Fifty years ago, 1948, the International Council of Christian Churches (ICCC) was formed in Amsterdam, and from all human standpoints it would seem quite normal to commemorate this fact. But when doing so, the Word of the Lord comes to our mind, saying: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth, glory in this that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgement, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things do I delight, saith the Lord" (Jeremiah 9:23,24). Twentieth Century thinking has been mightily stamped by the horror of two world-wide wars and the rejection of the Bible as God’s Word.

Ecumenical idleness simply demands refutation. The testimony of Bible believing Churches over against Biblical criticism and inclusivist ecclesiastical bodies was aroused in order to safeguard the proclamation of all the presentation of "the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev. 1:9), as embodied in the "historic Christian faith", which does not allow of any "private interpretation" (2 Peter 1:20,21).

Therefore, it was not by chance when in 1948 Christians from different countries and different Churches found their spiritual affinity in their common subjection to the infallible and authoritative Word of God. They did not glory in their wisdom or might, but in their obedience to the Word.

This is not a matter of human insight or learning, but of spiritual subjection by childlike faith. There is no reason for boasting, or rising above other people. But the Lord does say "Let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me" (Jer.9:24). Thus says the Lord Almighty --- He wants us to know Him. There is no distinction. To understand and to know God is the highest description of religion, and the Lord says that He delights in it. It has pleased Him to make Himself known, and knowing Him by His Word and His Spirit is the secret of eternal life (John 17:3). The expression may well be considered the heart of the Christian faith and the source of eternal happiness.

It is a matter of personal faith, and it constitutes at the same time the communion of the saints, as the unifying factor of all who have obtained a "like precious faith" (2 Peter 1:1).

There is no alternative. There is no other reason for boasting. Nor is it a matter of more or less. All theological systems that try to add or to take away from God’s gracious self-revelation are dishonouring Him, and as such they are destructive to the soul. This conviction is basic. It vindicates the existence and the testimony of the International Council of Christian Churches. Therefore, when in 1948 the Council was established, its Preamble and Constitution gave no uncertain sound. The First Assembly, which was held in Amsterdam, was unanimous in its Doctrinal Statement. It was never changed. The attitude of its President and of the other representatives is unaltered.

In a day when many theologies and churches were adapted to modern visions, the Council remained standing where it stood, though the organisation grew from a tender cutting to a strong tree with more than 700 branches and it is represented in more than 100 countries. Younger leaders follow in the track of the predecessors. Whereas several ramifications of the modern Ecumenical Movement have sacrificed their nominal Christianity in favour of an inter-religious hotch-potch of cults, the International Council stands where it stood, and the blessing of the Lord was manifest in its testimony, its congresses and its conferences.

We humbly recognize that this is the Lord’s work. He is faithful, and He makes us faithful, when many Churches have not kept the faith, but have denied His name.

A great number of churches belong to this group. People are apt to think in terms of a majority. In the course of time huge national church bodies and even international conglomerations have come into being. In the Nineteenth and Twentieth Century they have come to discover each other, and, as a result of new possibilities of communication, they have built their international organisations. Large denominations have been led into ecumenical forms of interrelationship and they present themselves to the world as if they represented the Church of Christ in our day. The World Council of Churches is regarded as the model and ideal of the body of Christ as described in the New Testament.

We do not hesitate to say that it is a caricature of the one, holy, catholic Church of Christ. They represent a variety of different theological view-points. Unity, as a spiritual reality, is replaced by a monstrous coordination.

The biblical notions of oneness are notably absent. The perspective of eternal salvation has been suppressed in favour of a worldly interest in secular social values, as if Jesus had said, "My Kingdom is of this world" (c.f. John 18:36). Within the borders of Twentieth Century Christianity one finds a jumble of doctrines and view-points that attract millions of people being led away from the only way of salvation. They are all welcomed under the banner of Ecumenicity, which tends to apply the word "Ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28) to all nominal Christians. Small wonder that gradually even non-Christian religions are considered "pathways to God". It is significant to notice that the formation of World Council of Churches in 1948 evoked the same reaction from Bible believing Christians all over the world. They had heard the call to form a Council of Christian Churches that would build only on the Word of God.

I can still see them coming to the First Assembly in Amsterdam. To mention only a few: Dr. Carl McIntire from the United States, Dr. T. T. Shields from Toronto, Canada; Dr. David Hedegard, from Sweden; Sir Arie Kok, the Dutchman who launched the idea of an international testimony for the Word of God; Professor J. J. Van der Schuit, from The Netherlands; Pastor W. H. Guiton, from France, Dr Chia Yu Ming from China, and so many others. Whatever their backgrounds, they were one in Christ Jesus as the only Saviour whom we know from the Word of God.

This is how the International Council of Christian Churches came into being. It soon attracted other brethren from different countries. They found each other on the firm foundation of the Word of God. They had no difficulty in expressing their common faith. They represented the remnant, and they heard the word of Christ: "Thou hast a little strength, and kept My word, and hast not denied My name". (Rev. 3:8)

In 1998 we thankfully notice the goodness of God in preserving the Council that was given to be loyal to His cause. At the same time we humbly confess our failures and shortcomings, and we ask our brethren to pray with us for the remission of our sins and for the purification of our lives. The more we do, the more we need the application of the blood of Christ. We thank Him for all the brethren that were stedfast and abounding in His work, forasmuch as we know that their labour is not in vain in the Lord.

It is our prayer that the younger generation may follow their faith. The International Council of Christian Churches is not a goal in itself. God can do without us. But it is our calling to be faithful unto death. In a great many meetings the Word of God has been proclaimed. May the Lord continue to use us for the cause of His eternal Kingdom. Its coming is at hand. The ICCC has served as an instrument. It has helped the cause of Biblical Christianity. It has revealed and unmasked the works of darkness. It has been a rescue for those who were devoid of reliable leaders. It has proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory!