I. The Church

Article Seven of the Augsburg Confession - The Church

It is also taught among us that one holy Christian church will be and remain forever. This is the assembly of all believers among who the Gospel is preached in its purity and the holy sacraments are administered according to the Gospel. For it is sufficient for the true unity of the Christian church that the Gospel be preached in conformity with a pure understanding of it and that the sacraments be administered in accordance with the divine Word. It is not necessary for the true unity of the Christian church that ceremonies, instituted by men, should be observed uniformly in all places. It is as Paul says in Eph. 4:4, 5, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism."

And Again:

Apology to the Augsburg Confession, Art. XIV.4 (Ecclesiastical Order)

We know that the church is present among those who rightly teach the Word of God and rightly administer the sacraments.

The Lutheran Confessions consistently define the "Church" as believers gathered around Word and Sacrament.

Church includes both preachers and hearers.

II. Authority in the Church

The Sole Authority in the Church is the Word of God

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

2 Peter 1:16-21

16) For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17) For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased"-- 18) and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19) So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20) But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, 21) for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

John 12:47-48

"If anyone hears My sayings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. "He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

The Lutheran Confession Uphold This Truth.

Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Art. X.21

In the Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope, which constitutes an appendix to the Smalcald Articles and which all the theologians assembled in Smalcald subscribed with their own hands, we find the following statement: "No one should assume lordship or authority over the church, nor burden the church with traditions, nor let anybody's authority count for more than the Word of God."

III. Office of the Holy Ministry

God Established the Office of the Ministry as the Instrument by which His Word is applied to His people.

John 20:19-23

19) So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said^ to them, "Peace be with you." 20) And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21) So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send 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, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained."

Luke 10:16

"The one who listens to you listens to Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me; and he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me."

Matthew 28:16-20

16) But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17) When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18) And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19) "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20) teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Matthew 16:16-19

16) Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17) And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 ) "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19) "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."

Ephesians 4:11-12

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;

1 Timothy 3:1-7

1) It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 2) An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3) not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. 4) He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5) (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?), 6) and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 7) And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

1 Peter 5:1-4

1) Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2) shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3) nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. 4) And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

The Lutheran Confession Uphold This Truth.

Augsburg Confession Article V - The Office of the Ministry

To obtain such faith God instituted the office of the ministry, that is, provided the Gospel and the sacraments. Through these, as through means, he gives the Holy Spirit, who works faith, when and where he pleases, in those who hear the Gospel. And the Gospel teaches that we have a gracious God, not by our own merits but by the merit of Christ, when we believe this. Condemned are the Anabaptists and others who teach that the Holy Spirit comes to us through our own preparations, thoughts, and works without the external word of the Gospel.

IV. Women in the Church

A) Voters Assembly

1 Corinthians 14:40

But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.

Neither Scripture nor Lutheran Confessions make statements concerning voters assemblies. The Confessions do speak concerning "Church Usages, Called Adiaphora or Indifferent Things" Formula of Concord, Epitome X.

The basic principle expounded is where Scripture is silent we have Christian freedom to institute ceremonies and customs which are helpful for the purpose of the Gospel. But our freedom must not become for us a Law by which to bind the conscience.

Voter's Assemblies are therefore neither commanded nor forbidden in Scripture or the Confessions.

B) 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 & 1 Timothy 2:9

1 Corinthians 14:34-35

34) The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. 35) If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.

1 Timothy 2:9-12

9) Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, 10) but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. 11) A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12) But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.

The Key Question is, "What is the context to which Paul is speaking?"

Answer! In both sections of Scripture Paul is giving instructions to the Church concerning what takes place in the context of the regular gathering of Christians for Worship.

(1 Corinthians 11:2 - 14:40; Paul's instructions to Corinth for Worship services)

(1 Timothy 2:1-15; Paul's instructions to Timothy concerning Worship.)

( 1 Timothy 3:1-16; Paul's instructions to Timothy giving qualifications for pastors & deacons)

The context is that of the Worship Services of the Church. Within the realm of Worship a woman is not to teach or have authority over a man!

Question? Who is to Teach the Church? ---- Ephesians 4:11

What is the Authority? The Word of God and it comes through the Office of the Ministry.

Concern: There are those who make this a male/female issue. It should not be viewed as such. In the same way that a woman cannot exercise authority in the Church, neither can a man!

It is true a woman cannot be a pastor. Scripture forbids this. The Office is to be a reflection of Jesus Christ. Jesus was a Man and thus only a man can fill the Office.

But note: Not all men and exercise authority in the Church. Only those who have been called by God and ordained into the Office of the Holy Ministry.

The Lutheran Confession Uphold This Truth.

The Augsburg Confession XIV Order in the Church

It is taught among us that nobody should publicly teach or preach or administer the sacraments in the church without a regular call.

Conclusion: Any action within the Church which is not directly related to the Office of the Ministry and the responsibilities entrusted to the Office may be performed by any lay person, male or female.