Church & Ministry - Lesson Seven

CHURCH AND MINISTRY

2003

LESSON SEVEN

I. Thesis 7 Concerning the Church

A. As visible congregations that still have the Word and the sacraments essentially according to God’s Word bear the name “church” because of the true invisible church of sincere believers that is found in them, so also they possess the power [authority] that Christ has given to His whole church, on account of the true visible church hidden in them, even if they were only two or three [believers]. (Church and Ministry, page 87)

B. Scripture Proof

1. Mt 16:19: He had given by Peter to whole holy church.

2. Mt 18:17-20: obviously speaking of a visible, particular church.

C. Confessions and Creeds

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

2. Smalcald Articles; Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope. (Tappert, pp. 319-335; Kolb and Wengert, pp. 329-344)

3. Treatise written by Philip Melanchthon. Often was supposed to be an appendix to Smalcald Articles (incorrectly). Was intended to be a “supplement” to Augsburg Confession. Subscriptions done on February 24, 1537. (see Tappert, p. 319 and Kolb and Wengert, pp. 329,330)

D. Witness in Private Writings

1. Luther, Martin (See Lesson Two)

a. “‘But if such doubts should assail and trouble you that you think you were not a church or God’s people, let me tell you: You cannot recognize the church by its outward conduct. You can recognize it only God’s Word, which says: ‘If all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is judged of all. And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you’ (1Cor. 14:24-25). But it is surely true of you that in many of you there is God’s Word and the knowledge of Christ. But be it wherever it may, wherever the Word of God is, together with the knowledge of Christ, it is never without fruit, no matter how weak it may appear by the outward conduct of those who heed it. For the church, though it is weak because of sin [of its members] is never unchristian but always Christian by the Word. It [its members] indeed sins, but it confesses and knows the Word and does not deny it. Therefore, we must not cast out those who praise and confess the Word even though they do not shine or glitter by any outstanding holiness as long as they do not live in manifest sins or lead a perverse life.’ (“How One Should Choose and Ordain Pastors”, letter to the council and congregation of the city of Prague, 1523, St. Louis edition, 10: 1599-1600).” (quoted, Church and Ministry, p. 94, 95)

2. Chemnitz, Martin

a. 1522-86. Popular adage: “‘If Martin [Chemnitz] had not come along, Martin [Luther] would hardly have survived’” (quoted, Lutheran Cyclopedia, p. 153)

b. “‘But Luther never meant that any Christian whatever either could or should indiscriminately, without a legitimate call, arrogate to himself or usurp the ministry of the Word and the administration of the sacraments in the church….Against these tyrannical opinions (of the papists) Luther taught from the Word of God that Christ gave and committed the keys, that is, the ministry of the Word and of the sacraments, to the whole church…so that the highest power of the Word and of the sacraments is with God; then, that the ministry belongs to the church, so that God calls, chooses, and sends ministers through it.’ (Examination of the Council of Trent, trans. Fred Kramer [St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1978], 2:96-97.” (quoted, Church and Ministry, pp. 96,97).

2. Balthasar Mentzer

a. 1565-1627; “gained reputation as polemicist though more concerned about positive statements” (Lutheran Cyclopedia, p. 530) prof. in Marburg and Giessen. (ibid)

b. “‘Passing over other matters, let the papists themselves say who in a large ecclesiastical assembly are the true believers and elect. If they cannot do this, and surely they cannot since they cannot look into the hearts, let them confess that the church of the saints and elect is invisible. For since many are called but few are chosen, we certainly can know the called, but we cannot know those who among them are the elect. And yet we must confess that all the glorious things that are said of the church are said of it because of the elect.’ (Exegesis Confessionis Augustanae, pp. 291-96). (quoted Church and Ministry, p. 99)