The (General) Synod of Ulster was the forerunner of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. It comprised all the clergy of the church elected by their respective local presbyteries (or church elders) and a section of the laity. Official records of its proceedings exist from 1691.[1]
In 1726, the Synod expelled ministers, grouped together as the Synod of Antrim, who refused to subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith. Later there was a further secession by those who, insisting on the sole kingship of Christ, rejected the Confession. In 1763 they organised a distinct Reformed Presbyterian Church, and in 1811 established their own provincial synod.[2] In 1746, some of the more doctrinaire Calvinists withdrew, forming the Secession Synod.[3]
Within the mainline Synod there was a continuing distinction between 'Old Light' supporters of theological orthodoxy and 'New Light' elements more inclined to defer to conscience rather than doctrine. In the first decades of the 19th century, positions hardened with New Light ministers adopting a Unitarian or Arian scepticism regarding the doctrine of the Trinity. In 1829, when the leading conservative evangelical, Henry Cooke, succeeded in pressing the General Synod for a firm declaration of Trinitarian belief they withdrew to form their own Remonstrant Synod.[4]
The departure of the latitudinarian party made possible a reconciliation with the earlier Seceders. Purged of its heterodox elements, in 1840 the Synod of Ulster joined with the Secession Synod to form the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.[4]
References
^Presbyterian Church in Ireland (2018). Records of the General Synod of Ulster, From 1691 to 1820 (3 Volumes). Forgotten Books. ISBN9781332185542.
^Roulston, William (2008). "The origins of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Ireland". Familia, Ulster Genealogical Review. 24: (86-109) 90-98.
^Holmes, Andrew R. (2006-11-02). The Shaping of Ulster Presbyterian Belief and Practice, 1770-1840. OUP Oxford. pp. 4–5. ISBN978-0-19-928865-6.
^ abConnolly, Sean (1988). Religion and Society in Nineteenth Century Ireland. Dundalk: Dundaglan Press. pp. 16–17.
synod, ulster, general, forerunner, general, assembly, presbyterian, church, ireland, comprised, clergy, church, elected, their, respective, local, presbyteries, church, elders, section, laity, official, records, proceedings, exist, from, 1691, 1726, synod, ex. The General Synod of Ulster was the forerunner of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland It comprised all the clergy of the church elected by their respective local presbyteries or church elders and a section of the laity Official records of its proceedings exist from 1691 1 In 1726 the Synod expelled ministers grouped together as the Synod of Antrim who refused to subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith Later there was a further secession by those who insisting on the sole kingship of Christ rejected the Confession In 1763 they organised a distinct Reformed Presbyterian Church and in 1811 established their own provincial synod 2 In 1746 some of the more doctrinaire Calvinists withdrew forming the Secession Synod 3 Within the mainline Synod there was a continuing distinction between Old Light supporters of theological orthodoxy and New Light elements more inclined to defer to conscience rather than doctrine In the first decades of the 19th century positions hardened with New Light ministers adopting a Unitarian or Arian scepticism regarding the doctrine of the Trinity In 1829 when the leading conservative evangelical Henry Cooke succeeded in pressing the General Synod for a firm declaration of Trinitarian belief they withdrew to form their own Remonstrant Synod 4 The departure of the latitudinarian party made possible a reconciliation with the earlier Seceders Purged of its heterodox elements in 1840 the Synod of Ulster joined with the Secession Synod to form the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland 4 References Edit Presbyterian Church in Ireland 2018 Records of the General Synod of Ulster From 1691 to 1820 3 Volumes Forgotten Books ISBN 9781332185542 Roulston William 2008 The origins of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Ireland Familia Ulster Genealogical Review 24 86 109 90 98 Holmes Andrew R 2006 11 02 The Shaping of Ulster Presbyterian Belief and Practice 1770 1840 OUP Oxford pp 4 5 ISBN 978 0 19 928865 6 a b Connolly Sean 1988 Religion and Society in Nineteenth Century Ireland Dundalk Dundaglan Press pp 16 17 This article about a Christian denomination is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Synod of Ulster amp oldid 1109875386, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
