# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S1154
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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608 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

(Trigl., pp. 855 and 857), to reject as false the following expressions
related to the issues involved:

A. Any assertion to the effect that “avoid them” in Rom. 16: 17
applies only to non-Christians or only to those who are trying to
deceive Christians or only to enemies of the Cross.

B. Any assertion to the effect that “avoid them” in Rom.
16:17 cannot be applied to a person or a church group which bears
the name “Lutheran.”

C. Any assertion that there are details or points of doctrine
which are not divisive of church fellowship though they conflict
with or add to the teachings of Scripture and are persistently
advocated.

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

E. 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 anid rendering our loyalty to it. Cp. Constitution,
Art. IH, 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).”

Sr. Jonn’s Lurueran Cuurcn, WaNnaAtAg, Ino.
. Rev. A. V. Kuster, Pastor
Wiitram Bresexe, Secretary

First Luraeran Cuurcu, Hanna, In.
Rev. A. V. Kuster, Pastor
Russet, Lone, Secretary