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Augsburg Confession | paragraph 2
Christ’s sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor, and that their sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, who, by His death, has made satisfaction for our sins.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 3
They therefore condemn those who teach that the Sacraments justify by the outward act, and who do not teach that, in the use of the Sacraments, faith which believes that sins are forgiven, is required.
Open source textAugsburg Confession
Article XIV: Of Ecclesiastical Order. Of Ecclesiastical Order they teach that no one should publicly teach in the Church or administer the Sacraments unless he be regularly called.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 34
Now, forasmuch as the Mass is such a giving of the Sacrament, we hold one communion every holy-day, and, if any desire the Sacrament, also on other days, when it is given to such as ask for it.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 13
to administer the Sacraments. Let it not break into the office of another; let it not transfer the kingdoms of this world; let it not abrogate the laws of civil rulers; let it not abolish lawful obedience; let it not interfere with judgments concerning civil ordinances or contracts; let it not prescribe laws to civil rulers concerning the...
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 1
Of Civil Affairs they teach that lawful civil ordinances are good works of God, and that
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 2
it is right for Christians to bear civil office, to sit as judges, to judge matters by the Imperial and other existing laws, to award just punishments, to engage in just wars, to serve as soldiers, to make legal contracts, to hold property, to make oath when required by the magistrates, to marry a wife, to be given in marriage.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 13
...at not only were marriages forbidden for the future, but also existing marriages were torn asunder, contrary to all laws, divine and human, contrary even to the Canons themselves, made not only by the Popes, but by most celebrated Synods. [Moreover, many God-fearing and intelligent people in high station are known frequently to have expre...
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 23
takes away the sins of the living and the dead by the outward act. Then they began to dispute whether one Mass said for many were worth as much as special Masses for individuals, and this brought forth that infinite multitude of Masses. [With this work men wished to obtain from God all that they needed, and in the mean time faith in Chris...
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 11
For civil government deals with other things than does the Gospel. The civil rulers defend not minds, but bodies and bodily things against manifest injuries, and restrain men with the sword and bodily punishments in order to preserve civil justice and peace.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 1
Of Confession they teach that Private Absolution ought to be retained in the churches, although in confession
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 9
First, that our works cannot reconcile God or merit forgiveness of sins, grace, and justification, but that we obtain this only by faith when we believe that we are received into favor for Christ’s sake, who alone has been set forth the Mediator and Propitiation, 1 Tim. 2:5, in order that the Father may be reconciled through Him.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 23
...but signifies a faith which believes, not merely the history, but also the effect of the history— namely, this article: the forgiveness of sins, to wit, that we have grace, righteousness, and forgiveness of sins through Christ.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 13
When, therefore our priests were admonished concerning this sin, Private Masses were discontinued among us, as scarcely any Private Masses were celebrated except for lucre’s sake.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 29
Now if the Mass take away the sins of the living and the dead by the outward act justification comes of the work of Masses, and not of faith, which Scripture does not allow.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 37
to the Communion and keeping back others. And it appears from the ancient Canons that some one celebrated the Mass from whom all the other presbyters and deacons received the body of he Lord; for thus
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 38
the words of the Nicene Canon say: Let the deacons, according to their order, receive the Holy Communion after the presbyters, from the bishop or from a presbyter.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 4
...uires faith to believe such absolution as a voice sounding from heaven, and that such faith in Christ truly obtains and receives the forgiveness of sins. Aforetime satisfactions were immoderately extolled;
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 8
This power is exercised only by teaching or preaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments, according to their calling either to many or to individuals. For thereby are granted, not bodily, but eternal things, as eternal righteousness, the Holy Ghost, eternal life.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 21
ecclesiastical jurisdiction. Again, according to the Gospel or, as they say, by divine right, there belongs to the bishops as bishops, that is, to those to whom has been committed the ministry of the Word and the Sacraments, no jurisdiction except to forgive sins, to judge doctrine, to reject doctrines contrary to the Gospel, and to exclu...
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 4
They condemn also those who do not place evangelical perfection in the fear of God and in faith, but in forsaking civil offices, for
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 8
[In this connection they are also instructed regarding other and false teachings on the Sacrament.] This worship pleases God; such use of the Sacrament nourishes true devotion
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 21
There was also added the opinion which infinitely increased Private Masses, namely that Christ, by His passion, had made satisfaction for original sin, and instituted the Mass wherein an offering should be made for daily sins,
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 24
Concerning these opinions our teachers have given warning that they depart from the Holy Scriptures and diminish the glory of the passion of Christ. For Christ’s passion
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 27
By one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. [It is an unheard-of innovation in the Church to teach that Christ by His death made satisfaction only for original sin and not likewise for all other sin. Accordingly it is hoped that everybody will understand that this error has not been reproved without due reason.]
