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INTRODUCTION TO THE LUTHERAN CONFESSIONS

Chapter one; INTRODUCTION TO THE LUTHERAN CONFESSIONS
Creeds and Confessions are very important in the life of the Church. The foundation of the faith of the Church is
the prophetic and apostolic witness about Jesus Christ, the cornerstone of the the Church. They are based on the
Bible, but not replace the Bible. There are many different confessions in different denominations. The Lutheran
Confession is one of them.
What are Creeds and Confessions?
Creeds are summaries of the basic of the Bible about who the Triune God: the Father, God the Son, and God the
Holy Spirit is. It is about what He has done in His great work of creation and redemption to save human beings.
Confessions are summaries of the basic teachings of the Bible which the church believes, teaches and confesses
concerning God, human beings and salvation to make believers understand clearly what the church stands for.
Both Creeds and Confessions are written down and memorized in the Church to make known to everyone how the
message of the Bible is understood and accepted be the Christian church. The difference scripture and Creeds-
confessions is that scriptures are written by inspiration whereas Creeds and Confessions are the summaries of the
scripture to defend heretical teachings, to teach and to declare our faith together.
The functions of Creeds and Confessions
Creeds and Confessions have many functions and purposes in the worship life of the Church. They three functions
and purposes, such as;
1. Doxological function- it helps to declare the praise of the glory of God constantly in the worship services.
This activity of Christian is the main issue they called for according to the Word of God (1Pet. 2:9).
2. Unifying function- helps to express our unity of faith by founding on the common confession which we
confess together in different geographical and historical context. The believers who are living in different
geographical areas, speak different language and found on different age confess their faith that unify them.
3. Definitive function- creeds and confessions define the basis on which Christians unified themselves.
Boldly they say “we are Christians who believe in Jesus Christ, God the Father and the Holy Spirit” in a
precise way as the genuine Christians did in past, do at the present and will do in the future.

The Lutheran Confessions and their significance

The Lutheran churches have confessions with which they confess their unity of faith. They believe the
Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura) is the only basis for their teaching and practices. These certify that the
Lutheran Churches have the significance in their lives that help to read the Bible with the right
presupposition. They helps us where to put more emphasis when we read and interpret the Bible. That
means they guide us where to put more emphasis when read and interpret the Bible. They help us to
understand that as the roadmap to the scripture. And they help to put pieces of Scripture together.
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An overview of the confessions of the evangelical Lutheran church

The Evangelical Lutheran church has a book called The book of Concord; the book which contains:
1. The three Ecumenical Creeds; the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed and Athanasian Creed, concentrate
mostly on the person of Jesus Christ. It is used on the Sunday worship to be confessed before God and
before human beings and to teach Christians in the confirmation class so that they can confess when they
confirm their faith and when they will be baptized. The Nicene Creed is often confessed publicly at
celebrations of the Lord’s Supper and at other feasts of the church year. The Athanasian Cred is often read
on Holy Trinity Sunday.
2. The unaltered Augsburg Confession:- is another well-known statement of faith was written by Phillip
Melanchthon and read before Emperor Charles V at Augsburg, Germany in 1530.
3. The Apology of the Augsburg Confession:- it was written in 1531 by Melanchthon as a defense of the
Augsburg Confession. It answers the criticisms of the Augsburg confession in great detail.
4. The Smalcald Articles:- they were written by Martin Luther in 1536 and signed of Luther’s main points of
disagreement with the Roman Catholic Church.
5. The Treatise on the power & primacy of the Pope:- it is a criticism against the pope who put himself in
the place of Christ.
6. Martin Luther’s small Catechism:- is the best known and most widely used confessional document for
teaching the Word of God to children and adults by a form of the family in the home.
7. Martin Luther’s large Catechism:- its original intention was to help the pastors as teaching manual. It
presents the basic Christian teaching in the form of sermon.
8. The Formula of Concord:- was the exposition and defense of the previously adopted writings. All
denominations of the Christian church have creeds and confessions, but they do not have in written form.

