Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: John 11:23–26
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John 11:23–26
From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession
Concerning Repentance
In a word, the subject of satisfactions is infinite, so we cannot enumerate all things. But laying beneath these scandalous doctrines of devils, the doctrine of the righteousness of faith in Christ and the benefit of Christ is buried. Therefore, all good people understand that the doctrine of the sophists and canonists concerning repentance has been censured for a useful and godly purpose.
Pulling It Together
Since the consequence of sin is death (Rom 6:23), it is no wonder there is the felt need to confess all sins. Perhaps, we might imagine, if we could confess them all, we might overcome death. But no one is likely to list all of their sins, any more than they are able to cheat death. Even if all sins could be named, original sin remains and so, death will come to us all. But there is a way to cheat eternal and spiritual death. It will not happen because we have confessed all our sins or are able to make some satisfaction for them. Eternal death is cheated because we confess Christ, who has overcome sin, death, and the devil, satisfying God through his one sacrifice (Heb 11:14). He alone is the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in him, even though dying in this life, will rise to everlasting life through faith in the Son of God.
Prayer: Give me faith in the eternal promise, through Jesus Christ, the Lord of life. Amen.
The Spiritual Realms is a nine-session Bible Study series on Heaven and Hell and places beyond this world. Specifically, the study looks at the many “place names” that are found throughout Scripture, referring to spiritual realms of existence that underlie and comprise the universe God created. This Bible Study series is a challenging one, in that it explores realities of existence beyond what we know and experience everyday.
The study not only addresses matters of life, death, heaven and hell, it steadfastly affirms that Jesus Christ is at the center of all these things. Our ultimate faith and hope rest in Christ’s death and resurrection for our sake. We live in faith by the biblical promise that: “God raised the Lord, and will also raise us up by his power.” (1 Cor 6:14)
A separate Leader's Guide is available.
Author
Rev. Mark E. Ryman serves as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC. Previously, Pastor Ryman has served other congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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