The Smalcald Articles – part 14
Scripture Text: Romans 1:20
Luther begins with the beginning: that God is that One God, the Only God, who has created everything. This beginning includes the great mystery of the Christian faith...
The Smalcald Articles – part 13
Scripture Text: Hebrews 9:28
Oh! the dawn of that glorious Day! When Jesus returns, what need will there be of Councils? Every knee will bow before him and his word will be enough for all.
The Smalcald Articles – part 12
Scripture Text: John 14:15, 21
We busy ourselves with a kind of mundane yet exuberant piety, the machinations of religion, so that we might deceive ourselves (and others, I suppose) into thinking we are holy and righteous.
The Smalcald Articles – part 11
Scripture Text: Matthew 23:24–25
All those things that Luther denounced were outward displays. They ought to be fixed, but dealing with those outer matters neglects the more important things, the inner matters that end up improving the outer.
The Smalcald Articles – part 10
Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:22-23
The more things change, the more they stay the same. The old adage rings as true today as it seems it did in Luther’s day.
The Smalcald Articles – part 9
Scripture Text: Matthew 9:35–38
It was after Jesus saw the desolate villages, the “sheep without a shepherd,” that he called the twelve disciples. God equips his Church with a variety of vocations...
The Smalcald Articles – part 8
Scripture Text: Luke 13:3
The Spirit of God often uses new situations to change our perspective, to bring us to repentance. We are all sinners, so we are all in need of daily and constant repentance.
The Smalcald Articles – part 7
Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:11–16
God uses his Word and Sacraments to grow our faith, and increase and unify the Church. Nevertheless, his Word and Sacraments are distributed by the work of his Spirit through people.
The Smalcald Articles – part 6
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 5:3–5
Luther is still speaking primarily of the fanatics, the schwärmerei, those who used Luther’s words to their own ends. They twisted his teachings, bringing division to the church instead of reform.
The Smalcald Articles – part 4
Scripture Text: Galatians 2:4–5
Luther taught that we are only able to know God as God makes himself known to us: through his Word and through the Sacraments. There was no room special revelation...
The Smalcald Articles – part 3
Scripture Text: Isaiah 1:18
There is only one thing worse than not being permitted to meet with those who disagree with you. Meeting with them, only to hear them speak in a manner that is unreasonable, is even worse.
The Smalcald Articles – part 2
Scripture Text: 1 Peter 3:14–15
When you are brought before a group you should not have anxiety about what you should testify, since the Spirit will teach you in the moment the words that need to be spoken.
The Smalcald Articles – part 1
Scripture Text: 2 Timothy 2:24–26
Up to this point in the Lutheran Confessions, we have largely had the writings of Philip Melancthon, professor of Greek at the University of Wittenberg, and friend of and collaborator with Martin Luther in the Protestant Reformation.
Concerning Ecclesiastical Power – part 16
Scripture Text: Psalm 119:105
We cannot reason our way to God. Nor can traditions light the way to divine truth. Human institutions are unable to direct us to God.
Concerning Ecclesiastical Power – part 14
Scripture Text: Acts 5:29–31
The old saying, “Do as I say but not as I do,” is applicable to pharisaical instruction. Jesus is teaching that we ought to observe right teaching of the Scripture, though not necessarily imitate the actions of those teaching.
Concerning Ecclesiastical Power – part 13
Scripture Text: Galatians 1:8–9
Christians are called to lives of submission. We are to honor our parents, deferring to their authority. We are to obey earthly authorities, as well as church leadership.
Concerning Ecclesiastical Power – part 12
Scripture Text: Luke 10:16
The Lutheran reformers wanted to proclaim a clear word of Scripture. Human traditions that promised God’s favor were summarily dismissed in favor of God’s gracious favor being freely given through faith, for Christ’s sake.
Concerning Ecclesiastical Power – part 11
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 13:12–14
It is amusing to consider the things that each Christian group focuses on, as though they were God’s perpetual commandments.
Concerning Ecclesiastical Power – part 10
Scripture Text: James 1:25
What right does anyone have to insist that we do certain things in order to be forgiven? Christ has set us free; so we are truly free (John 8:36).
Concerning Ecclesiastical Power – part 9
Scripture Text: Acts 6:1–4
Let the power of bishops—indeed, the power of the whole Church—reside in the Word alone, sola Scriptura. If the Spirit cannot make his case through the Word alone, is a bishop able to make new laws that are effective where God is not?
Concerning Ecclesiastical Power – part 8
Scripture Text: 1 John 2:24–27
What is it that you heard from the beginning other than that you are saved by believing on Jesus Christ? That you must or must not do certain things in order to be forgiven and saved came later when people tried to foist their religious brand upon you.
Concerning Ecclesiastical Power – part 7
Scripture Text: Colossians 2:20–23
Eternal life begins during this earthly life. It starts within us by faith. First, we are forgiven and made righteous before God through faith in his Son.
Concerning Ecclesiastical Power – part 6
Scripture Text: Acts 15:6–11
The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. Nothing needs to be added to the Gospel in order to make it effective for the forgiveness of sins, justification, or eternal life.
Concerning Ecclesiastical Power – part 5
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 8:8
What should shine forth from the Church above all other things? Buildings? Traditions? Fund raisers? The pastor? Denominational programs? The youth group? Style of worship?
Concerning Ecclesiastical Power – part 4
Scripture Text: Galatians 1:6–9
No pastor, bishop, priest, or pope has the right to determine rules for apprehending eternal life when those rules have no authority from the Gospel.
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