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 28
Scripture also teaches that we are justified before God through faith in Christ, when we believe that our sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 30
...mands us, Luke 22:19: This do in remembrance of Me; therefore the Mass was instituted that the faith of those who use the Sacrament should remember what benefits it receives through Christ, and cheer and comfort the anxious conscience. For to remember Christ is to remember His benefits,
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 36
But although it appears that God’s command concerning marriage delivers very many from their vows, yet our teachers introduce also another argument concerning vows to show that they are void. For every service of God, ordained and chosen of men without the commandment of God to merit justification and grace, is wicked, as Christ says Matt...
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 37
In vain do they worship Me with the commandments of men. And Paul teaches everywhere that righteousness is not to be sought from our own observances and acts of worship, devised by men, but that it comes by faith to those who believe that they are received by God into grace for Christ’s sake.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 10
...ans, in order that we may come together, as far as this may be honorably done, and, the matter between us on both sides being peacefully discussed without offensive strife, the dissension, by God’s help, may be done away and brought back to one true accordant
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 1
Also they teach that men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works, but are freely justified for
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 2
to salvation, and that through Baptism is offered the grace of God, and that children are to be baptized who, being offered to God through Baptism are received into God’s grace.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 1
Of the Use of the Sacraments they teach that the Sacraments were ordained, not only to be marks of profession among men, but rather to be signs and testimonies of the will of God
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 3
They condemn the Anabaptists who forbid these civil offices to Christians.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 5
the Gospel teaches an eternal righteousness of the heart. Meanwhile, it does not destroy the State or the family, but very much requires that they be preserved as ordinances of God, and that charity be practiced in such
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 3
receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, 1 Cor. 2:14; but this righteousness is wrought in the heart when the Holy Ghost is received
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 22
...of faith in Christ, to the end that anxious consciences should not be without consolation but that they might know that grace and forgiveness of sins and justification are apprehended by faith in Christ.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 1
Of the Worship of Saints they teach that the memory of saints may be set before us, that we may follow their faith and good works, according to our calling, as the Emperor may follow the example of David in making war to drive away the Turk from his country.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 1
To the laity are given Both Kinds in the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, because this usage has the commandment of the Lord in Matt. 26:27: Drink ye all of it,
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 5
when it was approved. Cyprian in some places testifies that the blood was given to the people.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 7
commands that the Sacrament be not divided (dist. II., De Consecratione, cap. Comperimus).
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 11
and the example of the Church. Therefore, if any preferred to use both kinds of the Sacrament, they ought not to have been compelled with offense to their consciences to do otherwise. And because the division
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 5
The people are accustomed to partake of the Sacrament together, if any be fit for it, and this also increases the reverence and devotion of public
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 15
by their own connivance, they suffered many corruptions to creep into the Church. Now, when it is too late, they begin to complain
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 33
Wherefore the Mass is to be used to this end, that there the Sacrament [Communion] may be administered to them that have need of consolation; as Ambrose says: Because I always sin, I am always bound to take the medicine. [Therefore this Sacrament requires faith, and is used in vain without faith.]
