ARTICLES VI - VIII
ARTICLE VI. – OF NEW OBEDIENCE.
It is also taught, that such faith must bring forth good fruits and good works, and that we must do all manner of good works, because of God’s requirement and command; yet we must not put any confidence in these works, as meriting favor in the sight of God: for we receive forgiveness of sins and justification through faith in Christ, as Christ himself says, Luke 17,10: “When ye shall have done all those things, say, we are unprofitable servants.” Thus also the Fathers teach. For Ambrose says: “Thus it has been ordained of God, that whosoever believes in Christ shall be saved; not through works, but without merit through faith alone, he has forgiveness of sins.”
ARTICLE VII. – OF THE CHURCH.
It is taught likewise, that one holy Christian church shall ever continue to exist, which is the congregation of all believers, among whom the Gospel is preached in its purity, and the holy sacraments are administered according to the Gospel. For this is sufficient for the true unity of the Christian church, that the Gospel is preached therein, according to its pure intent and meaning, and that the sacraments are administered in conformity with the Word of God. And for the true unity of the Christian church it is not necessary, that uniform ceremonies instituted by men, should be every where observed. As Paul says, Ephes. 4, 4, 5: “There is one body, and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”
ARTICLE VIII. – WHAT THE CHURCH IS.
Further: although the Christian church is properly nothing else than the congregation of all believers and saints, yet, as in this life there are many hypocrites and false Christians, – open sinners remaining even among the pious, – the sacraments, nevertheless, are effectual, even if the preachers by whom they are administered, be not pious, as Christ himself says, Matt. 23, 2: “The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat,” &c.
On this account the Donatists are condemned, and all such as teach contrary to this Article.
ARTICLE VI. – OF NEW OBEDIENCE.
It is also taught, that such faith must bring forth good fruits and good works, and that we must do all manner of good works, because of God’s requirement and command; yet we must not put any confidence in these works, as meriting favor in the sight of God: for we receive forgiveness of sins and justification through faith in Christ, as Christ himself says, Luke 17,10: “When ye shall have done all those things, say, we are unprofitable servants.” Thus also the Fathers teach. For Ambrose says: “Thus it has been ordained of God, that whosoever believes in Christ shall be saved; not through works, but without merit through faith alone, he has forgiveness of sins.”
ARTICLE VII. – OF THE CHURCH.
It is taught likewise, that one holy Christian church shall ever continue to exist, which is the congregation of all believers, among whom the Gospel is preached in its purity, and the holy sacraments are administered according to the Gospel. For this is sufficient for the true unity of the Christian church, that the Gospel is preached therein, according to its pure intent and meaning, and that the sacraments are administered in conformity with the Word of God. And for the true unity of the Christian church it is not necessary, that uniform ceremonies instituted by men, should be every where observed. As Paul says, Ephes. 4, 4, 5: “There is one body, and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism.”
ARTICLE VIII. – WHAT THE CHURCH IS.
Further: although the Christian church is properly nothing else than the congregation of all believers and saints, yet, as in this life there are many hypocrites and false Christians, – open sinners remaining even among the pious, – the sacraments, nevertheless, are effectual, even if the preachers by whom they are administered, be not pious, as Christ himself says, Matt. 23, 2: “The Scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat,” &c.
On this account the Donatists are condemned, and all such as teach contrary to this Article.
transcription courtesy of concordiareader | 2:12 PM
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