What are we to think of the office of the bishop?

In the Apostolic church there was no office of the bishop comparable to the present-day office. It has been instituted much later. It is a matter of free choice. It is well to remember what the Lutheran Confessions say: “If the bishops either are heretics, or will not ordain suitable persons, the churches are in duty bound before God, according to divine law, to ordain for themselves pastors and ministers. Even though this be now called an irregularity or schism, it shall be known that the godless doctrine and tyranny of the bishops is chargeable with it, because Paul, (Gal 1:7-9) enjoins that bishops who teach and defend a godless doctrine and godless services shall be regarded as accursed.”

Is the congregation bound to heterodox pastors?

Because God’s congregation must listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd and flee the voice of strangers, it is not compelled to bind itself, nor does it have permission to bind itself to heterodox pastors.

Joh. 10:27: (Jesus said) My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

Joh. 10:5: A stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him, for they know not the voice of strangers.

Whom does the congregation have the right to call into the Office of the Ministry?

The congregation has the right to call as its pastors, men who are able and fit to serve in that capacity.

1 Tim. 3:2-4: A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity.

1 Tim. 2:12: I suffer not a woman to teach.

Acts 1:21-22: Of these men... must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

Luther: “It is true (speaking of the Office of the Ministry), that the Holy Ghost has made exception, in this matter, of women, children, and incompetent folk, and, except in cases of necessity, chooses only qualified males. Thus we read here and there in St. Paul’s epistles that a bishop must be apt to teach, pious and the husband of one wife (1 Tim. 3:2) and in 1 Corinthians 14:34, that a woman shall not teach in the assembly. In a word it shall be a well-prepared, selected man” (On the Councils and the Churches, 1539).

Who has the right to call?

The right to call belongs to those to whom God has originally given the power of the Office of the Keys, in other words, to believers in Christ. (See What kind of a power is the Office of the Keys? and What does the power of the Office of the Keys include?).

The Lutheran Confessions: “It is necessary for the Church to retain the authority to call, elect, and ordain ministers.” (Smalcald Articles).

How does a person enter the Office of the Public Ministry?

Although all Christians, on the basis of the priesthood of all believers, have the right to testify of their Savior, the will of God, however, is not that all Christians should be pastors, but He rather calls people to this office. A person enters the office of the Ministry through a valid call.

Rom. 10:15: How shall they preach except they be sent?

1 Cor. 12:29: Are all teachers?

Heb. 5:4: No man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

Jer. 23: 21: I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran.

Acts 20:28: Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

The Lutheran Confessions: “No one should publicly teach in the Church or administer the Sacraments unless he be regularly called” (rite vocatus; Augsburg Confession 14). Luther: “The office of the ministry must be separated from the priesthood of all believers.” (Ps. 110, second explanation, 1538).

What do we call those who serve in the Office of the Ministry?

The Bible calls those who serve in the Office of the Public Ministry, shepherds and bishops (overseers), teachers, elders, and servants.

Eph. 4:11: And he gave some... pastors (shepherds) and teachers.

1 Tim. 3:1: This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

1 Tim. 5:17: Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.

Col. 1:6-7: Ye knew the grace of God in truth... of Epaphras our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ.

In Confessional Lutheran churches the word, pastor, has become the generally accepted title for those who serve in the Office of the Public Ministry. The word, pastor, means shepherd. In referring to those who serve in the Ministry, the Lutheran Confession use names such as overseer or bishop, preacher, pastor, and presbyter or elder.

What is the Office of the Public Ministry?

What do you believe according to these words (John 20:22,23)? I believe that, when the called ministers of Christ deal with us by His divine command, especially when they exclude manifest and impenitent sinners from the Christian congregation, and, again, when they absolve those who repent of their sins and are willing to amend, this is as valid and certain, in heaven also, as if Christ, our dear Lord, dealt with us Himself.

The functions of the Office of the Public Ministry are: to care for the souls in the congregation, to teach and proclaim God’s Word, to administer the holy Sacraments, and to retain the sins of the impenitent and to remit the sins of the penitent.

Heb. 13:17: Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you.

Tit. 1:9: (A bishop) must be blameless... holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

2 Tim. 4:2: Preach the Word.

1 Cor. 4:1: Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Joh. 20:22-23: Receive ye the Holy Ghost; whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

The theological training of those preparing to enter the Office of the Ministry, is also the responsibility of the Christian Church and its ministry.

2 Tim. 2:2: The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.