Why does the Church hold that Holy Orders are a sacrament?

[truthseeker32]

A friend of mine, who is a Lutheran pastor, and I were discussing apostolic succession today and he stated that Lutherans don’t believe in the sacrament of holy orders. He explained that his own position as pastor isn’t seen as sacramental, but more as a sort of a hierarchical division of labor, per se. This led me to wonder: Why does the Church hold that clergy hold a sacramental role and not just an occupational role?

 

[Gabriel_Serafin]

A Sacrament is a visible sign instituted by Christ to give us grace. The Priesthood has always been a Sacrament in the Church. It wasn’t until Martin Luther, the Father of Protestantism, who in the 16th century decide to teach his own doctrines and remove 7 books from the Bible along with discarding the Priesthood, the Real Presence in the Eucharist, on top of claiming that the pope was the antichrist. Those who put their faith in the teachings of Luther are not following the teachings of the Church in these matters. Thus Lutheranism is founded on the teachings of Luther, who was an ex-Catholic priest.

But in the Old Testament there were three levels of the Priesthood: The High Priest, The Ministerial Priesthood, and the Common Priesthood of the people. Likewise, in the New Testament, Christ is now the High Priest, the Clergy are the Ministerial Priesthood (who feed and tend the sheep), and we the laity and religious are the Common Priesthood, where we offer up our works, joys and sufferings in union with the sacrifice of Christ. The Ministerial Priesthood (deacons, priests, bishops, and popes) are charged with administering the sacraments. A valid priesthood is necessary to confect a valid Eucharist. After all, not anyone can turn ordinary bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ in the Eucharist. For this we need a validly ordained priest. Christ instituted this Sacrament at the Last Supper.

 

[truthseeker32]

I thought Luther did believe in the real presence.

How do we know that the earliest apostles had holy sacramental orders and not just an a non-sacramental assignment?

 

[Gabriel_Serafin]

I thought Luther did believe in the real presence.

Luther and Lutherans in general today believe in what they understand as a “Real Presence.” However since they lack valid holy orders they are unable to actually confect the Eucharist (turning ordinary bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. Much like if you took bread and wine and prayed over it and then claimed that it has been transubstantiated into Christ Himself.

How do we know that the earliest apostles had holy sacramental orders and not just an a non-sacramental assignment?

The Early Church Fathers also speak of it. But it is rooted in both Scripture and Sacred Tradition. Here’s a link which you will find helpful

 

[pablope]

A friend of mine, who is a Lutheran pastor, and I were discussing apostolic succession today and he stated that Lutherans don’t believe in the sacrament of holy orders. He explained that his own position as pastor isn’t seen as sacramental, but more as a sort of a hierarchical division of labor, per se. This led me to wonder: Why does the Church hold that clergy hold a sacramental role and not just an occupational role?

This link may help…in the OT, there was a priesthood…and since the NT is a fulfillment of the OT…there is also a priesthood for us…ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/PRIEST3.HTM

 

[thistle]

I thought Luther did believe in the real presence.

How do we know that the earliest apostles had holy sacramental orders and not just an a non-sacramental assignment?

As taught by the Catholic Church Luther believed in the Real Presence (transubstantiation) but Lutherans today believe in the Real Presence (Consubstantiation - which is a heresy).