# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S880
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

380 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pra:
Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5: 18-20),

“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou should
order the things that are wanting and ordain elders in ey
as I had appointed thee” (Titus 1:5). .

Although all members of local congregations are prié
does not mean that all should preach or teach publicly, Q
Christians are elected as ministers. The persons thus elected
on account of their office “priests,” but are rather servan
congregation which elected them.

This public ministry is not a human, but a divine array
It is God’s will that the Christians in a local area gather:
and found a congregation and call persons with spec
These persons, as the representatives of the congregatig
proclaim God’s Word and administer the Sacraments bot
meetings and privately to the individual Christian.

“The things lacking” mentioned in Titus 1:5-7 aren
inconsequential things, attention to which might be left to:
cretion of the members, but we must rather conclude that
elders or bishops (pastors) had as yet been appointed, ‘s
was wanting which ought to be supplied. The text imp!
without the office of the pastor the congregation is n
constituted. :

G. An immediate call, direct from God, or a medig
through a local congregation, gives the authorization for t
teaching and preaching of the Word on behalf of the co

This necessity of the “call” to the public ministry is
the following passages of Scripture:

“How, then, shall they call on Him in whom the
believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom
not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
shall they preach except they be sent?” (Rom. 10:14, 15.)

“And God hath set some in the Church, first, Apost
darily, prophets; thirdly, teachers; after that miracles; th
healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Ar
tles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all w
miracles?” (1 Cor. 12:28, 29.)

“I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran; I haven
to them, yet they prophesied” (Jer. 23:21). '

’ The Apostles were called directly by the Lord. Hot
those who had been called through the instrumentality o
gation are represented as having been called by God.

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and unto a