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 As Lutherans, we subscribe unequivocally to the Book of Concord, the collection of Lutheran Confessions published in 1580, because they are a true and unadulterated exposition of the Word of God.
Each week we post a new reading from the Book of Concord. They are also available in hard copy every Sunday in the St. Paul's church bulletin.
You can purchase your own copy of Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions from Northwestern Publishing House at http://online.nph.net or call 1-800-662-6022.
Reading for the week of May 31, 2010
The Augsburg Confession
Article I. God
Our churches teach with common consent that the decree of the Council of Nicaea about the unity of the divine essence and the three persons is true. It is to be believed without any doubt. God is one divine essence who is eternal, without a body, without parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness. He is the make and preserver of all things, visible and invisible [Nehemiah 9:6]. Yet there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit [Matthew 28:19]. These three persons are of the same essence and power. Our churches use the term person as the Fathers have used it. We use it to signify, not a part or quality in another, but that which subsists of itself.
Our churches condemn all heresies [Titus 3:10-11] that arose against this article, such as the Manichaeans, who assumed that there are two “principles,” one Good and the other Evil. They also condemn the Valentinians, Arians, Eunomians, Muslims, and all heresies such as these. Our churches also condmen the Samosatenes, old and new, who contend that God is but one person. Through sophistry they impiously argue that the Word and the Holy Spirit are not distinct persons. They say that Word signifies a spoken word, and Spirit signifies motion created in things. (paragraphs 1-6)
Condensed from CONCORDIA: THE LUTHERAN CONFESSIONS, © 2005 by Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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