Pastor Brian Flamme put this together. Great stuff!
(I didn’t get his permission, so no one tell him I’m posting this here.)
Q: What is the Divine Call?
A: It is the voice of Jesus summoning and sending laborers into his harvest.
35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matt. 9:35-38
Q: What kind of work does Jesus require of his laborers?
A: They must proclaim the gospel, the good news that Jesus suffered the penalty of the world’s sins upon the cross and gained God’s favor for all men, so that by faith in this promise sinners would repent and be saved. St. Paul writes in Romans 10,
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:13-15
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[b] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling[c] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Q: How was this ministry instituted and established?
A: Before his ascension into heaven, Jesus founded his holy ministry with the mandate to preach, teach, baptize, and feed the saints with his Supper.
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20
15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Mark 16:15
44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:44-49
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” John 20:19-23
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:17b
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19
Q: Do all Christians have the calling to preach and administer the sacraments?
A: No. It is true that the Gospel is God’s gift to the church. In that sense, preaching, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper belong to all Christians. But that does not mean that an individual should assume the authority to use them according to his individual will. In other words, a man can open his mouth to preach publicly, but that doesn’t mean that he should. The Scriptures warn against preachers who presume to speak for God without being sent by him.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:19
“I did not send the prophets, yet they ran; I did not speak to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my council, then they would have proclaimed my words to my people, and they would have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their deeds.” Jeremiah 23:21-22
14 Do not listen to the words of the prophets who are saying to you, ‘You shall not serve the king of Babylon,’ for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you. 15 I have not sent them, declares the Lord, but they are prophesying falsely in my name, with the result that I will drive you out and you will perish, you and the prophets who are prophesying to you.” Jeremiah 27:14-15
This in no way undermines nor diminishes the high office of priest which all Christians have by their baptism and faith.
4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Pet 2:4-10
Q: Do not all Christians have the freedom to speak the gospel to one’s neighbor?
A: Indeed. Jesus calls all his saints by his Word which plants faith in their hearts. According to this faith they confess, sing, and forgive their neighbors’ sins.
7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7
2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:2
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17
9 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:9-10
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:15-21
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:12-13
There is a difference between speaking the gospel to one’s neighbor and having an office of public preaching and teaching. That is because despite sharing the general call to faith, not all Christians have the same station in life. The Scriptures teach a difference between preachers and hearers. So also, fathers and mothers have a different office from their children and, as such, are required to teach the gospel to their children. Not every citizen but ruling officials have the obligation to punish the wicked and uphold virtue while their subjects must obey their just laws. We learn these distinctions from the Ten Commandments and confess them in the doctrine of the Three Estates.
12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 1 Thessalonians 5:12
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing.7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Romans 13:1-7
Q: Where else in the Scriptures is the distinction between preachers and hearers made clear?
A: The distinction is made clear first by Jesus’ example of setting aside the 12 Apostles to be teachers. Second, the apostles themselves speak about all Christians having the same faith, but not the same duties or work.
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way. 1 Cor. 12:27-31
11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints, for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ… Ephesians 4:11-13
Q: How are preachers called?
A: In many of the cases of the prophets and with all the Apostles, God called these men into their office immediately, that is, they were called and sent directly by God. In these days, however, we should expect God to call men mediately into the public preaching office, that is, through the Church.
16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” John 20:21
15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” 18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong[d] he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.’ 21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you. Titus 1:5
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. Philippians 2:19
Q: Why should we expect the call to be extended mediately, through the church rather than immediately, directly from God?
A: We would never desire to limit what God might do from the freedom of his will. But we have neither God’s promise for immediate calls and it is at variance with the regular order established in the churches by the Apostles.
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseermust be above reproach, the husband of one wife,sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. 1 Tim. 3:1-7
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. 7 For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Titus 1:5-9
Understand that the term “immediate” does not refer a sensation or feeling bubbling up from within a person’s heart. A man’s desire to be a pastor, as noble as St. Paul calls it, is not God telling him to be a pastor. The specific requirements remain in effect. Also, realize that in the case of the Apostles, the “immediate” call was direct from God and yet external. For example, Jesus spoke to the Apostles telling them, “follow me,” “feed my sheep,” etc.
Q: Is there a qualitative distinction between the work of Apostles and the pastors because of their different ways in which they were called?
A: No. Both the Apostles, called to evangelize the to the ends of the earth, and pastors, called to preach at a particular parish, are servants who are bound to Jesus’ mandating words for the ministry. Apostles’ and pastors have the same doctrine, preaching, and baptism. St. Paul writes,
4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? 5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. 1 Corinthians 3:4-9
This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2
23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. 2 Corinthians 8:23
13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1:13-14
Q: Are there specific requirements as to which men should be chosen and how the call should come through the church?
A: The Scriptures certainly give the requirements for the men who will serve in the preaching office, but they leave the specifics of the call to the Church’s freedom. We saw how the Apostles selected the most appropriate candidates before casting lots which fell on Matthias. That’s an example of a selection process, but the practice of casting lots is not mandated. So also, when St. Paul tells Titus to appoint bishops, he gives the requirements for candidates but leaves the manner of selection to Titus’ freedom.
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:8-9
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what wehave worked for, but may win a full reward.9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting,11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works. 2 John 7-10
Q: Who should be involved with the call process?
A: The call should come not from the ministerium alone, nor from civic authorities, nor from congregants without input from pastors. The call, belonging to whole church, comes through the whole church. All things are to be done in order and without compulsion. And so, St. Paul asks the churches in Philippi and Corinth to receive Timothy and Titus not as overlords, but God’s servants appointed by the churches. The Greek word used in these circumstances χειροτονέω implies that there was an appointment by election. So also, Jesus never tells his Apostles to force their way into places where God’s Word is rejected, but when departing to shake off their feet as testimony against them.
21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Acts 14:21-23
But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. 17 For he not only accepted our appeal, but being himself very earnest he is goingto you of his own accord. 18 With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. 19 And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. 20 We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, 21 for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. 22 And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengersof the churches, the glory of Christ.24 So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men. 2 Corinthians 8:16-24
And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 3 And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. 4 And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”6 And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. Luke 9:1-6
Q: Do the Scriptures give specific admonishments to the men who are called to serve a church?
A: Yes. The pastors are to shepherd God’s flock, teach the doctrine of the Scriptures, and keep close watch on themselves and what they teach.
28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God,[e] which he obtained with his own blood.[f] 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Acts 20:28-30
Teach and urge these things. 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound[b] words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and[c] we cannot take anything out of the world.8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before[d] Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:2-16
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound[a] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-4
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. Titus 2:11-15
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 1 Peter 5:1-4
Q: Can a divine call be conditioned with certain stipulations and requirements such as the duration of the call or benchmarks of money and attendance?
A: No. The call to preach is conditioned only by the instructions that Jesus himself speaks from his Word. Humanly conditioned calls make a mockery of the dignity of God’s charge and undermine the pastor’s prophetic work to admonish without fearing men, but God. The pastor is not a hireling in the worldly sense whose job depends on the pleasure and satisfaction of his customers. The pastor is not an employee of the congregation, but the man God has placed in the church with direct and specific instructions. When a pastor receives a call, he should continue in that call according to God’s command to preach, baptize, etc., until God himself calls the man away either through death or through another call to serve the church at another congregation.
10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servantof Christ.
12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. John 10:12-13
Q: What if the man is wicked? What if he teaches falsely? Can such a man be removed?
A: A man that teaches false doctrine and who lives wickedly before the world has already removed himself from the preaching office. Or rather, God has already removed a man by his warnings and prohibitions from Scripture. Nevertheless, the removal should be done mediately through the whole church and in good order. False teachers and men who live scandalously can and must be removed. His call is null and void. Also, if a man no longer has the capacity to teach, preach, baptize, etc., then such a man should step back from the office. He no longer satisfies the apostolic requirements. The church must call another candidate who is “apt to teach.”
6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. Galatians 1:6-9
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Matthew 7:15-19
Q: What should a church seek in a man that they desire to call?
A: They should carefully study St. Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus to discern the necessary requirements a man should exhibit in the office. They should seek a man who:
lives an outwardly blameless life,
is competent to teach the Scriptures clearly,
is capable of administering the sacraments in continuity with Jesus’ mandates,
is not afraid to warn others of false teachers,
understands that he is not an employee of the church but God’s chosen instrument to rightly divide the Word of truth for the admonishment and comfort of the saints.
Q: If a pastor receives a call, what should his church do?
A: Just as God places the man into the office, so it is God who either moves the man to another congregation or removes him from the office. As is the case, these things are done mediately. Usually a call is extended from a vacant congregation which the pastor will consider according to what is best for both congregations while also weighing the needs of his family. Remember, just because a man is a pastor, that does not mean that his duties as father and husband have taken a lesser status. His wife and children remain, if anything, his first responsibility. As the pastor deliberates and prays, the church should pray as well, that God’s will is done, and that God’s ministry of Word and Sacrament would continue among them, either through this man or another.
Q: Where is this doctrine confessed by our Lutheran fathers?
A: In Luther’s Small Catechism, especially the Office of the Keys and Confession. We find it also confessed in AC 5, 14; Ap. 7/8:28, 13:6-13, 14, 28; and SA III, 10.
