Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1950, Page 130

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1380 Proceedings of the Forty-First Convention,

one who, despite admonition, teaches error, makes propaganda for
his error, or demands recognition or toleration for it. Such a person
is to be regarded as an adherent of false doctrine; and all who
follow him and make his confession their own likewise become
such. Our action over against such adherents of false doctrine is
summed up for us in Rom.16:17: “Now I beseech you, brethren,
mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doc-
trine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” 2 John 9-11: “Who-
soever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath
not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both
the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you and bring not
this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him
Godspeed; for he that biddeth him Godspeed is partaker of his evil
eeds,”
Involving the Constant Danger of Losing the Word

of God Entirely

By thus bidding us to withhold fellowship from the adherents
of false doctrine, the loving Savior is seeking to preserve His
precious Word for us and others, His Word which He-has given to
us as the Bread of Life, whereby alone faith is created, nourished,
and preserved unto eternal life. Adulterate the Word by omitting
something, changing something adding something, or compromising
any part of it, and faith is endangered. Gal.5:9: “A little leaven
leaveneth the whole lump.” 2 Tim. 2:17-19: “And their word will
eat as doth a canker; of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; who
concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is

past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless, the

foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord know-
eth them that are His. And, Let everyone that nameth the name
of Christ depart from iniquity.”

Thus we see that this definition of unionism in the Brief State-
ment, which was drawn up with special reference to the situation
prevailing among Lutheran churches in 1932, applies with equal
force to the present-day problems of Lutheran Union, which have
given rise to this study.

3. Re OFFENSE

By request our Committee is also submitting the following
statement on offense, adopted for presentation to this convention
of the Synodical Conference:

Giving and Taking Offense and the Procedure Within the
Synodical Conference for the Removal of Offense

I. Giving Offense

The sin of tempting or leading anyone to evil, Scripture also
calls “giving offense.” Rom. 16:17: “Mark them which cause divi-
sions and offenses.” That which is said or done, any doctrine or
practice which leads or may lead others to unbelief, to an erroneous
faith, to transgression and a godless life, is an offense which, so far
as the offender is concerned, destroys the souls of men eternally.

The Scriptures therefore earnestly warn against giving offense.
Matt. 18:6; Mark 9:42; Luke 17:1-2: “Offenses will come; but woe

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