Abstract

STRAUSS, P.. The service of the believers: Article 55 of the 2015 church order of the Dutch Reformed Church in perspective. Acta theol. [online]. 2021, vol.41, n.1, pp.122-140. ISSN 2309-9089.  http://dx.doi.org/10.18820/23099089/actat.v41i1.8.

The theme of article 55 of the 2015 Church Order of the Dutch Reformed Church was formulated for the first time in 1974 and amended in 2011. For this service, the term "the service of the believer" was used instead of the popular term "office of the believer". Article 55 of the 2011 Church Order linked this service aimed at the church and the kingdom of God, without mentioning the congregation as the starting point thereof. The emphasis was on the principle that the service of the believers is, in essence, their service as "members" of the Dutch Reformed Church. As a rule, church members believe in God with the assurance by Scripture that they are saved people. This means that their service is being done out of gratitude for their salvation.

Keywords : Office of the believers; Service of the believers; Free associations with a; religious purpose; Diversity of thought in the DRC; Amp van die gelowiges; Dienswerk van die gelowiges; Vrye verenigings met 'n; kerklike doel; Diversiteit in denke by NGK.

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