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<”ìDœôL¤°œX<ÓThat€One€Who€is€Ruled€by€Sins€Can€Take€No€Comfort€in€GodððsÐ „ ÐGrace,€Nor€Worthily€Receive€Communion.ðð€òòOccasional€Sermons€and€Addresses.óó€Mark€VÐ dà ÐPublications.€2006.€pp.€387f.€[available€in€e„Book€format€from:Ð DÀ Ðc:\www.markvpublications.com\Walther_OSA.htm]Ð $  Ð ±Ý ƒ Æ($ÝÔUSUS.,Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú17Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔSee€Jesusðð€Words€in€Mt.€5.17„19;€St.€Paul€in€Romans€3,€especially€vs.€31 ûÝ ƒ Æ($ÝÔUSUS.,Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ_ÔWaltherÔ_Ô,€òòÔ_ÔLutherischeÔ_Ô€Brosamenóó.€Ô_ÔCPHÔ_Ô.€1876.€p.€327 d §Ý ƒ Æ($ÝÔUSUS.,Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡ô¾tò%%ÔSee€Formula€of€Concord,€Article€12. ¡Ý ƒ Æ($ÝÔUSUS.,Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡ô¾tò%%ÔSee€Article€11.€On€Confession §Ý ƒ Æ($ÝÔUSUS.,Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡ô¾tò%%ÔSee€Part€III,€Article€9.€On€the€Ban ÍÝ ƒ Æ($ÝÔUSUS.,Ôà  àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡ô¾tò%%ÔSee€Lutherððs€Works,€Ô_ÔWalchÔ_Ô,€XVII,€2598.Battling in the Kingdom of ChristÝ ƒüœ!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑTRXì3Ø'Avery 5161 AddressXà3Ø' Letter3Ø'Avery 5161 AddressXà3Ø'ÿ3Ø'LetterTÑÑ„°ÑÑ„°ÑÓ  ÓÔ€ šð%%ÔÌÌÌÌÌÌò òThe€Lord,€The€Keys,€The€ChurchÐ º 6 ÐÌÔ‡ ô šðÔvis€a€visÔ#† šð ô#ÔÐ 6 ²  ÐÌThe€Synod€and€Her€OfficersÐ ’  ÐÌÔ‡ ô šðÔð!ð€or€ð!ð€Ô#† šð ô¦#ÔÐ ’  ÐÌThe€Department€of€Redundancy€Departmentó óÐ rî ÐÌÓ  ÓÌÌÌÌÌÔ€&K.% šðÔÌÌBy€The€Rev.€Joel€R.€Ô_ÔBaseleyÔ_ÔÐ üx ÐAssociate€PastorÐ ÜX ÐEmmanuel€Lutheran€ChurchÐ ¼8 ÐDearborn,€MIÐ œ  ÐÌÌÌÌ(òòAbstract:€This€paper€is€written€in€the€context€of€present€considerations€of€restructuring€theÐ ü$x! ÐLutheran€Church€„€Missouri€Synod.€It€starts€with€the€doctrine€of€the€bestowal€of€the€Office€of€theÐ Ü%X"  ÐKeys€immediately,€or€directly€to€the€church,€€and€builds€upon€that€doctrine€the€reason€for€theÐ º&6#! Ðexistence€of€a€synod€and€its€proper€relationship€to€the€local€congregation.€Many€quotes€of€Ô_ÔC.F.W.Ô_ÔÐ ˜'$" ÐÔ_ÔWaltherÔ_Ô€are€offered€from€German€sources€only€recently€available.€A€diagnostic€of€the€SynodððsÐ v(ò$# Ðproblematic€condition€is€offered€€with€its€doctrinal€cause€and€remedy.óó)Ð  T)Ð%$ ÐÓ  Óò òÔ‡¼u+»%&K.ÔTable€of€ContentsÔ#†&K.%»¼u+<#Ôó óÐ „ ÐÓ-ÓÓ-°ÈX‚Xö –X°œX-ÓÌI.à0  àIntroductionà‚#Ê"Ê"J(#. (#(##à1ˆÐ ~ú ÐÌII.à0  àCongregational€Autonomy:€Theological€Fact,€not€Political€Passà‚#Ê"Ê"J(#.øøL(#(##à1ˆÐ >º ÐÌà  àA.à0  àThe€Mandated,€Biblical€Ordering€of€Churchly€Authorityà‚#Ê"Ê"J(#.ííG(#(##à3ˆÐ þz Ðà  àB.à0  àThe€Congregationððs€Authoritative€Stewardship€of€ChristÐÞ Z(#(# Ðà  àà  àand€His€Grace€to€Sinnersà‚Ê"Ê"J(#.oo*à5ˆÐ ¾ : Ðà  àà  à1.€Baptizing€and€Teaching:€Conversion€of€Sinnersà‚Ê"Ê"J(#.99Bà7ˆÐ ž   Ðà  àà  à2.€Rebuking€and€Expelling€Manifest€Sinnersà‚l"l"I(#.YY<à10ˆÐ ~ ú  Ðà  àà  à3.€Communion€as€the€Sanctifying€Sacrament€for€the€Converted/Faithfulà‚l"l"I(#.==Và12ˆÐ ^ Ú  Ðà  àà  à4.€Mission€Work€Outside€the€Congregationà‚l"l"I(#.:à13ˆÐ >º  Ðà  àà  à5.€Passing€the€Church€On€to€the€Next€Generationà‚l"l"I(#.Aà14ˆÐ š  ÐÌIII.à0  àWith€Congregational€Autonomy,€Why€a€Synod€with€her€Offices?à‚#l"l"I(#.ddJ(#(##à16ˆÐ ÞZ  ÐÌà  àA.à0  àRecognition€of€the€Household€of€Faith€(Fellowship)à‚#l"l"I(#.÷÷D(#(##à16ˆÐ ž Ðà  àà  à1.€Universal€Gospel€in€Every€Congregation€(Roster€of€Congregations)à‚l"l"I(#.__Uà17ˆÐ ~ú Ðà  àà  à2.€The€Pentecostal€Gifting€and€Mission€(Roster€of€Pastors)à‚l"l"I(#.ééLà18ˆÐ ^Ú Ðà  àB.à0  àUniversality€of€Congregations€at€the€Right€Hand€of€Godà‚#l"l"I(#.ýýH(#(##à21ˆÐ >º Ðà  àà  à1.€The€Gracious€Redundancy€of€Christ€at€Godððs€Right€Handà‚l"l"I(#.AAJà21ˆÐ š Ðà  àà  à2.€Redundancy€of€Worship€Fellowshipà‚l"l"I(#.¿¿5à27ˆÐ þz Ðà  àà  à3.€Redundancy€of€Congregationððs€Fraternal€Careà‚l"l"I(#.çç@à28ˆÐ ÞZ Ðà  àC.à0  àThe€Purpose€of€Synodical€Redundanciesà‚#l"l"I(#.……7(#(##à29ˆÐ ¾: Ðà  àà  à1.€Positive€Purposes€of€Synodà‚l"l"I(#.ãã/à32ˆÐ ž Ðà  àà  àà ö àa.€Multiply€Resources€for€Common€Work,€Mandated€by€Scriptureà‚l"l"I(#.¶¶Qà32ˆÐ ~ú Ðà  àà  àà ö àb.€Discuss€Common€Problems€and€Tasks,€Apply€Scriptures€and€Convinceà‚l"l"I(#.b!b!Xà33ˆÐ ^Ú Ðà  àà  àà ö àc.€Foster€Trust€in€Scriptures€aloneà‚l"l"I(#.¶¶8à35ˆÐ >º Ðà  àà  à2.€A€Purpose€Synod€May€Never€Have:€Possession€of€the€Office€of€the€Keysà‚l"l"I(#.óóYà37ˆÐ š Ðà  àà  àà ö àa.€Synod€Applies€Standards€of€Doctrine€and€Life€to€Rostersà‚l"l"I(#.––Oà37ˆÐ þz Ðà  àà  àà ö àb.€Roster€Management€Never€Equated€with€the€Call€nor€the€Keysà‚l"l"I(#.žžRà39ˆÐ ÞZ Ðà  àD.à0  àThe€Genius€of€Ô_ÔLCMSÔ_Ô€Polityà‚#l"l"I(#.ÿÿ+(#(##à40ˆÐ ¾:  Ðà  àà  à1.€How€Roster€Decisions€Must€Relate€to€the€Office€of€the€Keysà‚l"l"I(#.''Oà40ˆÐ ž ! Ðà  àà  à2.€How€Present€Implementation€is€Failing€the€Scriptural€Testà‚l"l"I(#.ÅÅNà42ˆÐ ~!ú" Ðà  àà  à3.€Why€Implementation€is€Failing:€Icebergs€and€their€Tipsà‚l"l"I(#.ÛÛKà45ˆÐ ^"Ú# ÐÌIV.à0  àConclusion:€The€Battle€for€the€Bible€Lives€in€Our€Midst;€Jude€9,€10à‚#l"l"I(#.R(#(##à46ˆÐ $š % ÐÌà  àA.à0  àThe€Danger€of€Promoting€the€Material€Principle€over€the€Formal€Principleà‚#l"l"I(#.ûûZ(#(##à48ˆÐ Þ%Z"' Ðà  àB.à0  àRemoving€Logs€and€Dealing€with€Splintersà‚#l"l"I(#.:(#(##à53ˆÐ ¾&:#( Ðà  àC.à0  àYour€Priesthood,€Use€It€or€Loose€Ità‚#l"l"I(#.{{5(#(##à61ˆÐ  ž'$) ÐØØÓ  ÓÔ€¼u+»%&K.Ôò òÑ8€K.%%dàdÈ8ÑI.€Introductionó óÔ€&K.%»¼u+ÔÐ „ ÐÓ  ÓÌÓ€Óà  àSome€congregations€belonging€to€the€Ô_ÔLCMSÔ_Ô€are€deemed€too€small,€too€poor,€and€or€tooÐ ~ú Ðunstable€to€warrant€granting€them€a€called€pastor.€They€are€served€under€interim€arrangementsÐ ÎJ Ðby€people€who€serve€at€the€discretion€of€their€District€President.€The€congregations€are€thankfulÐ š Ðsomeone€is€taking€responsibility€for€their€being€served€under€such€ððemergencyðð€situations.Ð n ê Ðà  àMany€congregations€are€in€turmoil€over€internal€disagreements€over€worship€style,Ð ¾ :  Ðdissatisfaction€with€pastors€for€a€myriad€of€reasons,€tensions€between€operating€units€within€theÐ  Š  Ðchurch.€Whom€you€going€to€call?€District€office,€thank€you.Ð ^ Ú  Ðà  àThe€2004€dispute€resolution€system€places€all€the€control€of€the€process€of€strife,€Ô_ÔrosteringÔ_Ô,Ð ®*  Ðand€beef€settlement€into€the€hands€of,€who€else,€the€District€Presidents.€We€should€be€thankfulÐ þz  Ðsomeone€is€in€control.Ð NÊ  Ðà  àYet,€according€to€both€our€polity€and€our€doctrine,€the€Synod,€as€such,€is€not€biblicallyÐ ž Ðmandated€nor€are€the€offices€of€District€or€Synodical€President€(DP€or€SP)€commanded€inÐ îj ÐScripture.€Consistent€with€Scriptures€and€our€Confessions€only€one€office€has€been€instituted€byÐ >º ÐGod€in€his€church,€that€is,€the€Office€of€the€Holy€Ministry€(OHM).Ð Ž  Ðà  àThose€who€acknowledge€this€fact,€I€believe,€are€the€ones€most€hopeful€that€it€would€beÐ ÞZ Ða€good€change€to€require€the€Synod€to€have€our€DPððs€serve€in€the€one€mandated€office€(OHM)€asÐ .ª  Ða€pre„requisite€for€their€service€to€many€congregations€through€their€office€as€DP.€While€there€mayÐ ~ú" Ðbe€legitimate€and€good€reasons€rallied€to€that€position,€there€are€some€limitations€to€the€publicÐ ÎJ$ Ðadministration€of€the€Office€of€the€Keys.€There€are€also€unique€jurisdictional€and€accountabilityÐ š& Ðissues€stemming€from€the€congregational€context€of€the€OHM€which€may€lead€to€the€conclusionÐ nê( Ðthat€for€a€supervisory€system,€such€as€Synod€to€work,€EACH€pastor€and€EACH€congregation€needsÐ ¾:* Ðto€be€in€the€same€relation€to€that€supervision;€supervision€here€not€being€a€term€to€connoteÐ !Š, Ðauthoritative€or€coercive€power,€but€the€power€of€external€observation€and€involvement,€fromÐ ^"Ú. Ðððover€and€above.ððÐ ®#* 0 ÐÌÓ  Óò òÔ‡¼u+»%&K.ÔII.€Congregational€Autonomy:€Theological€Fact,€not€Political€PassÔ#†&K.%»¼u+m$#Ôó óÐ N&Ê"4 ÐÓ  ÓÌà  àEssential€to€the€Lutheran€Church€Reformation€and€the€founding€documents€of€theÐ E)Á%8 ÐLutheran€Church,€and€a€theological€distinction€and€clarity€that€belongs€to€the€Lutheran€ChurchÐ •*': Ðand€the€Lutheran€Church€alone,€is€the€ordering€of€churchly€authority€in€the€context€of€the€localÐ å+a(< Ðcongregation.€The€so„called€ððGreat€Commission,ðð€the€Words€of€our€crucified€and€risen€LORDÐ 5-±)> ÐJESUS,€prior€to€his€session€at€the€right€hand€of€God,€centers€all€authority€in€Christ.€ð ðAll€authorityÐ „ Ðis€given€me,ðð€says€Christ.€And€under€that€authority€his€chosen€servants€are€to€baptize€and€teachÐ ÔP Ðwherever€those€apostles€were€sent€under€Christððs€authority.€There€local€churches€wereÐ $  Ðestablished€through€baptism,€teaching€and€preaching,€and€they€were€united€spiritually,€throughÐ tð ÐChrist€who€was€present€in€each€of€them,€but€they€were€€independent€of€each€other.€United€inÐ Ä@ Ðapostolic€doctrine€and€practice€(as€St.€Paul€says€he€teaches€and€practices€in€ð ðall€the€churchesðð),Ð    Ðthey€were€independent€in€the€sense€that€they€did€not€depend€on€the€other€churches,€but€on€ChristÐ d à  Ðand€his€gracious€Word.Ð ´ 0  Ðà  àSo€why€is€a€congregation,€indeed,€independent€of€other€congregations?€Because€Christ€isÐ €  Ðthere;€giving€himself€immediately,€with€no€middle€man€to€each€congregation,€each€gathering€ofÐ TÐ  Ðtwo€or€three€around€his€Name.€The€treasures€of€heaven€in€Word€and€Sacraments€are€there€andÐ ¤  Ðtheirs.€This€independence€is€based€doctrinally€on€the€sufficiency€and€efficacy€of€Christ,€which€isÐ ôp Ðthe€sufficiency€and€efficacy€of€Scripture,€the€foundation€of€the€apostolic€and€prophetic€Word,Ð DÀ Ðwhere€JESUS€is€the€chief€cornerstone,€the€sole€rule€and€norm€of€both€doctrine€and€life.€EverythingÐ ” Ðthat€a€congregation€needs,€the€things€that€deliver€the€Triune€God€and€grace,€that€create€andÐ ä` Ðsustain€faith€through€grace,€are€there€with€Christ.€The€apostolic€office,€apostles€in€the€firstÐ 4° Ðgeneration,€and€their€successors,€the€pastors€in€subsequent€generations,€have€been€givenÐ „  Ðstewardship,€in€and€by€Christ,€of€everything€Christ€needs€to€create€and€sustain€the€church,€so€theÐ ÔP" Ðbelievers€are€the€body€of€Christ€in€that€place.€Its€independence€is€not€a€political€freedom€from€allÐ $ $ Ðauthority,€but€freedom€bound€to€and€found€only€in€Christ€and€His€Word.€Becoming€free€fromÐ tð& ÐChrist€is€to€become€bound€again€in€sin.€Being€bound€to€Christ€by€faith€is€being€freed€from€sin.Ð Ä@( Ðà  àThis€is€extremely€important€to€our€identity€as€true€Christians,€as€Lutherans.€We€gatherÐ * Ðaround€Christ€and€receive€him€and€all€his€blessings€publicly€and€only€through€his€mandated€OHM.Ð d à, ÐThe€condition€of€faith€around€that€Christ€is€ððòòÔ_ÔsatisÔ_Ô€estóóðð.€When€the€Lutheran€believer€says€in€the€òòNuncóóÐ ´!0. Ðfollowing€communion,€ð ðLORD€now€Ô_ÔlettestÔ_Ô€thou€thy€servant€depart€in€peace,ðð€he€means€it,€if€heÐ #€0 Ðis€a€believer.