# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_April 1864_S103
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Foundational Theses on the Question of Church Order and Church Governance. 103

and possess the same right, power, goods, and honor; and besides, none
desires to be the superior of the other, but each wishes to be the lesser of
the other. Indeed, where such people are, one could not establish any
authority even if one wished to do so gladly, because nature and its
character do not admit of having superiors where no one wishes or is able
to be a superior. But where such people are not found, there are also no
true Christians." On Secular Authority. Walch X, 465.

V.

The church and its ministers have received from Christ
no other power than the power of the Word, or to teach
the keeping of all that Christ has commanded them.

On this Luther writes: "We indeed obey the apostles and the church too,
insofar as they bring that man's [Christ's] token, since he says to them,
Mark 16:15: ego mitto vos, ite et praedicate evangelium (go and preach the
gospel); and again: docete eos, quae mandavi vobis (teach them to keep
what I have commanded you). Where they do not bring that token, we do
not listen to them any further — just as St. Paul, Gal. 2:11ff., listened to
Peter [only so far]; no amount of shouting helps there, we act no
differently." On the Private Mass and the Consecration of Priests. Walch
XIX, 1504. The same: "We have one Lord, who is Christ, who rules our
souls. The bishops are to do nothing but feed [the flock]. Now St. Peter
(1 Pet. 5:3) has with a single word overturned and condemned all the
government that the Pope now exercises, and concludes clearly that they
have no power to command a single word, but that they alone are to be
servants, and to say: Your Lord Christ says this, therefore you shall do it.
As Christ also says: Luke 22:25-26." Exposition of the First Epistle of
Peter. Walch IX, 821. The same: "What then are priests and bishops?
Answer: their government is not an authority or power, but a service and
office; for they are not higher or better than other Christians. Therefore
they should also lay no law or command upon others without the will and
leave of those others; rather, their governing is nothing other than
carrying on God's Word, so that they lead Christians and overcome
heresy. For, as has been said, Christians can be governed in no way except
by God's Word alone. For Christians must be governed in faith, not by
outward works. But faith can come through no word of man, but only
through God's Word, as St. Paul says, Rom. 10:17. Now whoever does not
believe is not a Christian; such do not belong under Christ's kingdom, but
under the worldly kingdom, so that they may be constrained and governed
by the sword and outward government. Christians of themselves, unforced,
do all that is good, and have enough for themselves alone in God's Word."
On Secular Authority. Walch X, 465ff. Compare the Apology, Article
XXVIII, on the passages Luke 10:10 and Hebrews 13:17. —