The doctrine of the lesser magistrates was first formalized in the Magdeburg Confession by Lutheran pastors in Magdeburg, Germany. Emperor Charles V wanted to crush the Protestant Reformation. He therefore instituted his draconian Augsburg Interim. All of the cities and towns obeyed except one — the city of Magdeburg.
The pastors of Magdeburg issued their Magdeburg Confession on April 13, 1550 wherein they showed from Scripture and history that when the higher civil authority makes unjust or immoral law, the lower ranking civil magistrates have a duty to oppose the higher authority. The magistrates of Magdeburg rallied and defied the Emperor and his Interim.
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Download a PDF transcript of the video: Magdeburg and the Lesser Magistrates