€That€means,€ð ðIððve€got€it€all€because€I€have€Christ.ðð€This€autonomy€is€satisfaction!Ð T$Ð 2 Ðà  àSo€Christððs€presence€and€his€authority€is€as€sure€as€the€presence€and€authority€of€his€WordÐ ¤% "4 Ðand€his€Sacraments€and€is€constitutive€of€the€church.€Thus€the€church€is€not€abstract,€butÐ ô&p#6 Ðobjectively€present,€for€where€ð ðtwo€or€three€are€gathered€in€my€name,€there€am€I€in€the€midst€ofÐ D(À$8 Ðthem.ðð€This€is€why€they€meet.€They€have€Christ€and€he€is€their€life,€forgiveness€and€salvation.€ButÐ ”)&: Ðhe€is€an€unseen€Christ€in€all€his€churches.€So€he€has€filled€that€void€of€sight€with€a€human€officeÐ ä*`'< Ðand€has€commanded€his€people€to€appoint€men€to€this€office.€The€ððtwo€or€threeðð€or€more€possessÐ 4,°(> Ðall€that€is€Christððs,€but€Christ€has€commanded€that€one€be€selected€to€administer,€or€be€theÐ „-*@ Ðsteward€of€his€mysteries,€to€give€them€their€meat€(meet,€mete)€in€due€season.Ð „ Ðà  àThis€is€Godððs€essential€work€of€saving€his€creation€through€the€church.€Gathering€togetherÐ ÔP Ðin€Christððs€Name,€the€child€of€God,€Jesus,€is€not€alone€in€his€Ô_ÔSonshipÔ_Ô€with€God.€The€wheat€seedÐ $  Ðthat€died€and€was€buried€did€not€remain€alone,€but€brought€forth€much€fruit.€That€is€the€churchÐ tð Ðand€Godððs€way€of€salvation,€€in€Christ€alone.Ð Ä@ ÐÌà@( ( ìàò òA.€The€Mandated,€Biblical€Ordering€of€Churchly€Authorityó óˆÐ d à  ÐÌà  àBut€where€there€are€people€gathered,€and€gifts€to€be€distributed,€it€is€done€in€an€orderlyÐ }  Ðway,€for€God€is€a€God€of€order.€So€what€are€the€orderly€lines€of€authority€in€the€church?€Ô_ÔWaltherÔ_ÔÐ QÍ  Ðexplains€that€all€authority€of€the€Keys€is€given€by€Christ,€who€has€all€authority,€directly,Ð ¡  Ðimmediately,€to€the€church.€€The€delineation€of€the€lines€and€order€of€this€authority€from€ChristÐ ñm Ðis€included€in€Ô_ÔWaltherÔ_Ôððs€òòÔ_ÔBrosamenÔ_Ôóó,€as€a€comment€affixed€by€Ô_ÔWaltherÔ_Ô€to€his€Seventh€Sermon€atÐ A½ Ðthe€opening€of€Synod:Ô_Ô׃×Ý ƒ%ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_ԀР‘  Ðà8  àà  àComment.€ð!ð€In€our€days€this€doctrine€is€completely€missing,€even€among€mostÐ á] ÐLutherans,€who€think€it€is€no€longer€a€doctrine€of€our€church,€but€rather€only€aÐ 1­ Ðprivate€opinion€of€Luther,€that€is,€as€this€relates€to€his€commentary€on€John€20.22Ð ý  Ðð!ð€23.€In€this€regard€we€share,€out€of€many€witnesses,€only€the€following€witness€ofÐ ÑM" Ðour€Johann€Gerhard.€This€is€what€he€writes,€among€other€things,€in€hisÐ !$ Ðcommentary€on€the€Gospel€for€Ô_ÔQuasimodogenitiÔ_Ô€Sunday:€ð ðTo€whom€are€the€KeysÐ qí& Ðof€the€heavenly€kingdom€entrusted?€ð!ð€What€injustice€the€òòò òRoman€papacyó óóó€hasÐ Á=( Ðperpetrated€against€the€church€is€already€obvious€to€everyone,€when€òòò òhe€hasÐ * Ðruthlessly€stolen€this€inherent€dignity€(the€authority€of€the€Keys)€for€himselfÐ a Ý, Ðand€his€bishops€aloneó óóó,€for€the€sake€of€a€supposedly€indelible€character€givenÐ ®!*. Ðthem€in€ordination,€òòò òwhile€all€the€rest€who€are€called€ððlaymenðð,€as€if€they€wereÐ þ"z0 Ðsows€(Matthew€7.6),€have€been€excluded€from€it€with€the€most€extremeÐ N$Ê 2 Ðcontempt,€who,€therefore,€are€not€allowed€to€interfere€with€the€spiritual€estateÐ ›%"4 Ðin€this€matter,€to€say€nothing€of€their€being€allowed€to€make€a€judgementÐ è&d#6 Ðabout€them.ó óóó€As€such,€we€set€our€judgement€against€their€arrogance.€We,€with€Dr.Ð 5(±$8 ÐLuther,€the€blessed€Chemnitz,€and€the€other€orthodox€theologians,€consider€thisÐ „ Ðprerogative€as€having€been€guaranteed€by€Christ€to€his€whole€church,€his€mostÐ ÔP Ðbeloved€bride,€who€is€the€one€who€portions€out€the€heavenly€wealth,€as€the€oneÐ $  Ðto€whom€already€before€this,€in€Matthew€18.18,€is€given€such€a€glorious€promise€toÐ tð Ðshare€in€this.€Yes,€from€this€passage€itself,€John€20.€22€ð!ð€23,€it€can€be€clearlyÐ Ä@ Ðconcluded,€whatever€the€critics€might€babble€against€it€(òòÔ_ÔobblaterentÔ_Ôóó),€that€thisÐ    Ðauthority€belongs€to€all€who€are€anointed€with€the€Holy€Ghost.€But€now€as€all€trueÐ d à  ÐChristians€have€the€Holy€Ghost,€it€follows€that€all€are€also€robed€in€this€authority.€SoÐ ´ 0  ÐDr.€Ô_ÔBrenzÔ_Ô€concludes€in€his€commentary€on€John€20.€But€yet€the€wild€demeanor€ofÐ €  Ðthe€Anabaptists€can€in€no€way€be€defended,€who€most€egregiously€mix€togetherÐ TÐ  Ðthe€stations€which€God€makes€known€as€being€distinct,€introducing€a€most€horridÐ ¤  Ðconfusion.€Indeed,€Ô_ÔJ.B.Ô_Ô€Fickler€in€his€Reply€to€the€Attack€on€the€Fountains€ofÐ ôp ÐSalvation,€wants€to€assign€blame€for€this€heresy€to€us,€as€he€writes:€ððThere€(that€is,Ð DÀ Ðin€the€Lutheran€Church)€nothing€is€needed€but€that,€without€distinction,€it€is€saidÐ ” Ðto€one:€Go,€Hans,€you€be€the€preacher;€you,€Michael,€take€the€bread€and€wine€andÐ ä` Ðdistribute€the€holy€LORDððs€Supper€to€your€neighbor;€you,€Ô_ÔBarthelÔ_Ô,€go€and€absolveÐ 4° Ðthe€farmers.ðð€But€the€right€explanation€of€our€thoughts€on€this,€and€the€observationÐ „  Ðof€the€distinctions€which€our€theologians€make€in€this€question,€will€free€us€fromÐ ÔP" Ðthis€pretense.€For€these€distinctions€immediately€establish€and€teach€a€three„foldÐ $ $ Ðauthority,€the€highest€and,€in€itself,€€ò òò òthe€most€glorious€authorityó óòò€of€the€Word€andÐ tð& Ðthe€Sacraments€is€alone€by€Godððs€authorityó óóó;€ò òò òsecondlyó óó ó,€the€office€is€by€theÐ Ä@( Ðòòò òchurchððs€authority,€as€the€servants€are€called,€chosen€and€sent€by€God€byÐ * Ðmeans€of€the€church,€as€by€his€instrumentó óóó;€and€finally,€ò òò òthirdó óòò,€the€execution€isÐ a Ý, Ðby€the€authority€of€those€who€are€legitimately€called€and€elected€by€GodÐ ±!-. Ðthrough€the€church,€that€is,€by€the€authority€of€the€servants€of€the€church,€toÐ þ"z0 Ðwhom€is€commanded€the€use€and€the€administration€of€the€office€of€the€WordÐ K$Ç 2 Ðand€Sacramentsóóó ó.€Therefore,€ò òò òthe€authority€itself€is,€indeed,€common€to€theÐ ˜%"4 Ðwhole€churchó óòò,€but€the€use€and€the€carrying€out€ó óóó(by€which,€specifically€in€theÐ è&d#6 Ðchurch,€in€which,€according€to€the€apostolic€direction€in€1€Corinthians€14.40,Ð 8(´$8 Ðeverything€should€be€done€decently€and€in€good€order,€thus€confusion€will€beÐ ˆ)&: Ðeliminated)€ò òòòis€only€allowed€by€those€who€have€been€set€apart€for€this€office€óóò òbyÐ Ø*T'< Ðthe€churchó óòò€through€a€òòlegitimate€call€óóand€who€possess€it€in€their€name,€that€is,Ð (,¤(> Ðthe€legitimate€servants€of€the€churchóóó ó,€who,€in€the€name€of€the€church,€distributeÐ u-ñ)@ Ðthat€wealth€that€was€won€through€Christððs€bloody€war.€Therefore,€they€are€calledÐ „ Ðby€the€apostle€Christððs€servants,€and€stewards€of€the€mysteries€of€God,€1Ð ÔP ÐCorinthians€4.1.€By€observing€these€distinctions€we€go€the€middle€way€between€theÐ $  Ðtwo€extremes,€and€we€are,€thus,€not€agreeing€with€either€the€pride€of€the€papisticÐ tð Ðspiritual€estate,€nor€putting€up€with€any€of€the€confusions€of€the€Anabaptists,€butÐ Ä@ Ðrather€we€give€the€church€the€honor€due€her.€See:€Lutherððs€book€on€the€abuse€ofÐ    Ðthe€mass.€Dr.€Chemnitzðð€Examination,€part€2,€of€the€Sacraments€in€general€(p.€48)Ð d à  Ðand€on€Absolution€(p.€360.)€and€Ô_ÔBrenzÔ_Ô€in€the€indicated€placesðð€(òòÔ_ÔExplicatioÔ_ԀР´ 0  ÐÔ‡&­J %%&K.ÔóóÔ_ÔelegctichÔ_ÔòòÔ#†&K.% %&­J S#Ô€€Ô_ÔEvangelior.DominÔ_Ô.€Ed.€II.€Ô_ÔJenaeÔ_Ô€1663.€P.€732.€sq.)óóЀ Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àÔ_ÔWaltherÔ_Ô€is,€thus,€following€the€Scriptural€regard€for€both€the€dignity€and€power€of€theÐ ¡  Ðchurch€(all€believers)€as€well€as€that€of€their€pastors,€who€are€the€servants€called€by€the€Lord€toÐ ñm Ðdistribute€the€heavenly€treasures€to€the€believers,€for€whom€Christ€has€won€them€and€who€canÐ A½ Ðreceive€them€(only€through€faith).€But€with€dignity€and€rights,€come€also€responsibility€to€use€theÐ ‘  Ðgifts€and€the€wealth€according€to€(not€the€churchððs€innovations€or€the€pastorððs€innovations,€but)Ð á] ÐChristððs€institution€and€command€in€his€New€Testament.Ð 1­ ÐÌò òÓ  ÓB.€The€Congregationððs€Authoritative€Stewardship€of€Christ€and€His€Grace€to€Sinners.ó óÐ ÑM" ÐÓoWÓÌà  àThe€significance€of€the€responsibility€of€the€Keys€is€not€that€one€person,€holding€the€OHM,Ð nê& Ðis€responsible€for€carrying€out€the€Office€of€the€Keys,€but€that€he€is€responsible€to€carry€it€outÐ ¾:( ÐPUBLICLY€in€the€name,€for€the€benefit€and€on€the€behalf€of€the€church,€while€each€individualÐ Š* ÐChristian€is€responsible€to€carry€them€out€privately,€that€is,€in€the€situations€in€their€lives€whichÐ ^ Ú, Ðdiverge€from€the€good€order€of€public€worship€and€are€facilitated€in€their€lives€through€theirÐ ®!*. Ðvarious€callings€in€the€offices€that€they€hold,€which€callings€are€common€to€the€world,€butÐ þ"z0 Ðtransformed€by€their€being€Christians.€Thus,€the€offices€of€son,€daughter,€husband,€wife,€worker,Ð N$Ê 2 Ðboss,€become€venues€for€expressing€and€putting€into€practice€Christððs€doctrine,€the€work€andÐ ž%"4 Ðservice€of€Christ€and€his€Keys€by€them€as€Christians.€They€themselves,€by€Christððs€grace€andÐ î&j#6 Ðdoctrine,€are€turning€from€their€sins€to€Christ€and€his€promises.€They,€then,€also€confront€and€turnÐ >(º$8 Ðsinners€from€their€sins€to€the€Savior,€thus,€bearing€each€others€burdens,€in€their€various€callings.Ð Ž) &: Ðà  àThe€body€of€Christ€is€composed€of€a€myriad€of€converted€believers€with€a€myriad€of€giftsÐ Þ*Z'< Ðand€talents.€But€they€share€and€have€in€common€being€served€Godððs€grace€by€the€OHM,€and€theyÐ .,ª(> Ðshare€and€have€in€common€living€lives€of€sacrificial€service€to€God€in€their€callings,€giving€witnessÐ ~-ú)@ Ðto€Christ€as€the€only€answer€to€the€sins€of€their€neighbors,€whom€they€serve€in€their€callings.€ThusÐ „ Ðhusbands€and€wives€have€a€spiritual€care€for€each€other,€a€concern€for€sin€and€that€their€spouseÐ ÔP Ðreceive€grace,€lest€he/she€perish.€Parents€are€concerned€for€their€children,€to€raise€them€in€theÐ $  Ðfear€and€discipline€of€the€LORD;€and€children€for€their€parents,€lest€they€perish,€if€they€are€severedÐ tð Ðfrom€Christ€and€his€grace€(the€church).€And€so€forth€in€all€callings€of€life.Ð Ä@ Ðà  àThus€the€OHM€and€the€priesthood€of€all€believers€are€united€in€the€goal€and€purpose€of€theÐ    ÐGospel€under€Christ;€that€is,€that€sinners€be€turned€in€repentance€from€sin€to€the€Savior.€TheyÐ d à  Ðshare€a€fear€for€themselves€and€for€others€that€without€Christ,€without€penitent€faith,€that€takesÐ ´ 0  Ðserious€the€consequence€of€sin€and€rejoices€in€salvation€by€Christ,€a€person€will€be€lost€forever.Ð €  ÐThus€church€discipline€and€the€Office€of€the€Keys€MUST€be€the€concern€of€all€believers.€And€allÐ TÐ  Ðbelievers,€according€to€their€callings,€carry€out€the€Office€of€the€Keys€privately,€and€publicly€asÐ ¤  Ðdictated€by€the€nature€of€sins€confronted.Ð ôp Ðà  àIn€this,€water€(Baptism)€must€be€thicker€than€blood€(family€relationships).