Universal Priesthood
May 7, 2008 by Steven W
Luther writes, “We are all consecrated priests through baptism, as St Peter says in 1 Peter 2, ‘You are a royal priesthood and a priestly realm’” (LW 44.127).
Avis explains that this entails laity the right to administer the sacraments, judge doctrinal questions, and to teach the faith. It also allows every believer the right to grant absolution to those who repent. He quotes Luther saying:
I may go to my good friend and say to him, ‘Dear friend, this is the trouble and the difficulty that I am having with sin,’ and he should be free to say to me, ‘Your sins are forgiven, go in the peace of God.’ You should absolutely believe that your sins are forgiven as though Christ himself were your father-confessor- as long as your friend does this in the name of God (WA 10. III. 395).
Paul Avis, The Church in the Theology of the Reformers pg. 101
