The Smalcald Articles – part 121
Scripture Text: Romans 10:17
That someone could believe in someone or something that they have never heard of is an absurd notion. How can anyone believe in Christ without having heard of him?
The Smalcald Articles – part 120
Scripture Text: 2 Timothy 3:1–5
The Word of God is the foundation of doctrinal authority. It is God’s agency of grace. Human reason cheats people out of his grace and turns them into true fanatics who rely on their own so-called insights instead of the conviction of Scripture.
The Smalcald Articles – part 119
Scripture Text: Galatians 3:2
God gives us his Spirit, and an understanding of the things of the Spirit, through his Word. “God told me,” does not cut it. “It is written,” is the way of God’s people. Examples are in abundance.
The Smalcald Articles – part 118
Scripture Text: Romans 7:21–25
Within myself, I delight in God’s Word. But I cannot do it, much as I try. I am a sinner; that much I can confess. And more! For, though I cannot do what the Word tells me, I keep it and remain delighted by its promises.
The Smalcald Articles – part 117
Scripture Text: Psalm 25:11
It is a means of grace to be reminded of what we know—or to be told and taught what we do not know yet. Therefore, the Gospel itself is a means of grace.
The Smalcald Articles – part 116
Scripture Text: Matthew 16:19
How is this binding and loosing of sins accomplished? Does it occur because one has finally confessed the last sin? If so, how does one confess an unknown sin, a stray thought, a wayward and quickly forgotten glance or word, an unknown, undone deed?
The Smalcald Articles – part 115
Scripture Text: Mark 14:22
Take this bread; it is my body. That is straightforward talk that holds a mystery. You either believe what Jesus said, or you do not, or you add to his words so that they fit human reason.
The Smalcald Articles – part 114
Scripture Text: Mark 9:2–8
Who should the Church listen to: God or traditions? Christ or modern-day pharisees? The Holy Spirit or the teachings of the universities? God’s Word or church councils?
The Smalcald Articles – part 113
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23–25
“What did I tell you?” How many times have we heard that while growing up? Listening carefully, then doing what you were told is a staple of becoming a responsible adult.
The Smalcald Articles - part 112
Scripture Text: John 6:48-51
It all falls on faith, not tradition, or in the case of these two sentences in the Smalcald Articles, not on piety, personal holiness, or the faithfulness of the minister.
The Smalcald Articles - part 111
Scripture Text: Matthew 19:13-15
Jesus said the kingdom of God belongs to children. Are they part of his kingdom because of their own goodness or efforts? No more than anyone is because of personal merit.
The Smalcald Articles - part 110
Scripture Text: Ephesians 5:25-27
The Church is made holy — completely so and without a single stain � because God says so in his Word. This is what we believe through faith in Christ. This washing is done without mystery or human explanation, by the simple agency of water and what God has spoken.
The Smalcald Articles - part 109
Scripture Text: Exodus 34:6-7
Again, we see why repentance is so important. God is rich in mercy, forgiving sin but not absolving the "guilty." The guilty are those who will not own their sin, those who will not admit and confess all their sin.
The Smalcald Articles – part 108
Scripture Text: 1 John 1:5–10
You now see why repentance is so necessary in the Christian life. In order for faith to remain, the Spirit must be within us. The Spirit does not continue where sin is present, where unrighteousness is permitted to remain and dwell.
The Smalcald Articles – part 107
Scripture Text: 1 John 2:1–2
True Christians always feel the sin within them—that which they were born with and that which they commit. They must therefore, repent daily.
The Smalcald Articles – part 106
Scripture Text: Jonah 3:10–4:3
Human reason simply does not comprehend the great love of God. It cannot. Natural thought goes along this line: I must have to do something. So startling is the doctrine of God’s love so freely given, that it can even make us angry.
The Smalcald Articles – part 105
Scripture Text: Romans 7:21–25
How often have you wished to do what is right, but find yourself unable? Within yourself, in your “inmost self” (RSV) or soul, you want to do right, but discover you cannot do so in your outward parts.
The Smalcald Articles – part 104
Scripture Text: John 1:16–17
The law was given us to show how corrupt we really are. Therefore, it shows us our need for Christ’s gospel. We should then, receive the fullness of his grace, which he freely gives...
The Smalcald Articles – part 103
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 15:57
Over the years, I have become even more certain of one thing: I am forgiven of all my sins for Christ’s sake. If I am left to the resources of my behavior, I am altogether ruined and hopeless.
The Smalcald Articles – part 102
Scripture Text: Mark 6:10–12
No one was excepted in Jesus’ commission to the disciples. Even the scribes and the Pharisees were warned of their need to repent (Matt 3:7).
The Smalcald Articles – part 101
Scripture Text: Galatians 3:10–11
Ask God to forgive you for the sake of Christ. Do not ask God to forgive you for the sake of the good or religious things you have done or will do.
The Smalcald Articles – part 100
Scripture Text: Luke 18:10–14
This is a matter of justification, a matter upon which we must not give way even an inch. For faith in Christ is the only thing that justifies. If it were otherwise, Christ’s death is meaningless.
The Smalcald Articles – part 99
Scripture Text: 1 Peter 3:18
We cannot give our good works to other sinners. Who would want such filthy rags, in any case? Nor may we sell them; that would be trading in counterfeit goods
The Smalcald Articles – part 98
Scripture Text: Titus 1:1–3
The hope of eternal life does not come through religious actions, the promises of pastors, priests, and popes, or payment plans. All of these will disappoint sooner or later. Your good deeds will always be suspect.
The Smalcald Articles – part 97
Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 2:3b–6
The highest price was paid for souls because, in fact, they are not cheap. The ransom price for sinners is life. Either we pay for our sin, or God does. Either he dies or we die.
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