# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_Juli 1863_S197
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Theological Axioms. 197

member, even the humblest, has acquired through his bloody merit: and yet for the sake of order they choose certain persons, to whom they entrust the administration of the keys of the kingdom of heaven, as among us are deacons, pastors, doctors, bishops or superintendents, and the like, so that among us everything may proceed, according to Paul's teaching, in an orderly and honorable way.

26. We stand firm on this, that there is no other Word of God than that alone which is commanded to be proclaimed to all Christians; that there is no other baptism than that which all Christians may give; that there is no other remembrance of the Supper of the Lord than that which every Christian may keep, which Christ has thus instituted to be observed; that there is likewise no other sin than what every Christian may bind and loose; item, we hold that there is no sacrifice but the body of every Christian man; that likewise no one can or may pray but the Christian alone; furthermore, that no one shall judge concerning doctrine but the Christian alone. These, however, are indeed the priestly and royal offices. Therefore let the papists either show us other offices of the priesthood, or else surrender their priesthood and renounce it." (Luther.)

27. Etsi ministri boni hodie Christi in ecclesia militante sunt vicarii, constitutio tamen eorundem pertinet ad officium ejus regium. (Val. Alberti.)

Although good ministers of the church today are Christ's vicars in his church militant, still the appointing of them belongs to his royal office.

28. De ordine ecclesiastico docent, quod nemo debeat in ecclesia publice docere aut sacramenta administrare, nisi rite vocatus. (Aug. Conf.)

"Of church government it is taught that no one should teach or preach publicly in the church, or administer the Sacrament, without a regular call." (Augsburg Confession.)

29. We hold a sure doctrine, that the office of preaching descends from the common calling of the Apostles. (Smalcald Articles.)

30. Habet ecclesia mandatum de constituendis ministris. (Apolog. A. Conf.)

"The church has God's command that it shall appoint preachers and deacons." (Apology of the Augsburg Confession.)

31. None of us is born an apostle, preacher, teacher, or pastor in baptism; rather we are all born mere priests and clerics; afterward one takes from among such born clerics, and calls and chooses them to such offices, which they are to discharge on behalf of us all. (Luther.)

32. That the apostles first went into strange houses and preached — this they had by command, and were called and sent for that purpose, that they should preach in all places. But afterward no one had any longer such a common apostolic charge; rather each bishop or pastor has his