What are the Lutheran Confessions? They're a collection of religious writings that express the Christian faith as taught by Lutherans. They present Lutheran principles and beliefs.

The Confessions represent:

Agreement about basic Lutheran doctrine. The Confessions are accepted by the Lutheran Church as an accurate interpretation of the Bible. They were composed by Martin Luther and other early leaders of the Lutheran Church.

Continuity over 4 centuries of Lutheranism. In 1580, all the Lutheran Confessions were gathered and published in the Book of Concord. Today, over 400 years later, the Book of Concord continues to teach the unchanging Gospel truth: we are all saved by grace through faith in Christ.

Historically the Confessions helped to consolidate the Reformation in the 1500s . a time of change, when reformers challenged and were finally excluded from the Roman Catholic Church. After Luther's death, the Confessions served to draw Lutherans together.

Today the Confessions help people understand Christ's message by explaining nad applying His words. They remind Lutherans that even through times have changed. The Bible is God's word and is the only source of Christian doctrine.

Origins of the Confessions:

1517 to Luther's 95 Theses . Martin Luther nailed his famous document to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. His Theses criticized errors and abuses in the Roman Church, including the sale of indulgences (cancellations of punishment for sin). Many Europeans greeted Luther's ideas enthusiastically.

1517 to 1530 . This was a time of turmoil over matters of faith, the sacraments, the Mass and the priesthood. Luther's sermons and writings stressed that the Papacy was of human (not divine) origin and that salvation was a gift of God. This sparked great debate and led to his excommunication and banishment.

1530 to The Diet of Augsburg . The Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, convened a diet (general assembly) of Church and state representatives in Augsburg, Germany. They met to consider the Lutheran movement. Charles asked the Lutherans to write a document explaining their position.

The Augsburg Confession

It is written with Luther's guidance by his close friend, Philip Melanchthon, to explain Luther's religious principles and beliefs. The document, read before the Diet at Augsburg, was designed to:
Summarize Lutheran Beliefs. Many matters of Lutheran faith and practice are set forth clearly, with stress on the central doctrine of salvation by grace through faith in Christ Expose Church abuses. The Confession explains how the Church had strayed from Christ's teachings in some matters of doctgrine and practice. These corruptions had cut it off from the people. Encourage Religious tolerance. The tone of the Confession is friendly, stressing common ground between Lutherans and Catholics, in the hope of avoiding further strife. Show Lutheran unity. Melanchthon sought to reflect the doctrinal harmony that existed among Lutherans, and to prevent quarreling over details of practice.

Contents of the Augsburg Confession

Articles 1 to 21 examine and explain Lutheran religious doctrine, including belief in --

• One God in 3 persons , Father, Son, Holy Ghost
• The Doctrine of original sin.
• Christ's person and works.
• Salvation by grace through faith in Christ.
• The Ministry of the Gospel and Sacraments.
• The Nature of the Church.
• Good Works done for God, as the result of faith.

Articles 22 to 28 set forth areas of disagreement with the Roman Catholic Church, including .

• The Nature of the Lord's Supper
• The Marriage of priests
• Conduct of the Mass.
• The Purpose of confession.
• Food Traditions and fasting.
• Monastaic vows.
• Role of the bishops.

Three Basic Principles:

Justification by faith alone . Luther believed that our sins are forgiven by faith in Christ and his atoning work alone, thanks to God's mercy and grace.

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