A Reading from the Book of Concord 3 year series July 4, 2010 - 6th S a. Pentecost

The following reading from the CONCORDIA edition of the Book of Concord is for the LSB series C Old Testament Isaiah 66:10-14 for the 6th S a. Pentecost, July 4, 2010.

It is from Augsburg Confession, Article VII and VIII, page 144.

Isaiah reminded the scattered people of Israel of God's love for Jerusalem, His people (Is.65:19). God will restore her and she will be a blessing to many. Now God refers to His people as His church, but His love for them has not diminished and their purpose is still to be a blessing to many through Word and Sacraments.

Click here for the reading formatted for the back of a standard CPH bulletin.

Pastor Doug May
Socorro, New Mexico

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF CONCORD	6TH S A. PENTECOST
AUGSBURG CONFESSION	ARTICLES VII AND VIII: FREE WILL

Paul says the Church should be cleansed in order to be holy. He adds the outward marks, the Word and Sacraments, Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the Church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27)

The Church is defined by the Third Article of the Creed, which teaches us to believe that there is a holy Catholic Church. The words, "the communion of saints," seems to be added in order to explain what the Church signifies: the congregation of saints, who have with each other the fellowship of the same Gospel or doctrine and the same Holy Spirit, who renews, sanctifies, and governs their hearts.

Infinite dangers threaten the destruction of the Church. In the Church itself, the number of the wicked who oppress it is too high to count. Therefore, this article in the Creed shows us these consolations that we may not despair, but may know that the Church will remain . No matter how great the multitude of the wicked is, we may know that the Church still exists and Christ provides those gifts He has promised to the Church-to forgive sins, to hear prayer, to give the Holy Spirit. (paragraphs 7-9)

Condensed from CONCORDIA: THE LUTHERAN CONFESSIONS, copyright 2005,2006 by Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. All rights reserved. To purchase a copy of CONCORDIA, call 800-325-3040.

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