Henry VIII, the Reign |
The Augsburg Confession
25 June 1530
The Augsburg Confession, is the primary confession of faith of the Lutheran Church and one of the most important documents of the Lutheran Reformation.
The Augsburg Confession was written in both German and Latin and was presented by a number of German rulers and free-cities at the Diet of Augsburg on 25 June 1530. The Holy Roman Emperor Charles V had called on the Princes and Free Territories in Germany to explain their religious convictions in an attempt to restore religious and political unity in the Holy Roman Empire and rally support against the Turkish invasion. It is the fourth document contained in the Lutheran Book of Concord. |
The Principle Articles of Faith and Corrected Abuses
Article Title
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Description
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1.God
2.Original Sin
3.The Son of God
4.Justification By Faith
5.The Office of Preaching
6.Of The New Obedience
7.Of The Church
8.What The Church Is
9.Of Baptism
10.Of the Lord's Supper
11.Of Confession
I2.Of Repentance
13.Of the Use of the Sacraments
14 Of Ecclesiastical Order
15.Of Ecclesiastical Usages
16.Of Civil Affairs
17.Of Christ's Return to Judgement
18.Of Free Will
19.Of the Cause of Sin
20.Of Good Works
21.Of the Worship of the Saints
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Lutherans believe in the Triune God and reject other interpretations regarding the nature of God.
Lutherans believe that the nature of man is sinful, described as being without fear of God, without trust of God and with concupiscence. Sin is redeemed through Baptism and the Holy Spirit.
Lutherans believe in the incarnation, that is, the union of the fully human with the fully divine in the person of Jesus. Jesus Christ alone brings about the reconciliation of humanity with God.
Man cannot be justified before God through our own abilities; we are wholly reliant on Jesus Christ for reconciliation with God.
Lutherans believe that to ensure that the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed throughout the world, Christ has established His office of the holy ministry.
Lutherans believe that good deeds of Christians are the fruits of faith and salvation, not a price paid for them.
Lutherans believe that there is one holy Christian church, and it is found wherever the gospel is preached in its truth and purity and the sacraments are administered according to the gospel
Despite what hypocrisy may exist in the church (and among men), the Word and the Sacraments are always valid because they are instituted by Christ, no matter what the sins may be of the one who administers them.
Lutherans believe that Baptism is necessary, and that through Baptism is offered the grace of God. Children are baptized as an offering to them of God's grace
Lutherans believe that Christ's body and blood is truly present in, with, and under the bread and wine of the sacrament and reject those that teach otherwise.
Lutherans believe that private absolution should remain in the church, though a believer does not need to enumerate all of his sins as it is impossible for a man to enumerate all of the sins for which he should be forgiven.
Repentance comes in two parts: in contrition for sins committed according to the Law and through faith offered through the Gospel. A believer can never be free from sin, nor live outside of the grace of God.
Of the Use of the Sacraments.The Sacraments (Baptism and the Eucharist) are physical manifestations of God's Word and His commitment to us. The Sacraments are never just physical elements, but have God's word and promises bound to them.
Lutherans allow only those who are 'rightly called' to publicly preach or administer the Sacraments
Lutherans believe that church holidays, calendars and festivals are useful for religious observance, but that observance and ritual is not necessary for salvation. Human traditions,such as observances, fasts, distinctions in eating meats, that are taught as a way to merit grace work in opposition to the Gospel.
Secular governments and vocations are considered to be part of God's natural orders; Christians are free to serve in government and the military and to engage in the business and vocations of the world. Laws are to be followed unless they are commandments to sin.
Lutherans believe that Christ will return to raise the dead and judge the world; the godly will be given everlasting joy, and the ungodly will be tormented without end. This article rejects notions of a millennial kingdom before the resurrection of the dead.
Lutherans believe that we have free will in the realm of civil righteousness or things subject to reason but that we do not have free will in spiritual righteousness. In other words, we are free to choose and act in every regard except for the choice of salvation. Faith is not the work of men, but of the Holy Spirit.
Lutherans believe that sin is caused not by God but by "the will of the wicked", turning away from God.
The Lutheran notion of justification by faith does not somehow condemn good works; faith causes them to do good works as a sign of our justification (or salvation), not a requirement for salvation.
Lutherans keep the saints, not as saviours or intercessors to God, but rather as examples and inspirations to our own faith and life.
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22.Of Both Kinds In The Sacrament (Eucharist)
23.Of the Marriage of Priests
24.Of the Mass
25.Of Confession
26.Of the Distinction of Meats
27.Of Monastic Vows
28.Of Ecclesiastical Powe
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It is proper to offer communicants the consecrated bread and wine, not just the bread.
Lutherans permit their clergy to enter the institution of marriage, for the reasons that the early Church bishops were married, that God blesses marriage as an order of creation, and because marriage and procreation is the natural outlet for human sexual desire.
Lutherans retain the practice of the Mass, but only as a public gathering for the purposes of community worship and the receiving of the Eucharist. Lutherans reject the practice of using the Mass as a work for both salvation and worldly gain.
Lutherans uphold the need for confession and absolution, but reject the notion that Confession should induce guilt or anxiety to the Christian. Absolution is offered for all sin, not just sins that can be recounted in a confession, as it is impossible for a man to know all of his transgressions.
Human traditions that hold fasting and special observances with dietary restrictions as a means of gaining the favour of God are contrary to the gospel. While fasting and other practices are useful spiritual practices, they do not justify man nor offer salvation.
Man cannot achieve purity in community or isolation from the rest of the world, and perfection cannot be attained by any vow taken or actions of man alone.
The only power given to priests or bishops is the power offered through Scripture to preach, teach and administer the sacraments. The powers given to the clergy in issues of government or the military are granted and respected only through civil means; they are not civil rulers of governments and the military by divine right.
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