The Smalcald Articles – part 59
Scripture Text: John 5:39–40
Sola Christus (Christ alone) was a predominant teaching of the Reformation. It should still be the foremost teaching of the Church today, as Christ is the central teaching of Scripture.
The Smalcald Articles – part 58
Scripture Text: Luke 22:24–27
The priesthood of believers leaves no room for airs, for the pretense of one Christian being greater than another. When this happens, the Church will squabble, as any family would in such circumstances, and be of no use to God.
The Smalcald Articles – part 57
Scripture Text: Acts 4:11-12
Salvation does not come by attending a particular church or belonging to a certain denomination. It does not happen because you follow a particular teacher or go along with a particular church leadership.
The Smalcald Articles – part 56
Scripture Text: 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4
We cannot have it both ways. Either Christ is head of his Church, or the pope is. It was claimed that the pope was supreme in the Church.
The Smalcald Articles – part 55
Scripture Text: Colossians 1:17–18
It is one thing to have a leader in the Church. It is another thing altogether to have that leader make claims that supersede Scripture, create new doctrines for the Church, and have power over others whom God himself has called to leadership.
The Smalcald Articles – part 54
Scripture Text: Matthew 24:10–13
Things are bound to get worse. That was Jesus’ message too. Yet, within his message was a word of hope and assurance: “the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
The Smalcald Articles – part 52
Scripture Text: John 10:27
Oh, that Christ were head of the Church. We have no need of another. Christ has given his churches pastors, who are bishops or overseers of those congregations.
The Smalcald Articles – part 52
Scripture Text: Matthew 23:9
In The Lord of the Rings, J. R. R. Tolkien describes 20 rings of power that were forged to rule the inhabitants of Middle Earth. One ring and its wearer was to rule over the other 19 and their wearers.
The Smalcald Articles – part 51
Scripture Text: Revelation 12:1–6
The “great red dragon” of Revelation 5 is depicted as a beast that has situated itself in such a way that it may easily devour the child about to be born into the world.
The Smalcald Articles – part 50
Scripture Text: Jude 3
The real issue was, and will always be, in regards to redemption. How is one forgiven and saved? Does this happen because of our good works, religious services, the works of others, declarations of indulgence?
The Smalcald Articles – part 49
Scripture Text: Micah 5:2–5
This is not a matter of being unwilling to grovel. Rather, we should not address brothers and sisters in the Lord as though they were anyone but family.
The Smalcald Articles – part 48
Scripture Text: Psalm 118:19–24
There is only one who is the head of the Church. Jesus Christ must be given this honor, for the Father has conferred that authority and power on him alone.
The Smalcald Articles – part 47
Scripture Text: Mark 10:46–52
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for well-meaning people to be caught up in religious practices, thinking they are doing right, while acting unrighteously. Add to this that they are deceiving themselves.
The Smalcald Articles – part 46
Scripture Text: 1 Kings 19:1–8
Monasteries and convents had become, by Luther’s time, places to earn one’s salvation. In other words, the sacrifice of living such a life was a merit of one’s virtue, imagined as deserving salvation.
The Smalcald Articles – part 45
Scripture Text: Psalm 145:10–13
Habemus ad Dominum. This is part of the Preface prayer, just before we sing “Holy, Holy, Holy” in the liturgy. In English, we sing, “We lift them to the Lord.”
The Smalcald Articles – part 44
Scripture Text: Mark 6:53–56
Jesus’ disciples had just seen him walking on the sea, did not recognize him, and were terrified. Yet the people of Gennesaret “immediately recognized him” and were overjoyed at his presence.
The Smalcald Articles – part 43
Scripture Text: Romans 8:33–37
Only Jesus Christ is our mediator. If he intercedes for us (and he does), we need no other. He requires no assistance; he is up to the task. So, give him the honor of calling upon him in your time of need.
The Smalcald Articles – part 42
Scripture Text: Philippians 3:8–11
Lutherans commend honoring the saints by remembering them, and emulating godly lives. We disapprove of praying to saints and angels. Scripture does not in any way teach us to do so.
The Smalcald Articles – part 41
Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 2:5–6
God determines the payment for sin. The Church does not do so, nor does a pope. We know this because this is what the Bible teaches. God’s Word does not teach us to trust in the goodness of either religion or religious people.
The Smalcald Articles – part 40
Scripture Text: Romans 5:8–11
There is a painting that hangs above the altar in St. Peter and Paul Church in Weimar, Germany. In that painting, Luther is pointing to an open Bible in his hand.
The Smalcald Articles – part 39
Scripture Text: Acts 8:20–22
The Mass had become property, something to be bought and sold. Huge sums were brought into the churches through the sale of the forgiveness of sins.
The Smalcald Articles – part 38
Scripture Text: Revelation 14:6–7
We are all on pilgrimage—to appear before God in judgment. That Day is approaching, whether or not we feel its nearness. Every day, we are miles closer in our journeys.
The Smalcald Articles – part 37
Scripture Text: Romans 10:14–17
Again, what has this to do with Scripture? What does the Word of God say about the matter? Someone says that a spirit told them to do something. How convenient.
The Smalcald Articles – part 36
Scripture Text: Galatians 1:8
We have a rule to live by: sola Scriptura. This does not mean, as some think, that we speak only where Scripture speaks and are silent on all other matters.
The Smalcald Articles – part 35
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
See where human reason takes you without the Word of God? One invention demands another until you have a system of traditions that cannot be supported from the Scripture.
Click Here For Archives