# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S344
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

472 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS
Wuereas, On the contrary, doubt and confusion concern:
doctrine of Christian fellowship and other matters are. on
crease in Synod, and the spirit of unconcern seems to ‘be
apace; and... ; ‘

' Wuereas, God’s abiding blessing cannot remain with
which refuses or hesitates to act decisively against
teach or practice anything contrary to His Word, but
manner of contraditions to flourish;

any Synod
Permits aj

Now, therefore, we respectfully entreat Synod assembled —

First, to state its position with special reference to the issues

raised by “A Statement” positively, briefly, unequivocally, as, for
instance, is done in the document called “A Reaffirmation,” to
which we subscribe in full, and which reads in part:
‘; “We confess 3) That ‘avoid them’ in Rom. 16:17 clearly and
directly forbids church fellowship with all heterodox teachers ang
their adherents. (Formula of Concord, Thor. Decl., X, 22; Synodical
Constitution, Art. III; Brief Statement, Par. 28; Synodical Cate.
chism, Qus. 186-D and 326-D.)

“4) That the passages of God’s Word which prohibit church
fellowship with the heterodox compel us to ‘tell everyone who
champions a different doctrine: “We can no longer walk together.
Hence we can no longer pray together”’ (Proceedings of the Mis-
souri Synod, 1881:31), since ‘persistent adherence to false teach-
ing or to a sinful life forms a barrier against joint prayer’ (Pro-
ceedings of Oklahoma District, 1937). Rom. 16:17; 2 Thess. 3:6.

“3) That all church fellowship by participation in joint re-
ligious work or worship with those who advocate and support false
doctrine is unionism, 1 Cor.1:10; Rom.16:17, even though there

be no denial of the truth or approval of error in express words, ;

“6) That every error, also in details of doctrine, persistently
advocated, is divisive of church fellowship. Matt. 28:20; 2 John 10;
1 Cor. 1:10; Matt. 5:17-19.

“7) That our Lord Jesus Christ has given us the great com-
mission to ‘make disciples of all nations,’ Matt. 28:19, and at the
same time gives no one the right to disregard any teaching of
His Word or to deviate from it, Matt. 28:20. No ‘crisis’ (the mount-
ing tide of atheism, Communism, Romanism, secularism, world-
wide distress, etc.) excuses anyone from this directive.

_ “8) That in order to retain God’s Word in all purity we must
promptly correct any. erroneous teaching in our fellowship. Jer.
23:31-32; 2 Tim. 1:13; 4:1-5.” |

‘Secondly, in the manner of the Lutheran Formula of Concord

the
the in.

iNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS 473

5 and 857), to reject as false the following expressions
rege psi isues involved:

$40, assertion to the effect that “avoid them” in Rom. 16:17
%4o non-Christians or only to those who are trying to
sstians or only to enemies of the Cross.

c. Any assertion that there are details or points of doctrine
ghichvire not divisive of church fellowship though they conflict
with ciadd to the teachings of Scripture and are persistently
advocated: ' |

D.Any' opinion that sinful unionism does not take place unless
those hii participate in joint religious work or worship with per-
sisten' rists explicitly deny the truth or approve of error by
positive‘ word or action.

EK. Any assertion which advocates or condones public joint
prayer’ with Christians who persistently advocate false doctrine.

Thirdly, to enjoin the President (or District Presidents, as the
case may be) to suspend forthwith any members of Synod who
continue;to cause divisions and offenses by promulgating the false
principles rejected by Synod.

We-believe the action we recommend to be Scriptural and
evangelical. We believe it to be entirely fair, not only to offenders,
but also to that vast majority within Synod who still want the
forthright Catechism truths and good Missourian practice to stand
unsullied by theological vagaries and disputing interpretations.
We must inform our Synod, which we have loved so long and so
well, that our membership in it is and will remain a membership
under protest so long as it fails to take action as outlined above.
Continued inaction will deprive us (and all other congregations)
of that distinctive blessing which is our primary reason for. be-
longing ‘to Synod and rendering our loyalty to it. Cp. Constitution,
Art. OI, Objects, No.1: “The conservation and promotion of the
unity of the true faith (Eph. 4:3-6; 1 Cor.1:10) and a united de-
fense against schism and sectarianism (Rom. 16:17).”

St. Jonn’s LutHeran Caurcu, Wanaran, Ino.
Rev. A. V. Kuster, Pastor
Witi1am BresEKe, Secretary
First Lurgeran Caurca,. Hanna, Inp.
Rev. A. V. Kusrer, Pastor
Russet Lona, Secretary