Biblécrits
The issue of the “Tunbridge Wells” (TW) division of 1909 preoccupied many. What is the origin of this sad division? What are the essential doctrinal or moral elements? We will find answers to these questions in the work of N. Noël, The History of the Brethren. It began with a spirit of intolerance among brothers, then gradually drifted into excessive and false teaching: the unconditional acceptance of congregational decisions.
As N. Noël explains, "Following the 'Tunbridge Wells' Division of 1909, a long series of deplorable and disastrous breaches took place among those who had supported 41 York Road, at T. W., showing that they had lost the way and drifted. They said they wanted to follow T.W. because all assembly decisions, right or wrong, had to be recognized and accepted. But after a decade had passed, they reversed their position, and since then no branch of the brethren, except the Stuart branch, has refused so many assembly decisions, so that these two branches are the most divided. » (N. Noël, The History of the Brethren, p.665).
It is the Lord who is Head, over all things, in the Assembly. It is not a group of brothers, leaders, or elders, nor even a local assembly. It will therefore not be difficult for an assembly which wishes to stand on the ground of the unity of the body, to show, if it acts in dependence on the Lord, that it has done so with Him. Thus, the assemblies, led by the Spirit and not by the flesh, will be able to walk together in truth and unity.