# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1914_S15
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1914. 15

God has so tempered the body together that the members have the same care one for another. "And whether one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ and members, each one in his part." (1 Cor. 12:24–27.) The church is the fellowship to which all Christians belong, in which the suffering of one is shared by all. As God has apportioned to each his office and gift, so he is to devote everything he is and has to this, that the saints may be equipped for the work of the ministry, whereby the body of Christ may be built up. (Eph. 4:12.) "But speaking the truth in love, let us grow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ, from whom the whole body, fitly joined together, and each member joined to the other through every joint, whereby one supplies the other with help according to the working of each part in its measure, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself; and all this in love." (Eph. 4:15, 16.) "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Ps. 133:1.) Thereby the way is effectively barred to all selfish friction, and the way is smoothed for all loving mutual help. Thereby the chasm between rich and poor is bridged; thereby all hardness and oppression on the part of the rich, as well as all envy and violence on the part of the poor, are banished from the world.

How is the body of Christ built up? By regular church attendance; by frequent use of the Holy Supper; by liberal gifts of money; by willing sacrifice of time and labor; by faithful performance of one's office; by bringing people to church and children to school and instruction; by helping to carry on missions near and far; by supporting orphanages, hospitals, homes for the aged; by studying one's Bible, reading and circulating church periodicals: through such and similar works the body of Christ is built up.

And now let everyone take heed! Christ has honored him highly and made him a member of his body. Christ has deemed him worthy to do his work on earth through him. Who would want to be a lame member there and hinder the work of the Lord?

13. Epistle of Christ.
(2 Cor. 3:3.)

As filthy rags are transformed into snow-white writing paper, so sinners become God's saints. The Apostle writes: "Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor the effeminate, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you; but you are washed, you are sanctified, you are justified in the