[SoothingDave]

Of course the Sacraments (however many of them there are) are important. But in the Lutheran tradition, the clergy is called by the holy spirit directly, not by a bishop (an office which doesn't exist in my denomination).

There's a difference between calling and actually being ordained or empowered to confer the sacraments. Jesus called all of the Apostles, but He also breathed the Spirit into them personally. Paul laid hands on Titus when he left him in charge of a local church.

SD

[Mr. Lucky]

Fair enough. In the Lutheran tradition, the clergy is empowered to administer the Sacraments directly by the power of the holy Spirit and not through a belief in the authority of a magisterium.