LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 145

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4. LIFE TOGETHER
Without objection, the chair put the resolution to an immediate
voice vote, by which the resolution was unanimously adopted.

To Encourage the Study of the Doctrine
of Close(d) Communion and Faithful
Practice in All Congregations
RESOLUTION 4-11A
Overture 4-14–16 (CW, 416–19)

WHEREAS, Oneness at the altar presupposes oneness in
faith and doctrine (Acts 2:42), with the result that close(d)
Communion requires that the pastors and congregations of
Synod commune individuals of only those synods which
are now in altar and pulpit fellowship with us; and
WHEREAS, In the Holy Supper of our Lord, Jesus gives the
communicant His own precious body and blood given for
the forgiveness of sins for all on the cross, but which to fail
to discern the body and blood brings judgment (Greek:
krima) (1 Cor. 11:27–29); and
WHEREAS, The conventions of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod (LCMS) have addressed this issue in 1967
Resolution 2-19; 1986 Res. 3-08; 1995 Res. 3-08; 1998 Res. 305; 2007 Res. 3-09; 2013 Res. 4-10; and 2016 Res. 5-15; and
WHEREAS, All members of Synod subscribe and accept
without reservation the authority of Holy Scriptures and
the Lutheran Confessions contained in the Book of
Concord; therefore be it
Resolved, That Synod in convention encourage the study
of God’s Word and the Lutheran Confessions by all
members of Synod with an eye to teaching and upholding
our confession and practice regarding the administration of
the Lord’s Supper; and be it further
Resolved, That all pastors and members of the LCMS
recognize the Scriptural and practical necessity of adhering
publicly to both a professed and functional close(d)
Communion practice.
Action: Adopted (9)
It was moved to amend, in the first resolve, second line, to
replace the words “with an eye to teaching and upholding our
confession” with the words “to strengthen our understanding.”
After discussion, a call of the question on the amendment carried
by voice vote; the amendment was ruled to have failed. Division
of the house was called, in which the amendment failed [Yes: 193;
No: 555]. The chair called the orders of the day, and closure of
debate carried [Yes: 605; No: 124]. Res. 4-11A was adopted as
presented [Yes: 586; No: 157].

Resolutions

To Thank and Praise God
for the 10th Anniversary of the Publication
of The Lutheran Study Bible
RESOLUTION 4-12
Overture 4-30 (CW, 423–24)

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Study Bible (TLSB) was published
in 2009 by Concordia Publishing House; and
WHEREAS, TLSB is the first study Bible in the English
language using entirely new Lutheran notes, helps, and
other resources in the history of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod (LCMS); and
WHEREAS, Over 400,000 copies of TLSB are in print and
being used across the globe; and
WHEREAS, TLSB has been translated into Spanish, and
WHEREAS, TLSB provides a genuine, confessionally
faithful Lutheran presentation of the meaning of the Sacred
Scriptures; and
WHEREAS, TLSB was developed after close consultation
with and includes contributions by pastors, laypersons,
and various Lutheran institutions and church bodies from
across the world; and
WHEREAS, TLSB is unique in that, unlike any other study
Bible available today, TLSB presents justification by grace
alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as the chief
teaching of Scripture; properly distinguishes and applies
Law and Gospel; emphasizes God’s work through the
Means of Grace; functions from a “Scripture alone” point of
view and presents a “Scripture interprets Scripture”
approach to using the Bible; equips the laity for works of
service, with a particular focus on evangelism in their
various vocations and callings in life; presents a uniquely
Lutheran study Bible that features genuinely Lutheran
notes and comments throughout; references the Lutheran
Confessions as contained in the Book of Concord, where
appropriate; and provides a special focus on the Small
Catechism for helps and explanations, with citations from
Martin Luther and many other fathers of the Lutheran and
Christian Church; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention recommend TLSB
for use by the laity, pastors, teachers, and other rostered
church workers, along with their congregations, schools,
and various agencies and entities for their reading, study,
and edification; and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention, at the 10th
anniversary of its publication, give all thanks and praise to
God for the blessing of TLSB.
Action: Adopted (9)
Without objection, the chair put the resolution to an immediate
voice vote, by which the resolution was adopted.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2019 (67TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 145