Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: John 5:15-18

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John 5:15-18

From the Confessions: The Nicene Creed: Very God of very God...

Pulling It Together

These days, we say, “true God of true God,” and rightly so, since “very” used to be used as true, as "verily" means truly. The Latin word from which we derive the English word “very” is verus which means “true.” We still think this way, even if we do not realize we do so. If we say something is very blue, we mean it is truly blue. Just so, when we confess that Jesus is very God, we mean that he is the true God. And when we say that he is true God of true God, we simply mean that he is truest of true, the highest form of he who is verily God.

In responding to the Arian heresy, these superlatives were important. There is, of course, no other God to be truer than, so “true God of true God” emphasizes the doctrine that Jesus is not a created being but is truly God.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to hear your word and believe. Amen.


SOWeR, the Sola Online Worship eResource, is a lectionary-based subscription program that helps pastors and congregations plan for worship, with Scripture Inserts, readings and prayers for easy copying and pasting for each Sunday of the year. 


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