Submission: Leaders must endeavor to submit to God and to our fellows according to the word of God. Dr. Martin Luther laid down from scripture various holy orders positions, admonishing them about their duties and responsibilities as follows:1
To Bishops, Pastors, and Preachers. ”’A bishop must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; one that rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; not a novice; holding fast the faithful Word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
i) Of Civil Government. ”’Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For the power which exists anywhere is ordained of God. Whosoever resists the power resists the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For he bears not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
ii) To Husbands. ”’Ye husbands, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered
iii). ”’And be not bitter against them.
iv) To Wives. ”’Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord, even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord; whose daughters you are, as long as ye do well, and
are not afraid with any amazement.
v) To Parents. ”’Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord
vi). To Children. ”’Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.
vii) To Male and Female Servants, Hired Men, and Laborers. ”’Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eye-service, as men pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service as to the Lord, and not to men; knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
viii) To Masters and Mistresses. ”’Masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening, knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with Him.
ix) To Young Persons in General. ”’Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time.
x) To Widows.
”’She that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusts in God, and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.
xi) To Everyone. ”’You shall love thy neighbor as yourself. Herein are comprehended all the commandments.
xii) And persevere in prayer for all men.
REFERENCES
1 Tim. 3: 2ff; Titus 1: 6. ii Rom. 13:1–4. iii 1 Pet. 3, 7 iv Col. 3: 9. v 1 Pet. 3: 6; Eph. 5: 22. vi Eph. 6: 4 vii Eph. 6: 1–3. viii Eph: 5ff; Col. 3: 22. ix Eph. 6:9; Col. 4: 1. x 1 Pet. 5: 5. 6. xi 1 Tim. 5: 5. 6. xii Rom. 13, 8ff xiii 1Tim 2: 1- 2.