€Being€baptizedÐ DÀ Ðinto€Christ€is€more€important€than€family€relations€(Matthew€10.37).€The€fact€that€a€family€memberÐ ” Ðis€sinning€wantonly€may€make€dealing€with€that€sin€most€uncomfortable,€devastating€or€Ð ä` Ðdangerous€in€terms€of€our€closest€family€relations.€But€there€is€something€more€important.Ð 4° ÐDiscipline,€and€even€excommunication,€addresses€a€problem€that€does€not€go€away€withoutÐ „  Ðrepentance€and€forgiveness,€let€alone€ignoring€it.€Thus€our€human,€even€our€familial,€love€mustÐ ÔP" Ðgive€way€to€proper€doctrine,€mandated€discipline,€lest€we€lose€our€loved€ones€and€God€himselfÐ $ $ Ðby€our€silencing€his€Word€by€our€ððloveðð.€You€can€observe€this€in€a€prayer€of€Ô_ÔWaltherÔ_Ô€used€at€theÐ tð& Ðopening€of€a€voterððs€assemblyÔ_Ô׃×Ý ƒ%ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_Ô:Ð Ä@( Ðà8  àà  àLORD€God,€heavenly€Father!€Through€your€holy€apostle€in€your€precious€WordÐ * Ðyou€cry€out€to€us€fathers:€ð ðYou€fathers,€bring€up€your€children€in€the€discipline€andÐ d à, Ðadmonition€to€the€LORD.ððд!0.Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà  àYou€do€not€cry€out€to€us:€Love€your€children,€for€this€love€you€yourself€haveÐ #€0 Ðalready€planted€into€our€hearts,€and€no€fall,€no€sin€has€been€able€to€diminish€thisÐ T$Ð 2 Ðlove€from€our€hearts.Ф% "4Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà  àBut€you€know,€by€our€nature,€just€how€blind€our€love€is,€so€that€we,€alas!,Ð ô&p#6 Ðwhen€we€want€to€make€our€children€comfortable€and€happy,€often€cast€them€intoÐ D(À$8 Ðmisfortune€and€spoil€them.€That€is€why€you€cry€out€to€us:€ð ðBring€up€your€childrenÐ ”)&: Ðin€the€discipline€and€admonition€of€the€LORD!ðð€For€this€discipline€and€admonitionÐ „ Ðis€the€single€means€by€which€our€dear€children,€whom€you€have€already€receivedÐ ÔP Ðin€holy€Baptism,€will€also€remain€with€you€and,€ultimately,€be€strong€enough€toÐ $  Ðwithstand€all€the€temptations€of€their€flesh,€the€world€and€the€evil€foe,€until€theyÐ tð Ðreceive€the€crown€that€you€have€reserved€for€them.ÐÄ@Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà  àOh€then,€grant€us€the€wisdom€from€above,€that€holy€zeal€and€that€faithfulnessÐ    Ðand€steadfastness€that€never€become€tired€or€weary,€without€which€we€couldÐ d à  Ðnever€be€your€blessed€instruments€to€raise€our€dear€children.€Protect€us€from€beingÐ ´ 0  Ðone€of€those€who€care€nothing€about€you,€but€take€the€people€of€this€world€as€theirÐ €  Ðpatterns€of€behavior.€Rather,€make€your€precious€Word€our€guiding€star,€even€inÐ TÐ  Ðraising€our€children.Ф Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà  àStrengthen€this€in€us€also€throughout€our€present€corporate€discussion€andÐ ôp Ðmay€this€meeting€result€in€temporal€and€eternal€blessings€for€us€and€for€ourÐ DÀ Ðchildren.ДРР Ðà8  àà  àO€God,€you€are€eternal€love,€the€just€Father€over€all€who€are€called€childrenÐ ä` Ðin€heaven€and€earth,€hear€us€for€the€sake€of€your€dear€Son,€JESUS€Christ,€our€LORDÐ 4° Ðand€Savior.€Amen.Є Ð Ð  ÐÌ€This€is€the€venue€and€responsibility€of€every€spiritual€priest€and€the€public€responsibility€of€theÐ $ $ ÐOHM.€They€are€united€in€their€spiritual€responsibilities€and€concerns€and€differ€only€in€the€scopeÐ tð& Ðand€application€of€their€callings€as€Christians.Ð Ä@( Ðà  àSo€under€these€lines€of€authority,€what€are€Christððs€mandates€to€his€people?Ð * ÐÌò òÓ  Ó1.€Baptizing€and€Teaching;€Conversion€of€Sinners.ó óÐ ´!0. ÐÌÓzsÓà  àChristððs€ð ðall€authorityðð€in€the€Great€Commission€is€the€authority€to€create€the€churchÐ Q$Í 2 Ðthrough€Baptizing€and€Teaching.€Modern€translations€often€translate€the€verb,€ò òÔ‡ &š %%&K.ÔÔ_ÔmaqhteusateÔ_Ôó óÔ#†&K.% % &š±t#Ô,€withÐ ¡%"4 Ðð ðmake€disciplesðð€of€all€nations€whereas€the€King€James€tradition€simply€translates€it€ð ðteachðð€allÐ ñ&m#6 Ðnations.€Thus€the€baptism€is€appointed€as€the€initial€teaching,€which€teaching€brings€one€into€theÐ A(½$8 Ðchurch€and€which€brings€the€baptized€into€the€teaching€of€the€ð ðall€thingsðð€Christ€has€commanded.€Ð ‘) &: Ðà  àNo€great€excursus€is€needed€to€extol€to€true€Lutherans€the€richness€of€the€blessings€ofÐ á*]'< ÐBaptism,€nor€to€point€out€that€Baptism€embraces€the€whole€repentant€life€of€the€believer€untilÐ 1,­(> Ðtaken€into€heaven€to€join€Christ.€As€Luther€comments€in€the€fourth€part€of€Baptism€in€the€SmallerÐ -ý)@ ÐCatechism,€commenting€on€Romans€6,€ð ðIt€signifies€that€the€old€Adam€in€us€should€be€dailyÐ „ Ðcontrition€and€repentance€be€drowned€and€die€with€all€sins€and€evil€lusts,€and,€again,€a€new€manÐ ÔP Ðcome€forth€and€arise,€who€will€walk€before€God€in€righteousness€and€purity€forever.ððÐ $  Ðà  àThus€Baptism€into€Christððs€death€and€resurrection€and€the€public€€preaching€of€repentanceÐ tð Ðare€the€means€by€which€the€Holy€Spirit€converts€sinners€to€be€regenerate,€and€thus,€so€long€asÐ Ä@ Ðtheir€flesh€of€sin€lives,€to€turn€to€grace€in€Christ€through€the€Word€and€the€Sacraments.Ð    Ðà  àWithout€conversion€and€subsequent€sanctification€(continuing€in€the€gracious€meansÐ d à  Ðappointed€by€God),€no€one€will€see€God€and€his€favor.Ð ´ 0  Ðà  àThus€it€is€the€duty€of€the€OHM€to€baptize€children€under€Christððs€command€as€parents€bringÐ €  Ðthem€in€order€that€they€not€only€be€baptized,€but€also€remain€in€Christ,€that€is,€in€the€church€andÐ TÐ  Ðthe€means€of€grace.€And€it€is€the€duty€of€Christian€parents€not€only€to€bring€their€children€toÐ ¤  Ðbaptism€but€to€bring€them€weekly€with€them€to€the€preaching€and€teaching€of€the€Word,€and,Ð ôp Ðeventually€to€the€communion€of€the€church€and€a€lifetime€of€learning€Godððs€Word.Ð DÀ Ðà  àThe€stance€of€the€church€is€also€that€the€òòò òwhole€counsel€of€Godó óóó,€administered€through€theÐ ” ÐKeys,€òòò òis€the€property€and€right€of€all€Christiansó óóó,òòò ò€whichóóò ò€they€are€responsible€to€learn€andÐ ä` Ðcarry€outó óó ó.€Ô_ÔWaltherÔ_Ô€says€in€his€address€at€the€laying€of€the€cornerstone€for€the€college׃=×Ý ƒ%ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×:Ð 4° ÐÌà8  àà  àFrom€this€it€may€seem€that€it€only€lies€in€the€interests€of€the€church€thatÐ ÔP" Ðknowledge€flourish€among€her€scholars€and€champions;€but€the€church€must€notÐ $ $ Ðbe€a€religious€despotic€state,€a€papacy,€not€as€a€whole€or€in€any€part.€TeachersÐ tð& Ðmust€not€rule€over€the€consciences€of€their€hearers€and€hearers€must€not€followÐ Ä@( Ðtheir€teachers€like€blind€puppets.€In€the€church€there€must€be€no€spiritual€masters.Ð * ÐThe€knowledge€of€the€mysteries€of€the€religion€must€not€be€a€monopoly€of€aÐ d à, Ðspecial€class€of€people,€a€priestly€caste.€Every€Christian€must€wear€the€Urim€andÐ ´!0. Ðthe€Ô_ÔThrumimÔ_Ô€of€truth€upon€his€chest€as€a€spiritual€priest.€òòò òThe€layman€must€also,Ð #€0 Ðtherefore,€delve€into€the€Scripture,€himself€draw€out€of€the€well€and,€by€hisÐ T$Ð 2 Ðown€freely€being€convinced,€believe,€without€building€on€human€authority;€heÐ ¡%"4 Ðmust€not,€like€an€inanimate€machine,€say,€as€did€that€coal€merchant:€ð ðI€believeÐ î&j#6 Ðwhat€the€church€believes,ðð€without€having€learned,€tested€and€proven€theÐ ;(·$8 Ðfaith€of€the€church.€The€layman€must€be€sure€of€his€relation€to€God€withoutÐ ˆ)&: Ðhuman,€priestly€mediation€and€be€able€to€speak€and€give€answer€for€himselfÐ Õ*Q'< Ðfor€the€hope€that€is€in€him,€without€having€to€call€upon€the€better€insight€ofÐ „ Ðhis€teacher.€óóò òYes,€the€laity€must€be€fit€and€always€become€more€competent€toÐ ÑM Ðjudge€the€doctrine€of€his€teacher,€to€distinguish€the€truth€from€heresy€and,Ð š Ðthus,€to€keep€watch€over€those€who€watch€over€himó óó ó.€Christians€must€be€childrenÐ kç Ðwith€respect€to€evil€but€mature€in€their€understanding.€Only€when€the€church€is€soÐ »7 Ðestablished€does€she€have€the€form€which€her€eternal€founder€has€given€her,€whoÐ  ‡  Ðsaid:€ð ðTherefore,€only€one€is€your€Master,€Christ.€But€you€are€all€brothers.ðð€That€isÐ [ ×  Ðwhy€the€prophet€had€foretold€of€the€church€of€the€New€Covenant:€ð ðNo€one€willÐ « '  Ðteach€another,€but€they€will€all€be€taught€by€God,€both€small€and€great.ðð€(JeremiahÐ û w  Ð31.34;€John€6.45)ÐKÇ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà  àIt€inevitably€is€in€the€churchððs€best€interests€to€nurture€scholarship€andÐ ›  Ðeducation€in€every€way:€It€is€required€of€her€as€her€holy€duty€of€self€preservation.Ð ëg Ðòòò òWithout€this€nurture€the€church€would€forfeit€the€trophy€of€victory€sheÐ ;· Ðstruggled€to€gain€in€the€Reformation€and€would€transform€herself€into€aÐ ˆ Ðpapacy€all€over€again.€She€would€be€surrendering,€thwarting€her€ownÐ ÕQ Ðbuilding€and€defense€and,€thus,€committing€suicide.ó óóóÐ"žÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àChildren€who€are€baptized€and€kept€from€the€Word€of€God€are€as€plants€that€are€placedÐ ¿;" Ðin€a€closet€without€benefit€of€sun,€soil€and€water.€To€baptize€a€child€in€abstraction€from€the€churchÐ ‹$ Ðand€the€churchððs€on„going€teaching€€is€to€baptize€contrary€to€the€command€to€baptize€AND€teach.Ð _Û& Ðà  àSo€a€believer€is€a€person€who€is€subject€to€Godððs€condemnation€and€Law€according€to€hisÐ ¯+( Ðsinful€flesh,€but€who€has€been€embraced€in€the€treasured€grace€of€Christ,€won€for€us€on€the€cross.Ð ÿ{* ÐAs€such,€òòò òthe€Christian€life€is€one€of€repentance,€and€learning€Godððs€Wordó óóó.€Knowing€his€ownÐ O Ë, Ðfrailty€and€propensity€to€stray€and€fall€away€from€God€according€to€his€flesh,€he€is€in€a€constantÐ Ÿ!. Ðstate€of€judging€and€rebuking€himself,€turning€from€his€own€thoughts.€(See€Romans€7;€Gal.€5;€andÐ ï"k0 Ð1€Corinthians€10.31).€So€a€Christian€rebuked€for€sin€by€a€brother€is€thankful,€for€he€knows€this€isÐ ?$» 2 Ðborne€of€love€and€for€his€good€€and€he€knows€how€easily€and€unwarily€he€can€stray€and€needs€toÐ % "4 Ðbe€frightened€awake€and€back€to€the€path€of€Christ.€The€Christian€hates€his€sin,€just€as€he€knowsÐ ß&[#6 ÐGod€must€hate€sin€and€therefore€wants€to€be€freed€from€that€sin€to€be€acceptable€to€God€throughÐ /(«$8 ÐChristððs€grace.€Please€note€another€of€Ô_ÔWaltherÔ_Ôððs€prayers€for€an€opening€of€a€Voterððs€Assembly:Ô_Ô׃×Ý ƒ%ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_ÔÐ )û%: Ðà8  àà  àLORD€JESUS!€You€not€only€desire€that€your€people€stand€in€this€world,€but€thatÐ „ Ðthey€also€huddle€around€your€holy€Word,€that€they€practice€inward€fellowship,€ò òòòthatÐ ÔP Ðthey€serve€those€present€with€their€gifts€and€not€only€teach,€admonish,€warnÐ $  Ðand€comfort€one€another,€óóò òbut€also€rebuke€one€anotheró óó ó.ÐqíÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà  àOh,€then€give€us€all€grace€that€we€so€serve€one€another,€that€none€among€usÐ Á= Ðsay€with€Cain€in€his€rage:€ð ðAm€I€my€brotherððs€keeper?ðð€òòò òbut€that€each€of€us€care€forÐ    Ðthe€otherððs€soul€as€if€it€were€our€own.