Chapter two: THE THREE ECUMENICAL CREEDS

What makes a Creed ecumenical? Creeds are guidelines to read and study the Scripture.
The word “ecumenical” comes from a Greek word “oikomene” meaning that entirely inhabited.
All the different creeds and confessions are equally authoritative in the sense that they are equally biblical.
The form and theological content of the Apostles Creed is Trintarian and presents the summary of the message of
the Bible about who our Triune God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
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Historical & theological Dev’t & emphasis of the three ecumenical creeds.
EC Historical development Theological development Emphasis
A -used mostly in Evangelical churches, - from the beginning it follows the Trinitarian formula On the 2nd
P but not in EOTC. with three articles (Mat.28:19). person of the
O -used in the western church, not eastern - describes the work of each person of the Trinity & Trinity
S church for they have the Nicene Creed significance of the work of each person for salvation.
T
w/c is used by both east and west. Used biblical language.
O
- developed gradually and get the - teaches who God is & what He has done for our
L
I present form in 6th c, AD, salvation in the life, death and resurrection of our
C a. 1st called “Old Roman Symbol” w/c Lord Jesus Christ.
C omitted some parts of the present form. - makes us understand what meant when the church
R b. since about 200/220 AD in Greek & baptizes in the name of Triune God.
E 400 AD in Latin. - used for reciting publicly, to instruct members, ti
E confess before God & human beings & to exclude
D wrong views & doctrines.

N -used mostly in eastern part of the - Eastern churches emphasize on the unity of God More focuse
I Christendom, & EOTC. -to repudiate Arianism w/c made Christ hslf-God & on the 2nd and
C -not the work of an individual. half creature. 3rd persons of
E - It developed in 3 main stages, -used by ministers in reaching & teaching. the Trinity as
N
a. “Oriental Symbol” based on 1 Cor. - to preserve the unity of the church & the Roman compared to
E
8z:6 heart and core of Cxn message. Empire. the Apostles
C b. “Oriental Symbol Creed” – N 325 -to emphasize of the Son with the Father in substance. Creed.
R AD. to repudiate Arianism & to -to emphasize of the person (divinity) and work of the
E preserve the unity if the Church & Holy Spirit & His procession from the Father and the
E Roman Empire. Son.
D c. Nicen-Constantinoplitan Creed- NC - Also mentions the purpose of the Son become man.
(381, 451 AD) – a revision of the - uses theological & philosophical language of the
Original Nicene Creed with some day.
additions.

A - Not a product of a theological - compared in a rhythm and prose from with its 40 On the two
T cooperation but composed by a single verses. natures of
H author about 500 AD. - divided into two: Trinity and Incarnation. Esp. the Jesus Christ,
A - tradition says this creed was ascribed two natures of Jesus Christ. how they exist
N
to Bishop Athanasius of the 4th c. AD. - uses very clear &concise language w/c in one person,
A
-recent research proved that Bishop understandable by ordinary readers/ hearers. & on the Holy
S
I Athanasius could not be the author. - composed to instruct & teach the dogmatic truths of Trinity
A - for the 1st time appeared at a church the church in prayer of song form. (Three-in-
N synod in the French town of Autun in - used to test the correctness of their faith/ belief and oneness of
670 AD. to remind the importance of the two doctrines: Trinity God)
C It was called “the faith of st. & Incarnation for salvation.
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R Athanasius”.
E
ED

Chapter Three: UNALTERED AUGSBURG CONFESSION

The Augsburg Confession is a confession of the Lutherans that was written by Philip Melanchthon in the consent
of Martin Luther. The unaltered Augsburg Confession of the 16 th c. is the confession document that makes all
Lutheran church. it has close connection with the Three ecumenical Creeds of Christian church from ancient times.
The three significance of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession;
1) As a defense of the Gospel-
2) As an instrument of teaching- give attention to its doctrinal character.
3) As a political document-
The unaltered Augsburg Confession also follows the order of the creed;
1) Moving from God and creation which is equivalent to the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, (CA I-II.
2) To Chris which is equivalent to the second article of Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds (CA III-IV).
3) Moves to the discussion on the Holy Spirit, (CA V-VI) and finally about the church, sacraments and
resurrection (CA VII-XV, XVII) which is equivalent to the third article of Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds.
The content of the Augsburg Confession is divided into two parts.
A) The first deals with doctrine and embrace articles I-XXI and
B) The second part reviews the abuses in the worship and life of the church and includes Articles XXII-
XXVIII.

