8. The power (potestas) of the ministry.
Since the Ministry is the office of teaching the Word of God, but the word of man is forbidden in the Christian Church, obedience is due to the Ministry as to God Himself, in so far as it proclaims the Word of God. This includes scriptural words such as these: Heb. 13:17: "Obey your teachers and follow them" (πείϑεσϑε τοΐς ήγονμένοις νμών και νπείχετε), Luke 10:16: "He who hears you hears me; and he who despises you despises me." To be obedient to teachers beyond God's Word is not commanded to Christians, but harshly forbidden.1636) That indifferent things are not ordered by the pastor or the pastors, but by the whole congregation of each place by mutual agreement (per mutuum consensum), has already been explained.1637) Against the calling of the Romans to Hebr. 13:17, Luke 10:16 etc. the Apology (289, 18-21 [Trigl 449, XXVIII, 18 ff. 🔗]) says: "So it is also certain that this word of the Lord Christ: 'He who hears you hears me,' does not speak of the traditions, but is strictly contrary to them. For the apostles do not receive a mandatum cum libera, that is, a completely free, unmeasured command and power, but have a measured command, namely, not to preach their own word, but God's word and the gospel. … Therefore this word of traditions cannot be understood. For Christ wills that they should teach in this way, so that Christ himself may be heard through their mouths. So they do not have to preach their own word, but his word, his voice and gospel, Christ is to be heard. This comforting word, which most strongly confirms our doctrine and contains much needed teaching and consolation for Christian
1635) Fortgesetzte Sammlung etc., 1724, p. 476. In Walther, Pastorale, p. 325. on the rejection of this doctrine on the part of American Lutherans, cf. the quotations in Große, Unterscheidungslehren, p. 5 f.
1636) Matt. 23:8; Rom. 16:17.
1637) Under the section "Ecclesia repraesentativa," p. 492.
525 > The Public Ministry. [English ed. ~ 460]
consciences, is what the rude asses point to their foolish statutes, their food, drink, clothing and such childish works. They also put on this passage. Heb. 13: Obey them that have the rule over you,' etc. This passage requires obedience to the gospel, for it does not give the bishops their own dominion or lordship apart from the gospel; neither should the bishops make traditions contrary to the gospel, nor interpret their traditions contrary to the gospel. For if they do, the gospel forbids us to be obedient to them, as Paul says to the Galatians: 'If any man preach any other gospel unto you, let him be accursed!'"