Luther’s Works, Volume 40 (Biblia.com)

Luther’s Works, Volume 40 is unavailable, but you can change that!

This volume in Luther’s Works contains writings of Luther directed for the most part against the fanatical front on the left. In denying the reality of the church, the validity and need of the office of the ministry, the fanatics relegate the sacraments to a secondary position, thus bypassing the Word as God’s means of communication to men.

name of minister of the Word of God, a Word that lives and remains forever, powerful and able to do all things. There is something ridiculous about this conferring of orders. For the episcopal dignity is not a sacrament nor has it a “character.” Yet it gives a priestly dignity and power supposedly above all others. Though the episcopal authority ranks as the highest since it grants the ordination and “character” of a priest, it is at the same time inferior since it is not itself an order or in possession

Volume 40, Page 24

Buy this book at Logos.com