# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_M rz 1855_S79
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Sample and Prospectus etc. 79

dig beneath and break in to rob and murder. But a good shepherd, a faithful steward, a true prophet does not flee or remain silent; rather, by virtue of his office he resists, points out the wolves, thieves, and false prophets, and admonishes people to flee from them. This gives rise to uproar, strife, and division, etc. — Peace in the church is indeed more pleasant and agreeable. But the peace and harmony concluded between shepherds and wolves, between the steward and the thief, between the true and the false prophet, is an evil peace and an evil harmony. Thus discord, strife, and division between shepherds and wolves, thieves and stewards, are essential to the welfare of the church. And it is a sure sign that the true church is present where wolves, thieves, false prophets, etc., come rushing in hordes to besiege, disturb, and attack it. For where the sheepfold is empty, wolves are seldom seen. By contrast, the strong man guards his palace so that his possessions remain in peace. This, however, is not intended to defend those who willfully trouble the church with unnecessary controversies. For Scripture speaks of necessary conflicts. — The godly should therefore learn not to take offense at this stumbling block, but to consider the matter properly within themselves; then they will not be deterred from sound doctrine because of the strife, but will embrace it all the more gladly and guard it all the more carefully. One must therefore neither seek nor dream of a form of the church in which no false prophets, wolves, thieves, or robbers are heard. Rather, it is the lot of the church in this world to be surrounded, assailed, and attacked by false prophets, wolves, and thieves.

Now it is certain that this precise and thorough admonition to beware of false prophets concerns the whole church. For just as the Lord began the Sermon on the Mount by speaking to the apostles, disciples, and the people, so he also addresses its conclusion to the entire multitude. And when he admonishes those to beware of the false prophets who come to them, he undoubtedly means the congregation or the audience, for it is to them that they come. Yet vigilance and care in guarding against false prophets belong above all to the office of the apostles or ministers. For in this way Paul, in Acts 20:28, impresses this admonition upon the preachers or bishops whom he had summoned to himself from Ephesus: Take heed to yourselves and to the whole flock, etc. The apostle or minister of the Word, however, must beware of false prophets in one way, and the hearer in another.

Above all, we must now consider why the Lord wished to conclude this sermon, in which he instructs the apostles for their future ministry by setting forth saving doctrine, with the admonition to beware of false prophets. For this will teach us three things:

1. There was the Pharisaic delusion concerning outward peace and