I regularly read ancient confessions to help me think theologically. The goal is to add theological depth to my preaching in order to feed the flock well as we read Scripture together each Sunday.
I am also near completion of my first full-length e-book, Preacher As Soul-Watcher, which contains a section on Hebrews 13:17 and the preacher’s authority.
The Second Helvetic Confession (“Helvetic” is Latin for “Swiss” and this confession grew out of the context of Swiss-German Reformed Protestantism in the mid-sixteenth century) contains chapter 18:
“Of the Ministers of the Church, Their Institution and Duties.”
After the section on our Lord’s absolute power is,
“The Power of the Office and of the Minister” (p. 93, The Book of Confessions). It reads…
“Then there is another power of an office or of ministry limited by him who has full and absolute power. And this is more like a service than a dominion….In virtue of this power the minister, because of his office, does that which the Lord has commanded him to do; and the Lord confirms what he does, and wills that what his servant has done will be so regarded and acknowledged, as if he himself had done it” (p. 93)
When we preach God’s Word with accuracy, we’re doing what the Lord commanded us to do. According to the confession, the Lord confirms what we do and wants our listeners to regard our preaching as if He Himself had preached.
I don’t know from Sunday to Sunday who will think of my preaching like this, but I do know that this thought encourages me as I prepare for another Sunday.
I hope you are encouraged too by the thought of our derived pulpit power bringing glory to God in the church and in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:21).
Randal
This post reminded me of one of my favorite passages of Scripture that has to do with stewarding gifting. The Apostle Peter instructs for gifts to be used in the service of others, and that the one who speaks to speak, “as one who speaks oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:10-11, ESV). It amazes me what authority and responsibility God has entrusted to those who proclaim His Word.
That passage is one of my favorites too and it helps me focus on preaching with accuracy so that the sermon does speak for God.
It seems that many preachers may preach out of obligation, either because of duties as a pastor or other assignment, but the notion of preaching as if the Lord Jesus himself is preaching is the best way to approach preaching a sermon. This goes deeper than being a vessel or a mouthpiece. This translates our state to a spiritual place when the Lord is preaching his message through us. In this sense we are saying what the Lord wants as opposed to what we may think. I want to thank you Dr. Pelton for helping to view preaching in a more substantial light.
You’re very welcome. Our privilege is to represent our Lord faithfully!
I feel like some of us think we know better than God, it is amazing how intelligent some people are and yet their ways are not God’s ways nor their thoughts His thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). I feel like some of us have decided that the Word of God is not “It” anymore and we know what God wants and desires better than He do. The Apostle Paul says that the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (2 Timothy 4:3-4). it is sad to watch people who say they know the true and living God and yet will not obey His Word.
I totally agree. The power of the pastoral office/ministry does seem to kind of out of step in these last and evil days. Pastors/ministries everywhere use the power that has been given them to exploit people that God has blessed them to oversee and the gifts they have unfairly in order have the upper hand; get an advantage; and sad to say but even for self-gain. In doing so, they forget that the church is not theirs, but belongs to Christ.
God help us to maintain integrity that matches the office!