Giants of the Reformation (2)

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light… 1 Peter. 2.9

The Freedom of a Christian
Martin Luther (1483-1546)
“You will ask, ‘If all who are in the church are priests, how do these whom we now call priests differ from laymen?’ I answer…Holy Scripture makes no distinction between them, although it gives the name ‘ministers,’ ‘servants,’ ‘stewards’ to those who are now proudly called popes, bishops, and lords and who should according to the ministry of the Word serve others and teach them the faith of Christ and the freedom of believers. Although we are called equally priests, we cannot all publicly minister and teach.”

Jesus was sent to the world as a servant to seek the lost, to bring them the grace and truth of God, so that they might live (Phil. 2.5-11; Lk. 19.10; Jn. 10.10). As He was sent, He has sent us (Jn. 20.21). All disciples are servants and ministers, and all must therefore prepare themselves for this high, holy, and joyous calling. The work of the pastor is to replicate in those he serves the life and ministry of Christ (Eph. 4.11, 12; Col. 1.28). The pastor’s ministry of the Word is no different – only more public – than that of the people he serves. The freedom of a Christian is discovered in the life of serving others as ministers of God’s grace and truth. Luther’s articulation of the doctrine of the “priesthood of all believers” is one of the great achievements of the Reformation era. We must take care, lest we squander that achievement by not taking seriously our call, as servants of Christ and shepherds of His flock, to equip the saints for daily works of ministry in their own Personal Mission Fields.

How would you help a new believer understand what it means that he is now called to be a minister of God to others?

T. M. Moore

Mission Partners Outreach
The Lord calls all His sheep to live out their faith by being His witnesses; but being a witness for Christ doesn’t just happen. The flock of the Lord must be equipped for this calling, and Jesus has set shepherds over the flock to do that work. How can we equip the sheep to live for Christ and be His witnesses? Our Mission Partners Outreach provides the resources and framework for making witness-bearing disciples in your church. Want to learn how it works? Watch this brief video, then contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.for more information. I will take you through this discipleship training program and show you how to make it work in your church.

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.                                     

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations from Martin Luther, The Freedom of a Christianin John Dillenberger, ed., Martin Luther: Selections from His Writings(New York: Doubleday, 1962).