# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_Februar 1858_S61
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

"The Position of the Iowa Synod on the Symbols of the Evangelical Lutheran Church." 61

...the Lord — and that as a knower of hearts; the high priests indeed also knew it, but they were not of Christ's own flock. 3. The deed of betrayal had not yet been carried into effect, but he had it in mind and had agreed to it and promised it to the Pharisees. 4. When he is called to account concerning it, he does not confess it in the least. 5. Therefore he is not immediately admitted without more ado, but is earnestly admonished to do penance and to desist from it. 6. Thereupon he presents himself alongside the other apostles and is allowed by the Lord to commune. Now where such circumstances are found in an individual, I hold that a pastor may, with a good conscience, knowingly give the Sacrament to an unworthy person and be excused before God. And this the more so, since a pastor is uncertain about the repentance that will follow or fail to follow, and must trust in the offering people make, committing the rest to God. He does not, however, give it to him as to an unworthy person, but as to one who feigns innocence.

So then this example of Judas does not apply: 1. to heretics, who publicly separate themselves from the confession of our church. 2. Nor to notorious sinners, whose sin is known and recognized by the church or at least by most within it. 3. Nor to those who have carried an evil deed fully into effect. 4. Nor to those who feel no shame for their misdeed, confess it openly, and even boast of it. Such people one should not only rebuke, but also turn away outright. Rather, this example can be applied only to those who, 1. in outward and public confession, hold themselves to the congregation of Christ; 2. lead an honorable life before the world and are not notorious for evil deeds; 3. who are pregnant with evil, threaten their neighbor, or boast of doing him harm; 4. when they are seriously called to account, deny it and are unwilling to confess; 5. when such persons, after earnest admonition and reminder that they should desist from evil and do true penance, 6. present themselves for communion alongside other Christians.

Although a pastor may doubt a true conversion and amendment, and something adverse might also be concluded from the works, a pastor should nevertheless follow the gentleness and patience of his Lord Christ, admit such persons, and commit the rest to God, the knower of hearts. But whoever wishes to extend this example further should take good heed of Christ's general prohibition and the analogy of faith, lest he build on sandy ground and, in times of temptation, more disturb his conscience with such an excuse than settle it. This I wished briefly to answer the gentleman upon the question put to me, wishing from the heart that God, with his Holy Spirit, would govern all communicants, that they may rightly examine themselves and be worthy guests at the table of the Lord, to the praise and glory of his name and to the eternal blessedness of the communicants; and this may he grant for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen.

(See: Thesauri Consiliorum, Vol. I, Part 2, published in print by M. Georgius Dedekennus, folio 351—354.)

"The Position of the Iowa Synod on the Symbols of the Evangelical Lutheran Church."

Under this heading, the fellowship of those who have come to America not only through the mediation of the Reverend Pastor Löhe,