Today, we continue
our Friday series on the Augsburg Confession.
Article III (The Son of
God)
1 Our
churches teach that the Word, that is, the Son of God [John 1:14], assumed the
human nature in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 2 So
there are two natures—the divine and the human—inseparably joined in one
person. There is one Christ, true God and true man, who was born of the Virgin
Mary, truly suffered, was crucified, died, and was buried. 3
He did this to reconcile the Father to us and to be a sacrifice, not only for
original guilt, but also for all actual sins of mankind [John 1:29].
4 He
also descended into hell, and truly rose again on the third day. Afterward, He
ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. There He forever
reigns and has dominion over all creatures. 5 He sanctifies
those who believe in Him, by sending the Holy Spirit into their hearts to rule,
comfort, and make them alive. He defends them against the devil and the power
of sin.
6 The
same Christ will openly come again to judge the living and the dead, and so
forth, according to the Apostles’ Creed (Concordia: The Lutheran
Confessions. Edited by Paul Timothy McCain. St. Louis, MO: Concordia
Publishing House, 2005, S. 32).
Note:
Note: The Augsburg Confession teaches the historic,
biblical doctrine of Christ. Many early controversies about Christ’s human and
divine natures were resolved through careful study of God’s Word, and are
reflected in the Nicene Creed. Article III echoes that creed—our Lord Jesus
Christ is one person having two natures: truly God and truly man. This is
another mystery of the Christian faith that we receive with thanks, bowing
before Christ in humble adoration. His incarnation in the womb of His virgin
mother, Mary, was for our salvation. He is, and remains, for all eternity the
God-man, the One who appeased, or propitiated, God’s wrath against our sin and
won for us eternal life. Even now He is present with us through His appointed
means of grace—the Gospel and the Sacraments. He comes to strengthen, sustain,
and support us, and to bring us safely to our heavenly home. (See also Ap III; SA
II I; FC Ep VIII and SD
VIII.) (Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions. Edited by Paul Timothy McCain. St.
Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2005, S. 32).
Prayer
Keep us, O Lord, in the true faith. Send Your Holy Spirit to
use Your Word to create, sustain, and strengthen faith in the hearts of Your
people. Amen.
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