Chapter Four: MARTIN LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM- PART I

The meaning of a catechism and the need for it;
Catechism is derived from the Greek word katecho which means “to sound again” or “to sound from
above.” Catechism is a teaching material that is produced for clear communication to the ordinary layman
or children so that the complexities of faith and doctrine could be reduced into brief statements that anyone
could easily retain in mind and heart.
Luther often showed his deep concern for the training of young people. He urged people to provide and
support Christian schools for their children. When Luther found that many pastors and parents did not
know how to instruct children in the main teaching of the Bible, he wrote the small catechism. His chief
purpose in writing the small catechism was to lead children to know and believe that the only way of
salvation is by faith in Jesus.
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He wanted the catechism to be simple, to include all main teachings of the Bible with six chief parts: the
Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the sacrament of Holy Baptism, the sacrament of Holy
Communion, the use of the Keys and Confession and the Lord’s Prayer.
Everything written in the Catechism is based on the Bible and each explanation given by Luther has
references from the Bible to assure ourselves that the catechism truly teaches the God’s word. in the
Lutheran churches, the Lutheran church has always considered the catechism the very least that every
Christian should know about Bible teachings.
An overview of the major parts of Martin Luther’s small catechism
Martin Luther’s Catechism is a collection of questions and answers on six major topics and one additional topic.
Topics of the small catechism are;
1. The Ten Commandments; the presents God’s Law or His will.
2. The Apostle’s Creed; has three articles and presents the person and work of the Trinity; Father, Son and
Holy Spirit.
3. The Lord’s Prayer; has introduction, seven petitions and conclusion.
4. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism; the meaning, benefits, power and the significance of baptism for our daily
life was included in it.
5. Confession and absolution; about the continuation of life.
6. The Sacrament of the Altar; has four basic questions and its answer, benefits, the power of this Sacrament
and the worthiness of the Christian to receive the body and the blood of Jesus.
7. The daily prayer and daily work.
Martin Luther’s expiation on the Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments are the Laws God gave to His people through the hands of Moses to reveal His
will or what He wants His people to do or not to do their good;
a) The first way- God gives His law to all people is by writing it on their hearts and this is called the
natural law.
b) The second way- God gives His law by having written down in the Bible so that we know exactly what
His will is.
The Laws God gave to Moses are of three kinds.
a) The Civil Law- established the punishment for crimes such as injury, another person or damage to
another person’s property.
b) The ceremonial Law- told to the people of God where, how and when they worship God.
c) The moral Law- which God written in human’s heart at creation and given to Israelite as Ten
Commandment.
The Ten Commandments were a special form of God’s moral Law, His holy will for His people.
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The Law has three purposes.

1. Serves in the outward life of all people and it helps to preserve order in the world by keeping the
wicked actions of all people within bounds.
2. Serves in the hearts of the all people and it shows all people their sin and their need of a savior.
3. Serves for Christians living in sinful world by telling Christians who are surrounded by a sinful
about the way of pleasing God.
The Ten Commandments are;
Sequence of the Commandments Commands of the Commandments
1st - About God’s glory: You are to have other gods.
2nd - God’s name: You are not to misuse the name of your God.
3rd - God’s Word: You are to hallow the day of the rest.
4th - God’s representatives: You are to honor your father and mother.
5th - God’s gift of life: You are not to kill.
6th - God’s gift of marriage: You are not to commit adultery.
7th - God’s gift of possession: You are not to steal.
8th - The God’s gift of good name: You are not to bear witness against your
neighbor.
9th And 10th - Holy desires: You are not to covet neighbour’s house.

Martin Luther’s explanation of the Apostles’ Creed,

God reveals to us in His Word about His characteristics that;
a. He is Spirit
b. He is eternal
c. He is Holy.
The first article of the Apostles’ Creed is- creation;
The second article of the Apostles’ Creed is- redemption;
The third article of the Apostles’ Creed is- sanctification;
Martin Luther explanation of the Lord’s Prayer;
a) The address; Our Father art in heaven
b) The first petition: hallowed be your name.
c) The second petition: the kingdom come.
d) The third petition: let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
e) The fourth petition: give us this day our daily bread.
f) The fifth petition: and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
g) The sixth petition: and lead us not into temptation.
h) The seventh petition: and deliver us from evil.
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Doxology: for yours is the kingdom and the power, and the glory forever and ever. Amen. This part is
glorifying and praising God.