Small Catechism:
What is the Office of the Keys? The Office of the Keys is that special authority which Christ has given to His church on earth to forgive the sins of repentant sinners, but to withhold forgiveness from the unrepentant as long as they do not repent.
Where is this written? This is what St. John the Evangelist writes in chapter twenty: The Lord Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” (John 20:22–23)
What do you believe according to these words? I believe that when the called ministers of Christ deal with us by His divine command, in particular when they exclude openly unrepentant sinners from the Christian congregation and absolve those who repent of their sins and want to do better, this is just as valid and certain, even in heaven, as if Christ our dear Lord dealt with us Himself.
Augsburg Confession:
AC 5: Of the Ministry
1] That we may obtain this faith, the Ministry of Teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted. For through the Word and Sacraments, as through instruments, 2] the Holy Ghost is given, who works faith; where and when it pleases God, in them that hear 3] the Gospel, to wit, that God, not for our own merits, but for Christ’s sake, justifies those who believe that they are received into grace for Christ’s sake.
4] They condemn the Anabaptists and others who think that the Holy Ghost comes to men without the external Word, through their own preparations and works.
AC 14: Of 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.
Apology of the Augsburg Confession:
Apology 7/8:28
Wherefore we hold, according to the Scriptures, that the Church, properly so called, is the congregation of saints [of those here and there in the world], who truly believe the Gospel of Christ, and have the Holy Ghost. And yet we confess that in this life many hypocrites and wicked men, mingled with these, have the fellowship of outward signs, who are members of the Church according to this fellowship of outward signs, and accordingly bear offices in the Church [preach, administer the Sacraments, and bear the title and name of Christians]. Neither does the fact that the Sacraments are administered by the unworthy detract from their efficacy, because, on account of the call of the Church, they represent the person of Christ, and do not represent their own persons, as Christ testifies, Luke 10:16: He that heareth you heareth Me. [Thus even Judas was sent to preach.] When they offer the Word of God, when they offer the Sacraments, they offer them in the stead and place of Christ. Those words of Christ teach us not to be offended by the unworthiness of the ministers.
Smalcald Articles:
SA III, 10
If the bishops would be true bishops [would rightly discharge their office
], and would devote themselves to the Church and the Gospel, it might be granted to them for the sake of love and unity, but not from necessity, to ordain and confirm us and our preachers; omitting, however, all comedies and spectacular display [deceptions, absurdities, and appearances] of unchristian [heathenish] parade and pomp. 2] But because they neither are, nor wish to be, true bishops, but worldly lords and princes, who will neither preach, nor teach, nor baptize, nor administer the Lord’s Supper, nor perform any work or office of the Church, and, moreover, persecute and condemn those who discharge these functions, having been called to do so, the Church ought not on their account to remain without ministers [to be forsaken by or deprived of ministers].3] Therefore, as the ancient examples of the Church and the Fathers teach us, we ourselves will and ought to ordain suitable persons to this office; and, even according to their own laws, they have not the right to forbid or prevent us. For their laws say that those ordained even by heretics should be declared [truly] ordained and stay ordained, as St. Jerome writes of the Church at Alexandria, that at first it was governed in common by priests and preachers, without bishops.
Q: What does Luther say about the holy ministry?
A: In this Easter sermon, Luther describes, among other things, the necessity of the pastor being called and publicly recognized in his office.
