# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S1190
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

676 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

theran bodies were compelled to alter their official declarations to 7

as a federation of Lutheran church bodies.*

In addition to the extensive co-operative program already :

realized, there are virtually unlimited opportunities for enlarg
e~

mentary Christian education a dil ;
Student Service.” ind “ web
Similar expressions by leaders in the Nati
ational Lutheran -
cil could be quoted. And they do describe the actual status of ‘the

take part because to do so would vi i
violate its doctri Dositi
pulpit, altar, and prayer fellowship. eeseinal, bosition on

Our Synod’s Position on Pulpit, Altar, and Prayer Fellowship
In the Brief Statement of the Doctri iti
" mal Position of the Missouri
Synod the Missouri Synod has stated as its Principle that it cannot
join jorces in spiritual work with any Christian church body with
which it is not in pulpit and i
grank 2) pit and altar fellowship. (Page 13, para-
On prayer fellowship and joint i passed
the following resolution: pre Synod in 1947
“Wuereas, No pulpit and altar fellowship b
, tween the Missouri
Synod and th i has ectab-
the ed e American Lutheran Church has as yet been estab-

“Wuereas, God’s Word demands that all things shall be done

* Italics ours,

INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS 677

Raeently and in order (1 Cor. 14:40), so that there be no confusion

d offense; and -
‘WHEREAS, We as members of Synod are united as brethren
faith for the preservation of God’s pure Word and Scriptural
actice; therefore be it
“Resolved, a) That we re-affirm the resolutions on prayer
lowship adopted by the Saginaw, Mich., Convention (June 21—29,
4) and recorded in the Proceedings of 1944 (p.251f.), which
utions read as follows: ‘We re-affirm the position taken at the
ert Wayne Convention (page 303, par.1) that in the meantime it
ybe understood that no pulpit, altar, and prayer fellowship has
ibeen established between us and the American Lutheran Church;
“and until such fellowship has been officially declared by the synods
concerned, no action is to be taken by any of our pastors or con-
gregations which ignore the fact. that we are not yet united.’

3: “However, joint prayer at intersynodical conferences, asking
- God for His guidance and blessing upon the deliberations and
discussions of His Word, does not militate against the resolution
‘of the Fort Wayne Convention provided such prayer does not
imply denial of truth and support of error. Local conditions will
determine the advisability of such prayer. Above all, the conscience
of a brother must not be violated nor offense be given.” (Pro-
ceedings, pp. 517—518.) :

At the time when this report is written, pulpit and altar and

prayer fellowship has not been declared between the Missouri
Synod and any of the constituent bodies of the National Lutheran -

Council. . : ‘i
Doctrinal Differences Do Exist

While it is true that the Lutheran Churches of America in
general accept the Lutheran Confessions, it is nevertheless also
generally recognized that vital differences of doctrine exist.
Answering a questionnaire sent out by the Lutheran Society, Inc.,
of New York, Dr. P. O. Bersell, President of the Augustana Synod,
listed the following differences:

1. Differing interpretations in regard to the inspiration of the

. Scriptures;
2. Differing interpretations as to the sovereign grace of God,
Predestination, sola Dei gratia, etc.;

3. Varying ranges of interpretation with reference to chiliasm,

premillennialism;

4. Differing conceptions as to the true nature of the Church;

5. Varying policies in regard to membership in secret orders:
a. On the part of the laity;
b. On the part of the clergy;