# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1908_S16
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

16 Proceedings of the twenty-second convention

preached and the sacraments are administered in accordance with the divine Word, and, beyond that, by recognizing and treating as brethren in the faith those Christians elsewhere who confess the right faith (unitas ecclesiae externa sive professionis fidei). The purpose of this outward fellowship is the preaching of the Gospel in the world, the spread of the Church, and mutual refreshment and strengthening in faith.

Of a distinguished heathen who turned to Christianity it is reported that he refused outward fellowship with the Christians. He refused to come to the public assemblies of the Christians. Reminded that this was a Christian duty, he answered with the mocking question whether Christianity clung to the church walls. He soon, however, came to a better understanding.

Indeed Christianity does not cling to the church walls. It does not consist in the outward, visible fellowship which Christians cultivate with one another. It consists solely in the faith in Christ wrought by the Holy Spirit. (Cf. the Apology's statement that the Church is no "outward polity.") But the faith in Christ that is in the heart is to express itself by entering into fellowship with those who also confess the Christian faith. That is God's will and order, not merely a human decision. Every Christian should, to be sure, also for himself in his heart sing and play to the Lord, Col. 3:16; but Christians should do this also in fellowship with one another. Every Christian should, to be sure, also read and meditate on God's Word for himself; but Christians should also set up the public ministry among themselves and hear God's Word in public preaching together, from the mouth of persons who are qualified and appointed for it to teach others also. From Holy Scripture we learn: when through the preaching of the Apostles a number of people at some place had become believers, they appointed here and there in the congregations (κατ’ ἐκκλησίαν) elders, that is, pastors, Acts 14:23, and Christians are to assemble to hear the Word preached by the pastors. The Apostle Paul writes to Titus, chap. 1:5: "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city (κατὰ πόλιν), as I had appointed thee."

In short, the union of the Christians of one place into local congregations and the setting up of the public ministry is not left to the free pleasure of Christians, but is commanded by God. That local congregations join further into larger ecclesiastical fellowships, for example into synods, is not a divine but a human (churchly) order. It need not be so. But that the Christians of one place form a congregation and set up and use the public ministry among themselves, that