The Apology of the Augsburg ConfessionMelanchthon, Philipp
Religion
The Apology of the Augsburg Confession
Melanchthon, Philipp
Lutheran Church -- Catechisms
Acts 13, 38. 39: Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren,
that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins;
and by Him all that believe are justified from all things from which
ye could not be justified by the Law of Moses. How could the office
of Christ and justification be declared more clearly? The Law, he
says, did not justify. Therefore Christ was given, that we may
believe that for His sake we are justified. He plainly denies
justification to the Law. Hence, for Christ's sake we are accounted
righteous when we believe that God, for His sake, has been reconciled
to us. Acts 4, 11. 12: This is the stone which was set at naught of
you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is
there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under
heaven given among men whereby we must be saved. But the name of
Christ is apprehended only by faith. [I cannot believe in the name
of Christ in any other way than when I hear His merit preached, and
lay hold of that.] Therefore, by confidence in the name of Christ,
and not by confidence in our works, we are saved. For "the name"
here signifies the cause which is mentioned because of which
salvation is attained. And to call upon the name of Christ is to
trust in the name of Christ, as the cause or price because of which
we are saved. Acts 15, 9: Purifying their hearts by faith.
Wherefore that faith of which the Apostles speak is not idle
knowledge, but a reality, receiving the Holy Ghost and justifying us
[not a mere knowledge of history, but a strong powerful work of the
Holy Ghost, which changes hearts].
Hab. 2, 4: The just shall live by his faith. Here he says, first
that men are just by faith by which they believe that God is
propitious and he adds that the same faith quickens, because this
faith produces in the heart peace and joy and eternal life [which
begins in the present life].
Is. 53, 11: By His knowledge shall He justify many. But what is the
knowledge of Christ unless to know the benefits of Christ, the
promises which by the Gospel He has scattered broadcast in the world?
And to know these benefits is properly and truly to believe in
Christ, to believe that that which God has promised for Christ's sake
He will certainly fulfil.
But Scripture is full of such testimonies, since, in some places, it
presents the Law, and in others the promises concerning Christ, and
the remission of sins, and the free acceptance of the sinner for
Christ's sake.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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