Concerning Confession and Satisfaction – part 1

Scripture Text: Isaiah 38:16–19

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Isaiah 38:16–19

From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession

Concerning Confession and Satisfaction 

Good people can easily determine the greatest importance of preserving the true doctrine concerning the above-mentioned parts, namely contrition and faith. Therefore, we have focused more on the clarification of these topics, and have presented nothing as yet concerning confession and satisfaction.

Pulling It Together: In the time of the Reformation, Europe was beset by indulgence sellers. An indulgence was a certificate purchased with either prayers, good works, or money, that claimed to reduce the amount of one’s time spent in Purgatory. According to Roman Catholic doctrine, Purgatory is where believers go after death, but before they may go to heaven. It is an intermediate location where one is purged of sin and made fit for heaven. There are two errors here.

First, Christ makes us suitable for heaven. Through his death, resurrection, and ascension, he justifies all those who have faith in him (Phil 3:9; Rom 3:22). He makes us entirely righteous on his account, for we have nothing righteous in our account (Rom 3:10; Eccl 7:20). We “were bought with a price” (1 Cor 6:20). There is no partial payment or matching contribution to which we must add our contributions over time—or outside of time in a Purgatory—in order to bring God’s share up to full.

Second, we do not pay anything for this righteousness of God, as if we had anything of merit to offer. His righteousness and salvation is given to us freely. These are a gift, given by grace through faith (Rom 5:16; 6:23).

Therefore, when when confess our sins to God, we do so, knowing that Christ Jesus has made complete satisfaction or atonement for our sins. Having faith in Christ our Lord, we are very confident that God has put our sins “behind his back”—that we are wholly forgiven on his account, or as we say, for Christ’s sake.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for the free gifts of forgiveness, righteousness, and salvation through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen. 

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Sola’s Versatile Budget Series is a simple and flexible educational Vacation Bible School curriculum designed especially for small churches, house churches, and mission congregations. The flexible format works well for groups with limited budgets, or in situations where the ages and number of students may vary from session to session. Unlike more elaborate and expensive VBS kits, this book is meant to serve as an “all-in-one” teacher’s resource. The worksheets and handouts it contains can be reproduced according to local needs. Each book in the Versatile Budget Series focuses on a particular character from the Bible, bringing together several stories on a common theme. Resources and ideas are provided for gathering time, music, activities, games, and refreshments — allowing just a few adult leaders to host a week of Vacation Bible School.


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