一、為了教會有更好的治理與更多的造就，應當有通常所謂之總會或會議的聚集。
For the better governing and further edifying of the church, there ought to be such assemblies as are commonly called synods or councils(a).
二、政府官員為了諮商並勸告有關宗教問題，可以有權召開牧師及其他適當人員的會議；若政府公然與教會為敵，基督的僕人便可憑著自己的職權，或他們與代表各教會的適當人員，在此種會議中聚集。
Overseers and other rulers of particular churches, by virtue of their office and the power which Christ has given them for edification and not for destruction, have authority to appoint such assemblies and to convene together in them as often as they judge it expedient for the good of the church.
三、教義爭論，良心問題，設立規則與指示以維持公共敬拜與教會行政的良好秩序，受理有關惡政（處理不當）的控訴，並用其權柄決斷，都是教會會議要做的事。 這種命令與決定，如果合乎《聖經》，應當尊敬順從，不但是因為它和乎《聖經》，也因為它是按上帝的命令在《聖經》中所設立的權威。
Synods and councils have authority ministerially to decide controversies of faith and cases of conscience, to set down rules and directions for the better ordering of the public worship of God and the government of his church, and to receive and authoritatively act on complaints of maladministration in the church. If the decrees and decisions of these synods and councils are in accordance with the Word of God, they are to be received with reverence and submission, not only because of their agreement with the Word, but also because of the authority by which they are decided, as being an ordinance that God has appointed in his Word (d).
四、使徒時代以後所有的教會會議，無論是世界性的會議，或地方性的會議，都有錯謬的可能，而且許多會議已經有了錯謬。所以不可拿這些會議所規定的，當作信仰與行為的準則，只可用來幫助信仰與生活。
Since apostolic times, all synods and councils, whether general or particular, may err, and many have erred. Therefore, they are not to be made the rule of faith or practice, but are to be used as a help in regard to both(e).
五、教會總會和會議，除了有關教會的事務以外，不可處理或決定任何事。不可干涉國政，若遇有非常的事，可以謙恭地向政府請願，或應政府官員的要求，為滿足良心，可向政府提出忠告。
Synods and councils are to handle or conclude nothing but what pertains to the church. They are not to intermeddle in civil affairs which concern the state, except by way of humble petition in extraordinary cases, or by way of advice, for satisfaction of conscience, if they are required to do so by the civil authority(f).
