# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S354
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

490 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

(Rev.) “Watiace H. McLaucuin, Pittsburgh, Pa,
(Rev.) ArTHuR W. OEtriNe, Sterling, Ill,
(Rev.) C. F. Paut, Corder, Mo.

, (Rev.) H. Prexet, Chicago, Ill.

(Rev.) Apert C. Rotr, Ambia, Ind.
(Rev.) W. F. Rotr, St. James, Minn.
Joun C. Ruscx, Chicago, Ill. ;

’ (Rev.) Gustav ScuupMann, Chesterfield, Mo,
‘(Rev.) Orro G. ScnupMaNN, Minneapolis, Minn,
‘(Rev.) C. J. Scxuru, Freeport, Iii.

(Rev.) ANDREW SzeEcEDIN, Blackburn, Mo.

W. WEcENER, Forest Park, Ill.

(Rev.) Arrnur F. H. Wiecert, Springfield, 1.
(Rev.) Harotp J. WUNDERLICH, Beecher, Il.

Signatures attested by (Rev.) H. D. MENsING
Tinley Park, Ili., April 5, 1950

The same memorial was submitted by
Rev. Bunve Sxov, Pastor

April 8, 1950 Trinity LUTHERAN CHURCH, STERLING, Coto.

‘M. H. Etmsnauser, Wray, Colo.
R. P. Scuutz, Yuma, Colo.

Rev. T. Peperson, Akron, Colo.

[626]
Application of Rom. 16:17

Wuenreas, The first object of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod is “the conservation and promotion of the unity of the true
faith (Eph. 4:3-6; 1 Cor. 1:10) and a united defense against schism
and sectarianism (Rom. 16:17)” (Constitution, Art. III); and

Wuereas, The Brief Statement, re-affirmed at the Chicago
Convention in 1947 as a correct expression of Synod’s doctrinal
position, expressly declares: “All Christians are required by God
to discriminate between orthodox and heterodox church bodies,
Matt. 7:15, to have church fellowship only with orthodox church
bodies, and in case they have strayed into heterodox church bodies,
to'leave them, Rom. 16:17. We repudiate unionism, that is, church
fellowship with adherents of false doctrine, as disobedience to God's
command, as causing divisions in the Church, Rom. 16:17”

(Par. 28); and -

INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS 491

Waereas, Contrary teachings are being publicly advocated in
spite of Synod’s re-affirming its loyalty to the Brief Statement (cf.
The Lutheran Witness of Dec. 14, 1948, page 414, quoting without
disapproval: “To apply the passage [Rom. 16:17] to fellow Chris-
tians with whom we do not agree in all points or, to put it the other
way, who, we are certain, err from the truth of God’s Word in
some particulars, is a misapplication of the Word of God, an affront
to children of God; and an insult of which we ought not to make
ourselves guilty”;) therefore be it .

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod re-
affirm its adherence to the following truths of the Scripture:

(1) That Rom. 16:17 clearly and directly forbids joint religious
work or worship with all heterodox teachers and their
adherents, even though there be no denial of the truth or
approval of error in express words in such religious work
or worship; . ;

(2) That every departure from the clear Word of God, also
in the so-called non-fundamental doctrines as well as in
details, or points, of doctrine, if persistently advocated,
is divisive of church fellowship;

(3) That persistent adherence to false teaching forms a barrier
against joint prayer; and be it furthermore

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod hereby
repudiates all statements or expressions not in conformity with
the above declarations, which have appeared in public print within
the Missouri Synod.

IMMANUEL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CONGREGATION
Missourr, SYNop
Micuican Crry, Inv.
Cuartes E, OLMSTEAD :
Recording Secretary of the Congregation
Rev. Pau L. KretzMann, Pastor _

The same memorial (with the addition of the following
WHEREAS as second paragraph: Wuereas, This objective is being
frustrated by not settling the issues raised by “A Statement”;) was
submitted by

ApotpH Wescae, President
R. E. KreYLING .

Rupo.ex. KuHLMANN ‘| Our Redeemer
ARNOLD BESTKE + Luth. Church
Frep A. BAUMGARTH ‘ |. Overland, Mo.

E. H. NIEBRUEGGE