ó óóóÐa Ý Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà  àBut€also€help€us,€that€we€not€only€gladly€be€taught,€admonished,€warned€andÐ ® *  Ðcomforted€by€our€brothers,€but€also€rebuked...Ðþ z Ð Ð  ÐÌÓ  Óò ò2.€Rebuking€and€Expelling€Manifest€Sinners.ó óÐ ž  ÐÓÉ•ÓÌà  àBoth€the€priesthood€of€all€believers€and€the€OHM,€therefore,€see€restoration€of€manifestÐ ;· Ðsinners€as€their€responsibility.€They€donððt€leave€it€for€someone€else€to€handle€because€eachÐ ‹ Ðbeliever€has€the€Office€of€the€Keys€and€the€responsibility€that€goes€with€it.€This€is€in€keeping€alsoÐ ÛW Ðwith€the€Lordððs€Words€in€Matthew€18,€ð ðIf€your€brother€sinsðð€(meaning€fellow€believer);€and€withÐ +§ ÐSt.€Paulððs€admonition€in€1€Corinthians€5€to€the€congregation€(not€the€pastors)€to€expel€theÐ {÷  Ðincestuous€man€and€with€the€apostolic€admonition€to€ð ðyou€who€are€spiritðð€(believers)€to€humblyÐ ËG" Ðrestore€one€who€is€caught€up€in€a€sin€(Ô_ÔGalatiansÔ_Ô€6).Ð —$ Ðà  àÔ_ÔWaltherÔ_Ô€starts€his€sermon€at€the€eleventh€opening€of€Synod,€concerning€ð ðWhat€Must€MoveÐ kç& ÐAn€Evangelical€Lutheran€Congregation€to€Desire€to€also€Practice€Church€Discipline€Towards€ThoseÐ »7( ÐWho€Want€to€be€Her€Members€(òòÔ_ÔLutherischeÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔBrosamenÔ_Ôóó,€pp.€508ff)€with€the€following€apology€forÐ  ‡* Ðthe€necessity€of€practicing€Church€Discipline:Ð [ ×, Ðà8  àà  àAmong€the€various,€prevalent€misrepresentations€about€the€peculiarity€of€ourÐ «!'. Ðevangelical€Lutheran€Church€is€also€this:€That€it€would€not€be€Lutheran€to€enforceÐ û"w0 Ðchurch€discipline;€that€this€would€much€rather€be€peculiar€to€those€legalistic,€so„Ð K$Ç 2 Ðcalled€Reformed€Churches;€it€is€a€unique€characteristic€of€the€pure€evangelicalÐ ›%"4 ÐChurch,€called€Lutheran,€that,€because€it€lays€all€importance€upon€pure€doctrine,Ð ë&g#6 Ðit€regards€church€discipline€in€the€area€of€life€as€an€Ô_ÔadiaphoronÔ_Ô€(òòÔ_ÔMitteldingÔ_Ôóó),€or,€inÐ ;(·$8 Ðany€case,€as€a€matter€of€much€less,€a€far€subordinate,€significance.Ћ)&:Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà  àNow€it€is€by€all€means€true:€We€Lutherans€believe,€teach€and€confess€from€ourÐ Û*W'< Ðhearts:€It€is€not€church€discipline€but€solely€the€Word€of€God€that€makes€the€churchÐ „ Ðthe€church;€not€through€insisting€on€a€pious€life,€but€solely€through€the€preachingÐ ÔP Ðof€Christ,€through€the€joyful€proclamation€that€all€sinners€are€redeemed,€the€churchÐ $  Ðis€born,€founded€and€preserved.€Further,€it€is€not€to€be€denied€that€in€our€LutheranÐ tð ÐChurch,€since€its€visible€appearance,€in€only€a€few€places€has€church€disciplineÐ Ä@ Ðbeen€carried€out€in€true€form€and€consistently.€But€it€is€an€error€to€say€that€ourÐ    Ðchurch€looks€upon€church€discipline€as€unimportant€or€unnecessary.€Certainly€ourÐ d à  Ðchurch€has€expressly€rejected€the€Ô_ÔSchwenkfeldersÔ_Ôðð€principle:€ð ðThat€there€is€no€trueÐ ´ 0  ÐChristian€church€present€where€there€is€no€public€exclusion€or€orderly€process€toÐ €  Ðissue€the€ban,ðð׃«×Ý ƒ%ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€in€her€last€confession€as€enthusiasm.€But€see€that€it€is€just€asÐ TÐ  Ðstrongly€affirmed€in€the€Apology€to€the€Augsburg€Confession,€among€other€places:Ð ¤  Ðð ðSo€it€is€at€all€times€acknowledged€by€our€preachers€that€those€who€live€in€publicÐ ôp Ðvices,€in€adultery,€divorce€and€alike,€for€example,€are,€by€that,€denied€the€holyÐ DÀ ÐSacraments;ðð׃±Z×Ý ƒ%ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×also€in€the€Ô_ÔSmalcaldÔ_Ô€Articles€we€Lutherans€confess:€ð ðThe€trueÐ ” ÐChristian€ban€is€that€public,€stubborn€sinners€must€not€be€allowed€to€theÐ ä` ÐSacrament€or€granted€other€fellowship€of€the€church,€until€they€improve€and€shunÐ 4° Ðtheir€sins.׃³ì×Ý ƒ%ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Є Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà  àSo€far€be€it€from€our€devout€fathers€to€justify€the€many€faceted€deficiencies€inÐ ÔP" Ðthe€discipline€in€our€churches.€òòò òFor,€much€rather,€and€universally,€all€rightlyÐ $ $ Ðfashioned€Lutherans€from€the€age€of€Luther€to€the€present€have€universallyÐ tð& Ðbrought€bitter€complaints€about€this€deficiency€as€a€great€weakness€and€aÐ Á=( Ðgreat€sin€in€our€church€and€declared€that€church€discipline,€after€pureÐ Š* Ðdoctrine,€is€the€second€pillar€of€the€whole€building€of€the€church€and€theÐ [ ×, Ðcollapse€of€discipline€is€the€chief€reason€for€the€collapse€of€our€church.ó óóó€FarÐ ¨!$. Ðfrom€considering€this€lack€of€church€discipline€an€advantage€of€our€church€overÐ ø"t0 Ðthe€Reformed,€Luther€had€much€rather€even€made€this€noteworthy€concession,Ð H$Ä 2 Ðwhen€in€the€year€1537€the€Swiss€had€approached€him€about€negotiating€a€re„Ð ˜%"4 Ðestablishment€of€church€fellowship,€when€they€specifically€brought€up€just€thisÐ è&d#6 Ðissue€of€church€discipline€and€the€ban:€ð ðPerhaps,€in€this€area,€things€are€more€solidÐ „ Ðamong€you€than€among€us.ðð׃´×Ý ƒ%ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×ÐÔPÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà  àSo€there€is€no€doubt:€Even€in€our€precious€evangelical€Lutheran€Church,Ð $  Ðòòò òchurch€discipline€is€not€considered€a€matter€of€freedom€or€discretion,€butÐ tð Ðrather€of€sanctification,€yes,€of€necessityó óóó.€ÐÁ=Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àThus,€the€treasuring€of€the€Word€of€God,€the€eternal€treasure€of€every€child€of€God,€turnsÐ a Ý  Ðsinners€away€from€their€sins€and€punishment€to€the€heavenly€Christ,€their€crucified€Savior,€in€theirÐ ± -  Ðmidst,€the€Alpha€and€the€Omega,€the€beginning€and€the€end€of€their€faith,€as€he€has€commandedÐ }  Ðhis€faithful€to€find€him€and€his€grace€and€every€blessing€in€the€Word€preached,€and€theÐ QÍ  ÐSacraments€administered€according€to€the€Gospel.€This€is€the€right€and€responsibility€of€each€andÐ ¡  Ðevery€member€of€the€congregation,€and€the€pastor,€acting€in€their€name€and€according€to€theirÐ ñm Ðauthority,€in€public€matters.Ð A½ Ðà  àSaving€faith€includes€the€desire€and€hunger€for€sanctification,€rebuke€of€sin,€the€continuingÐ ‘  Ðenjoyment€of€grace.€The€desire€for€sanctification€is€the€sign€of€living€and€active€faith,€whichÐ á] Ðconstitutes€a€Christian€and€indicates€the€indwelling€of€the€Holy€Spirit.€If€this€is€missing€in€theÐ 1­ Ðindividual€or€the€church€it€indicates€there€is€no€faith,€as€Christððs€means€for€sanctification€are€notÐ ý  Ðused€or€abused€(which€means€do€not€include€Promise€Keepers€or€other€ð ðnew€measuresðð).Ð ÑM" ÐÌÓ  Óò ò3.€Communion€as€the€Sanctifying€Sacrament€for€the€Converted/Faithful.ó óÐ qí& ÐÓ‘²ÓÌà  àTwo€other€ð ðcommandsðð€of€our€Lord€that€are€to€be€ð ðobservedðð,€valued€and€cherished€areÐ Š* ÐConfession€and€Absolution,€as€well€as€Holy€Communion.€While€it€may€be€claimed€by€some€thatÐ ^ Ú, Ðliturgical€expression€of€routine€Confession€and€Absolution€prior€to€Holy€Communion€is€scarcelyÐ ®!*. Ðsupported€in€Holy€Scriptures,€certainly€the€Maundy€Thursday€Gospel€and€the€washing€of€feet€byÐ þ"z0 Ðour€Lord,€plus€the€command€to€do€so€with€each€other,€is€not€a€very€veiled€reference€to€preparationÐ N$Ê 2 Ðfor€receiving€Holy€Communion€that€is€echoed€by€Paulððs€admonition€to€Corinth€to€ð ðexamineÐ ž%"4 Ðyourself.ðð€ð ðIf€you€would€judge€yourselves,€you€would€not€be€judged.ððÐ î&j#6 Ðà  àA€doctrine€barely€whispered€in€the€Lutheran€church€of€our€day€is€the€mutual€responsibilityÐ >(º$8 Ðof€brothers€to€reconcile€before€receiving€the€holy€Supper,€when€they€have€sullied€each€otherððsÐ Ž) &: Ðwalk€with€sin.€Desiring€to€be€reconciled€with€God€is€irreconcilable€with€a€heart€that€refuses€to€beÐ Þ*Z'< Ðreconciled€with€our€fellow€believers.׃×Ý ƒ%ÃÝòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€So,€also€those€living€in€intentional,€planned,€chosen€sin,€areÐ „ Ðnot€to€be€considered€in€the€faith.׃;ð×Ý ƒ%ÃÝòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð ÔP Ðà  àThis€also€stands€behind€our€practice€of€closed€communion.€If€one€who€claims€to€be€aÐ $  ÐChristian€is€holding€false€doctrine€by€his€public€confession€of€faith€in€an€erring€church€body,€he€Ð tð Ðis€in€a€state€of€public€sin€against€the€Second€Commandment€(false€doctrine€under€Godððs€holyÐ Ä@ ÐName€is€misusing,€thus,€sinning€against€the€Name€of€God).€Admitting€him€to€Communion€isÐ    Ðconfirming€him€in€his€sin,€rather€than€washing€his€feet,€rather€than€him€being€absolved€for€sinÐ d à  Ðrepented€and€shunned.€Thus€communing€with€those€who€hold€false€doctrine€(or€any€intentional,Ð ´ 0  ÐÔ_ÔunrepentedÔ_Ô€sin)€defeats€the€sanctifying€purpose€of€Communion€and€is,€therefore,€an€abuse€ofÐ €  ÐGodððs€grace€for€which€there€will€be€an€accounting€required€on€the€last€day.€Such€is€notÐ TÐ  Ðadministering€the€Lordððs€Supper€according€to€the€Gospel,€Godððs€sanctifying€and€restoring€love,€butÐ ¤  Ðaccording€to€the€failed€tenets€of€human€love€that€so€tragically€exults€itself€above€Godððs€Word.Ð ôp Ðà  àSo€the€priesthood,€in€repentant€faith,€avails€itself€faithfully,€and€often€of€this€precious€graceÐ DÀ Ðof€God,€receiving€the€very€price€paid€for€sin,€the€body€and€blood€(sacrifice)€of€Christ€and€in€doingÐ ” Ðso,€after€the€OHM€has€preached€Christ€crucified,€the€priesthood€here€gathers€to,€by€their€actionsÐ ä` Ðand€reception,€ð ðShow€forth€his€death€till€he€comes.ðð€This€even€as€they€receive€Christððs€body€andÐ 4° Ðblood€in€repentant€faith€for€forgiveness,€life€and€salvation.€The€priesthood€is€also€concerned€forÐ „  Ðall€who€commune,€that€they€be€in€a€state€of€orthodox€faith€and€repentance,€lest€they€be€judged.Ð ÔP" ÐÌÓ  Óò ò4.€Mission€Work€Outside€the€Congregation.ó óÐ tð& ÐÓlÀÓÌà  àCommenting€positively€on€the€establishment€of€missionary€societies€in€Germany,€followingÐ * Ða€movement€back€in€the€direction€of€orthodox€Lutheranism,€Ô_ÔWaltherÔ_Ô€makes€this€comment€in€hisÐ a Ý, ÐSermon€to€a€Missionary€Society,€among€other€places:Ð ±!-. Ðà8  àà  àYet,€my€friends,€the€establishment€of€missionary€societies,€which€were€signsÐ „ Ðof€newly€awakened€Christian€life€were€also,€at€the€same€time,€signs€that€theÐ ÔP Ðchurch,€as€a€whole,€was€really€not€as€it€should€be.€For€if€it€is€established€as€it€oughtÐ $  Ðto€be,€it€would€not€be€necessary€for€little€missionary€societies€to€form€themselves,Ð tð Ðfor€the€church€itself€must€be€one€big€missionary€society.€She€is€instituted€by€ChristÐ Ä@ Ðhimself€to€be€this.׃ ×Ý ƒ%ÃÝòòÚ  Ú11Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Р Ð Ð  Ðà  àThus,€making€disciples,€the€Great€Commission€is€directed€to€the€church€in€every€place€asÐ d à  Ðalso€an€aspect€of€the€Office€of€the€Keys,€which€must€include€not€only€the€Holy€Absolution€but€theÐ ´ 0  Ðpreaching€and€sharing€of€the€Gospel,€which€is€a€general€absolution€to€all€through€the€merits€ofÐ €  ÐChrist.Ð TÐ  ÐÓ  Óò ò5.