# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1912_S18
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

18 Proceedings of the twenty-fourth convention

and of the order of salvation, and we all confess as the faith of our heart that we are saved by grace alone without any cooperation on our part, and
"since the negotiations of our new committees have led to a satisfactory conclusion concerning the doctrine of election and to an unreserved and unanimous acknowledgment of the doctrine of the election of grace as set forth in the Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Art. 11, and in Pontoppidan's 'Sandhed til gudfrygtighed,' Question 548,
"we hereby declare that the essential agreement in these doctrines, which has now been attained, suffices for church union.
"The almighty God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ grant by His Holy Spirit's grace that we all may be one in Him and remain at all times in this Christian unity pleasing to Him! Amen."

3. The "Opgjör" in English Translation.

[Printed in English.]

“Regarding the doctrine of Predestination the Committees on
Union have agreed to concur in the following

“Agreement.

“1. The Synod and United Church Committees on Union
acknowledge unanimously and without reservation the doctrine of
Predestination which is stated in the Eleventh Article of the Formula
of Concord (the so-called ‘first form of the doctrine’) and in Pon-
toppidan's ‘Explanation’ (‘Sandhed til Gudfrygtighed’), Question 548
(the so-called ‘second form of the doctrine’).
“2. Whereas the conferring church bodies acknowledge that
Art. XI of the Formula of Concord presents the pure and correct
doctrine of God's Word and the Lutheran Church regarding the
Election of the children of God to salvation, it is deemed unnecessary
to church union to construct new and more extensive theses concerning
this article of faith.
“3. But since in regard to the doctrine of Election it is well
known that two forms of the doctrine have been used, both of which
have been recognized in the orthodox Lutheran church, viz., that
some, with the Formula of Concord, make the doctrine of Election
to comprise the entire salvation of the elect from the calling to the
glorification, (cf. ‘Thorough Explanation,’ Articles 10—20) and teach
an Election ‘to salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and
faith in the truth,’ while others, like Pontoppidan, in consonance with
John Gerhard, Scriver, and other acknowledged doctrinal fathers,
define Election specifically as the decree of final glorification, with the
Spirit's work of faith and perseverance as its necessary postulate,
and teach that ‘God has ordained to eternal life all those whom from
eternity He foresaw would accept the proffered grace, believe in Christ,