# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S526
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

526 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

and unscriptural practices has been made in the constitution of
Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That this Convention direct Trinity Evangelical
Lutheran Church, Crete, Illinois, to act in accordance with the
provisions of the constitution of Synod.

In the Interest of True Unity
(Memorial 619)

In Scripture the Holy Spirit instructs us to accept Scripture
as the one and only norm for all matters of Christian doctrine
(Ps. 119: 105; Is. 8:20; Jer. 23:28; Luke 16:29; 1 Cor. 14:37; 2 Tim.
3:16, 17).

He instructs us to “observe all things” (Matt. 28:20), to “hold
fast the form of sound words” (2 Tim.1:13), and to “speak as
the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11).

He alerts us against the “leaven” of false doctrine (Gal. 5:9);
and He commands us to “beware of false prophets” (Matt. 7:15).

He forewarns us of the fact that some will give heed “to
seducing spirits” (1 Tim. 4:1); and He asks us to put the spirits
to the test to see “whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1). It is
His advice that, after one or two admonitions, a heretic should
be rejected (Titus 3:10).

Accordingly, all doctrinal matters over which there is a dif-
ference of opinion should be most carefully examined, lest some
instruction of the Holy Spirit be disregarded.

Being deeply interested in seeing the instructions of the Holy
Spirit conscientiously applied to the doctrinal differences that are
troubling our Synod and the Synodical Conference, I herewith
respectfully petition The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod:

1. That our Synod make sure, when examining evidence and
arguments for and against our Synod’s activities toward unity
with the American Lutheran Church and the resultant documents,
that Scripture alone shall be the norm for Synod’s decision and
that the norm shall not be something outside of Scripture, whether
it be the will of men in influential positions, the persuasive powers
of good speakers, the findings of a committee, the majority vote
of the convention delegates, or even a unanimous vote of the
convention delegates, who, after all, constitute only a small fraction
of the membership of our Synod;

2. That our Synod grant a Scripturally approved and Scrip-
turally adequate opportunity for the presentation of evidence and
argument, not only for, but also against, our Syniod’s activities
toward unity with the American Lutheran Church and the resultant
documents;

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