1964 Statement on Biblical Principles of Racial Reconciliation (EPC)

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1964 STATEMENT ON
BIBLICAL PRINCIPALS OF RACIAL RECONCILIATION
by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church [1961-1965]
[From the Minutes of the 28th [1964] General Synod of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, pages 43 - 44.]

In view of the current racial crisis in our nation we desire to give an expression of the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ pertaining to this question.

We recognize that God has created of one blood all nations of men (Acts 17:26), and therefore all men regardless of their color or race, national origin, are to be regarded as our neighbors whom the Bible enjoins us to love as ourselves (Mat. 22:39), as exemplified in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). It makes no difference whether a man be born a Negro, Indian, Oriental, in a high or low station, rich or poor; all are creatures of God's hands and sinners in His sight with whom "There is no difference; for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:22, 23).

All mankind is descended from Adam and stands in a common judgment before God. This is a basic tenet of our Christian theology. We recognize that a man regardless of his color or race, national origin, does, by faith in Christ, become our spiritual brother in Jesus Christ. Christ died that men of all nations, might be saved. "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Rom. 10:13) The believing Caucasian, Negro, Japanese, Indian, and so forth, is as much in Christ and to be regarded as much in Christ as any other Christian. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:28)

As Christians we are to work toward, and pray for God's richest blessings on all His people, regardless of race, national origin or color, realizing that, "There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond or free, but Christ is all and in all." (Col. 3:11) From the spiritual counterpoint, therefore, no distinction exists in the Church of Christ.

We feel that all our principles and actions with regard to this issue should be based upon these scriptural principles.