# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S342
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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342 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

Holy Scriptures have an organic connection with the central 4
of the Scriptures, which is the Gospel. A denial of any teac
of the Scriptures involves a mutilation of, and departure from
complete Gospel, and it is for this reason that a full and ‘com
obedience to the Holy Scriptures is an indispensable requisit,
church fellowship. It is impossible to recognize as equally:

such confessions as are mutually contradictory. The validit
a confession is established not by the mere claim that it
harmony with the Scriptures, but by the fact that it is ing
agreement with them and is a faithful restatement of the

as the central theme of the Scriptures. ”

Contending The Lord directs His Church in every age t
for the Truth termine how the testimony to the truth o

Word can be given most effectively, so that all:
may hear and know the authority of that Word in such mai
In order to protect the flock of Christ against errorists, it ma
necessary to give this testimony in their presence, or it ma
necessary to testify by withdrawing from them. There is no 'W
rant in the Scriptures to disregard error and errorists. The'f)
makes it the duty of the Church to expose the error to the erro:
on the basis of the Holy Scriptures and thus seek to win the erg
brethren by love. If the Church’s admonition of love remains’
heeded, separation as a final endeavor of love becomes inévita
for even in withdrawal or excommunication for reasons of -heré
and apostasy the real purpose is not to exclude the erring brol

forever from the fellowship of faith, but to win him back
such fellowship. >

Hebrews 10:23; 1 Peter 3: 15; Galatians 1: 8; 1 Corinthiang
1 Corinthians 3:11; Galatians 1:8; 2 John 9—11; 2 Corin
14-18; Romans 1:16-17; Isaiah 8: 20; Matthew 28:20.

Matthew 7:15; Acts 17: 11; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; Titus 3: 10; Ror:
16:17-20; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14,15; 1 Corinthians 5: 4-5; Ja
19-20; 2 Cor. 2:6-10,

The Bond Church fellowship is characterized by love -f
of Love brethren. Following the example of the Lor

gave Himself for the Church, the member of
Church are to “consider one another to provoke unto love -ar
good works”; “forbearing one another in love,
the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Church, so His followers are enjoined to love one another.