# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1986_S147 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 147 this issue (1977 Proceedings, Res. 3-10A, and 1979 Pro- ceedings, Res. 3-10); therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod in convention reaffirm the position taken at the 1977 convention: WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church has a rich heritage of Spirit theology in its confessional writings, in its exegetical studies, and in its hymns and prayers; and WHEREAS, “We are grateful to God for the renewed interest which many Christians in all generations take in the work of the Holy Spirit” (“The Lutheran Church and the Charismatic Movement,” 1977); and WHEREAS, Scripture so clearly teaches: 1. That we are justified alone by the atoning work of Jesus Christ. 2. That the forgiveness of our sins on account of Christ, promised and offered in the Gospel, is our righteousness before God. 3. That it is by faith alone that we accept God’s promised offer of forgiveness and are justified. 4. That the faith by which we accept God’s forgiveness on account of Christ is the work of God’s Spirit through the external means of grace, namely, the preaching (teach- ing) of the Gospel, Holy Baptism, Holy Absolution, and the Lord’s Supper. Through these external means the Holy Spirit works faith in the heart when and where it pleases God. Through these external means of grace the Holy Spirit, together with all that is necessary for life and salvation, is given to those who believe. 5. That faith, which is the work of God’s Spirit, is the con- fident assurance that for Christ’s sake we are forgiven and accepted by God as righteous. Through this confi- dent faith in the promise of God the accusing voice of conscience is quieted and the troubled heart finds rest. and WHEREAS, Certain doctrines held and taught by some in- dividuals and groups in the charismatic movement are mere human opinion, not clearly taught in Holy Scripture and there- fore contrary to the Holy Scriptures, and therefore dangerous to the salvation of men to teach: 1. That God desires every Christian, following Baptism, to have a “second experience” such as the “baptism with the Spirit.” 2. That the so-called “gifts of the Spirit” are external signs by which we can assure ourselves that we have faith, are living in God’s grace, or have the Spirit of God. 3. That God promises every Christian such gifts as speak- ing in tongues, healing, discerning of spirits, and proph- ecy, and that God has given such a promise as a part of the “full” or “complete Gospel.” 4. That a “conversion experience,” “baptism with the Spirit,” or other inner religious experience is necessary for, or should be urged upon, Christians in order that they may be certain either of having faith and salvation or of the indwelling of God’s Spirit. 5. That a Christian who has not had such an experience either has an incomplete faith, is unconverted and is still living under the rule of sin, or has only accepted Christ as his Savior but not as his Lord. 6. That the sanctification of a Christian is incomplete un- less he possesses the gift of speaking in tongues. 7. That God promises healing and health to every Chris- tian in this life and that, if such healing does not occur, it is due to a lack of faith. 8. That God gives guidance and leadership to the church today through visions and dreams or direct prophecy. and WHEREAS, Such doctrine is dangerous to the salvation of man, since it directs Christians to seek assurance of forgive- ness, faith, and the indwelling of the Spirit in their own ex- perience instead of in the promise of the Gospel; and WHEREAS, The espousal of such doctrine often leads to di- vision within and between congregations even when charis- matic Christians are well intentioned and seek to make God- pleasing use of spiritual gifts; therefore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod ac- knowledge that such doctrine is contrary to the Holy Scrip- tures, adds to the Gospel, and is dangerous to the salvation of men; and be it further Resolved, That the congregations of the Synod be warned against such false teaching and that the pastors of the Synod be strongly urged to emphasize to their congregations in a positive way what the Scriptures teach concerning the work of the Holy Spirit; and be it further Resolved, That we urge congregations in which such doc- trine has been introduced to study the CTCR’s documents on the charismatic movement (“The Charismatic Movement and Lutheran Theology,” 1972, and “The Lutheran Church and the Charismatic Movement,” 1977) and to seek brotherly counsel; and be it further Resolved, That brotherly guidance and admonition be given by District officials to pastors and/or congregations who are involved in the charismatic movement to guard against such false doctrine so that they do not endanger their own souls and the souls of those committed to their charge; and be it finally Resolved, That we encourage the members of our congre- gations to exercise more fully their right and responsibility to participate in the spiritual work of the church that would glo- rify their Savior. Action: None. To Express Concern Over Charismatic Congregations Desiring Membership in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod RESOLUTION 3-18A Report 3-01 (CW, p. 100) Wuereas, A number of charismatic congregations have made application for membership in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and Wuereas, Congregations are received into synodical membership only if they are fully supportive of the Synod’s doctrinal position; therefore be it Resolved, That presidents, constitution committees, and boards of directors of the districts seek sufficient infor- mation regarding the charismatic applicants to better equip them in giving informed pastoral counsel in keeping with the Synod’s position on the charismatic movement. Action: Adopted (14). (An amendment to substitute the words “should only be” for “are” in the second whereas and to add the words “and practice” at the end of it was declined.) To Commend Study on Church Discipline RESOLUTION 3-19 Overture 3-77 (CW, p. 129) Wuereas, The Commission on Theology and Church Relations has prepared and distributed to the pastors, teachers, and congregations of the Synod its document “Church Discipline in the Christian Congregation”; there- fore be it Resolved, That the Synod thank the CTCR for its time and energy in preparing this report; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod commend this document to its congregations for study and encourage responses to the CTCR.