Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Matthew 7:21–23
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Matthew 7:21–23
From the Confessions: Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope
This being the case, all Christians should beware of becoming participants in the godless doctrine, blasphemies, and unjust cruelty of the pope. For this reason they ought to leave and denounce the pope and his adherents as the kingdom of Antichrist, just as Christ has commanded, “Beware of false prophets” (Matt 7:15). Paul commands that godless teachers should be avoided and condemned as accursed, (Gal 1:8; Titus 3:10), and says, “Do not be mismated with unbelievers. For what…fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Cor 6:14).
Pulling It Together
The principal part of Christian doctrine is that we have faith in God, believing that he loved the world so much that he sent his Son to save us, forgiving all sin, justifying sinners, and saving them to eternal life only through faith in Christ. Does any doctrine conflict with this main part? Run! Avoid its teachers and the places they teach. They will surely tell you that if you do not believe as they do and do the things they do that you will be condemned. But how can anyone condemn those whom the Father loves and for whom his Son died? Those who have faith in his love for them through Christ Jesus are the ones he knows, as it is God’s will that faith forms a relationship with him. Those who do religious services that conflict with faith in Christ alone are strangers to him. Avoid them, if you can.
Prayer: Help me, Holy Spirit, to walk in the light of Christ. Amen.
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Portraits of Jesus is a nine-session Bible study that explores the "I AM" statements given to us by Jesus himself. In comparing Jesus' words with related Scripture in both the Old and New Testaments, the study provides a well-rounded look at the center of our faith in Christ.
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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