The Church and the Holy Ministry : Theses VII & VIII — June 15, 2025

Thesis VII As visible fellowships that still have the Word and the Sacraments essentially according to God’s Word bear the name “church” because of the true invisible Church of genuine believers that is found in them, so also they possess the authority that Christ has given to His whole Church on account of the true invisible Church hidden in them, even if there were only two or three [believers].

Thesis VIII Although God gathers for Himself a holy church of elect at a place where His Word is not taught in its complete purity and the Sacraments are not administered altogether according to the institution of Jesus Christ, if only God’s Word and the Sacraments are not denied entirely but both essentially remain, nevertheless every believer is bound, at the peril of losing his salvation, to flee all false teachers, avoid all heterodox congregations or sects, and confess and adhere to orthodox congregations and their orthodox preachers wherever such may be found.

A. Also in heterodox and heretical churches there are children of God, and also there the true Church is made manifest by the pure Word and the Sacraments that still remain.

B. Every believer for the sake of his salvation must flee all false teachers, and avoid fellowship with heterodox congregations or sects.

C. Every Christian for the sake of his salvation is in duty bound to acknowledge and adhere to orthodox congregations and orthodox preachers, wherever he can find such.