The Kassel Declaration (1996)

Joint Declaration of the Executive Board of the German Evangelical Alliance (DEA) and the Presidium of the Federation of Free Pentecostal Churches (BfP) (1996)

We are thankful that, following open conversations between representatives of the DEA and the BfP, trust has grown. Since good cooperation has already taken place in many places, we jointly publish the following declaration:

1. The BfP fully subscribes to the statement of faith of the DEA. Christians from the free Pentecostal churches are willing to work together within the DEA on this biblical-theological foundation and to place the commonality of faith at the center. They will respect differing doctrinal views and specific forms of piety within the DEA, and, for the sake of common witness and service, will set aside their own differences from other churches and communities in Alliance work. The prayer of Jesus for the unity of his disciples is gaining growing significance for us, especially in view of the increasing secularization of society.

2. With regard to the teaching on the Holy Spirit and the practice of the gifts of the Spirit (charisms), the DEA and the BfP emphasize the following points of agreement and advocate their proclamation and practical implementation:

2.1. We confess the triune God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is at the same time God's unavailable and undeserved gift to justified sinners. We accept this gift humbly and gratefully.

2.2. The fundamental work of the Holy Spirit consists in leading to the knowledge of sin, to genuine repentance and conversion, and to saving faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit glorifies Christ and, together with the word of God, brings about the rebirth of a Christian. He equips believers with gifts and gives the power to live in sanctification, works the "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22), and empowers for service. This view allows for no multi-stage understanding of salvation.

2.3. We affirm the gracious gifts of the Holy Spirit and the ministries as they are attested in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 12 and 14, and Romans 12). These serve the fulfillment of the missionary mandate, the building up of the congregation, and personal edification. The practice of ministries and gifts should be marked by love and humility. "Let each count others more significant than himself" (Philippians 2:3; compare also 1 Corinthians 13 in its central significance for the teaching on gifts).

2.4. The gift-ministries and those who carry them out are dependent on supplementation and correction. They must be measured against the word of God revealed in the Bible. Therefore the various gifts of the Spirit (e.g. speaking in tongues, healings, discernment of spirits, etc.) must not be esteemed more highly than the ministries (e.g. teaching, leadership, evangelism, mercy, etc.).

2.4.1. Prophecy in the New Testament sense occurs both through authoritative interpretation of Scripture into the present situation of the congregation and the world, and as Spirit-worked prophetic speech. All teaching, prophecy, and prophetic speech is to be tested and judged against the word of Scripture.

2.4.2. With regard to praying in tongues and speaking in tongues, the apostolic order according to 1 Corinthians 14 is recognized as binding.

2.4.3. Healings of the sick are free and unavailable gifts of God. They point, as signs, to the accomplished victory on the cross and to the coming kingdom of God. But since we live "by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 4:18), it is important, alongside the request for healing, always to make clear in proclamation and pastoral care that God can also bless and glorify himself in times of sickness.

3. We regret that spectacular phenomena, such as "resting in the Spirit," "laughing in the Spirit," the casting out of so-called "territorial spirits," and so on, have led to insecurity, confusion, and divisions in the congregation of Jesus. Regardless of the differing assessments in detail, we agree that, for the sake of the common mandate in the Evangelical Alliance, especially in connection with events, projects, etc. carried out within the framework and under the responsibility of the Evangelical Alliance, such disputed content should find no place.

4. The Presidium of the Federation of Free Pentecostal Churches and the Executive Board of the German Evangelical Alliance are willing to participate in clarifying discussions should difficulties arise in practical cooperation at the local or regional level.

 

German Evangelical Alliance e.V.
Stuttgart, July 1, 1996

Dr. Rolf Hille, 1st Chairman
Peter Strauch, 2nd Chairman
Hartmut Steeb, Secretary General
Christoph Morgner, President of the Gnadau Evangelical Fellowship Association

Federation of Free Pentecostal Churches
Erzhausen, July 1, 1996

Ingolf Ellßel, President
Gottlob Ling, Deputy President emeritus
Gerhard Oertel, Federal Secretary
Richard Krüger, Director of the Beroea Theological Seminary