€Passing€the€Church€On€to€the€Next€Generation.ó óÐ ¤  ÐÓ>ÆÓÌà  àAs€a€special€instance€of€mission€work,€parents€are€given€the€duty€and€obligation€to€bringÐ A½ Ðtheir€children€up€in€the€fear€and€admonition€of€the€Lord,€to€bring€them€to€the€services€of€GodððsÐ ‘  Ðhouse€and,€thus,€bring€them,€as€Christian€parents,€to€the€LORD€Jesus,€through€baptism€andÐ á] ÐChristian€education,€to€become€mature€and€faithful€Christians€and€parents,€themselves.Ð 1­ ÐÌà  àòòò òIn€Summaryó óóó,Ð ÑM" Ðthe€basic,€Biblical€tenet€of€our€faith€that€molds€our€practice,€congregational€polity€and€ourÐ !$ Ðconfidence€in€practice€is€that€Christ€bestows€his€own€presence,€and€the€Office€of€the€Keys,€thatÐ qí& Ðis,€the€authority€to€distribute€the€grace€that€he€won€for€us€on€the€cross,€directly€to€theÐ Á=( Ðcongregation,€the€church,€that€is,€all€Christians€who€are€true€believers.€Under€his€graciousÐ * Ðmandates€and€the€institution€of€the€OHM,€he€distributes€this€grace€and€himself€publicly€to€theÐ a Ý, ÐChristians€gathered€around€his€invisible€presence,€through€the€preaching€of€the€Word,€theÐ ±!-. ÐSacraments€of€Baptism,€the€LORDððs€Supper€and€holy€Absolution.€The€faithful€have,€therefore,€inÐ #}0 Ðtheir€Christian€congregation€all€that€they€need€from€God€for€this€world€and€the€next.Ð Q$Í 2 Ðà  àThe€common€faith€in€the€mandates€of€Christ,€to€use€his€means€to€create€and€sustain€faith,Ð ¡%"4 Ðthat€is,€to€convert€sinners€to€faith€and€to€sustain€them€in€faith€and€sanctification€until€the€LORDÐ ñ&m#6 Ðcalls€them€home€to€the€church€triumphant,€is€what€unites€them€with€Christ€and,€in€fellowship€withÐ A(½$8 ÐChrist,€one€to€another.€If€that€faith€in€the€need€for€forgiveness€(caused€by€their€sin)€and€in€theirÐ ‘) &: Ðreceiving€that€forgiveness€is€lulled€to€sleep€by€indifference,€or€love€for€the€world,€the€Office€of€theÐ á*]'< ÐKeys,€held€by€all€Christians,€is€to€be€used€to€awaken€them€with€the€threat€of€Godððs€wrath,€whichÐ „ Ðcomes€with€loss€of€faith,€to€awaken€that€faith,€ò òòòORóóó ó€those€Keys€will€manifest€their€lack€of€faithÐ ÔP Ð(refusal€of€grace€for€their€sins)€and€cause€expulsion€from€the€congregation€until€there€isÐ $  Ðrepentance.€Despising€grace€proves€loss€of€faith€and€unbelief.€Such€a€member€is€not€a€member,Ð tð Ðsince€faith€and€faith€alone€is€what€God€views€as€membership€in€the€church,€the€body€of€Christ.Ð Ä@ ÐWhen€Godððs€Word€(of€Law€or€Gospel)€is€rejected€and€it€is€plain€and€clear€that€it€is,€the€personÐ    Ðrejecting€it€is€not€to€be€regarded€as€a€Christian,€but€an€unbeliever€by€all€the€congregation.Ð d à  ÐIntentional€sin€indicates€no€faith.€They€are€to€be€bound€to€their€sins€publicly.€Rejection€of€theÐ ´ 0  ÐWord€is€rejection€of€God.€Christððs€command€is€then€to€ððtell€it€to€the€church.€And€if€they€will€notÐ €  Ðlisten€to€the€church,€regard€him€as€a€heathen€man€and€a€tax€collector.ðð€Ð TÐ  Ðà  àThe€churchððs€task€is€to€use€the€means€appointed€by€Christ€to€create€and€sustain€his€church,Ð ¤  Ðand€to€remain€faithful€and€satisfied€with€Christððs€grace,€that€is,€his€Means€of€Grace,€though€theyÐ ôp Ðare€disdained€by€the€world€and€by€unbelievers€in€the€church.€The€church€trusts€these€means€andÐ DÀ ÐChristððs€promise€to€use€them€and€to€accomplish€his€purpose€through€them,€as€much€as€she€trustsÐ ” ÐChrist.€When€she€turns€to€her€own€ððbetterðð€methods€for€creating€and€maintaining€the€church,€sheÐ ä` Ðbecomes€unfaithful€to€her€Lord,€and€any€success€that€she€appears€to€win€by€those€methods€areÐ 4° Ðcursed,€because€they€lack€the€command€of€the€LORD€and,€therefore,€stem€from€the€flesh€of€man.Ð „  Ðà  àò òòòThis€has€nothing€to€do€with€politics,€or€position,€or€vocationó óóó,€but€with€the€mandatesÐ ÔP" Ðof€Christ€for€his€church.€Kinship€and€other€political€friendships€or€alliances,€that€preserve€life€inÐ $ $ Ðthis€world€through€overlooking€fault€and€failings€in€order€to€promote€a€common€good,€have€noÐ tð& Ðplace€here,€since€the€basic€tenet€of€faith€is€that€faults€must€not€be€preserved,€but€must€die€and€beÐ Ä@( Ðredeemed€with€Christ.€Politics€that€prevent€the€carrying€through€of€the€Office€of€the€Keys€is€theÐ * Ðdeadliest€of€sins€that€ruins€not€only€the€individuals€who€promote€such€politics,€but€whole€churchÐ d à, Ðbodies€and€entities.Ð ´!0. Ðà  àCongregational€autonomy€is€not€freedom€to€flaunt€the€mandates€of€Christ,€but€to€carry€outÐ #€0 Ðthe€mandates€of€Christ,€just€as€Christian€freedom€of€the€individual€is€not€freedom€to€do€what€oneÐ T$Ð 2 Ðwants,€but€freedom€to€obey€Godððs€commands.€If€it€is,€indeed,€CHRISTIAN€freed,€it€is€only€freedomÐ ¤% "4 Ðin€CHRIST,€that€is,€freedom€to€remain€in€his€Word,€that€sets€us€free,€lest€we€€be€bound€to€sin.Ð ô&p#6 ÐÌÌÌâ âÐ 4,°(> ÐÓ  Óò òÔ‡¼u+»%&K.ÔIII.€€With€Congregational€Autonomy,€Why€a€Synod€with€her€Offices?Ô#†&K.%»¼u+^Û#Ôó óÐ „ Ðâ âÓOÛÓÌà  àHaving€established€the€sufficiency€of€the€Christian€congregation€as€the€sufficiency€of€ChristÐ {÷ Ðand€his€Word,€and€seeing€the€expansive€responsibilities€that€come€to€each€congregation€and€eachÐ ËG Ðmember€as€those€to€whom€Christ€has€immediately€given€the€Office€of€the€Keys,€each€accordingÐ  — Ðto€his€station€in€life,€we€see€the€great€wealth€and€dignity€of€both€the€congregation€and€theÐ k ç  Ðindividual€Christian,€as€those€whom€Christ€has€given€the€treasure,€which€alone€gives€peace€in€theÐ » 7  Ðconscience€here€on€earth,€and€which€alone€gives€the€sure€and€trustworthy€promise€of€eternal€life.Ð  ‡  Ðà  àWith€this€congregational€sufficiency,€it€might€be€asked,€so€why€do€we€need€a€synod,€orÐ [×  Ðsynodical€officers?Ð «'  Ðà  àThe€answer€is,€in€short,€ððit€is€a€divine€and€blessed€redundancy.ððÐ ûw  Ðà  àAs€the€church€grows€by€the€redundancy€of€the€Gospel€of€Godððs€grace,€as€speaking€theÐ KÇ ÐAbsolution€creates€faith€in€sinners€and€reproduces€Christ,€the€first€fruit€of€the€dead,€in€otherÐ › ÐChristians,€as€fruits€of€his€death€and€resurrection,€thus€creating€the€redundancy€of€believers€calledÐ ëg Ðchurch,€or€congregation,€his€mandate€also€causes€the€redundancy€of€these€groups€of€ChristiansÐ ;· Ðin€various€places€and€at€various€times,€receiving€faith€and€all€the€benefits€of€Christ.€No€ChristianÐ ‹ Ðcongregation,€sufficient€as€she€is,€can€say€ð ðI€amðð€or€ð ðI€want€to€be€the€only€one.ðð€She,€the€church,Ð ÛW  Ðthe€bride€of€Christ€and€the€mother€of€all€believers,€wants€to€bear€children,€more€believers€andÐ +§" Ðmore€congregations.Ð {÷$ ÐÌò òÓ  ÓA.€Recognition€of€the€Household€of€Faith€(Fellowship)ó óÐ —( ÐÓOãÓÌà  àThe€fact€of€Synod€is€the€recognition€of€the€body€of€Christ€in€all€places€where€the€Gospel€isÐ ¸ 4, Ðpurely€taught€and€the€Sacraments€administered€according€to€the€Gospel.€Thus€Synod€isÐ "„. Ðrecognition€of€the€household€of€faith€throughout€the€world€and€in€all€times.€Yet,€this€is€not€aÐ X#Ô0 Ðsubjective€opinion,€but€is€based€purely,€objectively,€€upon€the€sole€rule€and€norm€of€Christian€faithÐ ¨$$!2 Ðand€life€that€exists€in€every€Christian€congregation,€that€is,€the€ððall€thingsðð€of€Christ,€told€us€inÐ ø%t"4 ÐScriptures,€that€are€to€be€taught€and€cherished.€For€again,€it€is€the€Word€and€the€Word€alone€thatÐ H'Ä#6 Ðcreates€and€sustains€the€church€and€is,€therefore,€that€which€makes€the€church€recognizable.Ð ˜(%8 ÐÌÌÐ ˆ,)> ÐÓ  Óò ò1.€Universal€Gospel€in€every€Congregation€(Roster€of€Congregations).ó óÐ „ ÐÓ çÓÌà  àSo,€the€Office€of€the€Keys€given€the€church,€and€the€public€administration€of€the€sameÐ ! Ðthrough€the€OHM,€and€all€the€implications€for€its€responsible€use,€as€delineated€in€the€sectionsÐ qí Ðabove,€is€the€criteria€for€identifying€the€church.€As€Ô_ÔWaltherÔ_Ô€pointed€out€above,€church€disciplineÐ Á= Ðand€excommunication€of€manifest,€stubborn€sinners,€is€not€what€creates€the€church,€but,€anÐ    Ðaspect€of€sanctification,€which,€as€necessary€for€salvation,€cannot€be€omitted€without€ultimatelyÐ a Ý  Ðforfeiting€the€faith€and€rebelling€against€God,€and€therefore,€rejecting€also€his€Gospel.€There€is€noÐ ± -  ÐGospel€that€leaves€a€sinner€a€sinner.€It€must€sanctify€him,€though€sanctification€is€not€completed,Ð }  Ðso€far€as€the€believer€is€concerned,€€in€this€life.Ð QÍ  Ðà  àòòò òThe€congregation€as€a€whole€is€like€each€Christian€within€her.ó óóó€She€still€has€the€sinfulÐ ¡  Ðflesh,€which€loves€the€world,€the€damned€bride€of€the€devil,€which€wants€the€glittering€lies€of€theÐ ñm Ðworld€rather€than€the€plain€€(and€sometimes€painful)€truth€of€God.€And€just€as€the€Christian€in€theÐ A½ Ðcongregation€needs€to€recognize€his€own€on„going€need€for€the€Savior€because€of€this,€and€hasÐ ‘  Ðfellowship€with€his€fellow€believers,€partially€for€this€very€purpose,€to€watch€out€for€others€whoÐ á] Ðmight€fall€from€faith,€as€he€needs€others€to€look€out€for€him,€to€arouse€him€back€to€faith€when€itÐ 1­ Ðgrows€weary€and€dull,€so€each€congregation€must€humbly€observe€from€its€own€life€and€theÐ ý  Ðhistory€of€the€church€in€Scriptures€and€through€the€ages,€that€òòò òa€congregation€can€also€fall€asleepÐ ÑM" Ðin€the€faith,€as€its€members€can,€so€that€Christ€must€say€to€some€congregations€what€he€saidÐ !$ Ðto€the€church€in€Sardis:€€ð ðI€know€your€works,€that€you€have€a€name€that€you€are€alive,€butÐ nê& Ðyou€are€dead.ðð€(Revelation€3.1)€Or€to€the€congregation€at€Ô_ÔEphesusÔ_Ô€(Revelation€2.5):Ð »7( Ðð ðRemember€therefore€from€where€you€have€fallen;€repent€and€do€the€first€works,€or€else€IÐ „* Ðwill€come€to€you€quickly€and€remove€your€Ô_ÔlampstandÔ_Ô€from€its€place€ð!ð€unless€you€repent.ððó óóóÐ U Ñ, Ðà  àThus,€as€Christians€recognize€and€help€each€other€with€their€own€flesh,€so€congregations,Ð ¢!. Ðvested€with€the€Office€of€the€Keys,€not€only€recognize€the€presence€of€Christ€and€his€grace€in€otherÐ ò"n0 Ðcongregations,€but€also€their€own€need,€because€of€the€flesh€in€their€congregations€(in€both€pastorÐ B$¾ 2 Ðand€members),€for€help€from€other€congregations,€to€be€rebuked€and€corrected€if€they,€as€aÐ ’%"4 Ðcongregation,€stray€from€Godððs€Word€of€Law€or€Gospel.€All€congregations€(believers)€are€beingÐ â&^#6 Ðsanctified€by€the€Holy€Spirit;€that€means€they€are€also€in€danger,€in€as€much€as€they€allow€the€fleshÐ 2(®$8 Ðinstead€of€the€Spirit€to€rule,€to€fall€from€faith€as€churches€have€done€and€still€do.Ð ‚)þ%: Ðà  àThus,€it€is€with€a€sense€of€autonomy€that€one€can€acknowledge€that,€with€the€Office€of€theÐ Ò*N'< ÐKeys,€each€church€has€everything€that€they€need,€just€as€every€Christian€can€say€that€in€Christ€theyÐ ",ž(> Ðhave€everything€they€need.€Yet€it€is€in€the€humility€of€our€sinful€state€that€a€Christian€also€desiresÐ r-î)@ Ðto€be€corrected€by€that€Word,€whenever€and€wherever€possible.€So€this€is€also€the€case€withÐ „ Ðcongregations,€being€vigilant€and€united€in€that€Word.