# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S169
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 169

the sacrament,” lest he deprive himself of life. No one will make
such progress that he does not retain many common infirmities in
his flesh and blood. People with such misgivings must learn that it
is the highest wisdom to realize that this sacrament does not de-
pend upon our worthiness. We are not baptized because we are
worthy and holy nor do we come to confession pure and without
sin; on the contrary, we come as poor miserable men, precisely be-
cause we are unworthy: The only exception is the person who de-
sires no grace and absolution and has no intention to amend his life
(Large Catechism, Lord’s Supper, Book of Concord, p. 453; see
also p. 484, Formula of Concord, Article VII, 8-10); and

WHEREAS, “The Sacrament was instituted to console and
strengthen terrified hearts when they believe that Christ’s flesh,
given for the life of the world, is their food and that they come to
life by being joined to Christ” (AAC XXII, Tappert 237.10); and

WHEREAS, Worthy participation in the Lord’s Supper consists
in true faith alone and not in man’s preparation (SD VII, Tappert
591.124; SC V1, Tappert 352.9); and

WHEREAS, Among us, the use of the Lord’s Supper as a mark
of profession or agreement is considered a secular notion that “ig-
nores the chief use of what God has instituted” (AAC XXIV, Tap-
pert 261.68); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Pacific Southwest District convention peti-
tion The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod to reaffirm that there
are, under special circumstances, legitimate exceptions to the prac-
tice of limiting the Lord’s Supper celebrations to fellow Lutherans
of our Synod only; and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS encourage pastors, together with their
congregations, out of prayer and care for individuals according to
Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, to decide whom to include
in celebrations of the Lord’s Supper and under what circumstances.

Pacific Southwest District

3-41

To Recognize More Open
Communion Practice as Faithful

Wuereas, The Synod has asked all of its congregations to study
the theology and practice of Holy Communion (Res. 3-05, 1998);
and

WHEREAS, Scripture teaches that the Sacrament of the Altar is
for Christians who have been baptized in the name of the Holy
Trinity, who acknowledge their sinfulness, who trust that Jesus
Christ died and rose from the dead for the forgiveness of their sins,
who recognize the real presence of Christ’s body and blood given
with the bread and wine, and who desire to amend their sinful life
(Gal. 3:26~27; 1 John 1:5—9; 1 Cor. 11:23-29; et al.); and

WHEREAS, Scripture does not require unity in all of the doctrines
of the church in order to participate in the Sacrament (cf.
1 Corinthians—there was not unity in all doctrines in the
Corinthian congregation [e.g., there was disagreement on the doc-
trine of the resurrection and on speaking in tongues], but they did
have unity in Christ); and

WHEREAS, The frequently quoted passages in | Cor. 11:26 and
Rom. 16:17 do not require unity in all doctrines as a criterion for
participation in Holy Communion; and

WHEREAS, Scripture does not impose a denominational require-
ment for participation in the Sacrament; and

WHEREAS, Our Lutheran Confessions state that “that person is
truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words:
‘Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins’ ” (SC VI 10),
and that “The only exception [of who should commune] is the per-
son who desires no grace and absolution and has no intention to
amend his life’ (LC V 61); and

WHEREAS, We want to be faithful stewards and invite to the
Sacrament all those who are being invited by the Lord, whose
Sacrament this is; therefore be it

Resolved, That the congregations of the LCMS respect the prac-
tice of those congregations who offer the Sacrament to those who

meet the qualifications listed in the second Whereas of this resolu-
tion (Scripture teaches that the Sacrament of the Altar is for Chris-
tians who have been baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity, who
acknowledge their sinfulness, who trust that Jesus Christ died and
rose from the dead for the forgiveness of their sins, who recognize
the real presence of Christ’s body and blood given with the bread
and wine, and who desire to amend their sinful life); and be it fur-
ther

Resolved, That Our Savior Lutheran Church of Arlington, VA,
urge all of its sister congregations to recognize that this practice is
biblical, confessional, and a faithful LCMS practice.

Our Savior, Arlington, VA; Living Savior, Fairfax Station,
VA; Prince of Peace, Springfield, VA; St. John, Alexandria,
VA

3-42

To Invite All Who Acknowledge
Real Presence to the Lord’s Table

WHEREAS, According to Scripture, Christ began the practice of
His Holy Supper and invited His followers to celebrate it often as
an expression of their faith and unity; and

WHEREAS, It is clear that Jesus intended the Last Supper for the
joyful participation of His followers (Matt. 26:26-29; Mark
14:22-25; Luke 22:15-22; 1 Cor 11:23-28); and

WHEREAS, Our Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod was founded
to further (not restrict) the ministry of the Good News of Jesus
Christ; and

Whereas, Our LCMS was founded as an “advisory” body:

In its relation to its members the Synod is not an ecclesiasti-
cal government exercising legislative or coercive powers, and
with respect to the individual congregation's right of self-gov-
ernment it is but an advisory body. Accordingly, no resolution
of the Synod imposing anything upon the individual congrega-
tion is of binding force if it is not in accordance with the Word
of God or if it appears to be inexpedient as far as the condition
of a congregation is concerned. (Art. VII)

and

WHEREAS, Our LCMS is founded on a principal of “Scripture
alone”; and

WHEREAS, Our LCMS has always invited communicants to fel-
lowship at the Lord’s Table who are in “close” fellowship; and

WHEREAS, Our LCMS has always understood that the scriptural
encouragement in | Cor. 11:28, “a man ought to examine himself
before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup,” teaches that the
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is for all

a. who know Jesus as their Savior from sin;

b. who recognize that the body and blood of Christ are truly pre-
sent in the bread and wine;

c. who are able to examine themselves and who repent of their
sins; .
d. who look to God’s Holy Spirit for help in living the Christian
life; and
WuerEAS, Our LCMS has always taught that according to Mar-
tin Luther, those worthy to come to the Lord’s Supper are those
who believe Christ’s word, “given and shed for you for the for-
giveness of your sins”; and

WHEREAS, Beyond such faith in Christ’s presence in the Sacra-
ment, Scripture nowhere directs Jesus’ followers to further restrict
admission to the Lord’s Table; and

WHEREAS, Jesus nowhere requires His followers to add addi-
tional human conditions for admission to the Lord’s Table; and

Wrereas, Individual local congregations and pastors of our
LCMS are better equipped to implement the scriptural practice of
celebrating Holy Communion in their local communities of faith;
therefore be it

2001 Convention Workbook