# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_October 1862_S293
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Report for the Sessions of the Synod of Missouri, etc., Western District. 293

seek and receive from him the comfort of absolution, John 20:23; 2 Corinthians 2:10,
and the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ often, and receive it,
1 Corinthians 11:20, 26, after prior examination
and confession, Hebrews 13:17; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Corinthians 4:1; Matthew 7:6;
that it have its betrothed publicly joined in marriage by him with God's Word and
prayer, 1 Corinthians 7:40; 1 Timothy 4:3–5; that in sickness,
death, and other distresses and trials it likewise be comforted by him from
God's Word, James 5:14–15; and finally that it have its dead christianly
buried, Acts 8:2.

§ 24. In order that the Word of God have right free course in a congregation,
there belongs further, that the congregation, where possible, establish an evangelical Lutheran
parish school, and for this purpose call and appoint, in Christian order, an orthodox,
godly, and skilled teacher (Ephesians 6:4; Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 6:7; 2 Timothy 3:15;
Romans 2:20; Hebrews 5:22), bind him likewise to the Word of God of the Old and New
Testament and to the confessions of the evangelical Lutheran Church, and place him under
the oversight of the public preaching office, Matthew 18:10; 1 John 2:13; Hebrews 13:17.

§ 25. In order that the Word of God have right free course in a congregation,
there belongs, finally, that the congregation tolerate no division through
conventicles — that is, teaching or prayer meetings led by unauthorized persons —
outside the publicly preaching office ordained by God, 1 Corinthians
11:18; James 3:1; 1 Corinthians 12:29; 14:28; Acts 6:4.

C. Third Section. On the Exercise of the Congregation's Duty to Bear Care for the Purity
of Doctrine and of Life, and to Exercise Discipline on Its Members in Both Respects.

§ 26. All members of the congregation are to strive to
grow and become rich in all doctrine and in all knowledge, 2 Peter 3:18;
1 Corinthians 1:5, so that they do not remain children and let themselves be tossed
and carried about by every wind of doctrine, Ephesians 4:14; Hebrews 5:12, but rather
test and judge the doctrine preached to them according to God's Word, Acts 17:11;
Matthew 7:15–16; 1 John 4:1; 1 Corinthians 10:15.

§ 27. The congregation must also establish among itself the office of such elders
or overseers as do not labor in the Word and in doctrine,
1 Timothy 5:17, but are a help, in the government and in the exercise of discipline
and order in the congregation, to him who holds the office of the Word,
Romans 12:8; 1 Corinthians 12:28; the requirements for eligibility are to be determined
according to Acts 6:3; 1 Timothy 3:8–12.

§ 28. The congregation must see to it that only pure church and school books,
recognized by the orthodox Church, be introduced and tolerated among it,
Acts 19:19, and that the ceremonies of the confession not
be given up, Galatians 2:3–5.

§ 29. The congregation is to receive as members only those
who, first, are baptized, Ephesians 5:25–26; 1 Corinthians 12:13; who, second, if they