Luther's Words: Christ Sole Head in the Church

I am a Doctor of Holy Scripture, more learned than the pope, and I am preacher here at Wittenberg.  But if I were to speak sacrilege and say: I am the head of the church at Wittenberg, the devil take such presumption.  In my home I have the right to be the head of my wife, children, and servants.  But over the church or the communion of God Christ alone is to be Head, and no creature whatsoever.  A bishop, pastor, or preacher should not be called the head of the church but a minister and steward, as St. Paul says: "Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God".  St. Peter calls himself a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ and says: The elders should feed the flock of Christ and not lord it over the people.   

WLS #2916