About Ecclesiastical Order
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:11-16
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
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From the Confessions: The Chief Articles of Faith in the Augsburg Confession
Concerning Ecclesiastical Order
Of Ecclesiastical Order they teach that no one should publicly teach in the Church or administer the Sacraments unless he be regularly called.
Pulling It Together
The Lutherans did not profess that ordination was a sacrament. That would make of the office something of merit that demanded God's grace. They did however, believe that God had established the office of ministry by calling some to be pastors and teachers, and others to fulfill various duties of orderly ministry as they were called by God. God does not call all to these responsibilities, as some of the more radical wings of the Reformation taught. He calls “some” (Ephesians 4:11) so that the whole Body of Christ may be equipped for ministry, each to his own calling. This Article forbids anyone not duly called by God and the Church to the office of ordained ministry to exercise God-given authority to preach and administer the Sacraments. In so doing, Article 14 seeks to maintain good order in the Church of Christ.
Prayer: Father, establish your Church according to your Word so that she may be rightly ordered to bring you glory. Amen
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Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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