These competing views of subscription informed the Synod of Philadelphia's decision in 1729 to adopt the Westminster standards as the confessional basis for office holders. Their Adopting Act appears to be a compromise document. On the one hand, it states the need "to take care that the faith once delivered to the saints be kept pure and uncorrupt among us." All ministers were required to "declare their agreement in, and approbation of" the Westminster standards. On the other hand, the Act limited subscription to "all essential and necessary articles" of the Confession of Faith and catechisms. Ever since then, American Presbyterians have disputed the meaning of "essential and necessary." Some have argued for strict subscription, while others have taken those words to allow some flexibility.
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