# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S330
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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330 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

In this present world the Christian can never attain
sinlessness, because sin inheres in him until death. But we
for the goal that is set before us and by daily contrition an
make progress in our Christian life. We look forward:
to come, when we shall be cleansed of every defilement 6
shall share with Christ His perfect life.

Cf. Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 2 Corinthians
and 7:1; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:13 and 3:12; Colossi
and a 6; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Peter 1:15
3:6-9.

IX. THE CHURCH

We believe and teach:

All believers in Christ constitute the one, holy, Apos
agreement with the Apostles’ doctrine), and catholic (u
Church. Jesus Christ is its Head. Through the means of g
calls all its members into fellowship with Himself and also
the members in fellowship with one another.

To all members of His Church the Lord has given all the
and prerogatives set forth in His Word. Every Christian ‘hi
right of direct access to God without a human mediator. |

To the Church has been given the commission to pr
Gospel and to administer the Sacraments. It is therefore th
of Christians to unite in local congregations for this purpé
such local congregations the presence or activity of any unbe
or hypocrites does not nullify the power of the Word of God
efficacy of the means of grace does not depend on the faith:
administrant, but inheres in the Word of God itself.

In this present world, Christ does not promise His ‘Ck
any earthly reign over the affairs of men. His Church wil
a kingdom of the cross until His return for Judgment; but
sustain it according to His promise: “The gates of hell sh
prevail against it,” Matt. 16:18b. oe

It is the duty of the Church to be faithful to its Lord
Word in all its testimony, to be steadfast in its confession
truth at all times, and to avoid and combat error. It is the
the Church to mold and keep its practice in conformity
Lord’s directives in the Holy Scriptures. Therefore we dé
condone error or have altar and pulpit fellowship and unscf
co-operation with erring individuals, church bodies, or
groups that refuse to be corrected by God’s Word. We m
be alert and susceptible to the Lord’s leading to estab
maintain fellowship with those whom He has made one w
the faith and to seek to win the erring and wayward for.
the true faith. We are mindful of our Lord’s intercesso