€It€is,€therefore,€in€thanksgiving€and€joy€thatÐ ÔP Ðwe€acknowledge€the€church€wherever€Christ€is€found€in€his€pure€Word€and€Sacraments,€but€weÐ $  Ðas€sinners€and€as€churches€full€of€sinners,€desire€watchful€eyes€that€will€warn€us€about€what€weÐ tð Ðcannot€see€in€ourselves€or€in€our€congregations€that€would€eventually€cause€us,€unwittingly€orÐ Ä@ Ðstubbornly,€to€depart€from€Godððs€Word€and€abuse€the€Word€in€thanklessness,€to€stop€listening€toÐ    Ðit€as€our€rule€and€guide,€and€cause€God,€in€his€wrath,€to€remove€the€lamp€of€Godððs€Word€from€itsÐ d à  Ðlamp€stand€in€our€congregationððs€midst€as€we€would€deserve€for€following€flesh.Ð ´ 0  Ðà  àSo€Synod€rosters€congregations€in€which€the€pure€marks€of€the€church,€the€pure€Word€andÐ €  ÐÔ_ÔunfalsifiedÔ_Ô€Sacraments€are€administered€as€a€recognition€of€where€the€church€is€to€be€found€forÐ TÐ  Ðthe€faithful,€and€where€the€Office€of€the€Keys€are€being€administered€according€to€ChristððsÐ ¤  Ðcommands.€Synod€exists€because€of€the€blessed€redundancy€of€the€church€of€Christ.€NoÐ ôp Ðcongregation€is€alone.€She,€as€a€community€of€sinners,€desires€to€have€watchful€eyes€that€can€alsoÐ DÀ Ðhelp€keep€her€from€straying.Ð ” ÐÌÓ  Óò ò2.€The€Pentecostal€Gifting€and€Mission€(Roster€of€Pastors)ó óÐ 4° ÐÓ(üÓÌà  àIn€addition€to€recognition€of€the€household€of€faith€in€every€time€and€place€by€the€marksÐ ÑM" Ðof€the€pure€Gospel€and€the€Sacraments,€there€is€a€need€for€the€preparation€of€the€servants€of€theÐ !$ Ðchurch,€who€are€ððapt€to€teach.ðð€Besides€the€well€known€ððqualifications€for€the€officeðð€that€areÐ qí& Ðdelineated€by€the€apostle€in€Scripture,€it€must€be€recognized€that€it€is€Christ€who€teaches€his€calledÐ Á=( Ðservants,€in€the€OHM,€which€carries€forward€to€all€generations€the€office€of€the€apostles,€whomÐ * ÐChrist€himself€originally€taught.€Also,€prominently€pointed€out€by€our€theologians,€special€gifts€ofÐ a Ý, Ðthe€Spirit€are€necessarily€poured€out€upon€the€ministry€to€enable€them€to€preach€the€Word€of€God.Ð ±!-. ÐThis€preparation,€given€the€apostles€by€Christ,€was€his€personal€instruction€in€Godððs€Word€and€theÐ #}0 Ðpouring€out€of€the€Holy€Spirit€on€Pentecost€which€is€associated€with€the€gift€of€tongues,€of€knowingÐ Q$Í 2 Ðand€speaking€the€Gospel€in€other€languages.Ð ¡%"4 Ðà  àÔ_ÔWaltherÔ_Ô€talks€about€this€preparation€of€pastors€as€a€gift€of€God€and€a€necessary€task€of€theÐ ñ&m#6 Ðchurch€in€his€sermon€on€the€occasion€of€the€installation€of€two€professors€in€the€SeminaryÔ_Ô׃×Ý ƒ%ÃÝòòÚ  Ú12Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_ÔÐ A(½$8 Їà8  àà  àNow,€this€office€[the€OHM]€not€only€has€a€great€array€of€duties€and€so€manyÐ „ Ðsorts€of€duties€but,€also,€demands€so€many€and€various€higher€gifts,€that€no€manÐ ÔP Ðis€in€a€position,€even€in€one€single,€minute€aspect€of€it,€to€complete€all€the€work€ofÐ $  Ðthe€same€by€himself.€As€the€mediating€office€of€Messiah€fell€into€three€differentÐ tð Ðoffices,€into€the€prophetic,€the€high€priestly€and€the€kingly€offices,€so€also€the€officeÐ Ä@ Ðof€the€church€falls€into€the€various,€the€manifold€gifts€of€the€Spirit€demanded€by€theÐ    Ðoffice.€Fully€carrying€out€the€office€of€the€church€demands,€among€other€things,€notÐ d à  Ðonly€that€those€holding€the€office€feed€the€flock€of€Christ€in€every€respect€and€fightÐ ´ 0  Ðfor€them€but,€above€all,€that€they€also€care€enough€for€them€that€after€they€areÐ €  Ðgone,€there€will€always€be€new€true€shepherds€and€warriors€prepared€to€take€up,Ð TÐ  Ðto€employ€and€to€wield€the€shepherdððs€staff€that€will€fall€from€their€hands€and€theÐ ¤  Ðsword€that€is€torn€from€their€hands€by€death.ÐôpÐ Ð  Ðà8  àà  àIt€is€certainly€true€that€not€only€the€first€shepherds€and€warriors€of€Christ€backÐ DÀ Ðthen€had€been€prepared€and€equipped€by€him€alone,€through€the€extraordinaryÐ ” Ðmiraculous€gifts€of€the€Holy€Ghost,€for€their€offices€but,€even€now,€true€shepherdsÐ ä` Ðand€warriors€of€Christ€go€forth€exclusively€from€out€of€his€school€and€that€of€theÐ 4° ÐHoly€Ghost.€Only€it€has€pleased€Christ€to€now€extend€what€equips€people€for€theÐ „  Ðconduct€of€their€office,€which€he€at€the€time€of€the€foundation€of€his€church€gaveÐ ÔP" Ðquickly€and€suddenly€in€extraordinary€ways,€to,€thereafter€and,€even€now,€do€thisÐ $ $ Ðby€the€ordering€of€diligent€study,€with€fervent€prayer,€and€under€the€direction€of€aÐ tð& Ðfaithful€teacher.ÐÄ@(Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà  àThe€pure€knowledge€and€the€untainted€wisdom€which€filled€and€enlightenedÐ * Ðthe€souls€of€the€apostles€like€a€lightening€flash€on€the€first€Pentecost;€the€aptnessÐ d à, Ðof€the€Spirit€to€present€the€truth€and€to€defeat€the€heresies€they€would€engage,Ð ´!0. Ðcame€to€the€apostles€in€a€moment€on€the€first€Pentecost€like€the€blooms€and€budsÐ #€0 Ðof€Aaronððs€dry€staff,€that€sprouted€over€night;€finally,€the€knowledge€of€all€theÐ T$Ð 2 Ðlanguages€in€which€they€should€preach€and€the€ability€to€speak€them€came€downÐ ¤% "4 Ðupon€them€on€the€first€Pentecost€as€quickly€and€suddenly€as€the€fire€of€Elijah:€AllÐ ô&p#6 Ðthis€must€now,€as€I€have€already€said,€be€sought€and€achieved€in€the€order€ofÐ D(À$8 Ðuntiring€diligence€under€the€guidance€of€a€faithful€teacher.Д)&:Ð Ð  ÐÐ ä*`'< Ðà8  àà  àòòò òIt€is,€therefore,€not€a€human€order,€that€there€are€men€in€the€church€whoÐ „ Ðarise€and€instruct€god„pleasing€lads€so€that€they€some€day€might€beÐ ÑM Ðcompetent€to€carry€out€the€office€that€preaches€reconciliation.€Your€office€isÐ š Ða€holy,€divine€office,€a€branch€(òòÔ_ÔZweigÔ_Ôóó)€of€the€office€that€Christ€instituted€andÐ kç Ðinitiated€with€the€superabundant€keys€of€the€heavenly€kingdom.ó óóó€Yet,€not€onlyÐ ¸4 Ðthe€gifts€that€are€necessary€for€the€task€to€ground€boys€more€deeply€in€theÐ  „  Ðknowledge€of€the€divine€truths€but€also€the€gifts€that€are€necessary€to€instruct€boysÐ X Ô  Ðin€general€and€to€teach€them€the€various€dead€and€living€languages€of€the€peoples;Ð ¨ $  Ðthese€gifts€are€also€gifts€of€the€Holy€Ghost€which€the€Savior,€now€ascended€intoÐ ø t  Ðheaven,€pours€down€upon€his€church€for€the€establishment€and€preservation€of€theÐ HÄ  Ðholy€office.€As€it€is€written:€ð ðHe€has€ascended€to€the€highest€ð!ð€ð!ð€and€has€given€giftsÐ ˜  Ðto€men€ð!ð€ð!ð€and€he€has€placed€some€as€apostles€but€some€as€prophets,€some€asÐ èd Ðevangelists,€some€as€shepherds€and€teachers;€that€the€saints€be€carried€into€theÐ 8´ Ðexecution€of€good€works€of€office€by€which€the€body€of€Christ€is€built€up.ððÐ ˆ Ð(Ephesians€4.€8,€11,€12.)€ð ðThere€are€manifold€gifts€but€it€is€one€Spirit.€There€areÐ ØT Ðmanifold€offices€but€one€LORD.€In€each€one€of€them€the€gifts€of€the€Spirit€areÐ (¤ Ðemployed€for€the€use€of€all.€One€is€given€to€preach€of€wisdom€by€the€Spirit;€ð!ðÐ xô  Ðanother€diverse€tongues;€to€another€the€interpretation€of€tongues.ðð€(1€Cor.€12.Ð ÈD" Ð4,5,10.)Д$Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà  àòòò òSo€then€let€us€keep€in€mind,€most€esteemed€co„workers€in€our€presentÐ hä& Ðinstitution€of€higher€learning,€and€find€confidence€in€this.€Our€office€is€alsoÐ µ1( ÐGodððs€office.€We€also€stand€here€and€work€here€in€Godððs€place.€We€are€alsoÐ ~* Ðinstruments€of€the€Holy€Spirit.€The€first€teacher€of€languages€in€the€ChristianÐ O Ë, Ðchurch€was€God,€the€Holy€Ghost.€But€if€he€who€searches€all€things,€even€theÐ œ!. Ðdeeper€things€of€the€Godhead,€was€not€ashamed€to€bear€this€office,€then€howÐ é"e0 Ðcould€we€ourselves€be€ashamed€to€do€so?ó óóó€Much€rather,€may€we€say€with€JESUSÐ 6$² 2 ÐChrist:€ð ðI€thought€that€I€labored€in€vain€and€employed€my€skill€for€nothing€andÐ †%"4 Ðuselessly,€though€my€task€was€that€of€the€LORD€and€my€office€was€of€God.ððÐÖ&R#6Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àThus€the€equipping€and€Ô_ÔrosteringÔ_Ô€of€pastors€is€a€necessary€task€of€Synod,€an€ððextension,Ð v)ò%: Ðor€branch,€of€the€preaching/teaching€office€(OHM)ðð€and€the€means€that€God€is€using€to€equipÐ Æ*B'< Ðservants€of€the€Word€and€approve€them€for€this€service.€And€what€is€the€standard€for€this€processÐ ,’(> Ðof€Pentecostal€preparation?€It€is€the€doctrine€of€Christ€and€defense€of€the€same€over€and€againstÐ f-â)@ Ðerror,€and,€prominent€in€both€the€writings€of€Luther€and€Ô_ÔWaltherÔ_Ô,€the€preservation€of€the€deadÐ „ Ðlanguages€of€Scripture,€lest€Scripture€be€perverted€by€false€translation€into€the€modern€languagesÐ ÔP Ðlest€the€Biblical€Word€be€freighted€in€translation€with€sinful€human€thought.€The€love€and€interestÐ $  Ðof€Lutheranism,€or€the€church,€for€education,€is€the€love€of€the€languages€of€the€original€Word€ofÐ tð ÐGod;€that€the€Word€would€be€preserved€against€corruption.€This€is€not€an€option,€but€a€necessaryÐ Ä@ Ðstewardship€of€the€Gospel,€which€is€the€same€yesterday,€today€and€forever,€and€which€has€theÐ    Ðsame€application€and€use€for€every€generation,€the€salvation€of€sinners€by€grace€through€faith.Ð d à  ÐÌÓ  Óò òB.€Universality€of€Congregations€at€the€Right€Hand€of€Godó óÐ €  ÐÓÓÌà  àYet€this€recognition€of€the€Office€of€the€Keys,€or€Christððs€gracious€presence€among€hisÐ ¡  Ðpeople€in€all€times€and€places€is€not€just€a€recognition€between€the€points€of€Godððs€delivery€of€hisÐ ñm Ðgrace,€but€it€is€a€fellowship,€that€is,€since€the€same€Christ€is€acknowledged€as€multiplying€hisÐ A½ ÐChristians€and€his€mystical€body€at€those€places,€there€is€a€congruence,€an€equivalence,€an€actualÐ ‘  Ðunity.€The€same€Christ€is€being€partaken€of,€or€shared,€in€all€those€places€and€all€those€times€(andÐ á] Ðhe€is€even,€if€we€think€about€it,€being€shared€no€less€with€those€who€are€gathered€in€heaven).€ThisÐ 1­ Ðunity€and€fellowship€is€in€the€object€of€the€faith€of€all€the€faithful,€Christ.€He€is€their€forgiveness,Ð ý  Ðholiness,€sanctification,€resurrection€and€life.€Though€separated€by€time€and€space,€they€areÐ ÑM" Ðunited€in€the€sure€promises€of€Christ,€their€LORD.Ð !$ Ðà  àSince€this€is€not€an€idea€or€a€principle,€but€a€fact€as€sure€as€is€the€truth€of€Godððs€Word€andÐ qí& Ðthe€gracious€presence€of€Christ,€this€fellowship€between€local€congregations€is€not€incrementalÐ Á=( Ðor€partial€(it€is€not€analog,€that€is,€on€a€sliding€scale€going€from€sure€to€dubious),€but€is€either€yes,Ð * Ðor€no.€It€is€either€altogether€sure€or€doubtful,€and€any€degree€of€doubt€is€not€sure.€Faith€thatÐ a Ý, Ðaccounts€Godððs€Word€as€true,€and€man€as€a€liar€in€spiritual€matters,€thus,€trusts€Godððs€Word€aloneÐ ±!-. Ðas€God„sure.Ð #}0 Ðà  àThat€has€real€and€concrete€ramifications€for€the€relationship€of€one€(independent)Ð Q$Í 2 Ðcongregation€towards€another.Ð ¡%"4 ÐÌÓ  Óò ò1.€The€Gracious€Redundancy€of€Christ€at€Godððs€Right€Hand.