Joint Declaration (2009)

Joint Declaration of the of the Gnadau Evangelical Fellowship Association and the Mülheim Association of Free Evangelical Congregations on the "Berlin Declaration" of 1909 (2009)

"Jesus Christ has become for us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30)

100 years ago, on September 15, 1909, the "Berlin Declaration" was adopted. It was signed by 56 figures from within the Evangelical Alliance, including several representatives of the Gnadau board. It condemned the Pentecostal movement then arising because of the "false spirit" supposedly at work in it. Representatives of the Pentecostal movement responded on September 29, 1909, with the "Mülheim Declaration."

The differing assessment of the Pentecostal movement, the phenomena occurring within it, and the holiness theology of Jonathan Paul eventually led to a painful separation within the revival movement in Germany, one which, in the following decades, prevented constructive cooperation in many places.

Even though the "Berlin Declaration" was not a document of a particular institution, the Gnadau Evangelical Fellowship Association and the Mülheim Association of Free Evangelical Congregations are, in a special way, the successors of the people involved and responsible at that time.

Since the 1970s, mutual conversations have taken place again and again, in which a growing convergence in content became apparent.

The leadership bodies of both movements now declare, after renewed brotherly exchange, theological and historical work, and shared prayer:

We recognize in the "Berlin Declaration," as well as in the Mülheim response, a serious spiritual struggle to avert harm from the congregation of Jesus in a critical time. However, these historical documents have no significance for the present cooperation between the Gnadau and Mülheim associations. We know that the Spirit of Jesus Christ is at work in the other movement as well.

Taking up the themes of the two declarations, we state:

We together represent a biblical-Reformation teaching on sanctification. On the foundation of justification through Christ alone, the Holy Spirit makes growth in sanctification possible.

We promote theological work that helps us reach judgments grounded in Scripture. In this way we can respond appropriately to unhealthy teachings and practices.

We encourage our congregations and communities to inquire after the testimony of the Holy Spirit, his fruit, and his gifts, to teach accordingly, and to trust in his power.

We ask for God's grace, which leads us to Holy Scripture, to the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, and to a life lived out of the power of the Holy Spirit. Together we see ourselves especially challenged by the missionary situation in our country.

We are thankful for the forms of cooperation that have already arisen between our communities and congregations. We want to continue to promote these further. The common foundation of the Evangelical Alliance offers a solid basis for this.

"Jesus Christ is our peace" (Ephesians 2:14).

The Board of the Gnadau Evangelical Fellowship Association
The Leadership of the Mülheim Association of Free Evangelical Congregations
January 2009