of the Old Testament and New Testament as containing all things necessary to salvation and as the ultimate standard of faith.", "time": { "start_year": 1947, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1947, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1947" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North India" ], "event": "The uniting churches accepted the Old and New Testaments as sufficient for salvation and as the ultimate standard of faith.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Doctrine", "Scripture" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 6, "chapter_name": "182. Round Table Conference: Proposed Basis of Negotiation for the Church of North India", "page_numbers": [ 376 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00400-e21c75204924e2a6bf3b.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Acceptance of Historic Creeds", "chunk_data": "(iii) They acknowledge the Apostles' Creed and the Creed commonly called the Nicene Creed as witnessing to and guarding that faith, which is continuously confirmed in the spiritual experience of the Church of Christ.", "time": { "start_year": 1947, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1947, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1947" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North India" ], "event": "The uniting churches recognized the Apostles' Creed and Nicene Creed as safeguards and witnesses to Christian faith.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Doctrine", "Creeds" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 7, "chapter_name": "182. Round Table Conference: Proposed Basis of Negotiation for the Church of North India", "page_numbers": [ 376 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00400-e21c75204924e2a6bf3b.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Baptism and Holy Communion", "chunk_data": "Sacraments:\n(i) The Uniting Churches believe that the Sacraments of Baptism and the Holy Communion are means of grace through which God works in us...", "time": { "start_year": 1947, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1947, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1947" }, "meta": { "people": [ "God" ], "places": [ "North India" ], "event": "The uniting churches affirmed Baptism and Holy Communion as means of grace through which God works in believers.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Sacraments", "Doctrine" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 8, "chapter_name": "182. Round Table Conference: Proposed Basis of Negotiation for the Church of North India", "page_numbers": [ 376, 377 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00400-e21c75204924e2a6bf3b.webp", "raw\\pages\\00401-dc7baa786875250537ac.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Recognition of Existing Members", "chunk_data": "Membership:\n(i) At the time of union all full communicant members, members on probation or under instruction, members under discipline, catechumens and other persons in connexion with the Uniting Churches shall be accepted by the United Church with the corresponding status.", "time": { "start_year": 1947, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1947, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1947" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North India" ], "event": "The proposed United Church would recognize the existing membership statuses of the uniting churches at the time of union.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Church Union", "Membership" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 9, "chapter_name": "182. Round Table Conference: Proposed Basis of Negotiation for the Church of North India", "page_numbers": [ 376, 377 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00400-e21c75204924e2a6bf3b.webp", "raw\\pages\\00401-dc7baa786875250537ac.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Profession of Christian Faith", "chunk_data": "(ii) The full privileges and obligations of membership in the united Church should belong to those persons who, having attained years of discretion, having gained some measure of experience in the Christian life, and having received due instruction in Christian truth and in the duties of their Christian calling, make public profession of their faith and of their purpose, with God's help, to serve and follow Christ as members of His Church. They shall make this confession at a public service, which should include prayer for them that they may be strengthened by the Holy Spirit and may receive his manifold gifts of grace for their life and work.", "time": { "start_year": 1947, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1947, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1947" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Jesus Christ", "Holy Spirit" ], "places": [ "North India" ], "event": "Full membership privileges and obligations were tied to mature believers' public profession of faith and commitment to serve Christ.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Membership", "Faith" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 10, "chapter_name": "182. Round Table Conference: Proposed Basis of Negotiation for the Church of North India", "page_numbers": [ 377 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00401-dc7baa786875250537ac.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Baptism as Church Admission", "chunk_data": "(iii) Those only shall be members of the united Church who have by baptism been admitted to Christ's Church visible on earth. Baptism may be administered in infancy or upon profession of faith.", "time": { "start_year": 1947, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1947, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1947" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Jesus Christ" ], "places": [ "North India" ], "event": "Membership in the united Church would require admission to the visible Church through baptism, administered either in infancy or after profession of faith.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Baptism", "Membership" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 11, "chapter_name": "182. Round Table Conference: Proposed Basis of Negotiation for the Church of North India", "page_numbers": [ 377 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00401-dc7baa786875250537ac.