Brief Statement of the Doctrinal Position 
of the Missouri Synod. [Adopted 1932]
(St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, N.D.) Pt. 19 

Of the Symbols of the Lutheran Church

45. We accept as our confession all the symbols contained in the 
Book of Concord of the year 1580. -- The symbols of the Lutheran 
Church are not a rule of faith beyond, and supplementary to, 
Scripture, but a confession of the doctrines of Scripture over 
against those who deny these doctrines.

46. Since the Christian Church cannot make doctrines, but can and 
should simply profess the doctrine revealed in Holy Scripture, the 
doctrinal decisions of the symbols are binding upon the conscience 
not because they are the outcome of doctrinal controversies, but 
only because they are the doctrinal decisions of Holy Scripture 
itself.

47. Those desiring to be admitted into the public ministry of the 
Lutheran Church pledge themselves to teach according to the 
symbols not ``in so far as,'' but ``because,'' the symbols agree 
with Scripture. He who is unable to accept as Scriptural the 
doctrine set forth in the Lutheran symbols and their rejection of 
the corresponding errors must not be admitted into the ministry of 
the Lutheran Church.

48. The confessional obligation covers all doctrines, not only 
those that are treated ex professo, but also those that are merely 
introduced in support of other doctrines. 

The obligation does not extend to historical questions, ``purely 
exegetical questions,'' and other matters not belonging to the 
doctrinal content of the symbols. All doctrines of the Symbols are 
based on clear statements of Scripture.
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This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg by 
Rev. Robert E. Smith and is in the public domain. You may freely 
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Rev. Robert E. Smith
Walther Library
Concordia Theological Seminary

E-mail: smithre@mail.ctsfw.edu

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(260) 481-2123	Fax: (260) 481-
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