Disciples of Christ
Saturday, October 28, 2023
5:04 PM
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The Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery was essentially an ordination document.
Barton Stone had always been a bit uneasy  about his ordination and the requirement for creedal adherence.  Stone had been a member of the Washington Presbytery--a part of the Kentucky Synod.  However, the synod had censured the Washington Presbytery primarily over questions about clergy doctrine. In response Stone and others  withdrew from the Kentucky Synod of the Presbyterian Church and formed the independent Springfield Presbytery.  The Springfield Presbytery dissolved about nine months later.  
The "Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery" is one of the founding documents of the Restoration Movement and concerns the credentialing of ministry.  
It prioritized the call of God, "We will, that candidates for the Gospel ministry henceforth study the Holy Scriptures with fervent prayer, and obtain license from God to preach the simple Gospel, with the. Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, without any mixture of philosophy, vain deceit, traditions of men, or the rudiments of the world. And let none henceforth take this honor to himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron."
It asserted the priority of the local congregation in examining, authorizing, and credentialing ministers.  "We will, that the church of Christ resume her native right of internal government--try her candidates for the ministry, as to their soundness in the faith, acquaintance with experimental religion, gravity and aptness to teach; and admit no other proof of their authority but Christ speaking in them. We will, that the church of Christ look up to the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into his harvest; and that she resume her primitive right of trying those who say they are apostles, and are not."
It prioritized local Church authority and freedom in calling and compensating their ministers.  