Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 50
Scripture Text: John 14:6
We will have disagreement over some matters in the church. Nonetheless, we must never have disagreement about that which is basic.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 49
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 11:18–19
“That pastor caused such division when he led all those churches out of our denomination.” I heard this statement a couple of years ago while visiting an out-of-state church.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 48
Scripture Text: Revelation 3:7–13
Though no one but Christ is head of the church, there remain bishops, pastors, priests, Council presidents, and others in positions of leadership. Be sure they keep the Word of God.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 47
Scripture Text: Proverbs 11:14
If a leader makes decisions that are firmly settled in Scripture, there would at least be the counsel of the Word and the Spirit. Most of the church would be glad of such wise guidance.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 46
Scripture Text: 2 Timothy 2:8–9
Thank God the days are gone when oaths had to be sworn to churchmen. The Christian must be bound to no one but God. The Christian conscience must be captive only to the Word of God.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 45
Scripture Text: Psalm 2:10–11
How is a guilty conscience to be healed but through the proper instruction of Christianity? Correct teaching about forgiveness of sin would itself, work wonders in the life of a congregation, a synod, a nation.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 43
Scripture Text: John 20:19–23
The Office of the Keys does not refer to imposing punishments but to absolution and withholding of the forgiveness of sins.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 42
Scripture Text: Matthew 6:10
Christ is not present when there is unilateral authority, as Christ himself is the authority. He has determined to exercise that divine authority in the quorum of at least two believers.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 41
Scripture Text: Matthew 18:18–20
John Hus wrote, “Teach, counsel, punish, console, remit, bear, pray.” Death is not on the list. It was not on Jesus’ list either.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 40
Scripture Text: Matthew 5:20
If our righteousness must excel that of the religious professionals and experts, then where is our hope? Well, if righteousness truly comes through good works, correct dogma, proper services, or acknowledged tradition, then there is no hope.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 39
Scripture Text: Matthew 19:11–12
We will not venture into the details; look to the newspapers for much of what Melancthon means by “shameful acts.” But what of the reason for the tradition of celibacy...
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 38
Scripture Text: Psalm 50:15
Whenever one wonders if a doctrine is true or false, look to the chief article. Does a teaching conflict with the first article? If so, then the doctrine is false.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 37
Scripture Text: 1 John 1:8–9
Christians often sin; it is as natural as breathing. Yet, when Christians sin, they know it. The Holy Spirit makes them aware of their sin and the guilt of their unrighteousness.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 36
Scripture Text: 1 Corinthians 15:50–58
The more we aim at purer piety, stricter law-keeping, faithful penance, and more and greater good works, the more assured we become that we can do nothing against our corruption.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 35
Scripture Text: Matthew 6:7–13
We should not pray endlessly over our sins, thinking our devotion to naming each and every transgression is cause for God’s mercy.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 34
Scripture Text: Romans 4:5–7
There is no hope for sinners who are denied true and complete faith in Christ. So long as they are cast back upon themselves, they are sunk—the lot of them.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 33
Scripture Text: 1 Timothy 6:3–5
Just as the grace of God is freely given, so is the means of grace. The Sacraments are not for hire. They are freely given, as need dictates. Sinners require a liberal provision of God’s grace.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 32
Scripture Text: Luke 12:51–53
The only peace that Christ came to bestow on this earth is the peace that is had through faith in him. Believe in Christ—in God’s salvation and forgiveness given only through such faith...
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 31
Scripture Text: Matthew 7:21–23
The principal part of Christian doctrine is that we have faith in God, believing that he loved the world so much that he sent his Son to save us, forgiving all sin, justifying sinners, and saving them to eternal life only through faith in Christ.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 30
Scripture Text: Isaiah 14:12–14
Whether it be Sargon II, Satan, or anyone else, no one is God but God. He alone is the Most High. Climb the ranks of the kingdoms of earth or invent your own kingdom, small or large; still you are not God.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 29
Scripture Text: 2 Thessalonians 2:3–5
If one imagines that salvation comes in any other way than through faith in Christ, that one is an antichrist. If he proclaims that some deeds must be done, religious services performed, or anything be believed beyond that satisfaction who is Christ himself, then that person is opposed to Christ.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 28
Scripture Text: Galatians 1:6–9
The gospel of Jesus Christ proclaims that we are saved by God’s action—not by our own actions. A person may spend a lifetime going to church and doing good works, and actually be a truly decent neighbor, yet be hell bound.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 26
Scripture Text: Romans 1:16–17
The saving power of the gospel begins with faith and ends with faith. There are no hoops in between. Complicated or even impossible efforts, exercises, and rule following have no power to save.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 25
Scripture Text: Romans 8:5
God rules the world with both left and right hands. The left-handed governance is the administrations of both state and church. If it has to do with the flesh, with property and daily life, it is likely the left hand at work in our lives.
Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope – part 24
Scripture Text: Matthew 4:8–10
Christ has given his church a greater power than crowns, robes, and scepters. He has conferred spiritual not political power. Why would he give his disciples something as fleeting and hopeless as politics and government?
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