LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 175

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 175

fessing the Gospel, and giving thanks to Him for His grace, so
that others will also be brought into the kingdom of Chnst. (LW
13:294ff.)

But after we have become Christians through this Priest
(Christ) and His priestly office incorporated in Him by Baptism
through faith, then each one, according to his calling and posi-
tion, obtains the right and power of teaching and confessing be-
fore others this Word which we have obtained from him. Even
though not everybody has the public office and calling, every
Christian has the right and duty to teach, instruct, admonish,
comfort, and rebuke his neighbor with the Word of God at every
opportunity and whenever necessary. For example: father and
mother—a brother, neighbor, citizen or peasant—certainly one
Christian may instruct and admonish another ignorant or weak
Chnistian—the sacrifices of Christians exist for the purpose of
honoring and glorifying God (Rom. 12:1). (Ibid., p. 333)

The keys are given to St. Peter in place of the entire com-
munity—the power of the keys is a common possession—the
words of Christ are nothing but gracious promises to the whole
community, given to all of Christendom (cf. John 20; Matt. 16;
18). (LW 39:78).

The works of monks and priests, however holy and arduous
they may be, do not differ one whit in the sight of God from the
works of the rustic laborer in the field or the woman going about
her household tasks, but that all works are measured before God
by faith alone. Indeed the menial housework of a manservant or
maidservant is often more acceptable to God than all the fast-
ings and other works of monk or priest because the monk or
priest lack faith. (LW 36:78)

That everyone should know that his work regardless of the
station in life in which he ts, is a divine work, because it is the
work of a divine calling and has the command of God. (LW
27:120)

All such, wherever they may be, are true priests. . . . Faith
alone is the true priestly office therefore all Christian men are
priests, all women are priestesses, be they young or old, master
or servant, mistress or maid, learned or unlearned. (LW 35:101);
and

WHEREAS, The formal doctrinal position adopted in 1851 in the
Theses on Church and Ministry includes the following:

THESIS IV (Theses on the Church)

This true Church of believers and saints it is which Christ
has given the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Therefore this
Church is the real and sole holder and bearer of the spiritual, di-
vine, and heavenly blessings, rights, powers, offices, etc., which
Christ has gained and which are available in His Church.

THE THESES ON THE MINISTRY

THESIS I. The holy ministry, or the pastoral office, is an of-
fice distinct from the priestly office, which belongs to all be-
lievers.

THESIS VI. The ministry of preaching is conferred by God
through the congregation, as holder of all church power, or of
the keys, and by its call, as prescribed by God. The ordination of
those called, with the laying on of hands, is not by divine insti-
tution but is an apostolic church ordinance and merely a public,
solemn confirmation of the call.

THESIS VII. The holy ministry is the authority conferred
by God through the congregation, as holder of the priesthood
and all church power, to administer in public office the common
rights of the spiritual priesthood in behalf of all.

THESIS IX. Reverence and unconditional obedience is due
to the ministry of preaching when the preacher is ministering
the Word of God. However, the preacher may not dominate over
the Church; he has, accordingly, no right to make new laws, to
arrange indifferent matters and ceremonies arbitrarily, and to
impose and execute excommunication alone, with a previous
verdict of the entire congregation.

THESIS X. According to divine night the function of passing
judgment on doctrine belongs indeed to the ministry of preach-
ing. However, also the laymen have this right, and for this rea-
son they also have a seat and vote with the preachers in church
courts and councils; and

Wuereas, The formal doctrinal position of the Missouri Synod
is set forth in the “Brief Statement” as follows:

