Clergy and Laity

CLERGY AND LAITY

Luther did not believe that there was any difference between the Clergy and the

Layperson, except in official duties. In his eyes he believed that all Christians were the

same in regards to possessing what is essential to the Church and differed only in respect

to the work that God has given them to do. Although it is true that both the Layperson

and the Clergy are the same in regard to possessing what is essential to the Church, they

do not possess what is essential to the Church in the same way. The Clergy possess what

is essential to the Church as the visible leaders. The Layperson do not possess the quality

that is essential to the Church, they rather possess the essential quality of being the people

of God. Luther believes that both the Clergy and Layperson are both sinners saved by

Grace. Luther kept working at reducing the Clergy and Layperson to equal authority.

For Luther, the Christian congregation , not the Clergy had the right to exercise Church

authority. The Clergy do not judge the people, the people judge the Clergy. In support of

this he cited several passages: (John 10:4-5;8) 4 “When he has brought out all his own,

he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice”. 5

“But they will never follow