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LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1971, Page 104

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

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106 ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE LCA

example, but thank God we do share a fellowship of Scripture as First Corinthians 12:3: « - +. NO man can
work. Whether it is man’s inhumanity to man in Pakis- say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost.”
tan or the aftermath of conflict in Nigeria, we are there While such a rudimentary confession of faith is not
together in meeting human need. In the complexities sufficient basis for an organized church body, it can

of metropolitan areas like New York City and Wash. Serve as grounds for interchurch relations,

ington, D. C., or on the vast expanses of central and Fortunately our two church bodies have much more
western Canada, pastors and people of our churches Both accept the Scriptures as the only norm for faith
have found Ways to work together In some places, and life. Both subscribe to the Ecumenica] Creeds and
people who have overindulged in vanity starve for the the Lutheran Confessions as a true witness to the
Bread of Life. In many places people Starve for bread. Scriptures, For this reason we may wonder what the
Humanity needs our combined generosity, apostle Paul would write to us. Would he write as he

Still there is more. Without wishing to ignore the did in First Corinthians 3: 4.7? “For while one Saith,
distinctions between us in ecumencial relations, I note Tam of Paul: and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not i
that both of our church bodies participate in an ever- carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but

@ great number of ecumenical meetings. I have trea- God gave the increase. So then neither is he that
sured his contribution at meetings of the Lutheran Planteth any thing, neither he that watereth: but God
Council in the U.S. A., at visits to meetings of the that giveth the increase.”

Lutheran World Federation, and even at interdenomi- In place of the names of Paul and Apollos, would
national conferences. The meeting of presidents of the __ the apostle insert the names of Walther and Muhlen-
three large Lutheran churches in a variety of forums berg, or perhaps Pieper and Rosenius? No hasty or

Although our ecumenical involvements may be the seek the answer together. As we do, “Grace to you and
result of God at work in our environment, I hope it is peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,”
more the result of taking Scripture seriously, such Dr. Roserr J. Marsyary