Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1950, Page 129

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Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America, 1950 129

worship and Church work. Acts 2:42: “And they continued stead-
fastly in the Apostles’. doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of
bread and in prayer.” ;

In the discussion of the subject “Church Fellowship,” Missouri
Synod representatives maintained that a distinction must be drawn
between “Prayer Fellowship” and “Joint Prayer,” the latter under
certain conditions being permitted at Intersynodical Conferences
with those not yet in fellowship with us. (Cf. Proceedings of the
39th Regular Convention of the Missouri Synod, 1944, pages 251
and 252.) Wisconsin and Norwegian Synod representatives main-
tained that there is no Scriptural basis for such a distinction and
that joint prayer with others is in itself the practice of fellowship.

False Doctrine

This definition of unionism, in speaking of false doctrine with-
out any limitations and’ restrictions, covers every deviation from
what is taught in Scripture.

Matt. 28:19-20: “Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, bap-
tizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you; and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end
of the world.”

_ Jer. 23:31: “Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord,
that use their tongues and say, He saith.”

1Cor.1:10: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that
there be. no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined
together in the same mind and in the same judgment,”

Adherents of False Doctrine

In speaking of the adherents of false doctrine as the ones from
whom Scripture bids us to withhold church fellowship, the above
definition gives full recognition to our obligation of love to the weak
brother. Scripture indeed bids us to make a distinction between

Our obligation toward the weak brother is summed up in
' Gal. 6:1-2: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which
are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; con-
sidering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s
burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Paul’s whole procedure
with the Galatians shows that this obligation of love applies also
when the weakness we meet in brethren is one of error in doctrine,
even in the most fundamental doctrine. For Paul still calls them
brethren and deals with them as such, since they are still in the’
position of learners, willing to receive instruction. Through his
instruction Paul sought to build them up in their faith, that they
might overcome their error. .