€ó óÐ A(½$8 ÐÌÓ¸&Óà  àThe€catholicity€of€the€church,€that€is,€the€universality€of€the€Christian€church,€its€unity€inÐ Þ*Z'< Ðfaith€and€in€Christ€and€in€worship,€stems€from€the€fact€that€there€is€one€Lord,€Jesus€Christ,€whoÐ .,ª(> Ðsits€at€the€right€hand€of€God,€not€as€a€location€in€isolation€from€the€world€and€his€Christians,€butÐ ~-ú)@ Ðas€the€one€who,€as€he€says€in€the€Great€Commission,€has€all€authority,€and€is€all€present€accordingÐ „ Ðto€both€his€humanity€and€his€divinity,€by€nature€of€his€divinity€and€the€personal€union.Ð ÔP Ðà  àThus€all€gather€around€the€same€Lord€and€the€same€office.€This€recognition€of€the€oneÐ $  ÐLord€leads€to€one€worship€of€the€Lord,€since€all€are€in€the€same€relation€to€the€Lord€as€the€others,Ð tð Ðthat€is,€sinners€gathered€around€a€gracious€and€grace„bestowing€Lord.Ð Ä@ Ðà  àThis€has€concrete€ramifications€in€this€fellowship.€Since€all€are€gathered€in€various€timesÐ    Ðand€places,€there€is€Christian€freedom,€for€Christians€are€being€freed€from€their€sins€that€wouldÐ d à  Ðenslave€them,€but€there€is€also€the€right€use€of€freedom.€It€is€never€autonomous€freedom,€butÐ ´ 0  Ðfreedom€bound€within€Christ€and€his€Words,€his€mandates.€The€bride€that€frees€herself€from€herÐ €  Ðbridegroom€is€the€bride€who€proves€herself€a€whore.€A€bride€who€does€not€submit€to€her€husbandÐ TÐ  Ðis€the€bride€who€wants€a€two„headed€creature,€a€freak,€even€according€to€nature.Ð ¤  Ðà  àThis€freedom,€found€at€the€right€hand€of€God€in€Christ,€where€rests€all€power€and€authority,Ð ôp Ðis€always€threatened€and€the€devil€has€his€own€agencies€within€and€outside€of€the€church€thatÐ DÀ Ðwould€either€lull€the€Christian€and€the€church€into€pleasant€sounding€error,€or€threaten€the€churchÐ ” Ðwith€consequences€to€enslave,€once€more,€the€little€flock€of€Christ.€As€Ô_ÔWaltherÔ_Ô€looked€back€at€theÐ ä` Ðfounding€of€Synod,€some€20€years€later,€he€described€the€battle€being€waged€by€the€right€hand€ofÐ 4° ÐGod,€a€battle€in€which€both€Christian€freedom€in€the€Word€and€the€proper€use€of€that€freedomÐ „  Ðwould€bring€opposition€from€every€side€to€their€orthodox€church.€Yet€that€opposition€merelyÐ ÔP" Ðaffirmed€the€Word€that€led€them€and€even€served€as€a€blessed€curb€on€every€side€to€keep€themÐ $ $ Ðfrom€straying€from€the€Word€and€misusing€their€freedom.€Hear€what€Walter€says€in€his€SermonÐ tð& Ðat€the€Synodical€Convention€of€1866׃×Ý ƒ%ÃÝòòÚ  Ú13Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð Ä@( ÐÌà8  àà  àNow,€as€twenty€years€ago€sixteen€preachers€in€the€city€of€Fort€Wayne,€in€theÐ d à, Ðstate€of€Indiana,€gathered€with€the€goal€of€drafting€a€Constitution€for€the€Synod€ofÐ ´!0. ÐMissouri,€Ohio€and€other€states,€which€was€newly€formed€at€that€time,€theseÐ #€0 Ðpreachers€carried€out€their€work€in€the€conviction€they€had€accepted,€by€GodððsÐ T$Ð 2 Ðgrace,€that€the€evangelical€Lutheran€Church€of€the€unaltered€Augsburg€ConfessionÐ ¤% "4 Ðwas€the€true€visible€church€of€God€upon€earth€and€that,€therefore,€the€doctrine€laidÐ ô&p#6 Ðout€in€the€public€confessions€of€the€same€were€pure,€as€silver€refined€in€a€crucible,Ð D(À$8 Ðproven€sevenfold.€They€were€convinced€that€Luther€was€not€merely€a€witness€ofÐ ”)&: Ðthis€or€that€important€truth,€but€was€the€angel€promised€in€Godððs€Word€with€theÐ ä*`'< Ðeternal€Gospel,€who€must€fly€through€the€midst€of€heaven,€the€Reformer€of€theÐ „ Ðchurch€elected,€awakened€and€called€by€God€himself,€and€that€òòò òthe€Reformation,Ð ÔP Ðcarried€out€by€his€service€to€victory,€was€a€real€Reformation,€a€true€revival€ofÐ $  Ðthe€original€apostolic€church,€not€inventing€anything€new,€but€in€every€aspectÐ qí Ðin€doctrine€and€practice€(òòPraxisóó)€returning€the€church€of€the€ReformationÐ ¾: Ðback€to€its€original€form.€Having€come€to€a€clear€knowledge€of€the€pureÐ  ‡  ÐScriptural€doctrine€and,€thus,€to€an€unshakeable€foundation€of€faith€throughÐ X Ô  Ðthe€public€confessional€writings€of€the€evangelical€Lutheran€Church,€as€alsoÐ ¥ !  Ðthrough€the€private€writings€of€Luther€and€his€faithful€co„workers€and€theirÐ ò n  Ðpredecessors,€they€allowed€neither€the€alleged€new€discoveries€of€theÐ ?»  Ðscholars€in€the€institutions€for€learning€in€the€old€homeland€nor€the€opposingÐ Œ  Ðinstitutions€of€our€new€fatherland€keep€them€from€laying€vigorous€handsÐ ÙU Ðupon€the€work,€so€that€here€a€church€would€be€built,€as€long€before,€nearlyÐ &¢ Ðthree€hundred€and€fifty€years€ago,€through€the€work€of€the€Lutheran€churchÐ sï ÐReformation,€it€had€arisen€out€of€the€dust€of€a€thousand€years.€As€weak€andÐ À< Ðunfit€as€they€felt€themselves€to€be€for€such€a€great€and€difficult€task,€it€wasÐ  ‰ Ðjust€by€this€awareness,€in€not€seeking€to€follow€their€own€wisdom€andÐ ZÖ  Ðcleverness€nor€their€own€glory,€but€in€starting€by€following€in€the€footsteps€ofÐ §#" Ðthe€servants€of€God€whom€God€himself€had€made€victorious€and€seekingÐ ôp$ ÐGodððs€glory€and€the€salvation€of€souls€alone,€that€they€were€made€strong€andÐ A½& Ðcheerful.ó óóóÐŽ (Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà  àAs€now€our€synod€stepped€forward€into€life,€not€only€confessing€withoutÐ ÛW* Ðreservation€the€collected€symbols€of€the€ancient€evangelical€Lutheran€ChurchÐ + §, Ðpublicly€before€friend€and€foe,€and€beginning€her€work€joyfully€with€the€motto€onÐ {!÷. Ðher€banner:€ð ðGodððs€Word€and€Lutherððs€doctrine€will€never€pass€away,ðð€but€alsoÐ Ë"G0 Ðtruly€beginning€to€employ€those€symbols€and€her€motto€in€doctrine€and€defense,Ð $— 2 Ðin€Constitution€and€practice,€loud€and€pointed€opposition€arouse€immediately€fromÐ k%ç!4 Ðboth€sides€and€in€a€wide€variety€of€ways.л&7#6Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà  àAs€we€declared€the€church€where€the€doctrine€of€the€unaltered€AugsburgÐ  (‡$8 ÐConfession€is€really€the€norm€of€practice,€to€be€the€true€visible€church€of€God€onÐ [)×%: Ðearth€and€all€other€ecclesiastical€fellowships€to€be€false€Churches€and€sects,€weÐ «*''< Ðwere€charged€with€entertaining€a€papistic€view€of€the€church.€As€we€confessed€theÐ û+w(> Ðconviction€that€the€evangelical€Lutheran€Church€Confessions€were€pure€andÐ K-Ç)@ Ðwithout€any€error€in€the€faith€and€that€every€servant€of€the€church,€so€long€as€heÐ „ Ðdesires€to€be€one,€has€a€holy€obligation€to€teach€according€to€them,€so€we€wereÐ ÔP Ðcharged€with€placing€human€writings€next€to,€yes,€even€above,€Godððs€Word€andÐ $  Ðwith€introducing€an€unsufferable€burden€on€consciences.€As€we€confessed€LutherÐ tð Ðas€Godððs€chosen€instrument€for€a€true€Reformation€of€the€church,€and€bore€witnessÐ Ä@ Ðthat,€above€all,€following€Godððs€Word,€out€of€his€writings,€pure€doctrine€was€toÐ    Ðcreate€our€church,€to€give€counsel€for€the€right€understanding€of€her€confessions,Ð d à  Ðwe€were€charged€with€trying€to€deify€Luther€and€ascribing€to€him€a€papisticÐ ´ 0  Ðinfallibility.€But€as€we€also,€loudly€and€officially,€protested€against€those€erringÐ €  ÐLutherans€who€declare€that€the€visible€evangelical€Lutheran€Church€is€the€one€holyÐ TÐ  ÐChristian€church,€apart€from€which€is€no€salvation€and€blessing,€and,€as€we,Ð ¤  Ðtherefore,€also€admitted€quite€frankly€that€the€church€of€believers€and€those€beingÐ ôp Ðsaved€is€also€outside€of€the€visible€evangelical€Lutheran€Church,€even€deeplyÐ DÀ Ðhidden€in€the€midst€of€the€sects,€even€under€the€rule€of€the€Roman€Anti„Christ,€so,Ð ” Ðfrom€the€other€side,€we€were€charged€with€being€unionists€at€heart.€Yet€as€we,€atÐ ä` Ðthe€same€time,€not€only€battled€against€every€error€in€faith€that€strove€against€GodððsÐ 4° ÐWord,€as€something€that€endangers€the€soul,€and€also€said€we€wanted€nothing€toÐ „  Ðdo€with€any€blending€of€religions€(òòÔ_ÔReligionsmengereiÔ_Ôóó),€and€drew€back€from€everyÐ ÔP" Ðoutward€churchly€union€that€lacked€inner€unity€of€faith€and€of€confession€and€fromÐ $ $ Ðall€mission€societies€made€up€of€various€different€believers€for€the€common€workÐ tð& Ðof€the€extension€of€the€kingdom€of€God,€so€we€were€charged,€by€still€others,€withÐ Ä@( Ðpharisaical€intolerance,€being€contentious€and€judgmental,€being€narrowmindedÐ * Ðand€lacking€in€love€and€zeal€for€the€work€of€the€LORD.€As€we,€along€with€LutherÐ d à, Ðand€the€church€of€the€Reformation,€granted€the€preaching€office€no€other€and€noÐ ´!0. Ðfurther€authority€than€that€of€the€Word€of€God,€and€granted€to€believing€ChristiansÐ #€0 Ðthe€full€dignity€of€the€spiritual€priesthood,€so€we€were€charged€with€surrenderingÐ T$Ð 2 Ðand€subjecting€the€authority€of€the€divine€preaching€office€to€the€whims€of€the€wildÐ ¤% "4 Ðmobs€and€subjecting€the€holy€Christian€faith€to€the€decisions€of€the€majority€voice.Ð ô&p#6 Ðòòò òBut€as€we,€at€the€same€time,€were€mindful€to€lay€the€foundation€for€anÐ D(À$8 Ðevangelical€church€order€and€discipline,€and€prohibited€the€temporary€hiringÐ ‘) &: Ðof€preachers€and€insisted€on€them€being€regularly€called,€and€retained€theÐ Þ*Z'< Ðinstitution€of€announcing€for€confession€(òòÔ_ÔBeichtanmeldungÔ_Ôóó),€to€exercise€theÐ +,§(> Ðuse€of€the€binding€Keys€against€the€stubbornly€unrepentant,€and€the€like,€soÐ x-ô)@ Ðwe€were€charged€from€the€other€side€as€papistic€power€mongers,€hierarchical,Ð „ Ðand€tyrannical.€As€we,€with€Luther€and€the€ancient€Lutheran€church,€wouldÐ ÑM Ðnot€allow€our€conscience€to€be€bound€to€any€human€church€order,€in€our€newÐ š Ðsituation€in€this€place,€freely€choosing€an€appropriate€ordination€andÐ kç Ðaltogether€standing€upon€our€freedom€in€those€matters€neither€commandedÐ ¸4 Ðnor€forbidden€by€God,€in€all€so„called€Ô_ÔadiaphoraÔ_Ô€(òòÔ_ÔMitteldingenÔ_Ôóó),€so€the€oneÐ    Ðcrowd€charged€us€with€being€against€all€discipline€and€order,€being€a€ððbubbleÐ R Î  Ðof€libertyðð€and€lovers€of€innovation.€But€as€we,€at€the€same€time,€retained€triedÐ Ÿ   Ðand€true,€ancient,€edifying€customs€and€ceremonies,€which€inform€our€faithÐ ì h  Ðagainst€heresies,€and€would€not€allow€that€to€be€called€a€sin,€so€the€secondÐ 9µ  Ðgroup€charged€us€as€being€on€the€road€to€Rome.€€As€we€asserted€the€primalÐ †  Ðequality€and€independence€of€each€church€and€congregation€andÐ ÓO Ðacknowledged€no€superior€authority€of€one€church€over€another€and€noÐ  œ Ðsynod€over€any€individual€congregation,€so€we€were€charged€as€beingÐ mé Ðschismatic€lovers€of€independence.€But€as€we€even€structured€the€synod€withÐ º6 Ðorderly€oversight€and€offices€of€visitation,€so€we€were€charged€with€bringing€Ð ƒ Ðhierarchical€tendencies€against€the€freedoms€of€the€congregations€bearingÐ TÐ  Ðour€seal.€As€we,€along€with€Luther€and€the€Church€of€the€Reformation,€madeÐ ¡" Ðthe€doctrine€of€justification€through€faith€alone€without€any€works€of€the€lawÐ îj$ Ðto€be€the€constant€fulcrum€of€our€doctrine,€as€we€wanted€nothing€to€do€withÐ ;·& Ðthe€so„called€ððnew€measuresðð€from€the€movements€of€the€so„called€religiousÐ ˆ( Ðrevivals€and€awakenings,€nor€of€any€other€means€of€grace,€but€the€Word€ofÐ ÕQ* ÐGod€and€the€holy€Sacraments,€and€always€went€back€to€purity€of€doctrine€asÐ " ž, Ðthe€chief€issue,€so€we€were€charged€with€being€enemies€of€a€livingÐ o!