344. May every Christian, without a call, presume to exercise the Office of the Keys publicly?
No. While the Office of the Keys is given to the whole Church, only those who are called as pastors are given the responsibility to exercise it publicly, that is, on behalf of the Church.
"Our churches teach that no one should publicly teach in the Church, or administer the Sacraments, without a rightly ordered call" (AC XIV).
Romans 10:15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"
1 Corinthians 12:29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
Eventual commentary
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