# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S238
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

238

II. THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS­­—COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
the hope that is within them in their daily lives
(1 Peter 3:15).
5. Each royal priest is to exercise the functions of the
royal priesthood — sacrifice, prayer, proclamation
— in a way that accords with his or her vocations
within the three estates of home, church and society. (See Eph. 5–6; Col. 3; 1 Tim. 2.)
6. The Holy Spirit is at work wherever the saving
work of God in Christ is made known, whether
that message is delivered by a layman or a pastor.
The Gospel alone is the power of salvation (Rom.
1:16). This means that the proclamation of the
Gospel by members of the royal priesthood as
they speak of Christ to others, at home, with fellow believers and in society, is an effective means
of grace by which the Holy Spirit creates and
nurtures saving faith (Acts 11:19–24).
7. The royal priesthood does not undermine or negate the Office of the Public Ministry, which Christ
gives to the Church. Members of the royal priesthood, in various ways, choose individuals from
among them who are equipped to teach and called
in an orderly manner to hold the Office of Public
Ministry and to perform its distinctive functions.
(See 1 Cor. 4:1; 12:28–29; Eph. 4:11; James 3:1; Titus 1:5.)

Having completed this report, the Commission is
preparing a follow-up Bible study for congregational use.
“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins
by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God
and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and
ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:5–6

Adopted September 15, 2018

THE ROYAL PRIESTHOOD

|

V. CONCLUSION

2019 Convention Workbook

39