# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S547
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

|
|

INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS 547

stances, a position with which Synod until 1940 had expressed
its dissent.

We ask Synod to give up its new position on joint prayer
adopted at the Saginaw Convention, since it is not in harmony with
Rom. 16:17 and Acts 2:42. In the event Synod should be unwilling
to give up its new position on this doctrine, we respectfully request
Synod to declare the former position with which it now disagrees
to be in its opinion contrary to God’s Word, so that its member
congregations may know exactly where Synod stands in this
matter. In that event we also consider it the only consistent pro-
cedure that those holding to the old position of Synod be dealt
with on the basis of evangelical discipline in an effort to win them
from the error of their ways (from the viewpoint of Synod).

The undersigned congregation herewith also informs Synod
that for the reasons mentioned in this memorial, especially the
undeniable fact that Synod has lost the essential earmark of an
orthodox fellowship that throughout it only the pure doctrine
actually prevails, contrary doctrines not having been removed,
our congregation is at present not supporting The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod financially. We have taken this position’
out of faithfulness to the admonition of the Lord, who through His
Apostle says: “We can do nothing against the truth but for the
truth” (2 Cor. 13:8; cf. Matt. 28:20; John 8:31, 32; Jer. 23:28). We
would not have taken this step if it were true that these errors
to which we refer had only casually intruded into our fellowship.
Nor would we have taken this action if effective doctrinal discipline
were being carried out for the removal of these errors as they
arose. We are convinced, however, that our memorial has shown
that this is not the case.

Obedience to God’s Word in 2 Cor. 13:8 has also prompted us
to maintain for the present a protesting membership in Synod.
We have taken this position in the fervent hope that Synod can
still be prevailed upon to return to its orthodox position by taking
the necessary steps whereby once more only the pure doctrine will
prevail within the fellowship. In doing so, our one concern is also
that Synod itself “do nothing against the truth but for the truth”
by doing its duty toward those who are publicly advocating false
doctrine.

We want Synod to know that this step has not been taken
because of lack of love, but because of our love for God’s truth
and for Synod, for we have learned to cherish dearly the associa-
tion which eur congregation has had with Synod for more than
a century. The fact that our consciences bound in God’s Word