# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S331
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

446 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

trinal differences which have for decades existed - between the
American Lutheran Church and the Missouri Synod and which
do exist to this day.
(Signed) (Rev.) THeo. Drerxs, Morrison, III.
(Rev.) Watvace H. McLaucaum, Pittsburgh, Pa.
(Dr.) P. E. KrerzMann, Cuba, Mo.
(Rev.) H. D. MEensine, Tinley Park, Ill.

Signatures attested by (Rev.) H. D. Mensinc
Tinley Park, Ill., April 5, 1950

604]
t Memorial on the “Common Confession”
Wuereas, The “Common Confession,” proposed by the Com-
mittee on Doctrinal Unity of The Lutheran Church — Missouyj
Synod and the Committee on Fellowship of the American Ly-
theran Church is being submitted to the convention of The Lu-
theran Church — Missouri Synod in June, 1950, for approval or
revision or rejection; and
Wuereas, The “Common Confession” falls short of meeting
the requirments of the first object of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod as stated in its Constitution, Art. III, Sec. One;
to wit:
“The conservation and promotion of the true unity of faith
(Eph. 4:3-6; 1 Cor. 1:10) and a united defense against schism
and sectarianism (Rom. 16:17).”

This object of Synod clearly states that it is not enough merely
to confess the true doctrine, but that it is also necessary to defend
the true doctrine of God’s Word against any and every schism
and, accordingly, to voice rejection of any and every error in
clear and unmistakable terms; thus failure to do so is in effect
toleration of false teaching; and

Wuereas, The “Common Confession” fails in making mention
of specific errors in points of doctrine heretofore in controversy
between The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod and the Amer-
ican Lutheran Church, such as the doctrines of election and con-
version, the verbal inspiration of Holy Scripture, the distinction
between the invisible Church and visible church groups; and

WHEREAS, Quotation of John 17:20, 11-23 in Art. IX of the
“Common Confession” is misapplied to the visible Church, while
our Lord applies it to the spiritual unity in the invisible
Church; and

‘-Wuerreas, Ambiguous words are used in Art. XII of the “Com-

ANTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS 447

mortConfession” in identifying the Antichrist with the Roman
Papacy, permitting various interpretations; and .

|. SW aeReas, The “Common Confession” avoids special mention
of Romans 16:17 and other Bible passages demanding of us not
to exter into fellowship with such as teach otherwise than God’s
Word teaches, to remain separate (2 Cor. 6:14-18); and to with-
draw ourselves from “any man that teaches otherwise and con-
sents not to the wholesome words, even the words of our Lord
Jesus Christ and to doctrine” (1 Tim. 6:3-5); and

Wuereds, The “Common Confession” makes no mention of
the Brief Statement of the doctrinal position of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod, the official confession of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod, which confession not only in keeping
with the Constitution of the Missouri Synod, Art. III, Sec.I, pre-
sents the true saving doctrine of God’s Word, but also in definite
unmistakable language points out and rejects all errors contrary
to the true doctrine; and

Wuereas, No reference is made in the “Common Confession” to
Scriptural lodge practice and doctrinal discipline; therefore be it

Resolved,

1. That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod declare the
“Common Confession” inadequate as a true confession of the doc-
trines of Holy Scripture;

' 2, That this “Common Confession” be referred back to the
Committee of Doctrinal Unity for the purpose of including definite
antitheses, rejecting specific errors with reference to election and
conversion; (such as election in view of faith, contrary to Acts
13:48; Rom. 8: 28-30, failure to distinguish between God’s eternal
decree of election and the universal plan of salvation, etc.); the
Scriptural distinction between the invisible Church and. visible
church groups; and include’ the demands of God’s Word, which
teaches us to: avoid religious fellowship with such as continue to
teach false doctrine; ;

3. That in the revision of the “Common Confession” the cor-
rect teaching of Rom. 16:17, as stated in Synod’s Constitution (Art.
Il, Sec. 1) and as stated in the Brief Statement, Par. 28, be main-
tained as part of the “Common Confession”; and be it further

Resolved, ,

1. That among the congregations of the Missouri Synod, Synod
insist on practice in conformity to Rom. 16:17 and permit no fel-
lowship with adherents of false doctrine, be it even in detail of
doctrine, and to deal with such as persist in unionism according
to Art. XIII, Sec. 1, of Synod’s Constitution; ~ ve