# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1953_S1041
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

290 PARISH EDUCATION

“The churches of Judea” (Gal. 1:22),

“Then had the churches (Nestle: church) rest thr
Judea and Galilee and Samaria” (Acts 9:31).
“Christ is the Head of the Church” (Eph. 5: 25),

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A congregation using the means of grace is properly called the
“church” by virtue of the believers in it, regardless of the fact that
some of the members may only be using the means of grace while
they reject the Holy Spirit's gift of faith.

D. Just as the Church has been called into being and
served through the means of grace, so it is to use these
of grace to strengthen and extend God’s kingdom.

The following Scripture passages emphasize the fact that the
Church is built by the means of grace.

“Then they that gladly received His Word were baptized, ang
the same day there were added unto them about three thousand
souls” (Acts 2:41).

“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by
Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5).

“And He gave some, Apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the Perfecting of

the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body
of Christ” (Eph. 4:11, 12).

E. Each congregation is endowed by the Lord of the Church

with the Power of the Keys, that is, the same power which is given
to the whole Church and to the individual Christian.

That every Christian congregation has the Office of the Keys is
clear from the following Scripture Passages:

“And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church;
but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an

ts pre.
same means

in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My
name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18: 17-20).

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar People, that ye should shew forth the praises of
Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”
(1 Peter 2:9). .

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PARISH EDUCATION 291

oi i ise of the Power of the Keys Christ has
iF. the eee nbents ia special office of the ministry which
; a ited for the very purpose of building His Church. This of-
He ines established in and by the Church. ; .
fees “ Iled the Apostles, as described Luke 6:13: “And when
Chiist z called unto Him His disciples; and of them He chose
it was day m also He named Apostles.” He “appointed other
twelve, . and sent them as laborers into His harvest, Luke 10:1.
seventy ee mmission in Matthew 28 and Mark 16 and the words
The Gren John 20 and 21, although describing the duties of all
of Christ oint out particularly the duty of the public ministry.
Cerne distinction between the general priesthood of all believers
‘nd the special office of the public ministry is clear from the fol-

owe all Apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?” (1 Cor.
oo ow shall they preach except they be sent?” (Rom. 10: 15.)

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Bimselt

J Christ and hath given to us the ministry of reconc ia on

by it that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself,
. im uting their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto
nt he Word of Reconciliation. Now, then, we are ambassadors for
pea as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in
Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5: ar + ot in

“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shoul est se a
order the things that are wanting and ordain elders in every city,
as I had appointed thee” (Titus 1:5). ‘ests, this

Although all members of local congregations are pn Ss
does not mean that all should preach or teach publicly. a fed
Christians are elected as ministers. The persons thus elect ore rot
on account of their office “priests,” but are rather servants o
ete. voblie minty ne a human, but a divine arrangement.
It is God's will that the Christians in a local area gather tegetner
and found a congregation and call persons with special a “s
These persons, as the representatives of the congregation, are °
proclaim God’s Word and administer the Sacraments both in ope
meetings and privately to the individual Christian. + mere!

“The things lacking” mentioned in Titus 1:5-7 - no o rely
inconsequential things, attention to which might be left to me
cretion of the members, but we must rather conclude that w one no
elders or bishops (pastors) had as yet been appointed, some ning
‘was wanting which ought to be supplied. The text implies _
without the office of the pastor the congregation is not properly
constituted.