It is more important to understand how the Sacraments are to be used. Here we condemn the whole crowd of scholastic doctors, who teach that the Sacraments give grace by outward act (ex opere operato), without a good frame of mind on the part of the one using them, provided he does not place a hindrance in the way. This is absolutely a Jewish opinion, to hold that we are justified by a ceremony, without a good tendency of the heart, that is, without faith. Yet this ungodly and deadly opinion is taught with great authority throughout the entire realm of the pope. Paul contradicts this, and denies (Romans 4:9) that Abraham was justified by circumcision. He asserts that circumcision was an illustration presented for exercising faith. So we teach that in the use of the Sacraments, faith should be added. Faith should believe these promises and received the promised things offered in the Sacraments. The reason is plain and thoroughly grounded. The promise is useless unless it is received by faith. The Sacraments are the signs of the promises. Therefore, faith should be added in the use of the Sacraments. If anyone uses the Lord's Supper, he should use it by faith. This is a Sacrament of the New Testament, as Christ clearly says (Luke 22:20). For this very reason he should be confident that the free forgiveness of sins promised in the New Testament is offered. Let him receive this by faith, let him comfort his alarmed conscience and know that these testimonies are not false. - Apology of the Augsburg Confession XIII: 18-20
Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions. 1st edition. St. Louis: Concordia, 2005
No comments:
Post a Comment