Sermon for Easter Tuesday Morning, John 20:19-23, 1529, AE 69:349-372
“After He has strengthened them in faith in His resurrection through His Word and work, He commits the office of preaching (Predigampt) to them and gives them power and authority to remit and retain sins. In this way He indicates what the office of preaching is, namely, an office on which our life and salvation depend.”[1]
“So make this distinction and say: A human being can have the Holy Spirit in two ways: first, for himself and for his person, so that the Holy Spirit through the Word enlightens, sanctifies, justifies, and saves that person, even if the person is not in the office and does not have the task of governing with the Word. This is the best and most blessed way to have the Holy Spirit. Second, one can have the Holy Spirit neither for himself nor for his person but for the office, just as wicked pastors, sectarian spirits, and heretics may have the Holy Spirit not for themselves (so as to be saved), but for their office that they carry out, because the office is not of human beings but of Christ, who places the office upon human beings and commands them to serve others with it. This is a dangerous way to have the Holy Spirit…”[2]
“Whoever maintains this distinction between the office and the person can also properly distinguish between false preachers and true preachers, sects and teachers of the truth.”[3]
“Here it stands: No one should undertake the public exercise of the power to forgive and to retain sins in Christendom unless he is sent and called to this through a definite command. Whoever has no command to preach, to baptize, to absolve, to administer the Sacrament, let him be content and not undertake such an office. However, whoever is called to it and has the mandate should preach the Gospel, should baptize, should loose sins through the power of Absolution, should impose the ban through the power of the Keys, should rebuke and admonish, etc. Let him proceed with confidence and not be afraid, whatever may befall him on this account.”[4]
“For in this passage you hear that not even the lofty apostles came into the world to preach of their own accord, but they were forced, compelled, called, and sent into the office of preaching through the mandate of Christ. Every true teacher and preacher also does the same: No matter how full he may be of the Holy Spirit, no matter how learned he may be, still he does not go forth to preach and teach unless he is called and sent in the ordinary way so that he may be certain in his office as one who has been placed there by a divine mandate and must do such things.”[5]
“I have not preached nor do I desire to preach where I am not invited and called through men. For I cannot boast that God has sent me from heaven without means, as they do”[6]
“We do not secretly infiltrate, but are called to our office and step forward publicly; we have stood before spiritual and secular tribunals to give account. Our Gospel is not a “corner sermon,” but goes forth boldly and publicly, and yet I cannot claim that the Spirit drives me, as they claim.”[7]
“In the third place, He indicates also the causa finalis, the final purpose and power of the office of preaching, the end for which it is instituted and what it is meant to accomplish, namely, the very thing for which Christ came into the world, for which He was sent from the Father, and which He has accomplished. This is the most glorious part, that to the apostles and their successors He not only gives power and authority to preach, and calls and sends them to exercise the Office of the Keys in His kingdom (which is the right and ordinary manner to carry out the office of preaching), but He also sends them in every way as He was sent from the Father; and He places the power and the work of His resurrection into the mouth of the apostles and of all preachers who have the office and the Word; and He sets them over sin and righteousness, heaven and hell, so that they act with power either to declare free from sins or to charge with sins, either open or close heaven, as if to say: “I send you not only with the same power, just as the Father sent Me, but I give you also full authority so that you shall accomplish through your office and word what I have accomplished through My mission and office.”[8]
“Now this is our text, one that we should esteem as glorious and carefully note. For from it we hear what the office of preaching is: namely, an office of the Holy Spirit. Even if it is men who preach, baptize, forgive sins, yet it is the Holy Spirit preaching and baptizing, whose work and office it is. However, the sending belongs to this office, [too], for without a call and command no one should take this office upon himself. And this office should serve people to benefit them, not to destroy as the pope has done. And through this office and Word we become free from sins, righteous and blessed before God, if we believe the Word that the pastor announces to us in the place of Christ. In short, this text goes far above all teaching about good works, and for this reason also it is the empress and standard by which all other teachings should be judged.”[9]
[1] Martin Luther, vol. 69, Luther’s Works, Vol 69: Sermons on the Gospel of St. John: Chapters 17-20, ed. Christopher Boyd Brown, (Concordia Publishing House: St. Louis, 2009), 352.
[2] Martin Luther, vol. 69, Luther’s Works, Vol 69: Sermons on the Gospel of St. John: Chapters 17-20, ed. Christopher Boyd Brown, (Concordia Publishing House: St. Louis, 2009), 355.
[3] Martin Luther, vol. 69, Luther’s Works, Vol 69: Sermons on the Gospel of St. John: Chapters 17-20, ed. Christopher Boyd Brown, (Concordia Publishing House: St. Louis, 2009), 357.
[4] Martin Luther, vol. 69, Luther’s Works, Vol 69: Sermons on the Gospel of St. John: Chapters 17-20, ed. Christopher Boyd Brown, (Concordia Publishing House: St. Louis, 2009), 359-360.
[5] Martin Luther, vol. 69, Luther’s Works, Vol 69: Sermons on the Gospel of St. John: Chapters 17-20, ed. Christopher Boyd Brown, (Concordia Publishing House: St. Louis, 2009), 361.
[6] Martin Luther, vol. 69, Luther’s Works, Vol 69: Sermons on the Gospel of St. John: Chapters 17-20, ed. Christopher Boyd Brown, (Concordia Publishing House: St. Louis, 2009), 365.
[7] Martin Luther, vol. 69, Luther’s Works, Vol 69: Sermons on the Gospel of St. John: Chapters 17-20, ed. Christopher Boyd Brown, (Concordia Publishing House: St. Louis, 2009), 366.
[8] Martin Luther, vol. 69, Luther’s Works, Vol 69: Sermons on the Gospel of St. John: Chapters 17-20, ed. Christopher Boyd Brown, (Concordia Publishing House: St. Louis, 2009), 367.
[9] Martin Luther, vol. 69, Luther’s Works, Vol 69: Sermons on the Gospel of St. John: Chapters 17-20, ed. Christopher Boyd Brown, (Concordia Publishing House: St. Louis, 2009), 371-372.