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 35
And this custom is not new in the Church; for the Fathers before Gregory make no mention of any private Mass, but of the common Mass [the Communion] they speak very much. Chrysostom says
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 1
Confession in the churches is not abolished among us; for it is not usual to give the body of the Lord, except to them that have been previously examined and absolved. And
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 16
Hence Gerson and some other theologians have grievously complained that by these strivings concerning traditions they were prevented from giving attention to a better kind of doctrine. Augustine also forbids that men’s consciences should be burdened
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 43
For in the East they kept Easter at another time than at Rome, and when, on account of this diversity, the Romans accused the Eastern Church of schism, they were admonished by others
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 44
that such usages need not be alike everywhere. And Irenaeus says: Diversity concerning fasting does not destroy the harmony of faith; as also Pope Gregory intimates in Dist. XII, that such diversity does not violate the unity of the Church.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 10
...power of the Church grants eternal things, and is exercised only by the ministry of the Word, it does not interfere with civil government; no more than the art of singing interferes with civil government.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 19
...any power of the sword, that power they have, not as bishops, by the commission of the Gospel, but by human law having received it of kings and emperors for the civil administration of what is theirs. This, however, is another office than the ministry of the Gospel.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 78
cannot be kept without sin. But if they make no concession, it is for them to see how they shall give account to God for furnishing, by their obstinacy, a cause for schism.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 7
language, and since on the ensuing Wednesday, answer was given to Your Imperial Majesty, after due deliberation, that we would submit the Articles of our Confession for our side on next Wednesday, therefore, in obedience to Your Imperial Majesty’s
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 14
...t, the other Electors and Estates of the Empire, and all who are moved by sincere love and zeal for religion, and who will give an impartial hearing to this matter, will graciously deign to take notice and to understand this from this Confession of ours and of our associates.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 15
Your Imperial Majesty also, not only once but often, graciously signified to the Electors Princes, and Estates of the Empire, and at the Diet of Spires held A.D. 1526, according to the form of Your Imperial instruction and commission given and prescribed, caused it to be stated and publicly proclaimed that
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 1
Our Churches, with common consent, do teach that the decree of the Council of Nicaea concerning the Unity of the Divine Essence and concerning the Three Persons, is true and to be believed without any doubting;
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 3
This faith God imputes for righteousness in His sight. Rom. 3 and 4.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 1
That we may obtain this faith, the Ministry of Teaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments was instituted. For through the Word and Sacraments, as through instruments,
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 3
the Gospel, to wit, that God, not for our own merits, but for Christ’s sake, justifies those who believe that they are received into grace for Christ’s sake.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 10
They also are rejected who do not teach that remission of sins comes through faith but command us to merit grace through satisfactions of our own.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 2
toward us, instituted to awaken and confirm faith in those who use them. Wherefore we must so use the Sacraments that faith be added to believe the promises which are offered and set forth through the Sacraments.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 1
Of Usages in the Church they teach that those ought to be observed which may be observed without sin, and which are profitable unto tranquillity and good order in the Church, as particular holy days, festivals, and the like.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 7
and laws save only when commanded to sin; for then they ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 1
Of Free Will they teach that man’s will has some liberty to choose civil righteousness, and to work
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 14
And Ambrose, in his De Vocatione Gentium, and elsewhere, teaches to like effect. For in his De Vocatione Gentium he says as follows: Redemption by the blood of Christ would become of little value, neither would the preeminence of man’s works be superseded by the mercy of God, if justification, which is wrought through grace, were due to t...
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 20
Some persons were driven by conscience into the desert, into monasteries hoping there to merit grace by a monastic life.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 25
without God, as the heathen. For devils and the ungodly are not able to believe this article: the forgiveness of sins. Hence, they hate God as an enemy, call not upon Him,
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 40
and the Church sings: Lacking Thy divine favor, There is nothing found in man, Naught in him is harmless.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 10
But this custom has been received, not only against the Scripture, but also against the old Canons
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 12
of the Sacrament does not agree with the ordinance of Christ, we are accustomed to omit the procession, which hitherto has been in use.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 2
...were certain causes why marriage was taken away from priests, but that there were far weightier ones why it ought to be given back; for so Platina writes.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 3
Since, therefore, our priests were desirous to avoid these open scandals, they married wives, and taught that it was lawful for them to contract matrimony. First, because
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 5
Christ says, Matt. 19:11: All men cannot receive this saying, where He teaches that not all men are fit to lead a single life; for God created man for procreation, Gen. 1:28.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 9
the priests teach that it is lawful for them to marry wives.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 25
Accordingly, Cyprian also advises that women who do not keep the chastity they have promised should marry. His words are these (Book I, Epistle XI): But if they be unwilling or unable to persevere, it is better for them to marry than to fall into the fire by their lusts; they should certainly give no offense to their brethren and sisters.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 1
Falsely are our churches accused of abolishing the Mass; for the Mass is retained among
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 3
to teach the people. For ceremonies are needed to this end alone that the unlearned
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 7
except they be first examined. The people are also advised concerning the dignity and use of the Sacrament, how great consolation it brings anxious consciences, that they may learn to believe God, and to expect and ask of Him all that is good.
Open source textAugsburg Confession | paragraph 17
dissensions concerning the Mass, concerning the Sacrament.
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