The ACELC exists "to give a united voice against errors that are officially adopted in convention, tolerated, and/or promoted in the LCMS.”

Did God Actually Say...?

Did God actually say … “I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man”? Did God actually say … that one who receives the Lord’s Supper may actually eat and drink judgment upon himself? Did God actually say … “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing”? Did God actually say … “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus”?

Yes, God actually did say these things, and His voice continues to proclaim these truths today. In addition to those mentioned above [1 Timothy 2:12; 1 Corinthians 11:29; 1 Timothy 6:3-4; 2 Timothy 3:14-15], we could provide “thus sayeth the Lord” passages for all of the errors that the ACELC has identified in the LCMS [see Founding Documents on the ACELC website], as well as contemporary errors.

These issues with which we struggle as Christian brothers and sisters in the LCMS are not unimportant. They actually do involve judgment, salvation, and God’s truth revealed in Holy Scripture. These are not matters of opinions, preferences, or convictions – they are God’s objective truths. As our Lord Jesus Christ says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (St. John 8:31-32).

The evil one has been asking the question from the beginning, “Did God actually say …?” From the beginning, the devil has sought to deceive God’s children, diverting them from God’s Word so that they might follow him. He’s not very cutting edge, in that he is still using his old playbook – but his lies are still effective, and harmful, today. And that’s the point, there is harm being done! Out of love for our neighbor, we must not allow the devil’s lies to stand, and must boldly confess what God actually says.

It is towards this end that we are trying a new format at our 2023 ACELC Conference. The theme for this year’s conference is “The Aim of Our Charge” from 1 Timothy 1:3-5. “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” Our wonderful lineup of speakers will set before us the flow from “a sincere faith” (based on what God actually says), to “a good conscience” and “a pure heart” to “the aim of our charge” which is “love” for our neighbor. What is new to our format is that after each speaker we will have breakout sessions in which conference attendees will have the opportunity to digest the presentation with others and discuss the implications and applications for our life together in the church.

We hope that you will be able to join us for this year’s conference, graciously hosted by Advent Lutheran Church in Zionsville, IN. Help us to attain to the “aim of our charge.”

Register now!


Rev. Scott T. Porath, Chairman
ACELC Board of Directors