Church & Ministry - Lesson Five

CHURCH AND MINISTRY

2003

LESSON FIVE

I. Thesis V Concerning the Church

A. Though the true church in the proper sense of the term is essentially [according to its true nature] invisible, its existence can nevertheless be definitely recognized, namely, by the marks of the pure preaching of God’s Word and the administration of the sacraments according to Christ’s institution. (Church and Ministry, page 67)

B. Scripture Proof

1. Mk 4:26-29

2. Mk 4:13,14: tells us what the “seed” is.

3. Mt 13:37-39

4. Is 55:10,11

5. Walther:

a. See Lesson One.

b. “From this we learn that the Word is not only the seed out of which alone the members of the church are born, but also that out of which at all times most surely, wherever this heavenly seed is sown, some ‘sons of the kingdom’ grow forth, ‘he himself does not know how,’ according to the divine, unfailing, and infallible promise.” (Church and Ministry, page 67)

6. Mt 28:18-20: “baptizing”.

7. 1Co 12:13: “body” “drink”.

8. Walther:

“Wherever, therefore, the Word of God is preached and Holy Baptism and the Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ are administered, there are members of the body of Christ. There we must assume: Here is a holy Christian church.” (Church and Ministry, page 68)

C. Confessions and Creeds

1. Augsburg Confession, Art. VII., VIII. (Tappert, pp. 32,33; Kolb and Wengert, pp. 42,43)

2. Apology: Art. VII., VIII (Tappert, pp. 168-178; Kolb and Wengert, pp. 174-183).

3. Apology

“‘To the right outward adornment of the church belong also the right preaching, the right use of the Sacrament, and the thorough training of the people to gather diligently and properly, to learn and to pray’. (Art. XXIV [XII], par. 50-51; German text, Triglot., p. 400).” (See Tappert, p. 259; Kolb and Wengert, p. 267)

D. Witnesses in Private Writings

1. Luther, Martin (See Lesson Two)

a. “‘In the first place, this Christian holy people is to be recognized from the place where there is a holy Word of God. That, however, is not found everywhere in the same way, as St. Paul teaches in 1Cor 3:12-13. Some have it pure; others have it not so pure.’ (quoted, Church and Ministry, p. 71)

b. ‘Second, God’s people or the Christian holy people is recognized by the holy sacrament of Baptism where it is rightly taught, believed, and used according to Christ’s institution.’ (quoted, Church and Ministry, p. 72)

c. ‘Third, God’s people, or the Christian holy people, are recognized by the holy Sacrament of the Altar wherever it is administered, believed, and received according to Christ’s institution.’ (quoted, Church and Ministry, p. 73)

d. ‘Fourth, God’s people or the holy Christian [church] is recognized by the keys, which it uses publicly, that is, as Christ commands (Matt 18:15-16), [namely], that if a Christian sins, he should be reproved, and if he refuses to make amends, he should be bound and excommunicated; but if he repents, he should be absolved.’ (quoted, Church and Ministry, p. 73)

e. ‘Fifth, the church is outwardly recognized by fact that it calls and ordains, ministers of the Word, or that it has offices that it should fill….’ (quoted, Church and Ministry, p. 74)

f. ‘Sixth, God’s people is outwardly recognized by public prayer to God as well as praise and thanksgiving.’ (quoted, Church and Ministry, p. 74)

g. ‘Seventh, the holy Christian people is outwardly recognized by the chastening affliction of the holy cross’ (Luther’s tract on councils and churches of 1535, Halle edition, 16:2784ff).” (quoted, Church and Ministry, p. 74)

2. Jerome

a. (Sophronius Eusebius Hieronymus)

born: probably in 340 in Stridon, (Italy)

died: 419 or 420.

works include rev. of the Latin Bible (Vulgate) (Lutheran Cyclopedia, p. 427)

b. “‘The church does not consist of walls but in the truth of its teachings. The church is there, where there is the true faith’ (on Ps. 133)” (quoted, Church and Ministry, p. 75)

3. Augustine

a. See Lesson Three.

b. “‘Let us not hear it said: ‘This I say’ and ‘That is what you say.’ But let us hear it said: ‘Thus says the Lord.’ ([Lib de unitate ecclesiae], chapter 3)” (quoted, Church and Ministry, p. 76)