Short class for adults on the Lutheran Augsburg Confession

1. The Augsburg Confession
Martin Luther Phillip Melancthon

2. What Is a Confession?
There is a need for us to declare what we believe
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this
adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be
ashamed of them when he comes in his Father's glory
with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38
We need to make sure that we believe correctly
Orthodox- ortho = correct, dox = belief
But there were also false prophets among the people, just
as there will be false teachers among you. They will
secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the
sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift
destruction on themselves. 2 Peter 2:1

3. Historic Confessions
First Confession was “Jesus is Lord”
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”
and believe in your heart that God raised him
from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
Apostle’s Creed: 3rd Century
Nicene Creed: Council of Constantinople
381 AD
Athanasian Creed: 5th Century
These creeds excluded Arianism, a heresy
in which Jesus is not considered divine

4. The Book of Concord
Compiled in 1581 to be a
rule of the doctrine of the
Lutheran Churches in
Germany post Luther
Solidify beliefs once
Reformed/Calvinists
appeared.
Said to be the “Normed
Norm”
Rules and doctrines based
off of Scripture, the
“Norming Norm”
All Lutheran Pastors
agree to abide by it at
ordination

5. Table of Contents
Three Ecumenical Creeds
Augsburg Confession 1530
The Apology (Defense) of the Augsburg Confession
1531
Smalcald Articles 1537
Treatise on the Power and the Primacy of the Pope
1537
Small Catechism 1529
Large Catechism 1530
Epitome (Reader’s Digest Version) of the Formula
of Concord 1576
Solid Declaration (Long Version) of the Formula of
Concord 1576

6. Why Do We Care?
All Churches formally or informally confess their
beliefs
The Book of Concord is our confession
St. John’s Lutheran Church Statement of faith 2.03-2.06
We can know who we are in fellowship with as a
church
“One in faith and doctrine with all that likewise accept…”
Not all Lutheran church bodies “likewise” accept it. Other
church bodies accept it in different ways- leading to
different Lutheran denominations
Acceptance of the Augsburg Confession and the
Small Catechism is seen as the benchmark for
“who is Lutheran?”

7. Europe in 1517

8. Pounding on Doors…
In 1517 Martin Luther, a priest, monk, and theology
professor posted his 95 objections to Roman
Catholic beliefs and practices, especially
indulgences, igniting the Reformation.

9. Here I Stand!
Diet (Assembly) of Worms 1521
Chance for Luther to explain himself
Told to take back what he said
“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason, I
am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the
Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, since it is neither safe nor
right to go against conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other. May God help
me. Amen.”
Luther was declared a heretic
From Luther (2003) YouTube

10. So What Do You All Believe?
The Ottoman Empire was invading Europe,
attacking Vienna, Austria
The Emperor wanted to consolidate power
by uniting under a common faith so he could
fight the Ottomans
Luther’s opponent, John Eck, lumped all
heretics and emerging Protestants together.
Lutheran theologians needed to define what
they believed in order to preserve peace.

11. The Augsburg Confession
Written in 1530 by Phillip
Melancthon, Luther’s colleague
and friend
Luther was still an outlaw
Defined Lutheranism in terms
of orthodoxy (“right belief”), not
only corrected abuses of the
church
Signed by powerful German
nobles who could protect them
Find it online for free at
www.bookofconcord.org

12. Articles 1-3: God
God is Trinity- Three in
One
Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit
Humanity is born into sin
and cannot know God by
their own means and
deserve punishment
Jesus is the Son of God
and suffered, died, and
rose for us

13. Article 4: Being Good With God
We cannot do anything to obtain God’s
grace or favor on our own.
We receive forgiveness of sins when
we believe Jesus suffered and died for
us.

14. Articles 5-8 The Christian Life
God instituted the Pastor’s office so we can
receive faith through Word and Sacrament
Holy Spirit produces faith through these when
He wants to
We cannot choose to believe in Jesus
We do good deeds because God commanded
us, not because they make us good
Church ceremonies don’t need to be the same
everywhere. Word and Sacrament done right
is enough
Christians are simultaneously saints and
sinners, including clergy

15. Articles 9-10 Sacraments
Grace is offered to us by
God through baptism. It is
not our work.
That is why we baptize
babies
The true body and blood
of Jesus are truly present
in Holy Communion
It is NOT simply a
remembrance or memorial

16. Articles 11-13 Forgiveness
We do private
confession too!
Repentance is being
sorry for sins. We get
forgiveness through
faith in Christ. We
have to do this a lot!
We do not do
anything to earn this
forgiveness

17. Articles 14-15 The Church
No one should
preach or preside
at Sacraments
without a “valid call”
Lutherans differ on
what this means
Church rules made
by humans are
made to keep
order. They are not
meant to be treated
as God’s Law

18. Article 16 Secular Government
Rightful governments are instituted by God
to keep order and justice
Christians can and should fully participate in
all aspects of civic life. This includes
Commerce, serve in political office, possess
property, serve in the military, take oaths and
vows for court, offices, etc.
Obey secular authority, unless obedience
causes sin.
“We must obey God rather than human beings”
Acts 5:29

19. Articles 17-19 Faith and Sin
Christ will return to judge the living and the
dead.
Universalism (the belief that everyone goes to
heaven) is rejected
We can choose what to do, but we cannot
choose to believe. Belief comes from the
Holy Spirit.
This distorted will is the cause of sin and evil

20. Article 20: Faith and Deeds
Piety, joining convents or monasteries,
and good works do not make us right
before God.
“Justification through Faith Alone”
“For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith—and this is not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by
works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9

21. Article 21-27: Things That Were
Fixed
No prayers to saints. They are examples only
Both body and blood given in Communion
Clergy can get married
Worship and communion are not sacrifices
We keep confession, but do not burden
consciences. Confession must occur before
communion
Fasts are not required, but are good for personal
piety
Monastic vows are abolished

22. Article 28: Power of the Church
Separation of secular and church
authority
Bishops are to teach, preach,
administer sacraments, and lead the
church in good order
When bishops act contrary to the
Gospel, they can be done without

23. All Done!
??Questions??