# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1912_S8
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

8 Proceedings of the twenty-fourth convention

1.

First of all we take from our text something by way of comfort. Our text reminds us, namely, of the fact that division in the Christian Church is nothing new. When in our own time we lament division and have to suffer under division, we are not to think that something strange is befalling us. The misery of division was found also in the apostolic Church and under the very eyes of the apostles. This is evident from our text as well. When the apostle, after a detailed exposition of Christian doctrine, finally admonishes the Roman congregation so urgently to keep an eye on the people who cause division, and gives instruction to isolate such people, he is not fighting a straw man, but dangers that really exist and facts that had already occurred in other places.
Above all, however, the apostle now instructs us on the important point of how or through what division arises in the Church. He says: "Watch out for those who cause division contrary to the doctrine which you have learned." Division is therefore caused, division arises, when in the Christian Church people appear who teach "contrary" [to it], that is, teach something other than Christ's apostles, speak something other in the Christian Church than Christ's Word, and find followers for it. This follows from the nature of the Christian Church. The Christian Church here on earth is a quite singular kingdom, entirely different from the kingdoms of this world. The various kingdoms of this world have different rulers and laws and are accordingly governed differently. The Christian Church here on earth is no man's kingdom but Christ's, and in all lands and at all times until the Last Day has only one ruler, Christ, and only one law of the realm, by which it is taught and thus governed: that is Christ's Word, the Word which He has given to the Church through His apostles and prophets. In the Christian Church there is no place for a side-word and a side-government. Christ says with regard to His Church: "One is your Master, Christ," and enjoins accordingly as the law of the realm: "If you abide in my word, then you are my true disciples." And this holds not only for the time when Christ walked on earth, but for the Church of all times and all places until the Last Day. In the high-priestly prayer Christ describes the Church until the Last Day as a fellowship of people who will believe on Him through their — that is, the apostles' — word, John 17:20. St. Paul describes the Church as a house that is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Eph. 2:20, and says of his own teaching work: "I would not dare to speak of anything except what Christ wrought through me," Rom. 15:18. St. Peter sets up for all