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Threefold Church Order", "chunk_data": "The Episcopate :\nThe Uniting Churches accept the Presbyteral, Congregational, and Episcopal elements in Church order as necessary parts of the basis of union. They agree that the Episcopate shall be both constitutional and historic, though this agreement is not to be taken as committing them to any particular interpretation.", "time": { "start_year": 1947, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1947, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1947" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North India" ], "event": "The uniting churches accepted presbyteral, congregational, and episcopal elements as necessary components of church union.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Church Government", "Church Union" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 12, "chapter_name": "182. Round Table Conference: Proposed Basis of Negotiation for the Church of North India", "page_numbers": [ 377 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00401-dc7baa786875250537ac.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Meaning of Historic Episcopacy", "chunk_data": "The meaning in which the Uniting Churches thus accept the historic and constitutional Episcopacy is that in the united Church:", "time": { "start_year": 1947, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1947, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1947" }, "meta": { "people": [], "places": [ "North India" ], "event": "The conference clarified the meaning of historic and constitutional episcopacy within the proposed united Church.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Episcopacy", "Church Government" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 13, "chapter_name": "182. Round Table Conference: Proposed Basis of Negotiation for the Church of North India", "page_numbers": [ 377 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00401-dc7baa786875250537ac.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Functions of Bishops", "chunk_data": "(i) The Bishops shall perform their functions in accordance with the customs of the Church, those customs being named and defined in the written constitution of the United Church. They shall include those of pastoral oversight, of teaching, of the supervision of public worship, of ordination of ministers to officiate and preach, and of the oversight of the Church. A Bishop will, if required, assist other Bishops in the consecration of persons duly elected or appointed to be Bishops.", "time": { "start_year": 1947, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1947, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1947" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Bishops", "Ministers" ], "places": [ "North India" ], "event": "The proposed constitution defined bishops' responsibilities for pastoral oversight, teaching, worship, ordination, and episcopal consecration.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Episcopacy", "Church Government" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 14, "chapter_name": "182. Round Table Conference: Proposed Basis of Negotiation for the Church of North India", "page_numbers": [ 377 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00401-dc7baa786875250537ac.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Election of Bishops", "chunk_data": "(ii) The Bishop shall be elected, both the diocese concerned in each particular case and the authorities of the United Church as a whole having an effective voice in their appointment.", "time": { "start_year": 1947, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1947, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1947" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Bishops" ], "places": [ "North India" ], "event": "Bishops would be elected with effective participation by the concerned diocese and the authorities of the United Church.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Episcopacy", "Church Government" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 15, "chapter_name": "182. Round Table Conference: Proposed Basis of Negotiation for the Church of North India", "page_numbers": [ 377 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00401-dc7baa786875250537ac.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Continuity of Historic Episcopacy", "chunk_data": "(iii) Continuity with the historic Episcopate shall both initially and thereafter be effectively maintained, it being understood that, as stated above, no particular interpretation of the historic Episcopate, as that is accepted in the united Church, is thereby implied, or shall be demanded from any minister or member thereof.", "time": { "start_year": 1947, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1947, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1947" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Ministers" ], "places": [ "North India" ], "event": "The proposed united Church would maintain continuity with the historic episcopate without imposing a particular interpretation on ministers or members.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Episcopacy", "Church Union" ] } }, { "chunk_index": 16, "chapter_name": "182. Round Table Conference: Proposed Basis of Negotiation for the Church of North India", "page_numbers": [ 377 ], "image_paths": [ "raw\\pages\\00401-dc7baa786875250537ac.webp" ], "chunk_title": "Ordination and Consecration", "chunk_data": "(iv) Every ordination of presbyters shall be performed by the laying on of hands of the Bishop and Presbyters, and all consecrations of Bishops shall be performed by the laying on of hands in which at least three Bishops shall participate.", "time": { "start_year": 1947, "start_month": null, "start_date": null, "end_year": 1947, "end_month": null, "end_date": null, "time_display": "1947" }, "meta": { "people": [ "Bishops", "Presbyters" ], "places": [ "North India" ], "event": "The proposed church order required bishops and presbyters to participate in ordinations, with at least three bishops participating in episcopal consecrations.", "tags": [ "Christianity", "Ordination", "Episcopacy" ] } } ] }