LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 120

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120

RESOLUTIONS

WHEREAS, We are called to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves (Prov. 31:8), and to love them as
ourselves (Matt. 19:18–19; Luke 10:27; John 13:34–35;
15:17; Rom. 13:10); and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has
shown a consistent commitment to the sanctity of human
life (convention resolutions 1995—6-01A, 1989—3-09A,
1983—3-04B, 1981—3-02, 1979—3-02A); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage its
congregations, pastors, teachers and lay people to use every
opportunity to confess openly our Synod’s biblical prolife
stand and completely reject the inhumane treatment of unborn children through “willful abortion” (1979 Res. 302A);
and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod understand the biblical prohibition of “willful abortion” to include abortion for the purpose of fetal tissue research and fetal tissue transplantation; and be it further
Resolved, That the congregations of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod be encouraged to put their commitment to Christ and the unborn into action with physical
and financial support for lawful prolife activities and prolife
organizations such as Lutherans for Life; and be it finally
Resolved, That the congregations of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod be encouraged to reach out to
those who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy and those
families confronted with decisions about fetal tissue transplantation with the same love, mercy, and grace that Christ
Himself extended to us.
Action: Adopted (9)
(The resolution was adopted by acclamation with the notation
that some negative votes were cast.)

To Request Commission on Theology
and Church Relations Study Document
on Issues Raised by Cloning
RESOLUTION 3-15B
Overtures 3-110–12 (CW, pp. 185–86)
WHEREAS, The Word of God teaches that every human
life is created by God and is sacred to Him (Psalm 139:
13–16); and
WHEREAS, This truth is not impinged by the manner of
any person’s propagation; and
WHEREAS, This truth nevertheless does not mean that
all means of propagation are in and of themselves Godpleasing; and
WHEREAS, The possibility of cloning humans has arisen
in our society; and
WHEREAS, The issues surrounding the matter of cloning
are still emerging; and
WHEREAS, Such a practice raises numerous questions
and grave concerns among those who confess the blessed
Trinity to be the Author and Sustainer of life; therefore be
it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention reject without
reservation as contrary to God’s Word any technique or
method of human cloning that results in the destruction of
human embryos or the creation of human embryos for the

purposes of fetal tissue research or organ harvesting or
transplantation; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod in convention request the
CTCR to provide for the preparation of a study document
to help the church, on the basis of the Word of God, make
informed ethical judgments concerning cloning and attendant issues; and be it further
Resolved, That said study give special attention to the
issues surrounding the potential production and harvesting of human organs; and be it finally
Resolved, That the preparation of this study document be
given a high priority by the CTCR in keeping with the
Synod’s mandate that the CTCR continue to provide guidance
in the area of bioethics (1977 Res. 3-26, Bylaw 3.925 b 4).
Action: Adopted (9)

To Affirm Use of Bread and Wine
in the Sacrament of the Altar
RESOLUTION 3-16B
Overtures 3-34–35 (CW, p. 164)
WHEREAS, In the institution of the Sacrament of the
Altar the Lord Jesus Christ gave His body and blood for us
to eat and drink under the form of bread and wine (Matt.
26:26–29; Mark 14:22–25; Luke 22:15–20; 1 Cor. 11:23–26;
cf. AC X); and
WHEREAS, In accordance with Christ’s institution the
Lutheran Confessions define the Sacrament of the Altar to
be “the true body and blood of the Lord Christ in and under
the bread and wine which we Christians are commanded
by Christ’s Word to eat and drink” (LC V 8; cf. AC X; Apology X); and
WHEREAS, The blessings and benefits proffered in the
Sacrament of the Altar are not given and received apart
from the elements used by Christ in His institution of this
most venerable sacrament, as Christ said of the bread,
“Take eat, this is My body which is given for you” and of
the cup, “This is My blood of the new covenant which is
shed for you for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:28; Mark
14:24; Luke 22:20; also in the Lutheran Confessions AC X;
LC V 21–22; FC SD VII 43–53); therefore be it
Resolved, That the congregations of the LCMS continue
to use bread and wine in the administration of the Sacrament of the Altar; and be it further
Resolved, That pastors, who are stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Cor. 4:1) and are entrusted with the pastoral
care of souls, remain faithful in their practice of Christ’s institution of the Sacrament of the Altar through the use of
bread and wine “in order not to introduce an element of uncertainty into the sacrament” (Christian Dogmatics, Pieper,
Vol. III p. 354); and be it finally
Resolved, That in cases where pastoral concern arises
concerning the reception of bread and wine by certain persons, the institution of Christ not be overthrown, but that
the pastor stress the Gospel’s power and total effectiveness
in the individual’s life and patiently seek a practical solution which is faithful to the Word of Christ and sensitive to
the desire to partake in the Supper of the Lord.
Action: Adopted (10)