Concordia Quotes

“Nevertheless, the older theologians are generally closer to Scripture than are the recent theologians.”
― Concordia Publishing House, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition: A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord

“Gospel,”
― Concordia Publishing House, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition: A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord

“If moral works would merit the forgiveness of sins and justification, there would also be no need for Christ and the promise.”
― Concordia Publishing House, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition: A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord

“Every service of God, established and chosen by people to merit justification and grace, without God’s commandment, is wicked”
― Concordia Publishing House, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition: A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord

“Church teaching misled people into believing that by following such regulations they merited God’s grace and favor. Such a theory is entirely contrary to the Gospel, overturns the all-sufficient merit of Jesus Christ, and replaces Him with human works”
― Concordia Publishing House, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition: A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord

“God created human beings for procreation (Genesis 1:28). [6] It is not within a person’s power, without God giving a unique gift, to change this creation.”
― Concordia Publishing House, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition: A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord

“Consciences cannot be set at rest through any works, but only by faith, when they take the sure ground that for Christ’s sake they have a gracious God.”
― Concordia Publishing House, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition: A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord

“Our churches condemn the Pelagians and others who teach that without the Holy Spirit, by natural power alone, we are able to love God above all things and do God’s commandments according to the letter.”
― Concordia Publishing House, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition: A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord

“Article XVIII asserts Scripture’s teaching that people, apart from God’s grace, are wholly incapable of perceiving spiritual things.”
― Concordia Publishing House, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition: A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord

“] It can easily be judged that if the churches observed ceremonies correctly, their dignity would be maintained and reverence and piety would increase among the people.”
― Concordia Publishing House, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition: A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord

“Our churches do not dissent from any article of the faith held by the Church catholic. They only omit some of the newer abuses.”
― Concordia Publishing House, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition: A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord

“Ambrose says: “Faith is the mother of a good will and doing what is right.”
― Concordia Publishing House, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition: A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord

“] It is only by faith, and nothing else, that forgiveness of sins is apprehended.”
― Concordia Publishing House, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition: A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord

“Furthermore, we teach that it is necessary to do good works. This does not mean that we merit grace by doing good works, but because it is God’s will”
― Concordia Publishing House, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition: A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord

“That is why the need was so great for teaching and renewing the doctrine of faith in Christ, so that anxious consciences would not be without consolation but would know that grace, forgiveness of sins, and justification are received by faith in Christ.”
― Concordia Publishing House, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition: A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord

“IX. THE DESCENT OF CHRIST TO HELL Note: This article attests that Christ descended into hell to proclaim and announce His victory over sin, death, and the devil; not as part of His atonement for the sins of the world. It put an end to the squabbling that had arisen among Lutherans over the meaning of Christ’s descent to hell, and it based its conclusions on one of Luther’s sermons discussing this issue. (See also Apostles’ Creed; Nicene Creed; Athanasian Creed; SA I; SC II; LC II; FC SD IX.) STATUS OF THE CONTROVERSY THE CHIEF CONTROVERSY ABOUT THIS ARTICLE [1] This article has also been disputed among some theologians who have subscribed to the Augsburg Confession: When and in what manner did the Lord Christ, according to our simple Christian faith, descend to hell? Was this done before or after His death? Did this happen only to His soul, only to the divinity, or with body and soul, spiritually or bodily? Does this article belong to Christ’s passion or to His glorious victory and triumph? [2] This article, like the preceding article, cannot be grasped by the senses or by our reason. It must be grasped through faith alone. Therefore, it is our unanimous opinion that there should be no dispute over it. It should be believed and taught only in the simplest way. [3] Teach it like Dr. Luther, of blessed memory, in his sermon at Torgau in the year 1533 [WA 37:62–67]. He has explained this article in a completely Christian way. He separated all useless, unnecessary questions from it, and encouraged all godly Christians to believe with Christian simplicity. [4] It is enough if we know that Christ descended into hell, destroyed hell for all believers, and delivered them from the power of death and of the devil, from eternal condemnation and the jaws of hell. We will save our questions ‹and not curiously investigate› about how this happened until the other world. Then not only this ‹mystery›, but others also will be revealed that we simply believe here and cannot grasp with our blind reason.”
― Concordia Publishing House, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition: A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord

“Regarding the adversaries’ quoting the Fathers about the offering for the dead, we know that the ancients speak of prayer for the dead, which we do not ban.”
― Concordia Publishing House, Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition: A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord