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The following reading from the CONCORDIA edition of the Book of Concord is for the Gospel John 1:43-51 for the Epiphany 2, series B, January 15, 2012. It is from Solid Declaration, Article XI, pages 606-607. Our Lord's gospel invitation to follow Him is for all nations and the Holy Spirit's regenerative power works in all who hear it. Click here for the reading formatted for the back of a standard CPH bulletin. Pastor Doug May
[Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. This is the will of My Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him should have eternal life. It is Christ's command that this promise of the Gospel also should be offered to everyone in common to whom repentance is preached. We should not think of this call of God, which is made through the preaching of the Word, as a juggler's act. But we should know that God reveals His will by this call. He will work through the Word in the people He calls, so that they may be enlightened, converted, and saved. For the Word, by which we are called, is a ministry of the Spirit, which gives the Spirit, or by which the Spirit is given. It is God's power unto salvation. The Holy Spirit wants to be effective through the Word, and to strengthen and give power and ability. It is God's will that we should receive the Word, believe it, and obey it. For this reason the elect are described as follows: "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life" (John 10:27-28). "In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will" (Ephesians 1:11). (paragraphs 28-30)
These are excerpts from the Book of Concord.
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