The Original and True Possessors of All
Christian Rights and Privileges

Since the Christians are the Church, it is self-evident that
they alone originally possess the spiritual gifts and rights, which
Christ has gained for, and given to, His Church. Thus St. Pau!
reminds all believers: “All things are yours,” | Cor 3:21, 22; and
Christ Himself commits to all believers the keys of the kingdom
of heaven, Matt. 16:13-19; 18:17-20; John 20:22, 23, and com-
missions all believers to preach the Gospel and to administer the
Sacraments, Matt 28:19, 20; 1 Cor. 11:23-25. Accordingly we
reject all doctrines by which this spiritual power or any part
thereof is adjudged as originally vested in certain individuals or
bodies, such as the Pope, or the bishops, or the order of the min-
istry, or the secular lords, or councils, or synods, etc. The offi-
cers of the Church publicly administer their offices only by
virtue of delegated powers, and such administration remains
under the supervision of the later, Col. 4:17. Naturally all Chris-
tians have also the right and duty to judge and decide matters of
doctrine, not according to their own notions, of course, but ac-
cording to the Word of God, } John 4:1; 1 Peter 4:11. (p. 30)

By the public ministry we mean the office by which the
Word of God is preached and the Sacraments are administered
by order and in the name of a Christian congregation. Concem-
ing this office we teach that it is a divine ordinance; that is, the
Christians of a certain locality must apply the means of grace
not only privately and within the circle of their families nor
merely in their common intercourse with fellow Christians, John
5:39; Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:16, but they are also required, by the di-
vine order, to make provision that the Word of God be publicly
preached in their midst, and the Sacraments administered ac-
cording to the institution of Christ, by persons qualified for such
work, whose qualifications and official functions are exactly de-
fined in Scripture, Titus 1:5: Acts 14:23; 20:28; 2 Tim 2:2 (p.
31); therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod reaffirm
that every Christian is a royal priest through faith in Christ and
Holy Baptism and a recipient of all God’s blessings or treasures
(1 Peter 2:9; Eph. 1:3).

Every Christian is a member of Christ’s body and stands in a
functional relationship to Christ and to his or her neighbor, espe-
cially fellow believers (1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4; Romans 12)
and has a special “office,” vocation, position, or station in life.

Every Christian seeks and learns, by the power of the Holy
Spirit through the Word, to offer to God the spiritual sacrifice and
worship life of love, service, prayer, praise, and thanksgiving, yes,
one’s whole and daily life and to view one’s own body as a temple
of God (Rom. 12:1 ff; Heb. 13:15-16; | Cor. 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16).

Every Christian fully possesses and uses the means of grace, the
Office of the Keys, the ministry of the Gospel (Matt. 16:18; 18; 28;
John 20; John 3:27-29; 1 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:32; 1 Cor. 11:2; Eph.
5:32; 1 Cor. 3:21-23; Gal. 4:26; 1 Peter 2:9).

Every Christian has a spiritual ministry (not the pastoral office)
to aid and to edify another; to share, tell, teach, or proclaim the
Gospel; to disciple, admonish, reprove, absolve, and comfort oth-
ers; to judge and discern doctrine according to God’s Word, and to
pray for each other (see above and I Cor. 14:26ff; Eph. 4:12; 5:11,
19-20; 6:4; Col. 3:12-17; 2 Cor. 8:4: Rom. 10:9; | Thess. 4:18).

Every Christian bears the sacred cross patiently and submis-
sively (Luke 9:23; 14:27; James 1:24, !2).

Together with other Christians, believers constitute a local con-
gregation, establish the God-commanded Office of the Public Min-
istry and call a pastor(s) as the shepherd and overseer of the flock
and steward of the mysteries of God for the public administration
of the Word and Sacraments (Titus |:5-7; Acts 14:23; Acts 20:17,
28; 1 Peter 5:1-2; 1 Cor. 4:1).

Together with other Christians in the congregation, they hear,
follow, and submit to their called pastor(s) as he faithfully pro-
claims the Word of God, as well as support, honor, encourage, and
admonish their pastor (Luke 10:16; Heb. 13:17; 1 Thess. 5:12-13;
1 Tim. 5:17; Col. 4:17).

2001 Convention Workbook