Associated Presbyterian Churches

Some in the church disagreed with this punishment and a split ensued, not only over the Mackay affair but also the ongoing issue of freedom of conscience.

Those who formed the APC believed that liberty of conscience was not being given sufficient place in the Free Presbyterian Church, and that the disciplinary action taken by the Free Presbyterian authorities against Lord Mackay was inappropriate.

[2] They also asserted that the Free Presbyterian Church failed to put into practice the Westminster Confession of Faith's teaching on Communion of the Saints.

"The APC seeks to re-assert this communion as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith itself."

The Associated Churches website states: "We believe that it is correct to allow Christians to make their own decisions on matters that are not fundamental to the faith."