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The following reading from the Kolb edition of the Book of Concord is for the Series C Old Testament, Zechariah 12:7-10 for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, July 4, 2004. It is from The Smalcald Articles, Part III, paragraphs 33-38, pp. 317-318. The Lord speaking through the Prophet Zechariah promised to pour out on the house of David a spirit of grace and supplication. Moved by the Holy Spirit people are moved with grief to acknowledge their sin and call upon our gracious Lord for forgiveness and restoration. Click here for the reading formatted for the back of a standard CPH bulletin. Pastor Doug May
33] In the same way Paul also preaches, Rom. 3, 10-12: There is none righteous, there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God, there is none that doeth good, no not one; they are all gone out of the way; they are together become unprofitable. 34] And Acts 17, 30: God now commandeth all men everywhere to repent. "All men," he says; no one excepted who is a man. 35] This repentance teaches us to discern sin, namely, that we are altogether lost, and that there is nothing good in us from head to foot [both within and without], and that we must absolutely become new and other men. 36] This repentance is not piecemeal [partial] and beggarly [fragmentary], like that which does penance for actual sins, nor is it uncertain like that. For it does not debate what is or is not sin, but hurls everything on a heap, and says: All in us is nothing but sin [affirms that, with respect to us, all is simply sin (and there is nothing in us that is not sin and guilt)]. What is the use of [For why do we wish] investigating, dividing, or distinguishing a long time? For this reason, too, this contrition is not [doubtful or] uncertain. For there is nothing left with which we can think of any good thing to pay for sin, but there is only a sure despairing concerning all that we are, think, speak, or do [all hope must be cast aside in respect of everything], etc. 37] In like manner confession, too, cannot be false, uncertain, or piecemeal [mutilated or fragmentary]. For he who confesses that all in him is nothing but sin comprehends all sins, excludes none, forgets none. 38] Neither can the satisfaction be uncertain, because it is not our uncertain, sinful work, but it is the suffering and blood of the [spotless and] innocent Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world.
These are excerpts from the Book of Concord.
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