LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1977, Page 44

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44 MINUTES OF THE CONVENTION

support, and utilize this ministry as a resource and
complement of their own.

Closing Devotion

Chaplain Streufert led the delegates in the common
table prayer, “Come, Lord Jesus,” as the closing
devotion for the afternoon session.

Session 12

July 20, Evening
Opening Devotion

The convention was led in an opening devotion by
Chaplain Streufert. It included the singing of the hymn
“How Precious Is the Book Divine” and a prayer of
thanksgiving for blessings received by several of the
delegates.

Theology and Church Relations

Chairman Happel of the Floor Committee on
Theology and Church Relations introduced Res. 3-08
(TB 59), calling for the support of efforts to protect the
unborn. In the extended discussion which followed the
delegates adopted an amendment substituting the word
“sin” for the word “evils” in line 71 but declined to place
the words “abortion on demand” in quotations (lines
70—71, TB 59). They agreed also to insert the words
“living but” before the word “unborn” in lines 30 and 71
(TB 59) and line 5 (TB 60). They declined to delete the
words “corporately and” in line 70 (TB 59) as well as to
add a resolve that would have stated: “Resolved, That
Lutheran hospitals be urged to perform abortions only
when necessary to prevent the death of the mothers and
that these hospitals give a clear Christian witness also
by refusing any and all cooperation to abortion mills, as
regards equipment, services, personnel, etc.” The
motion was then adopted as amended. By adopting Res.
3-09 (TB 60) the Synod officially declared itself to be in
altar and pulpit fellowship with the Selbstaendige
Evangelisch Lutherische Kirche, thereby continuing
the fellowship it has enjoyed for many years with the
member bodies of this church. After the floor committee
had added Overture 3-180 (CW 120) to the overtures
being dealt with in the resolution (line 55, TB 65) and
had added the words “and/or” between the words
“initiate” and “and” in line 67 (7B 65), it introduced Res.
3-20 (TB 65), which encouraged the President of the
Synod, in consultation with the Commission on
Theology and Church Relations, to initiate and continue
discussions with all Lutheran church bodies regarding
fellowship, and requested them to report to the Synod on
the progress and results of these discussions. During the
discussion of Res. 3-10A (7B 198), asking for clarifica-
tion of the Synod’s position regarding charismatic
teaching, the delegates adopted a number of
amendments. They agreed to add the words “and that
the pastors of the Synod be strongly urged to emphasize
to their congregations in a positive way what the
Scriptures teach concerning the work of the Holy Spirit”
after the word “teaching” in line 43 (TB 198). By

common consent the word “some” was placed between
the words “by” and “individuals” in line 15 (TB 198). A
major amendment included the following changes:

A) After the second whereas of the present resolu-
tion the following words were added:

WHEREAS, Scripture so clearly teaches:

1. That we are justified alone by the atoning work of Jesus
Christ.

2. That the forgiveness of our sins on account of Christ,
promised and offered in the Gospel, is our righteousness
before God.

3. That it is by faith alone that we accept God’s promised
offer of forgiveness and are justified.

4. That the faith by which we accept God’s forgiveness on
account of Christ is the work of God’s Spirit through the
external means of grace, namely, the preaching
(teaching) of the Gospel, Holy Baptism, Holy Absolu-
tion, and the Lord’s Supper. Through these external
means the Holy Spirit works faith in the heart when and
where it pleases God. Through these external means of
grace the Holy Spirit, together with all that is necessary
for life and salvation, is given to those who believe.

5. That faith, which is the work of God’s Spirit, is the
confident assurance that for Christ’s sake we are
forgiven and accepted by God as righteous. Through
this confident faith in the promise of God the accusing
voice of conscience is quieted, and the troubled heart
finds rest.

B) The word ‘“‘and” was deleted from line 16 (TB
198), a comma was placed after the word “opinion” in
the same line, and after the word “Scripture” the
following words were added:

and therefore contrary to the Holy Scriptures, and

therefore dangerous to the salvation of men to teach:

1. That God desires every Christian, following baptism, to
have a ‘second experience’ such as the ‘baptism with the
Spirit.’

2. That the so-called ‘gifts of the Spirit’ are external signs
by which we can assure ourselves that we have faith,
are living in God’s grace, or have the Spirit of God.

3. That God promises every Christian such gifts as
speaking in tongues, healing, discerning of spirits, and
prophecy, and that God has given such a promise as a
part of the ‘full’ or ‘complete Gospel.’

4. That a ‘conversion experience,’ ‘baptism with the
Spirit,’ or other inner religious experience is necessary
for, or should be urged upon, Christians in order that
they may be certain either of having faith and salvation
or of the indwelling of God’s Spirit.

5. That a Christian who has not had such an experience
either has an incomplete faith, is unconverted and is
still living under the rule of sin, or has only accepted
Christ as his Savior but not as his Lord.

6. That the sanctification of a Christian is incomplete
unless he possesses the gift of speaking in tongues.

7. That God promises healing and health to every
Christian in this life and that, if such healing does not
occur, it is due to a lack of faith.

8. That God gives guidance and leadership to the church
today through visions and dreams of direct prophecy.

C) Lines 18—30 (7B 198) were deleted. The delegates
then adopted Res. 3-10A (TB 198) as amended after
declining a motion to table it.

They approved the appointment of a doctrinal
committee of the LCMS for Canada (Res. 3-14, TB 63)
and encouraged the CTCR to complete its report on
Communion practices (Res. 3-12, TB 62). Before
introducing the latter resolution the Floor Committee
on Theology and Church Relations had changed the
word “‘our” to “the” in line 10 (7B 62) and the word “on”
to “in” in line 38 (TB 62). After some discussion the

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