Church & Ministry - Lesson 15

CHURCH AND MINISTRY

2003

LESSON FIFTEEN

I. Thesis IV Concerning the Ministry

A. This ministry is not a special or, in opposition to that of ordinary Christians, a more holy state, as was the Levitical priesthood, but it is a ministry of service. (Church and Ministry, p. 198)

B. Scripture Proof

1. 1Pe 2:9.

2. Gal 3:26,27.

3. Mt 23:10.

4. O.T.: only some of sons of Aaron performed the duty and service of a priest though all were of the priestly state.

5. 1Co 3:5.

6. 2Co 4:5.

7. Col 1:24,25.

C. Confessions and Creeds

1. Apology: See Art. XXII, par 9 (Tappert, p.237; Kolb and Wengert, p. 246).

2. Apology:

a. “‘In Greek, liturgia properly denotes an office by which the congregation is served. This agrees nicely with our doctrine that there [in Holy Communion] the priest is a common servant of those who wish to go to the Lord’s Supper, administering to them the holy Sacrament.’ (Art. XXIV [XII], par. 88, German text, Triglot, p. 412).” (cf Tappert, XXIV, par. 80-88, pp. 264,265; Kolb and Wengert, XXIV, par 80-88, pp. 272-274).

D. Witnesses in Private Writings

1. Luther, Martin (see Lesson Two)

a. “‘Now it is sufficient to know that the Christian people is undivided, without any divisions and [distinctions of] persons. Therefore, no one should be a layman, cleric, monk, or nun. There should be no difference at all, whether people are married or chaste [in the papistic sense], as it pleases everyone. There is also in itself no distinction among bishops, elders, priests, and layman. No one is distinguished from other Christians except that one has another office which he has been entrusted to preach God’s Word and administer the sacraments….’ (“Monograph on the Abuse of the Mass,” 1521, St. Louis edition, 19:1097-98).” (quoted Church and Ministry, pp. 200-201)

b. “‘The ministry is nothing else than a service….’(“Of the Babylonian Captivity of the Church,” 1520, St. Louis edition, 19:113-14).” (quoted Church and Ministry, pp. 201,202)

2. Chrysotom, John

a. ca. 345-407. Patriarch of Constantinople, 398. Fame rests primarily on his sermons. (Lutheran Cyclopedia, p. 171)

“‘Take heed, therefore, how you sit in Moses’ seat; for the seat (cathedra) does not make the priest, but the priest makes the seat. The place does not sanctify the man, but the man sanctifies the place. Not every priest is a saint, but every saint is a priest’ (On Matt. 23; hom. 43).” (quoted Church and Ministry, p. 211).