Position vs Salvation

Christ did not use them as examples of entering heaven but said they were shutting up heaven.

Luther never used faith only to say these Presbyters were saved, only that the institutions themselves would save others even if applied by evil men. Matthew 23:2 would only be on point for religious service but not matters of entering the Kingdom.

Thus Luther and Catholics used the verse off point.

My issue, Luther taught absolution should be granted to those who repent, how were eveil men granted absolution without repentance? If they knew these men were still evil and hadn't repented how was absolution granted? Perhaps it was a reference to evil men continueing secretely.

Luther believed evil men were lost, thus he did not believe such evil men were under God's grace simply based upon faith. Of course, what Luther meant by evil men were those who refused repentance before or after absolution, for he accepted the sinner if he repented. and believed in Church absolution.

Of Repentance they teach that for those who have fallen after Baptism there is remission of sins whenever they are converted and that the Church ought to impart absolution to those thus returning to repentance. Now, repentance consists properly of these two parts: One is contrition, that is, terrors smiting the conscience through the knowledge of sin; the other is faith, which is born of the Gospel, or of absolution, and believes that for Christ's sake, sins are forgiven, comforts the conscience, and delivers it from terrors. Then good works are bound to follow, which are the fruits of repentance.

Thus, Luther taught that faith was born of the Gospel and later in absolution. Thus, forgiveness preceeded faith and repentance in these cases. It was in essence the grace bestowed by the church apart from even faith when absolution was exercised. Thus repetance came after forgiveness and not before in these cases.

When Luther brought up the early church Fathers, it was normally to say the sacraments were still valid, and that payment was unnecessary. He never said faith without penance was enough and believed faith followed repentance and absolution. His idea of faith was faith in absolution it seems.

Luther taught repentance and not faith alone could save these priests, but held the sacraments were valid through such men based upon the practitioners faith in the sacrament, such as the parent in infant baptism or the adult in priestly absolution.

Luther wasn't faith only but required repentance for salvation. Repentance having two parts,

contrition from fear

faith in the church's power in absolution

Thus the overall effect was the sinners changed life, resulting in good fruit.

I believe Luther was somewhat reaching for answers that the scriptures never gave him, he was trying to develop a theology that saw saw absolution for those without repentance The same can be said of Catholics, they used absolution toward the non-repentant.

I don't believe the prayer of the unrighteous is actually being considered in the verses used by Catholics to support evil priests. Sitting in Moses seat didn't guarantee your prayers were heard.

Jas 5:16

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

James never said the prayer of evil men were effectual.