Chapter Five: MARTIN LUTHER’S SMALL CATECHISM- PART II

Definition and characteristics of a sacrament;
The means of Grace; grace is God’s undeserved love which provides free forgiveness of sins, life and
salvation for all people.
The word “sacrament” does not occur in the Bible and the New Testament does not offer dogmatic or
doctrinal definition of it. The Latin version of the Bible used the term equivalent to the Greek word
“mysterion.”
The means of Grace; the gospel in Word and sacrament,
The gospel is the means of grace and it constitutes the word and sacraments. Sacraments in the sense is
a sacred act which has three basic characteristics;
1. Established by Christ for Christians.
2. Visible element with the Word of God.
3. Offer or promise benefits.
The sacrament of Holy Baptism;
a) The institution of Baptism
Baptism is not simply plain water, instead it is water enclosed in God’s Command and connected
with God’s word told by our Lord Jesus Christ (Mat.28:19).
The sacrament of Holy Baptism is instituted by the command of Jesus to baptize all nations in the
name of the triune God. The Greek word baptizo means to use water in various ways; for
immersion, washing, pouring, or sprinkling (Mk. 1:8, 7:3-4). The water we use in the Holy
Sacrament of baptism not just plain water, because it is water connected with the God’s Word
(Mat. 28:19; Eph. 5:25-26). According to the command of Jesus, we should baptize in the name of
the Triune God. To baptize “in the name of” the Triune God means that God is making them the
members of His blessed family (Num.6:27; Gal.3:27; 1Cor.12:13; Eph. 2:19) and He gives them the
benefit His blessed name possesses.
And the command of Jesus to baptize “all nations” obliges us to baptize all who request for
themselves and for their children (Acts 2:38-39, 8:26-40, 16:29-34) before we baptize adults, the
Bible tells us to instruct them with the main teachings of the Bible concerning God, human and
salvation (Acts 8:24-40, 16:29-34).
We baptize little children for;
1. Children are included in Christ’s words “all nations” (Mat. 28:19).
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2. They are sinful by nature and must be born again in order to be saved (psa.51:5).
3. They too can believe (Mat.18:6; Lk. 18:17-17).
In the Lutheran churches the administration of sacraments is limited the pastors, because they were
called “in fitting and orderly way” and it is to avoid disorder in the congregations.
But emergency baptism is possible by and Christian in the name of Triune God and it the sick child
will be healed it is announced in the congregation to avoid confusion.
b) The blessing of Baptism
Baptism brings about forgiveness of sins, redeems from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to
all who receive it as the words and promise of God declare. God offers and gives great blessings in
baptism;
a. Forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38, 22:16).
b. Delivers from the power of death and the devil (Rom.6:3; Heb. 2:14-15).
c. Eternal salvation (Mk.16:16; 1Pet.3:20-21).
These great blessings which Christ won for us and that is why we say the Sacrament (Rom.6:3; 1Pet.3:21;
Gal.3:27). Since it assures them rebirth, baptism is a great comfort for the baptized members; which they
could not obtain by trying any of their best doing; (Jn. 3:3-5; Gal. 3:26-27; Titus 3:5-7).
c) The power of Baptism
In baptism the water does not do any great things, but the Word of God alongside the water, and the faith
which trusts this word of God in the water (Titus 3;5-8).
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is able to offer and give the great blessing (Jn. 3:5; Acts 2:38; Titus 3:5).
The Holy Spirit does His work in baptism through the word of God connected with water (Eph.5:25-26;
1Pet.1:23).
Through the word of God, the Holy Spirit;
- promises blessings, (Acts 2:38-39).
- creates and strengthens faith in us so that we trust God’s promise and the blessings of baptism our own
(Mk.`16:16; Acts 8: 26-39).
- The word of God makes baptism a washing through which God graciously forgives our sin and grants us
rebirth and a new life through the Holy Spirit (1Pet.3:21; Titus 3;5-7).

