# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1924_S21
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1924. 21

doctrine, especially in the article on the Lord's Supper, which in this Declaration and thorough setting forth of the disputed articles had to be stated expressly and distinctly, so that everyone might know to guard against them, and which for many other reasons cannot by any means be passed over, it is likewise not our will and meaning that thereby the persons who err out of simplicity and do not blaspheme the truth of the divine Word, much less whole churches in or outside the Holy Empire of the German Nation, are meant, but that thereby only the false and seductive doctrines and their obstinate teachers and blasphemers, whom we do not at all intend to tolerate in our lands, churches and schools, are properly rejected, since these are contrary to the express Word of God and cannot stand beside it, in order that pious hearts may be warned against them, inasmuch as we have not the least doubt that many pious, innocent people are to be found also in the churches which have hitherto not altogether agreed with us, who walk in the simplicity of their hearts, do not rightly understand the matter, and take no pleasure whatever in the blasphemies against the Holy Supper, as it is celebrated in our churches according to Christ's institution and unanimously taught on the basis of the words of His Testament, and who, when they are rightly instructed in the doctrine, will, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, turn and betake themselves to the infallible truth of the divine Word with us and our churches and schools; as indeed it is incumbent upon the theologians and ministers of the church to remind from God's Word also those who err out of simplicity and ignorance of the danger to their souls, as is fitting, and to warn them against it, that one blind man may not be led astray by another." (Conc. Trigl., 18 f.)

Such Christians who stand in outward fellowship with false believers are inwardly one with Christ, and if they were instructed in the right way and with patience about their false doctrines and the sin of standing in outward fellowship with enemies of the truth were clearly set before their eyes, they would willingly leave their false teachers. Or if anyone refuses to renounce error although he recognizes that it is contrary to the Word of our God, he becomes willfully disobedient to his Lord and thus becomes a dead branch on the vine. If therefore anyone urges us nevertheless to practice church fellowship with members of the false-believing communions because there are still Christians also among them, we must refuse to do so if we want to obey Christ. For we cannot always judge and decide whether someone is in error out of ignorance or is devoted to it out of malice and contempt of the truth; but we can distinguish truth from error, and wherever we find an error, we fight against it and reject it and hold no fellowship with those who insist on teaching it or having it taught. But where we find the truth, we defend it, confess it and teach it with all diligence and support those who teach it.

We also distinguish between those who presume to teach and those who are willing to learn. God forbid that we should not have patience with a weak brother who is confused or has fallen into temptation and trial, who is ignorant or who still suffers from the after-effects of his perverted upbringing. If he listens to the truth, accepts admonition and is willing to give ear to the truth, we shall follow Christ's ex-