Priests are to teach people and lead them through truths to goodness of life. But
still they must compel no one, since no one can be compelled to believe contrary
to what he has thought from his heart to be true. A person who believes differently
from the priest and does not create disturbances must be left in peace. But a person
who creates disturbances must be separated, for this, too, is a matter of order, for
the sake of which the priesthood exists.
This reaffirms that priests in the New Church are, or are intended to be,
officials charged with maintaining order in the church, because the text says
that “a person who creates a disturbance must be separated, for this, too, is a
matter of order, for the sake of which the priesthood exists.” It also tells us that
priests are to lead to goodness of life (i.e., people living good lives) by teaching
truths in accordance with the doctrine of their church from the Word. For
“goodness can be instilled in another by anyone in the country, but truth only
by those who are ministers teaching it. If others teach it, heresies arise, and the
church becomes disturbed and is torn apart.” (Arcana Coelestia 6822)
Priests, in sum, are officials charged with maintaining order in the church,
and they are the official teachers of their church’s doctrine. This says nothing
about visiting the sick and lonely, or any other service associated with ministry
beyond the teaching of doctrinal truths. Why not? Because service and
ministry are not the peculiar province of the priesthood, but are incumbent on
everyone, ordained or not. Even providing spiritual care, beyond the official
teaching of doctrinal truths, is not the peculiar province of the priesthood.
These are all duties to which everyone is called.
All, in short, may be ministers, with or without ordination; but only
properly ordained clergy may be priests.
Summing Up
If, then, the church is a unique organization, originating from Divine revelation,
and being, therefore, a creation, not of men, but of God;
If the Heavenly Doctrines are not subject to revision, but are immutable;
If the church is a church according to its understanding of the Word
(Sacred Scriptures 51, 52) and of doctrine drawn from the Word (Ibid. 53, 77),
which, in the New Church, includes the Heavenly Doctrines;
If the church is formed in wives by the union of their affections and loves
with their husbands’ insights and judgments, or in the words of the doctrine,
by a union of her will with her husband’s understanding (Married Love 63,
125), which includes her husband’s understanding of the Word and doctrine;
If women in general are meant to be lovers of the wisdom and understanding
of men (Ibid. 32, 56:3, 75:7, 91, 159, 180, 187);
And if the church is to remain true to the Doctrines regarding the sexes in
relation to the church;
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