This article reflects critically on the view that local churches should in a separate act, after major assemblies have taken their resolutions, ratify the decisions before it could be regarded as valid and binding. Attention is given to the following aspects: The
meaning of expressions such as ratum facere and ratum habere in law and church polity; perspectives from the Reformational approach on issues such as the authority of decisions of major assemblies and a critical evaluation of the arguments of protagonists in favour of ecclesiastical ratification.

HTS Theological Studies Vol. 64 (1) 2008: pp. 415-428