September 20

And they gave forth their lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles." Acts 1:26.

Our Cathechism speaks of the called ministers of Christ. The congregations are to choose special ministers of the Word. The apostles were called and sent directly by Christ. Paul says of himself: "Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead." But although the apostles were called directly by Christ, they afterwards had the appointments to this office made through election by the congregation. When a successor to Judas was to be chosen, they had the congregation nominate two candidates. Paul and Barnabas were set apart to preach in the heathen towns of Asia by the church of Antioch. When the apostles needed assistants in their work at Jerusalem, they had the congregation select the proper men. We read that the apostles ordained elders, or pastors, in every church whom the congregations had chosen by raising their hands, as indicated by the word used in the Greek text.

According to God's holy will every local congregation is to call and install its own pastor, its special minister of the Word. Later, under Popery, the congregations were deprived of their right to choose their own pastor. The bishops arrogated this right to themselves. According to the Word of God, however, the congregation has the power of the Word and therefore the right and duty

to call such as are to exercise this power publicly, in other words, to appoint its own ministers. And when the ministers are rightly chosen, called, and installed, they are not servants of men, but "ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." For as God sent Christ and Christ sent the Church and the Church sends its ministers, the called ministers are in reality sent and called by God. As Paul writes, Eph. 4: "He gave some pastors and teachers." And Peter exhorts: "Feed the flock of God which is among you."

Prayer.

Thanks be to Thee, O God, that we are no longer a shepherdless flock. Thou hast done wondrous things in Zion. Lead our hearts that we may love and honor the man who has come into our midst to labor for our souls' salvation. It is a hard, difficult task that has been placed upon his shoulders, and therefore we ought to do everything in our power to lighten his labors, to make his life pleasant among us; we shall give him that honor which, according to Thy Word, is justly due to one who is to watch for our souls. Amen.

What I have done and taught do thou To do and teach endeavor; So shall My kingdom flourish now And God be praised forever. Take heed lest men with base alloy The heavenly treasure should destroy; This counsel I bequeath thee.