1. Is it allowable to seek the office of the holy ministry?

Nothing should hinder us from seeking this holy office, that is, from offering our services to the church. For “if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” But one is not permitted to run himself, which happens when a person intrudes and forces a call by means of diverse acts, cunning, and briberies. Of such the Lord himself complains by the prophet, “I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran; I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.” Jeremiah 23:21.

2. For what purpose was the office of the ministry instituted?

In order that we might obtain faith, the ministry of teaching the Gospel and administering the sacraments was instituted. For by the word and sacraments, as through means, the Holy Ghost is given, who works faith in those who hear the Gospel, wherever and whenever it seems good to God. (Augsburg Confession, Art. v.)

3. Cannot the Holy Ghost be imparted to man without the word?

No; the church long since condemned this error in the Anabaptists, who believed that the Holy Ghost is given to men without the external word of the Gospel by means of their preparations and works. (Augsburg Confession, Art. v.)

4. How manifold is the word administered by the office of the ministry?

The whole of Scripture must be divided into two principal parts,—the Law and the Gospel. The Gospel presents the promises of grace concerning the forgiveness of sin, justification and life everlasting, for the sake of Christ, apprehended by faith. The law, on the other hand, comprehends especially the ten commandments, and demands from us works and perfection.

“The entire Holy Scripture, both of the Old and New Testaments, is divided into these two parts, and teaches those two parts, namely, the law and the divine promises. For in some places the word of God holds out the law to us, in others it offers grace through the glorious promises concerning Christ; as, for example, when, in the Old Testament, the Scriptures promise the Christ, who is to come, and offer eternal blessing, benediction, everlasting salvation, justification and eternal life through him; or, in the New Testament, when Christ, since his coming on earth, promises forgiveness of sins, justification, and everlasting life.” (Apology, Art. ii.)

5. By whom was the office of the ministry instituted?

Certainly not by men, but by God himself, according to the testimony of Christ, John 20:21: “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”

Matt. 28:19, 20. Christ himself sends his disciples, and says, Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.

Matt. 16:15. Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.

6. Dare we avail ourselves of the office of the ministry when it is filled by evil and wicked ministers?

If by evil ministers, you mean those whose walk indeed is impure, and whose life is stained with vice and infamy, but whose doctrine is pure and correct, then I certainly believe that one may avail himself of their service, and that their office is efficient; and on that account I reject the error of the Donatists, who denied that one might avail himself of the office of wicked ministers in the church, and held the office of such to be useless and inefficient.

“In like manner, although the Christian church in reality is nothing else than the assembly of all believers and saints, nevertheless, since there are in this life many false Christians and hypocrites, and because even open sinners remain among the pious, the sacraments, notwithstanding, are effectual, although the priests by whom they are administered are not pious, as Christ himself informs us, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat, etc.’ Matt. 23:2. Therefore the Donatists, and all others who hold a different opinion, are condemned.” (Augsburg Confession, Art. viii.)

7. How are ministers who teach false doctrine to be regarded?

We must flee from their ministry.

Matt. 7:15. Beware of false prophets.

John 10:5. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him.

Gal. 1:9. If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

8. Who is to preach the Gospel and administer the sacraments?

No one shall publicly teach or preach in the church, or administer the sacraments, without a regular call. (Augsburg Confession, Art. xiv.)

9. How manifold is the call to the office of the ministry?

Twofold. One an immediate or direct call, as was the call of the prophets and apostles, which was given by God himself without the employment of any means, and which ceased with the prophets and apostles; the other, a mediate call, such as is now given by the church, which consists of the higher powers or government, the ministers of the church, and the remaining hearers, commonly called the people or laity.

10. Is the call to the ministry then a prerogative of the whole church?

Yes; according to the practice of the Apostles. For when a successor to Judas, the traitor, was to be chosen, this was done, not by the Apostles alone, but by the entire congregation of believers. Acts 1:21. The seven deacons were likewise elected by the people, and set before the Apostles for their confirmation. Acts 6:5.

11. What therefore is a minister of the church?

He is a person regularly called by the church, by divine injunction, who is to teach the word of God in its purity, and administer the sacraments according to the institution of Christ.