# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_September 1863_S268
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

268 Theological Axioms.

but by the former not at all, and by the latter only through faith, which soars away from the holy Supper up into heaven. But since Mr. K. everywhere obviously gives the preference to what most corresponds to his reason and his sensory experience, the doctrinal difference between the Lutheran and Reformed Churches concerning the holy Supper is, to be sure, also an important reason for him "why he will not be Lutheran, but Reformed." With us, indeed, exactly the opposite is the case. Because the clear word of God stands higher with us than blind human reason and deceptive sensory experience, we prefer the Lutheran Church to the Reformed, because the former lets nothing shake its faith that God's word is true and no lie. To be sure, Mr. K. finally says that the Reformed Church appeals for its belief to John 6:63. But by this Mr. K. only makes his case worse; for if, accordingly, he plainly understands Christ's flesh, with Zwingli, in the words "the flesh profiteth nothing," then this is, in the first place, a truly ungodly, indeed blasphemous, interpretation; and in the second place, this interpretation would overturn the Reformed doctrine of the enjoyment of the body and blood of Christ just as much as the Lutheran, for if Christ's flesh (it is dreadful to say) profits nothing at all, then it comes to the same thing whether it is partaken really or only in faith.

(Conclusion to follow.)

Theological Axioms.

XXII. On the Holy Preaching Office and Matters Connected Therewith.
(Continuation and Conclusion.)

81. 1 Cor. 3. Paulus exaequat ministros. (Smalcald Articles.)

"1 Corinthians 3 makes all ministers of the church equal." (Smalcald Articles.)

82. The preaching office is the highest office in the Church. (Apology of the Augsburg Confession.)

83. When the office of the Word is conferred on someone, there are also conferred on him all the offices that are carried out through the Word in the Church. (Luther.)

84. The office of preaching the Gospel is the highest of all, for it is the true apostolic office, which lays the foundation for all the other offices, all of which belong to building upon the first — such are the offices of teachers, of prophets, and of rulers. (Luther.)

85. But we should know that nothing is higher than God's Word, which office is over all offices; therefore the office of ruling is its servant, which is to stir it up and awaken it, just as a servant wakens his master from sleep or otherwise reminds him of his office... Again, the teachers and prophets should be obedient to the ruler and follow him, and should also humble themselves, so that in this way every Christian work and office may be a servant to another. (Luther.)