# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S1147
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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598 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

page ten do not clearly state the distinction between the Ung -

Sancta and the Visible Church and lend thems
standing and abuse; and

 Wuereas, Such erroneous statemients have been Pointed out
to the President in at least two conferences where he was present,
in correspondence with him, and in public print; and .
Wnereas, It is in the interest of the preservation of the truth
and in conformity with Scripture that all doctrine in the Church
be stated in a clear manner to avoid misunderstanding and to
ward off false teaching; therefore

We, the undersigned, respectfully petition Synod, assembled
in convention at Milwaukee, to order a correction of all unsatis-

factory and unclear doctrinal statements contained in the President’s
theses on the Church.

E. A. Laass Watter M. Ave-Lattemant
A. V. Kuster Paut G. Kocn

M. F. Krerzmann Paut L. KretzMann

G. H. Naumann ©

Plymouth, Ind. March 23, 1950

elves to misunder.

Memorial Concerning Synodical Discipline
; (Memorial 611)

Wuereas, The faith of our fathers, as it is set forth in the
Book of Concord and the Brief Statement of the doctrinal position
of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, is in full agreement
with Scripture (1 Pet. 4:11; 2 Cor. 4: 13); and

Whereas, It is the privilege and duty of every member of
Synod to confess and defend this faith (Jude 3; Phil. 1:27) in
order to achieve and maintain true Scriptural unity in doctrine
(Acts 2:42; Rom. 15:5-6); and

Wuereas, “Avoid them” in Rom. 16:17 clearly and directly
forbids church fellowship with all heterodox teachers and their
adherents (Formula of Concord, Thor. Decl. X, 22; synodical Con-
stitution, Art. III; Brief Statement, Par. 28; synodical Catechism,
Qu. 186, D. and 326, D); and

Wuereas, 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 Missouri

' Synod, 1881, p.31), since “persistent adherence to false teaching
’ or to a sinful life form a barrier against joint prayer” (Proceedings

ef Oklahoma District, 1937; Rom. 16:17; 2 Thess. 3:6); and
Wuereas, All church fellowship by participation in joint re-

*. Jigious work or worship with those who advocate and support false

INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS 599

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; and

Wuereas, 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); and

Wuereas, 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, and no “crisis” (the mount-
ing tide of atheism, Communism, Romanism, secularism, world-
wide distress, etc.) excuses anyone from this directive; and

Wuereas, 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. 1:12; 4:1-5); and

Wuereas, When we hold fast these Scriptural principles, in-
sist upon their application, and in true love for God and man
earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints, the
blessing of our Lord and Savior rests upon us and our work, as
He has promised John 8: 31-32; Matt. 28:19-20; therefore be it

Resolved, That the President of The Lutheran Church — Mis-
souri Synod and the Presidents of the several Districts of the Mis-
souri Synod, as obligated under Articles XI and XII (especially 7
and 8), promptly and without respect of persons admonish any
member of Synod who teaches error and if necessary (according
to our Constitution) suspend such person from membership; and
be it furthermore

Resolved, That if the afore-mentioned responsible officials of
Synod do not act according to the Constitution of Synod, they deal
honestly with Synod and tender their resignation.

, Paut G. Kocn

Remove Leaven of False Doctrine and Practice
(Memorial 612)

We are deeply worried and seriously troubled in our con-
sciences because of the lamentable doctrinal disunity which has
been permitted to continue in our beloved Synod, especially since
the publication of “A Statement” almost five years ago. We tremble
when we think of what it will mean to us and especially to our
children and children’s children, if Synod will not AT THIS CON-
VENTION purge itself of this leaven of false doctrine by rejecting
in no uncertain terms the doctrinal aberrations that are expressed
in “A Statement,” and if it will not likewise AT THIS CONVEN-
TION institute immediate and effective measures to put a stop to