Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Galatians 1:6–9

https://www.solapublishing.com/sola-scriptura-part-2:-the-norm-of-faith-leader's-guide-_A-7035

Click above for larger graphic  • Index of Scripture graphics and posts

  Click for a recording of today's Sola Devotion. 

Galatians 1:6–9

From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession

Concerning Ecclesiastical Power 

Even though we have embraced various topics in this article of the Confessions, our opponents make no reply, except that bishops have the power of rule and forceful correction, in order to direct their subjects to the goal of eternal blessedness, that the power to rule requires the power to judge, define, distinguish, and institute those things which are serviceable or conducive to the aforementioned end. These are the words of the Confutation, in which our opponents instruct us that the bishops have the authority to create laws useful for obtaining eternal life. That is the point of controversy.

Pulling It Together: No pastor, bishop, priest, or pope has the right to determine rules for apprehending eternal life when those rules have no authority from the Gospel. What we preach and teach must not be of our own creation. It should not be a “different gospel” (Gal 1:6). We are saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Eph 2:8–9). Human rules and traditions cannot save us from sin and death. In too many cases, human institutions move us away from the clear call of Scripture, distorting the Gospel (Gal 1:7). The Gospel of Christ declares that God saves us through the agency of the cross. The one who preaches a contrary gospel is cursed.

Prayer: Help me to listen to and hear the clear voice of your Word, Lord. Amen.

Receive these daily Sola Devotions by email. Write mryman@solapublishing.com with "Subscribe" as your subject. To unsubscribe, send an email to the same address with "Unsubscribe" as your subject.

The Sola Online Worship Resource (SOWeR) also includes bulletin templates. There are word processing templates for both communion and non-communion services. There are also templates for Sola, LBW, and Reclaim service settings. SOWeR is a lectionary-based web resource for Scripture lessons, lectionary inserts, children's bulletins, devotionals, text studies, prayers, hymn-planning, and much more! Join the hundreds of congregations who have discovered how simple, flexible, and useful SOWeR is for worship planning and sermon preparation. This brochure will answer more questions about SOWeR. Call 1-888-887-9840 to order a yearly subscription. 


Share this post


Click Here For Content Archives