Church & Ministry - Lesson Six

CHURCH AND MINISTRY

2003

LESSON SIX

I. Thesis 6 Concerning the Church

A. In an improper sense Scripture also calls the visible aggregate of all the called, that is, of all who confess and adhere to the proclaimed Word and use the holy sacraments, which consists of good and evil [persons], “church” (the universal [catholic] church); so also it calls its several divisions, that is, the congregations that are found here and there, in which the Word of God is preached and the holy sacraments are administered, “churches” [particular or individual churches]. This it does especially because in this visible assembly the invisible, true, and properly so called church of believers, saints, and children of God is hidden; outside this assembly of the called no elect are to be looked for [anywhere]. (Church and Ministry, p. 77)

B. Scripture Proof

1. Mt 13:47,48: note “like”.

2. Mt 25:1,2: note “like”.

3. Mt 22:2,11: note “like”.

4. “Like” shows that the kingdom of heaven or the church in its proper sense does not consist of true believers and hypocrites, but only the believers. (See Church and Ministry, pp. 77,78)

5. Visible church, with good and evil therein, given name “church” only in an improper, synecdochic sense.

6. Scripture also uses “church” to the mixed, visible assembly.

a. Mt 18:17.

b. 1Co 1:2.

c. Gal 1:2.

C. Confessions and Creeds

1. Augsburg, Art. VIII. (Tappert, p. 33; Kolb & Wengert, p. 43)

2. Apology: “‘Even the decree of Gratian clearly explains the gloss that the word ‘church’ is to be taken large [in its wide sense] and embraces both evil and good; likewise, that the wicked are in the church only in name, not in fact; but the good are in it both in name and in fact….Although, then, the wicked and the ungodly hypocrites have fellowship with the true church in outward rites, titles, and offices, nevertheless, when we wish to declare what the church is properly, we must say that the church is called the body of Christ and not only has fellowship in outward signs but has the gifts [of Christ] in the heart, [namely,] the Holy Ghost and faith’ (Art. VII, VIII [IV], par. 11ff.; German text, Triglot, pp. 228ff.).” (quoted, Church and Ministry, pp. 78,79)

3. Formula of Concord: “‘Here there is rejected as an erroneous doctrine of the Anabaptists [the teaching] that “there is no Christian congregation [church] in which sinners are still found”’ (Epitome, Art. XII, par. 7; Triglot, p. 838; Through Declaration, XII, par.5; Triglot, p. 1099).” (quoted Church and Ministry, pp. 79)

D. Witnesses in Private Writings

1. Luther: (see Lesson Two)

a. “‘To this I reply that St. Paul here speaks according to the figure of speech called synecdoche, which in Scripture is used quite commonly’ (quoted, Church and Ministry, p. 80)

b. ‘Therefore, the church is everywhere holy, even in places where is it ruled by enthusiasts [Schwarmer: visionaries departing from God’s Word] and factious spirits [Rottengeister: false teachers causing schisms in the church], as long as they do not deny the Word and the sacraments altogether; for those who reject these things altogether are no longer a church. But where the Word and sacraments remain essentially, there also remains a holy church.’ (“Exposition of St. Paul’s letter to Galatians,” 1:2, 1535, Halle edition, 8:1588)” (quoted Church and Ministry, pp. 81,82)

2. Gerhard: (see Lesson One)

a. “‘We also say the same thing, namely, that according to the figure of speech known as synecdoche, there is ascribed to the whole [visible] church what properly belongs only to a part….Scripture speaks of the church in various ways, first, in general and synecdochially, designating by this name [church] the whole multitude of the called; second, in a strict, proper, and primary sense, designating only the elect or saints in this assembly’ (Loci theologici, “De ecclesia,” par. 65).” (quoted Church and Ministry, p. 83)