# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1873_S20
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

— 20 —

...opinion from the Church Fathers. The third is the symbolical, by virtue of which we, namely, with general agreement, accept the doctrine contained in the symbolical books of our churches, in the Augsb. Conf., in its Apology, in Luther's two catechisms, in the Smalcald Articles and in the Formula of Concord. If anyone therefore refuses to confess himself to the same, we by no means acknowledge him as a brother with respect to faith and confession." (Loc. de eccles. § 246.)

Unfortunately the Conference could deal with only the first four theses on church fellowship in such a way that they were finally declared unanimously adopted. The fifth was indeed already discussed in some detail; but since this discussion was not brought to a conclusion, what was recorded on it is, God willing, to be taken up next year, since according to a resolution of the Conference the still unsettled theses are then to be resumed.

Parish Boundaries [*Parochialgrenzen*].

Concerning this important subject also, a series of theses was laid before the Synodical Conference [*Synodal⸗Conferenz*] for discussion and adoption, and here too only the first four theses came to a conclusion in the proceedings, while the discussion of the rest likewise had to be postponed until next year. There follow now first these theses themselves in full, and then some of the statements made on those already adopted.

Theses on the Jus parochiale [parochial right].

I.

The public ministry is not a human but a divine ordinance (1 Cor. 12:28–30), and indeed an ordinance for the edification of the body of Christ or of the Church for all time until the last day (Eph. 4:11–13); it is therefore also God's will that every Christian make use of this public ministry (1 Cor. 16:15, 16; 1 Thess. 5:12, 13), as the Third Commandment already requires.

II.

The whole body of individual Christians should join together into individual congregations, in which the Word of God is in current use in doctrine and discipline by means of the public ministry (Matt. 18:15–20); it is therefore God's will that every Christian let himself be found as a member in such a congregation (Acts 2:47), take part in its assemblies (Heb. 10:24, 25), serve it with his gifts (1 Cor. 12:4–27), and not become a stumbling block to it (1 Cor. 10:32).