ë. ÐChristianity,€Ô_ÔlegalistsÔ_Ô,€trusting€in€a€so„called€ððdead€orthodoxyðð€and€deadÐ ¼"80 ÐÔ_ÔformalistsÔ_Ô.€But,€at€the€same€time,€as€we€preached€that€true€faith€only€residesÐ  $… 2 Ðin€a€repentant€heart,€a€heart€that€is€purified,€renewed€and€born€again,€so€weÐ V%Ò!4 Ðwere€charged€with€demanding€a€pietistic,€legalistic€Christianityó óóó.€As€weÐ £&#6 Ðcondemned€the€new€Gospel€of€this€recent€age€of€the€inbred€inalienable€rights€ofÐ ó'o$8 Ðman,€of€the€universal€freedom€and€equality€of€citizens,€as€a€war€against€GodððsÐ C)¿%: Ðorder€among€fallen€men,€so€we€were€charged€with€approving€tyranny€andÐ “*'< Ðinjustice.€And,€finally,€as€we€wanted€nothing€to€do€with€a€so„called€continuation,Ð ã+_(> Ðor€much€rather,€a€supposed€improvement,€or€Reformation,€of€the€doctrine€of€ourÐ 3-¯)@ Ðchurch,€as€now€the€scholars€within,€that€is,€within€our€former€fatherland,€strove€toÐ „ Ðbring€about€by€mingling€it€with€philosophy€and,€as€we€ourselves€confessed€that€weÐ ÔP Ðwere€not€setting€out,€in€either€doctrine€or€practice,€to€seek€and€to€introduceÐ $  Ðanything€new,€but€rather€to€retain€what€we€had,€so€we€were€charged€withÐ tð Ðpridefully€maintaining€the€status€quo€and€opponents€of€theological€learning€andÐ Ä@ Ðprogress;€that€we€lack€the€Spirit€and€his€creative€power;€that€our€theology€is€onlyÐ    Ðdead€mechanical€instruction€and€a€rote€recitation€of€what€our€forefathers€haveÐ d à  Ðsaid.д 0 Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà  àSo€a€quick,€certain€failure€or,€at€best,€a€tremulous€existence,€without€blessingÐ €  Ðor€influence,€was€forecast€for€our€synod.€Our€synod€was€seen€as€a€tree€thatÐ TÐ  Ðcertainly€may€have€been€green,€bloomed,€and€bore€fruit€back€in€the€sixteenthÐ ¤  Ðcentury€but€which,€now€planted€in€this€different€kind€of€soil€in€the€nineteenthÐ ôp Ðcentury,€must,€by€necessity,€quickly€whither.€Nothing€could€have€been€expectedÐ DÀ Ðfrom€her€but€the€same€mischief,€disturbance€of€the€peace,€as€in€the€past,€theÐ ” Ðtroubling€of€consciences,€bickering,€strife€and€division.Ðä`Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà  àBut,€as€vociferously€as€we€were€pressured€from€every€side€to€force€us€out€ofÐ 4° Ðthe€position€we€had€come€to,€yet€we€didnððt€allow€anything€to€make€us€waver,€but€Ð „  Ðwith€the€model€of€the€Reformation€of€the€church€constantly€in€our€eyes,€weÐ ÔP" Ðconfidently€moved€forward€upon€the€path€that€we€started€walking,€not€lettingÐ $ $ Ðattacks€from€the€left€or€the€right€make€us€stray.Ðtð&Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà  àAnd€what€has€happened?€Has€this€prediction€of€our€critics€been€fulfilled?€No.Ð Ä@( Ð.€.Ð*Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àSo€Ô_ÔWaltherÔ_Ô€acknowledges€Christ€and€his€Word€as€the€unifying€agent€and€the€agent€ofÐ ´!0. Ðsuccess€for€the€Ô_ÔLCMSÔ_Ô€in€its€first€20€years€and€lays€out€the€course€of€his€church€through€her€Ð #€0 Ðopposition€to€the€left€and€to€the€right.€Freedom€was€in€Christ€and€his€Word,€and€never€outside€ofÐ T$Ð 2 Ðit,€and€the€Gospel€alone€was€the€means€Christ€used€to€create€and€maintain€his€church.€This€quoteÐ ¤% "4 Ðis€worthy€to€be€studied€in€detail,€especially€in€connection€with€church€practice€and€the€use€ofÐ ô&p#6 Ðtradition,€not€as€law,€but€as€confession€and€teaching.€The€understanding€of€grace,€freedom€andÐ D(À$8 Ðpractice€which€Ô_ÔWaltherÔ_Ô€and€Luther€received€from€the€Scriptures€would€diagnostically€help€us€allÐ ”)&: Ðas€church,€and€as€Christians,€to€repent€of€our€own€prejudices€against€Godððs€Word,€our€ownÐ ä*`'< Ðdesires€to€deny€due€freedom,€and€our€own€desires€to€misuse€freedom€to€indulge€the€flesh,€cavingÐ 4,°(> Ðin€to€peopleððs€dissatisfaction€with€the€Gospel€to€the€detriment€of€the€church.Ð „-*@ Ðà  àTo€sum€up,€this€understanding€would€place€us€properly€at€the€right€hand€of€Christ€andÐ „ Ðunder€his€authority,€the€only€authority€and€the€source€of€all€rightful€authority€in€the€church.€ThisÐ ÔP Ðbrought€uniformity€to€thought€and€approach€which€united€Lutheran€congregations€in€bothÐ $  Ðdoctrine€and€practice€and€the€expression€of€their€thoughts€and€prayers,€even€in€public€worship.Ð tð ÐÌÓ  Óò ò2.€Redundancy€of€Worship€Fellowshipó óÐ    ÐÌÓbkÓà  àIt€is€in€relation€to€the€fellowship,€the€common€gathering€around€Christ,€in€every€localÐ ± -  Ðcongregation€in€order€to€receive€the€one€Lord€in€the€one€faith€by€those€who€are€in€one€Baptism,Ð }  Ðthat€worship€is€the€believerððs€heaven€upon€earth,€since€there€Christ€has€promised€all€of€his€bodyÐ QÍ  Ðto€be€present€to€sustain€and€feed€them,€with€his€banquet€of€grace,€with€the€living€waters€of€hisÐ ¡  ÐWord.€It€is€this€unity€that€is€observed€when€worship€practices€are€in€common€and€in€commonÐ ñm Ðorder,€where€the€ððold€Gospelðð,€given€by€Christ€in€the€Word€and€the€Sacraments€are€distributed,Ð A½ Ðwhich€fill€those€hungering€and€thirsting€after€righteousness€with€Christ,€who€is€our€righteousness.Ð ‘  Ðà  àHere€the€mark€of€faith€is€satisfaction€with€the€ððall€thingsðð€that€Christ€has€given.€Here€is€notÐ á] Ðan€arena€for€competing€tastes€and€preferences€which€pull€the€discussion€of€worship€away€fromÐ 1­ ÐChrist€and€his€divine€mandates.€Here€expressions€of€disappointment€where€the€Gospel€is€beingÐ ý  Ðpreached€and€distributed€in€the€Sacraments,€if,€indeed€the€Gospel€has€actually€been€preached€andÐ ÑM" Ðthe€Sacraments€distributed€according€to€their€institution,€is€the€sign€of€an€unbeliever,€one€notÐ !$ Ðsatisfied€by€the€Gospel,€that€is,€a€person€who€is€not€converted€to€love€things€eternal,€but€whoseÐ qí& Ðmind€is€carnal€and€whose€appetites€are€for€the€world.Ð Á=( Ðà  àThus€it€is€the€Lord€who€sets€the€agenda€for€his€worship€with€the€whole€counsel€of€his€WordÐ * Ðand€with€the€mandates€capsulized€in€Lutherððs€Small€Catechism.€Those€expressions€of€worship€andÐ a Ý, Ðresponse€that€allow€children€of€God€to€speak€Godððs€(Biblical)€Language€and€show€appropriateÐ ±!-. Ðtruth€regarding€self€as€sinner€and€receiver€of€grace,€and€Christ€as€the€one€present€who€is€givingÐ #}0 Ðgrace,€is€appropriate.€That€which€expresses€the€weight€of€our€sins,€which€he€graciously€bore,€andÐ Q$Í 2 Ðthe€joy€and€thanksgiving€for€that€deliverance€is€true€and€right.€That€which€boasts€of€sinners€insteadÐ ¡%"4 Ðof€boasting€of€Christ€is€offensive€both€to€Christ€and€to€his€believers.Ð ñ&m#6 Ðà  àThe€church€at€worship€is€not€a€place€to€make€the€devil,€the€world,€or,€especially,€our€sinfulÐ A(½$8 Ðflesh€in€any€way€comfortable,€but€crucified;€but€where€sinners,€tormented€by€the€fact€of€their€fleshÐ ‘) &: Ðand€lingering€sin,€find€rest€in€Godððs€grace.€Worship,€as€good€preaching,€is€a€place€where€thoseÐ á*]'< Ðcomfortable€with€their€sins€must€be€afflicted,€and€where€those€afflicted€by€their€sins€find€comfort.Ð 1,­(> ÐIt€is,€therefore,€a€place€where€both€Godððs€Law€and€his€Gospel€find€their€spiritual€use;€the€Law€toÐ -ý)@ Ðconvict€and€put€to€death,€the€Gospel€to€bring€the€dead€back€to€life.Ð „ Ðà  àWorship€is€not€a€place€where€Jesusðð€Name€is€used€to€entertain€(It€must€not€be€used€in€thatÐ ÔP Ðway€in€any€setting).€Whenever€that€is€done€it€is€a€sin€against€the€Second€Commandment,€a€misuseÐ $  Ðof€Jesusðð€Name.€Why?€Because€Scripture€itself€tells€us€what€his€Name€is€for€ð ðThere€is€no€otherÐ tð ÐName€under€heaven€given€among€men€by€which€we€must€be€(not€entertained€but)€saved.ðð€(ActsÐ Ä@ Ð4.12).Ð    ÐÓ  Óò ò3.€Redundancy€of€Congregationððs€Fraternal€care.ó óÐ d à  ÐÓàyÓÌà  àThe€independent€status€and€location€of€congregations,€with€their€full€possession€of€ChristÐ }  Ðand€his€authority€of€the€Keys,€also€has€ramifications€for€people€who€move€from€one€city,€orÐ QÍ  Ðlocation,€to€another.€As€they€leave€Christ€and€their€fellowship€with€him€behind,€they€do€not€loseÐ ¡  Ðtheir€home€nor€his€fellowship.€They€pray€to€God€and€they€make€it€a€high€priority€to,€if€possible,Ð ñm Ðinvestigate€before€they€leave€whether€they€have€a€church€home,€a€fellowship€that€can€receiveÐ A½ Ðthem€at€their€destination.Ð ‘  Ðà  àIn€that€situation,€he,€as€a€believer€and€a€member€of€the€church,€is€also€taking€his€spiritualÐ á] Ðpriesthood€with€him.€He€is€one€whom€St.€Paul€describes:€ð ðbut€he€that€is€spiritual€judges€all€things,Ð 1­ Ðyet€he€himself€is€judged€of€no€man,ðð€(1€Corinthians€2:15)€but€why?€Not€because€he€is€all€knowing,Ð ý  Ðbut€because,€as€Paul€goes€on€to€say,€ð ðWe€have€the€mind€of€Christ,ðð€that€is,€the€instruction€of€ChristÐ ÑM" Ðin€the€holy€Bible.€The€spiritual€man€judges€the€church€he€encounters€by€the€Word€of€God,€theÐ !$ ÐWord€which€will€someday€judge€him€also.Ð qí& Ðà  àSo€it€is€the€obligation€of€the€Christian€joining€a€congregation€to€find€out€whether€theÐ Á=( Ðcongregation€preaches€the€Word€of€Law€and€Gospel€and€whether€Holy€Communion€is€beingÐ * Ðdistributed€as€a€means€of€sanctification,€or€whether€it€is€being€abused€by€using€it€to€affirm€sinnersÐ a Ý, Ðin€their€sin€rather€than€using€it€to€take€their€sins€away€and€struggle€against€flesh€in€sanctification,Ð ±!-. Ðas€the€Lord€desires.€This€must€be€recognized€before€joining€because,€according€to€the€LordððsÐ #}0 Ðwarning,€already€mentioned€above,€a€congregation€can€have€a€name€that€it€is€alive€(Lutheran)Ð Q$Í 2 Ðand,€yet,€be€dead€(no€longer€authentically€Lutheran).€It€may€be€a€place€where€the€flesh€findsÐ ¡%"4 Ðrefuge€and€is€affirmed,€even€in€the€name€of€the€Gospel,€and€where€true€believers€will€not€find€theirÐ ñ&m#6 Ðrest;€where€the€lies€and€errors€that€plague€them€will€never€be€condemned€by€the€Law,€and€thus,Ð A(½$8 Ðthe€Gospel€preached€there,€if€it€is€even€preached,€will€be€robbed€of€its€use€and€its€sweetness;Ð ‘) &: Ðwhere€hunger€and€thirst€after€righteousness€well€never€be€fostered,€and€so,€the€depths€of€the€loveÐ á*]'< Ðfound€in€Christððs€cross€will€never€be€plumbed,€if€the€cross,€indeed,€is€preached€at€all.Ð 1,­(> ÐÐ -ý)@ Ðà  àSo€there€is€also,€secondarily,€a€concern€for€hospitality€that€a€congregation€must€exhibit€thatÐ „ Ðis€very€healthy.€Will€a€brother€or€sister€coming€here€from€another€sister€congregation€recognizeÐ ÔP Ðthis€one€as€Lutheran?€Will€they€feel€at€home?€Or€have€we€made€this€church€a€stranger€to€theÐ $  Ðfamily€of€God,€even€in€the€interest€of€looking€more€like€the€world?€Is€the€world,€Godððs€enemy,€hereÐ tð Ðbeing€courted?€Is€the€church€here€being€conformed€to€the€world,€when€Christððs€goal€is€theÐ Ä@ Ðopposite,€that€is,€to€take€people€out€of€the€world€and€convert€them€into€something€else?Ð    Ðà  àThe€other€concrete€ramification€of€the€redundancy€of€Christ€at€the€right€hand€of€God€is€thatÐ d à  Ðthe€status€of€a€person€in€one€congregation€must€be€equivalen