In 1537 the representatives of the Smalcald League who met in \nFebruary did not adopt the Smalcald Articles as written by Luther. They \ndid, however, see the need for a statement on the power and position of \nthe Pope. Pope Paul III had called for a council of the church to be \nheld at Mantua later that year. This statement about the power of the \nPope was in direct answer to the call for the council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Philip Melanchthon, who also wrote the Augsburg Confession, was asked\n to author the Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope. This he \ndid, taking his clue from Luther\u2019s writings and teachings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Such a statement was to have been included in the Augsburg \nConfession, but was not presented to Emperor Charles V because of the \ncontroversial nature of the statement. As you recall from previous \narticles, the Diet at Augsburg was convened in an attempt to reconcile \nthe Roman and Evangelical viewpoints. After Augsburg, however, the \nsituation changed as both sides realized they could not come to an \nagreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lutherans rejected the Pope as the spiritual and temporal leader \nof the church. They argued from Scripture and from history that the \nBishop of Rome was not, and never was, and would never be Christ\u2019s vicar\n on earth. All ministers are equally called by God to proclaim the \nGospel and administer the sacraments. Only by human order are there \nranks of clergy. Bishops are overseers of other pastors, not because of \nScripture, but for the sake of human convenience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More controversial for today\u2019s church is the second half of the \nTreatise. We certainly do not wish to offend nor do we wish to have \nuncalled for controversy. Yet we also remain faithful to the Scriptures \nand to the Confessions. This is an important consideration, for this \nchurch body and this congregation subscribe without reservation to the \nconfessions contained in the Book of Concord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Philip Melanchthon wrote concerning II Thessalonians 2:3-4, and other\n verses, and compared the Papal office to the Antichrist as written by \nPaul. He said the office has usurped the power of Christ, changed the \ndoctrine of justification by grace to a doctrine of justification by \nworks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally the Treatise speaks of the necessity for the true church to elect and ordain ministers. This right belongs to the church, and not to any individual. \u201cWherefore it is necessary for the church to retain the right of calling, electing, and ordaining ministers.\u201d So has the Lutheran church done from the beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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