d) The meaning of Baptism for our daily life

Baptism with water signifies that the old creature in us with all sins and evil desires is to be drowned and
die through daily contrition and repentance (Rom.6:4). The sacrament of Holy Baptism has great meaning
and significance for Christian daily life as a result of the work of the Holy Spirit.
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Church’s authority
Lord Jesus Christ gave power and authority to His Church. The authority of binding and loosing (Mt.
16:19, 18:15-18; Jn.20:23).
THE SACRAMNET OF THE ALTER (HOLY COMMUNION)
The sacrament of the Alter (Holy Communion) is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under
the bread and wine. As it is written in different New Testament books it was instituted by the command of
Jesus to do what He did on night He was betrayed (Mat.26:26-29; Mk. 14:22-25; Lk.22:14-20; 1Cor.11:23-
25).this shows that the sacrament is not human invention that people do by their agreement. Jesus told to
His followers that those who have faith on Him have to eat His body and drink His blood through His
Word. According to His command we receive the true body of Christ in, with and under the bread and we
receive the true blood of Christ in, with and under the wine (1Cor.10:16, 11:27). We do believe the real
presence of the true body of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of the Alter in His Word of Truth (Lk.1:34-37;
Num.23:19; Psa.33:4).
The blessings of the sacrament of the Alter (Holy Communion) alter
The words “given for you” and “shed for you for the forgiveness of sins” show us that the forgiveness of
sin, life, and salvation arte given to us in the sacrament through these words, because where there is
forgiveness of sin, there is also life and salvation.
The reason Jesus gave His body to death and pour out His blood for the forgiveness of your sins (1Pet.2:24;
Eph.1:7). The blessings of Jesus’ giving His body and His blood which are made available to us in
participating in the sacrament are forgiveness of sins (Mat. 26:28; Lk.22:19-20; 1Cor.11:24-
25;Rom.11:27), life and salvation; (Rom.5:9,6:22-23).
The power of the sacrament of Alter (Holy Communion)
Eating bread and drinking wine could not bring forgiveness, life and salvation by itself alone, but the word
“given for you” and “shed for you for the forgiveness of your sins.” could do it. It gives and offers such
great gift through the word of Jesus (1Cor.11:23-25; jn.6;30; Mat; 26:26-27).
The words of Christ make this sacrament and eating and drinking through which God graciously gives us
the blessings which Christ won for us (1Cor.10:16; Rom.3:24-25).
Worthiness to receiving the Sacrament of the Alter
Fasting and bodily preparation area in fact a fine external discipline, but a person must has faith in Jesus
words “GIVEN FOR YOU” and “SHED FOR YOU FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS” (1Cor.11:20-
28; Lev. 23:26-32; Exo.19:10; 1Cor.10:16-21). When these words, accompanied by the physical eating and
drinking, are the essential thing in the Sacrament, and whoever believes these very words has what declare
and state, namely “forgiveness of sins.” The Sacrament of Alter is able to offer and give such great
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blessings, because of the words Jesus told us to use along with the eating and drinking. (1Cor. 23-25;
Joh.6:63).
God wants us to give the Holy Sacrament;
a. Only to repentant sinners (1Jn.1:8-9; Mat. 18:15-18).
b. Only to those who instructed so that they know the meaning of Christ’s death (confirmation institution/
1Cor. 11:24, 26; Heb. 5:13, 6:1).
c. Only to those are able to examine themselves (1Cor.11:28-29).
d. Only to those who are one with us in all we believe and teach (1Cor. 10:17; Rom.16:17; 2Jn.10-11).

Direction; please becareful; you have to answer each question in the sense of the course only.
Name________________________course____________year________program ____________
Assignment from 30%
a) Write the definition of creeds and Confessions.
b) What are the main functions and purposes of Creeds and Confessions?
c) Write the main points about the significance of the Lutheran Confessions.
d) What kind of relationship do the Ecumenical Creeds and Confessions have?
e) How do you believe in two natures of Lord Jesus Christ?
f) What are the significant or importance of the Augsburg Confession?

The following questions would be corrected from 30%

1. Write the Ten Commandments orderly.
2. What is the difference between the unaltered Augsburg Confession and altered Augsburg
Confession?
3. What is the difference between the Small and Large Catechism?
4. According to (Acts 10:38; Heb. 3:1); what are the ministries Jesus anointed for?
5. What are the explanations of each article of the Apostle Creed?
6. Write the definition of a sacrament.