The Augsburg Confession is a foundational document of Lutheranism and one of the most important confessions of faith of the Protestant Reformation. It was written in 1530 by Philipp Melanchthon and endorsed by Martin Luther and other leading Lutheran reformers. The Augsburg Confession contains a summary of essential Lutheran doctrine and served to present a united Lutheran front against Roman Catholic teachings. It consists of 28 articles that cover topics like the nature of God, original sin, justification by faith, the church, and other theological issues.
Here is a brief overview of the key points in the Augsburg Confession:
Article 1: God
This article affirms belief in the Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It rejects any deviation from orthodox Trinitarian theology.
Article 2: Original Sin
This article states that all humans are born with sin inherited from Adam. People are unable to satisfy God’s righteousness on their own.
Article 3: The Son of God
This article affirms that Jesus Christ is true God and true man who died to reconcile humanity to God. It rejects any diminishing of Christ’s divinity or humanity.
Article 4: Justification
This crucial article declares that humanity is justified and made righteous before God by grace alone through faith alone, not by our own works. Good works follow as a result of faith.
Article 5: Ministry of the Church
The Holy Spirit works faith in people through the gospel preached by the ministry of the church. The sacraments of baptism and communion are administered by the church.
Article 6: New Obedience
While good works cannot earn salvation, they are the necessary fruits of those who have been justified by faith. Believers strive to do good works out of gratitude to God.
Article 7: The Church
The church is the assembly of believers among whom the gospel is purely preached and the sacraments rightly administered. The church exists wherever the gospel is proclaimed and believed.
Article 8: What the Church Is
The true church is made up of those who believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. Although there are hypocrites in the visible church, the sacraments and Word are still effective because of Christ.
Article 9: Baptism
Baptism is a sacrament instituted by Christ by which God offers grace and the forgiveness of sins. Infant baptism is appropriate and valid.
Article 10: The Lord’s Supper
In the Lord’s Supper, the true body and blood of Christ are really present and distributed to those who partake of the elements. It offers the forgiveness of sins.
Article 11: Confession
Private confession of sins to a pastor is appropriate, but not required. The absolution pronounced by the pastor is valid because of Christ’s word, not the worthiness of the pastor.
Article 12: Repentance
Repentance consists of contrition over sins and faith in the forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel. Good works that God commands should follow.
Article 13: Sacraments and Ordinances
The sacraments of baptism and communion were instituted by Christ and have God’s command and promise. Human traditions like monastic vows have no such command or promise.
Article 14: Church Government
No one should preach or administer sacraments without a proper call. Rejected are Anabaptists and others who undermine church order.
Article 15: Church Rituals
Church rituals that are contrary to the gospel should be abolished. Yet traditions that serve good order and peace can be kept. The distinction is adiaphora – matters not commanded but neither forbidden in Scripture.
Article 16: Civil Government
Lawful civil authority exists by God’s will to promote good and restrain evil. Christians may participate in government and serve in its positions.
Article 17: Christ’s Return for Judgment
Jesus Christ will return visibly to judge the living and the dead, and the faithful will receive eternal life while the ungodly are condemned.
Article 18: Free Will
Fallen humanity has free will in civil righteousness but is spiritually helpless until regenerated by the Holy Spirit. The will only becomes free to do good with the aid of grace.
Article 19: Cause of Sin
The cause of sin is not God but the fallen will of mankind, which rejects God’s grace and obeys evil desires. God’s eternal foreknowledge of sin does not make him responsible for sin.
Article 20: Good Works
Our good works cannot reconcile us to God or merit justification, which is received only through faith. Justified believers do good works as a result of the Holy Spirit’s renewal.
Article 21: Worship of the Saints
The memory of saints may be commended as an example of faith and good works. However, Scripture does not teach we should call upon saints or seek their aid. Christ is the one mediator between God and humanity.
Article 22: Both Kinds in the Lord’s Supper
Laypeople should receive both the bread and wine in communion. To withhold either element is against Christ’s command.
Article 23: Marriage of Priests
Marriage is honorable and permissible for all, including ministers. Forbidding ministers to marry contradicts the gospel.
Article 24: The Mass
The Mass is retained among Lutherans, but without abuses like notion of sacrifice, withholding cup from laity, and false conceptions about merits and benefits. The Mass is instead a sacrament of Comfort.
Article 25: Confession
Private confession of sins to a pastor is retained but not mandated. General confession and absolution can be made before communion. Abuses related to satisfaction and enumeration of sins are corrected.
Article 26: Distinction of Foods
Human traditions like forbidding certain foods are a false pretense of spirituality. Christians are free to eat food without restriction.
Article 27: Monastic Vows
Monastic vows of poverty, celibacy, and obedience as ways to earn grace are useless and contrary to the gospel. Instead, Christians should serve God in their callings.
Article 28: Ecclesiastical Authority
Bishops have no power except to administer Word and sacraments. Their authority should not extend to civil domains, nor should Christians obey bishops when they teach contrary to Scripture.
In summary, the Augsburg Confession contained the core teachings that Martin Luther and other leaders of the Protestant Reformation maintained in contrast to the doctrines of the Roman Catholic church. While seeking unity and common ground where possible, the Confession made clear the biblical foundation for the distinctive Lutheran beliefs about salvation, the church, the sacraments, and other vital matters of Christian faith and practice.
The Augsburg Confession continues to be an important standard of Lutheran doctrine to this day. It serves as a concise presentation of Lutheran beliefs. The Augsburg Confession stands as a testimony of truth and a call for the church to anchor itself to the changeless authority of God’s Word. Its abiding relevance reminds us to measure all teachings against the final standard of Holy Scripture.